Impact of Railway Critical Incidents on Train Drivers and Effectiveness of Critical Incident Management and Support Protocols: A Recovery Trajectory Analysis. Issue 2 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bardon, Cécile; Dargis, Luc; Mishara, Brian L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 64:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: accident -- evaluation -- prevention -- railway -- suicide -- trauma prevention -- workplace programme; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002456
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Train drivers are regularly involved in railway critical incidents (CI) and critical incident management and support protocols (CIMSPs) have been developed to support them. This study describes the impact of CIs and evaluates the effectiveness of CIMSPs. Methods: We interviewed 74 train drivers 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months after a CI. We performed Linear growth model analyses to describe recovery paths and the effect of CIMSPs, considering the effect of CI complexity, proximity to victims, social support, self-assessment of health, use of resources, and attribution of responsibility. Results: CIs have a significant negative impact on train drivers. Recovery paths can be explained by the level of implementation of CIMSPs, and other contributing factors. Conclusions: CIMSPs are effective in reducing the negative impact of CIs and should be implemented rigorously by employers. Abstract : Results from this study stress the importance of adequately implementing all aspects of comprehensive critical incident management and support protocols to reduce the negative impact of railway critical incidents. Protocols should include management at the scene, short and long term assessments of needs and providing support at each stage.