When acute illness strikes

It could have been much worse. When a tram derailed at the intersection of Nygata and Storgata in Oslo last fall, the material damage was extensive, but both the driver and passengers escaped with minor injuries.

Earlier this fall, the Accident Investigation Board Norway released its report on the accident. It concludes that the tram driver fainted, probably due to a norovirus infection, and that this was the cause of the accident. Just before he lost consciousness, he experienced acute and severe stomach pain and a strong urge to vomit.

As the driver passed out, the drive lever was placed in the full speed position, and the tram accelerated to 37 km/h – far above the speed limit at the scene. The derailment occurred on a curve with a switch where the maximum permitted speed for the tram is 15 km/h.

The Accident Investigation Board writes that the driver had no health problems that could impair his alertness on the day of the accident. He had slept well the night before, and only noticed a slightly lower appetite than usual during the lunch break before the accident.

Both the police and the Accident Investigation Board Norway conclude that the driver had no reason to believe that he was unfit to drive the tram. The Accident Investigation Board Norway also states that Sporveien's health requirements and follow-up of drivers could not have detected or prevented the accident. In the report, the commission writes that "Sporveien Tram has a low threshold and acceptance for drivers to call in sick if there are signs that they are not fit to drive."

Renate Løno, the driver manager at Sporveien Trikken, is responsible for the daily monitoring of the company's drivers. She tells Yrkestrafikk that the employees are well aware of the health requirements.

– For us, safety is the most important thing. It always comes first. It is important for our customers, and it is important for it to be safe to work as a tram driver. After safety comes the customer experience, and finally comes consideration for the timetables, says Løno.

The driver manager refers to how both the Road Traffic Act and the requirements regulations set requirements for drivers' fitness.

– This is included from day one of the tram driver course. There can be many reasons why someone is not fit to drive the tram that day, and it is important for us to talk to the drivers about it. It is important in training and in everyday life. If a driver who is out driving the tram calls in sick, we find a replacement and solve the problem.

Like many other companies, Sporveien Trikken has also experienced a higher rate of sick leave after the pandemic, but the driver manager does not experience any increase in cases of acute illness.

– It's pretty much flat. We don't see any increase in it.

– Can you imagine a driver experiencing pressure to complete the route even if he or she is suffering from an acute illness?

– No, I don't. We find that our drivers have high morale, and they also know their responsibility to be fit. That incident in Storgata was a very special event, almost unique in the history of the tram, says Løno

Despite clear requirements for fitness and a low threshold for calling in sick, it can be challenging for drivers to draw a crystal-clear line for when they should give up the driver's seat. A subway driver tells Yrkestrafikk that he once felt unwell at a terminal station, but still chose to drive the subway to Tøyen station, where it is easier to get a replacement.

Stian Haldsrud is the head of the Weekend Service Association in Sporveien, YTF department 172. He himself has a part-time job driving both the tram and the subway.

– On the subway, all relief is mostly at Tøyen. This means that if you get sick at, for example, Mortensrud in the east, you have to decide for yourself whether you can drive to Tøyen or stay until relief arrives.

Sporveien has drivers available, so-called pickets, who are supposed to be able to step in to take over if a driver feels unwell. These are the same resources used to handle traffic deviations and other absences at short notice.

– It will of course take some time before the replacement arrives at a terminal station. Either the person in question must take the track there, take a taxi or be driven by the supervisor. The sick driver decides whether he or she can continue.

– Do you think some drivers might be anxious about being a nuisance or causing delays in such situations?

– Some people will probably feel a certain inner pressure sometimes, because you naturally want to hand over the train or carriage to the next person so that they are not affected. But if you are sick, you are sick.

Haldsrud adds that there are currently several lines with "intermediate departures", and that the consequences of a suspension do not have to be that great.

– On the tram, it's much the same. The replacements take place at Grefsen, Holtet and Disen. What can happen there, but also on the subway, is that there are no available resources to take over the carriage or train in the event of illness. Then a dilemma can arise, but it is generally solved by driving the carriage or train to a place where it is not in the way. But fortunately, these things rarely happen.

He believes there is no pressure to drive in the event of an acute illness, but that the traffic situation can create dilemmas.

– And then it is a bit up to the personality of the individual driver who decides the course to take. It is here as elsewhere – many are good at speaking up, while others accept most things. We from the union team are crystal clear that if you are sick, you stay home or as quickly as possible inform your superior so that you can get a replacement. And if something urgent happens, you should rather stay where you are, says Haldsrud.

He also describes the derailment in Storgata as a very special event.

– I have almost never heard of such acute incidents of acute illness in traffic in my years at Sporveien. 

While many drivers in passenger transport experience a clear focus on safety from their employer, the same focus can vary in freight transport. This is according to the head of YTF Logistics, Harald Hallem.

– They may be told that they have to come, that the company has no one else, and that the illness creates a very difficult situation. And of course it is difficult, it can be with us too, but we have very skilled traffic managers – so we can make it happen.

 Legal requirements for safety

No one may drive or attempt to drive a vehicle when he is in such a condition that he cannot be considered fit to drive safely, whether this is due to him being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating or narcotic substances, or to him being ill, weakened, tired or fatigued, or due to other circumstances.
Road Traffic Act Section 21

There must be physical and mental fitness to perform the work tasks in such a way that it does not pose a danger to traffic safety.
There must be no illness, health problems or other conditions that could lead to:
a. sudden loss of consciousness,

b. impaired attention or concentration,

c. sudden incapacity for work,

d. impaired balance or coordination,

e. significantly limited mobility.

Regulations on requirements for tramways, metros, suburban railways, etc. §14-7

In connection with this case, Yrkestafrikk has contacted the driver of the tram that derailed and collided. The driver does not wish to be interviewed.