Remember the Numb3rs episode where the train signal operator dozes off for a split second causing a major train accident, after having worked continuous shifts? If you think such occurrences are far removed from reality, think again. A recent survey by the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association, indicates that up to 78 per cent of fatal air crashes are caused by human error, of which a majority are because of pilot fatigue.
Fatigue at work can be a very serious problem. Says Huma K., ground staff of a national airlines service, “Around 70 to 80 per cent of air accidents happen due to pilot fatigue. ‘Shortage of staff’ is the excuse given commonly to make employees work overtime. Even drivers of the shuttle service within the airport work on continuous shifts, without weekly-offs. Is it any wonder then that accidents are caused?”
The condition of bus drivers in the city is not very different. “In the city, around 30 to 40 per cent of road accidents occur due to the driver being fatigued. A lot of travel service providers overwork their staff members in a race to make profit. What they don’t realise is that they are endangering the lives of the passengers, as well as the driver,” says Punith Aravind, proprietor, Sri Vinayaka Tours and Travels that offers bus and taxi services locally and nationally. “For drivers to outstation destinations, and far off places such as Delhi and Mumbai, a minimum of seven hours rest is required,” he adds.