Impact of Railway Critical Incidents on Train Drivers and Effectiveness of Critical Incident Management and Support Protocols: A Recovery Trajectory Analysis

Cécile Bardon; Luc Dargis; Brian L Mishara

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002456

Impact of Railway Critical Incidents on Train Drivers and Effectiveness of Critical Incident Management and Support Protocols: A Recovery Trajectory Analysis

J Occup Environ Med. 2022 Feb 1;64(2):e70-e77. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002456.

Authors

Cécile Bardon¹, Luc Dargis, Brian L Mishara

Affiliation

¹ Psychology Department (Dr Bardon, Mr Dargis, Dr Mishara); Centre for Research and Intervention on Suicide, Ethical Issues and End of Life Practices (CRISE) (Dr Bardon, Mr Dargis, Dr Mishara), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

PMID: 34879030
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002456

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.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Humans
Railroads*
Social Support