“The goal is to enhance job performance, but more importantly, to reduce safety-related risks for our employees on-the-job,” she said. “The intent of this program is not to establish specific duty time limits; rather, it will provide guidance that employees need to evaluate whether they might be at risk of impairment due to fatigue, and whether strategies are available to help mitigate this risk.
“Education is the first step to address job-related fatigue,” she continued. “Knowledgeable employees are more likely to embrace change if they understand and appreciate the effect of fatigue on their work and in their lives.”
The program comes after the Federal Aviation Administration announced last week that it had reached an agreement on recommendations for dealing with fatigue among air traffic controllers with the labor union for those workers. Several air traffic controllers were disciplined earlier this year for being either sleep or inattentive on the job.
Hersman was recently reappointed to another two-year term as chairwoman of the NTSB by President Obama.
She said she was “deeply honored” by the vote of confidence from the president.
“It has been a privilege to lead this remarkable organization with its dedicated and professional employees,” she said in a statement provided to The Hill. “I am grateful for the faith that President Obama has placed in me and look forward to working with my fellow Board Members to make transportation — across all modes — safer for our citizens.”