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Fatigue is a significant safety threat to rail workers and the public at large, according to a Teamster Rail Conference official’s testimony at a House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials hearing yesterday.

“There is no question in our minds that safety degradation because of fatigue is a ticking time bomb in the rail industry,” said Tom Pontolillo, director of regulatory affairs for conference member the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “The National Transportation Safety Board has on numerous occasions pointed to crew fatigue as a potential contributing factor in an accident.”

The rail labor union called on Congress to “put an end to the failed policies which created these fatigue issues.”

“The rail corporations ... and others are simply preying upon the fears of workers losing their jobs if they don't go along with extended work schedules and over-blown work territories,” said Teamsters Rail Conference Director John Murphy.

The rail industry should develop fatigue management plans that would be evaluated by an independent scientific panel and include an accountability mechanism,” said National Center for Intermodal Transportation Co-Director Patrick Sherry during his testimony.

“The overriding principle that should guide decisions in this area is the need to address not just the number of hours worked, but the number of hours off between duty periods,” he said. “Such rest hours will facilitate adequate rest for recovery.”

However, U.S. railroads regularly provide train crews with more rest time than required by federal law, and allow employees to take even more time off when necessary to get enough rest, said Association of American Railroads President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger. The number of hours a rail employee can work is set by Congress under the Hours of Service Act, he said.

“Railroads want properly rested crews,” said Hamberger. “Employers need to provide an environment that allows the employee to obtain necessary rest while off-duty, and employees must set aside time when off duty to obtain the rest they need.”