Why do train engineers need to take naps? They are likely suffering from chronic sleep debt, which is the result of undiagnosed severe obstructive sleep apnea. Unions have long resisted solutions to the fatigue problem, but the current situation is different than it was decades ago. Now, a BNSF conductor fell asleep on duty during a train trip, and Norfolk Southern also allows its engineers to take naps on trains. But why are Unions so resistant to such a change?

BNSF conductor fell asleep on duty while train was moving

On December 30, 2013, the BNSF Railway was operating an eastbound “key train” – two head end locomotives, one rear distributed power unit, and 104 crude oil cars – and a westbound “grain train” – a total of 112 cars. One of the trains derailed when a broken axle on the 45th railcar caused 13 cars to roll off the track into the main track. A fire broke out on the train and the crew was stranded in knee-deep snow. In addition, the westbound train derailed and fouled the main track, leaving the rest of the train stuck in the middle.

A BNSF road foreman of engines, on the other hand, decided that the car crew was at the point of dismounting the burning train and making a cut. The conductor and road foreman of engines made the cut and pushed 50 tank cars west. The conductor and the road foreman of engines were able to keep the train moving by pulling the cars a quarter-mile away from the fire.

Norfolk Southern allows naps on trains

As of April 2019, CSX no longer allows naps on its trains. But BNSF Railway Co., Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific still permit them under certain conditions. While Canadian Pacific and Canadian National do not allow napping on their trains, CEO Lance Fritz says it is appropriate in certain circumstances. The company even provides “nap rooms” for its employees to take a quick nap. But many people question whether the policy is safe and effective.

The policy change was prompted by an increase in the number of incidents of fatigue among railroad workers. While many railroads prohibit naps, others have started allowing them as a part of their fatigue management plans. BNSF allows train crews to take short naps when they are not working and encourages them to use that time for other priorities. It is also improving accommodations at train crews’ lodgings. While the practice is still controversial, the company believes it is a positive step for the industry and for the employees.

Although the policy may seem like an easy solution, the problem persists. A national survey of 1,154 adults by the National Sleep Foundation indicates that passengers are more likely to take a nap when they’re on the train than to fall asleep. That’s not the case with the Pennsylvanian, however. The company’s unions are still educating their members about the new policy. They’ve organized workshops for employees and their spouses to discuss how to get enough sleep.

Unions have resisted solutions to fatigue problem

For years, railroads have demanded that workers come to work tired and grumpy. In response, unions have fought to keep their members on the job. One example is the Macdona, Texas, train collision, which claimed three lives. The employee responsible for the accident, who had requested a day off, was called to duty at midnight with only two hours of sleep. The railroad told him he would be fired if he did not report to work.

On February 1, BNSF railroad, formerly Burlington Northern Santa Fe, unilaterally imposed a mandatory attendance policy that would force BNSF workers to miss doctor’s appointments, spend less time with their families, and function on less sleep. This new policy will make workers fatigued and increase the risk of serious accidents and fatalities. The new policy could cause a more serious accident, and it may even lead to more deaths.

Fatigue is one of the leading safety concerns for railroad workers in North America. It has been documented that fatigue has similar physiological effects to alcohol, yet railroads refuse to acknowledge fatigue. The result is an understaffed, overworked, and chronically fatigued workforce. But this crisis should not be ignored and should be addressed as soon as possible. We cannot continue to live in a world where trains are moving goods and passengers at dangerous speeds.