New ITF research has revealed systemic health and safety risks across the global railway sector, with understaffing and employer cost-cutting putting workers, passengers and cargo in danger.
The research, Health and Safety on the Railways: The Workers’ Perspective, draws on responses from nearly 500 workplace union representatives from 19 rail unions in 12 countries. It shows that rail workers are facing high levels of stress, fatigue, injuries, harassment, and risks from unsafe infrastructure – all made worse by chronic staff shortages.
“This research shows the reality behind the headlines,” said Julio Sosa, ITF Railway Section Chair. “Railway workers everywhere are telling us the same thing: cuts to staffing, inspections and training are making their jobs unsafe and putting passengers and cargo at risk. The solution is clear – rail companies must listen to workers, restore safe staffing levels, and make health and safety a top priority.”
Key findings
- Stress and fatigue are the most pressing issues, with stress identified by over three-quarters of respondents (77%) and fatigue by over half of respondents (51%)
- Passenger abuse and harassment affect more than a third of rail workers surveyed.
- Understaffing is the number one cause of OHS risks, cited by 62% of worker representatives.
- Nearly half (47%) said railways are less safe today than they were five years ago.
- Climate impacts are already being felt, with 42% citing extreme heat and cold as major health and safety risks.
The consequences are severe: more than half of union representatives reported low morale among workers, and almost one in two said health and safety issues are driving sickness absence. Recruitment, retention, and diversity in the sector are also being hit.
Workers’ voices ignored
The research also found serious gaps in employer responsibility. Respondents identified the poor state of infrastructure and rolling stock (42%) as one of the main causes of health and safety risks, while nearly a third reported inadequate training when new technology is introduced. One in five workplaces has no policy on gender-based violence and harassment. A quarter of worker representatives said their unions are rarely or never consulted on safety issues.
A call for action
The ITF says the findings underline what unions have long been demanding: safe railways require safe staffing levels. Rail companies must urgently invest in people, training, inspections, and infrastructure – and workers’ voices must be at the centre of safety planning.
Noel Coard, ITF Inland Transport Sections Secretary, added: “Safe railways are the backbone of safe, sustainable transport systems. This research shows that employers are neglecting their responsibility to both workers and the public.
We will not stop pushing until staffing, training, and safety protections are strengthened across the industry.”
The ITF and its affiliates are calling for:
- Binding commitments to safe staffing levels.
- Mandatory consultation with unions on all health and safety matters.
- Greater investment in training, inspections and infrastructure upgrades.
- Stronger protections against gender-based violence and harassment.
“The message is clear: workers’ safety is passengers’ safety. Without urgent action, health and safety on the railways will continue to decline – but with investment and union involvement, rail can and must be made safe for all,” concluded Sosa.
Image credit: REUTERS
