Citation

Lindholm M, Reiman A, Jounila H, Väyrynen S, Ervasti O, Melleri A. Int. J. Hum. Factors Ergon. 2017; 5(1): 44.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Inderscience Publishers)

DOI

10.1504/IJHFE.2017.088417

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In rail transport work, a wide variety of occupational accidents occur. This questionnaire study aims to investigate the occupational safety (OS) challenges and needs recognised by railway personnel (N = 9404). Altogether, 1087 people answered. Answers were categorised thematically, and differences in perceptions between personnel groups and between different business sectors inside the company were identified. Differences between the category distributions were analysed with chi-square tests. Participatory approaches to improve OS emerged from the answers, e.g., attitudes, discussing and training OS. Statistically significant differences e.g., in the above-mentioned themes were found between the groups. The results provide vital information for the company to direct OS actions to the right business sectors. This study shows how personnel can contribute important views and feedback to OS development processes in a new way. The results suggest that more focused OS actions are needed. Guidance for the allocation, prioritisation and scheduling are provided.

Keywords: rail transport work; railway personnel; perception; occupational safety; employees; management; business sector; participation; participatory approach; idea generation; safety meeting.

Language: en