Blame culture: the enemy of safety

On trial for homicide
In Johannesburg, a Metrorail train driver was on trial as TI went to press, charged with culpable homicide involving the deaths of three people in an accident on 15 October 1999. The driver is denying all charges, including the allegation of exceeding the speed limit. Immediately before the accident, he was put on a week of shifts, each nearly 18 hours long. He took over the train that consequently caused the accident, as a relief driver.

Subway fire "negligence"
At least 180 people were killed in Taegu, South Korea in February, when an arsonist started a fire on a subway train. While the arsonist is in custody, the police further arrested six officials of the Taegu Metropolitan Subway Corps. Three staff in the operation control centre were charged with negligence for telling the driver to leave his train after shutting off the power supply, thus trapping more than 100 people.

Responding to this tragic incident, the two national labour centres, FKTU and KCTU, both issued a statement criticising the blaming of workers. They further stressed that the disaster was partly a result of a drastic reduction in workforce and the introduction of driver-only trains. The unions launched a fundraising campaign to support the compensation of the victims.

"Sabotage" scapegoats
Thirteen members of the rail union FSTTC, including the union president were illegally arrested in Cameroon, allegedly at the request of railway management, in January 2003. The company blamed the union for a large number of derailments, which FSTTC attributed to the poor state of the railway infrastructure. These workers were subsequently charged with the act of sabotage. The ITF and the ICFTU condemned the actions of the police and demanded the immediate release of these workers and their reinstatement.

The ITF safety message

• Safety first. The ITF believes safety is constantly jeopardised by increased competition introduced by undercutting working conditions and social standards. Safety should be the ultimate priority in operating the railways, irrespective of ownership.
• No blame. Should an accident occur, emphasis must be placed on investigating the cause in order to prevent future tragedies, not on penalising the staff.
• Trade union participation. Governments and employers must listen to the knowledge and experience of railway workers in promoting railway safety.
• Proper investment. In staffing, training, railway track maintenance, and in the most appropriate safety systems.