Jodie Stevens

The job design of rail worker has evolved from extremely strenuous to highly sedentary. Too much sitting has been recognised as hazardous to the health and wellbeing of workers, and in rail industry there may be implications to public safety. Measuring movement profiles of rail drivers (sitting, standing, moving) and job-related tasks along with overall job satisfaction, will provide us with insights to a day (or night) of a rail driver.

Understanding human movement in rail is critical to maintaining safety, given the potential for both occupational and public harm. This new knowledge provided to rail organisations will assist them with implementing practical guidelines for improving employee wellbeing. Promoting the health and happiness of workers in rail organisations may potentially reduce absenteeism and add organisational benefits to key performance indicators (e.g., maintaining schedules), thus improving productivity and safety for the worker. Benefits to the public are the possible reduction in accidents and improvement in safety. The research may also inform other land transport agencies such as truck and bus drivers considering the similarities in sedentary time spent at work.