Derailment At Paddington In June

[mushroom25]

in June a train derailed right outside Paddington Station, causing disruption for many for several days. A preliminary report was issued at the end of last week:-
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/paddington-safety-digest/derailment-at-paddington-16-june-2016

the immediate causes appear to be tied up with train driver route learning stuff, and complying with local instruction. but over the weekend, the press (including the BBC, surprisingly)made much of the driver fasting for Ramadan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-37128426

in a year when the Ramadan fast was at its longest (16h37mn), it would be easy to conclude being without food or water for nearly 15 hours might have had an effect. RAIB’s view is that there’s not enough evidence, but that the effects of fasting are understood.

would it be the right thing to do, for safety critical undertakings to vary shift patterns or work content to take account of religious obligations of their staff, such as fasting? and would so doing be fair on the rest of the staff who would need to accommodate this?

[whiskeryron]

Sorry to stick my neck out but if a person cannot do a certain job correctly due to any reason including religion, where the general public are compromised they should not have the choice.

[Mamyalynne]

Reading through that there is speculation on many reasons why this occurred and of course someone who hasn't eaten or drank for x hours is one of them.

I feel it is a duty of care that all employees don't perform tasks if for whatever reason they are too tired,thirsty or hungry to comply with safety rules affecting concentration levels.

This should apply to all of any background.

[Old_Geezer]

If, after investigation, this practice proves to be the cause of not being able to function properly, then maybe all that choose to experience Ramadan fasting should book a month's leave to cover it ? But they'd need to book early as if there is a number of staff who all want the same month off some will be disappointed, and have to try to book up to fast next year instead.

[vulcan42]

I don't know if this still applies but when I was in the RAF if a person fainted on duty and it could be proved that the person hadn't had breakfast, he or she were charged with a self inflicted injury. Time to introduce a similar charge in civvy street?