Human-error in Traffic Department led to 485 rail accidents across Indian Railways since 2014

In over 11 years on account of the Traffic Department alone, the Railway Board has flagged zonal railways about the human error causing accidents. Image for representative purposes only
| Photo Credit: L. Balachandar

Expressing concern over 485 rail accidents reported across the Indian Railways network in over 11 years on account of the Traffic Department alone, the Railway Board has flagged zonal railways about the human error causing the accidents.

In a circular, dated January 24, Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board, Hitendra Malhotra, has listed out the human-related factors that had commonly led to accidents and suggested corrective actions to avert them.

Mr. Malhotra pointed out 224 derailments reported across Indian Railways since 2014 were primarily due to improper setting of point and/or route. Among other factors leading to accidents were failure on part of the railway staff members in observing shunting rules, breach of block rule, non-securing of rake and oversight.

Resorting to shortcuts

Railway officials and staff were resorting to shortcuts during shunting activities to save time, he complained. When adoption of such shortcuts helped them in carrying out shunting operation successfully or the supervisors accepted them, resorting to shortcuts would develop into a habit among the employees, he said adding that the railway staff should not be forced to do shunting operations in a hurry.

On breach of block rule and non-securing of rake, the Member said that procedural lapses had led to derailments and even collisions. In some incidents, oversight in established procedure of working like failure to remove wodden wedges and loose coupling have led to the accidents, he pointed out.

Case studies must in training module

Mr. Malhatro has asked the Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM) of the zonal railways to make accident case studies mandatory part of every training module.

“At least ten such cases must be discussed in one session. Safety bulletins must be regulary issued containing accident summaries on traffic account,” the circular.

He also called for implementing a robust communication system between officials involved in train operation.

Stressing on the importance of multilingual support or visual cues where language barriers existed, the Railway Board Member said that understanding of the rule or procedure was more important than the counselling record. Counselling sessions should be conducted at regular intervals for the staff involved in train operation to help them overcome fatigue, stress and for mental health management.

Error-management and reporting culture

The railway officials should foster a culture where employees felt safe to report mistakes or near-misses without fear of retribution. “This will help in timely course correction,” he pointed out. The PCOMs were also instructed to inspect the zonal and divisional training centres to help build top class training centres.