The psychophysiological status of rail traffic operators and modern approaches to its correction

In order to reduce the risk and assess the organism’s ability to cope with stress in the changing workplace environment of the rail industry, we have conducted psychophysiological examinations to assess the functional status of 204 rail transport operators (Astana, Kazakhstan). The occupational composition included traffic operators, in particular, train, terminal, locomotive, and energy operators, 204 persons in total. The assessment included the analysis of professional activity, registration of 22 characteristics of labor stressfulness across three subdivisions and sections, and psychophysiological status tests over the course of a shift using EPDK-MK and Varicard automatic machines. Functional studies were conducted via certified methods before and after the shift. The reliability of traffic operators depends on their health, since any deviations can affect the mental processes that are responsible for professional activity. It was found that the indicators of the psychophysiological status were characterized by pronounced fatigue, which required not only pre-shift control, but also post-shift express correction. Recommendations how to reduce stress were marked. The main ones are improvement of equipment, giving on the job access to professional psychological counseling, support during work in dangerous conditions and modeling of an optimal daily routine.