Preventing Occupational Stress in Railway Engine Pilots

Abstract

Traffic volume and speed is going to be increased in Indian Railways successively leading to higher stress in train operations. The jobs of railway pilots come under the category of high strain jobs, necessitating a need to conduct study to unfold factors associated with occupational stress. OSI test, questionnaire of specific stressors and laboratory test battery were used as tools. Means of OSI of railway pilots was significantly higher than OSI of train operation staff. Mean of OSI of goods train pilots was higher to means to those of high speed and passenger train pilots. Study revealed positive correlation of speed perception and complex reaction time tests, and negative correlation of other constituent tests of laboratory test battery to OSI test. Highest stressor observed is role overload followed by role conflict. These findings provide evidence of higher occupational stress among railway pilots because of identified specific stressors. Significant correlation noticed between OSI and laboratory test results indicates its utility in preliminary psychological screening.