Fatigue Risk Manager

Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.

About the job

The Fatigue Risk Manager is the strategic lead across South Western Railway (SWR) for fatigue risk management, with overarching responsibility for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of fatigue-related initiatives. This role ensures SWR maintains a safe, secure, and reliable operation by embedding best-in-class fatigue risk management practices throughout the organisation.

The post-holder acts as the subject matter expert and key liaison for all fatigue-related matters, working proactively with operational and corporate teams, influencing safety culture, and delivering effective solutions to mitigate fatigue-related risks. They will lead key fatigue-related projects, drive compliance with regulatory standards, and promote SWR's position as an industry leader in fatigue risk management.

Your main responsibilities will be:

Strategic Leadership and Business Ownership 

• Serve as SWR's central point for fatigue risk, leading the strategic direction of fatigue management across all functions. 

• Act as the fatigue lead in cross-functional working groups, projects, and safety initiatives. 

• Provide leadership on the integration of fatigue risk controls into broader business planning and decision-making. 

Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) Ownership 

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve a robust and evidence-based FRMS aligned with ORR guidance and industry standards. 

• Ensure the FRMS is embedded within the Safety Management System (SMS) and effectively supports operational safety and performance. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Work collaboratively with HR, Operations, Safety, Functions, Occupational Health, and other stakeholders to operationalise fatigue risk management. 

• Support roster planners and operational managers with guidance and tools to reduce fatigue risk while meeting service requirements. 

• Facilitate the balance between fatigue mitigation and operational delivery across departments. 

Stakeholder and Industry Engagement 

• Represent SWR as the fatigue lead in industry forums, working groups, and with regulatory authorities. 

• Monitor external developments and emerging research, ensuring SWR's fatigue practices remain current and forward-looking. 

• Influence the development of industry-wide standards and share SWR's best practices.

Fatigue Risk Assessments: 

• Conduct regular assessments to identify and evaluate fatigue risks among railway staff. 

• Use tools like the Fatigue Risk Index (FRI) to analyse work schedules and identify potential fatigue hazards. 

Development and Implementation of Fatigue Management Policies: 

• Develop comprehensive fatigue management policies that align with industry standards and regulatory requirements. 

• Ensure these policies are effectively communicated and enforced across the organisation. 

• Champion a just culture approach to fatigue and safety reporting, encouraging transparency and learning. 

Monitoring and Data Analysis: 

• Continuously monitor fatigue levels among staff using data analytics and other monitoring tools. 

• Analyse data to identify trends and areas for improvement in fatigue management practices. 

Training and Education: 

• Conduct training sessions and awareness campaigns to educate employees on the importance of fatigue management and sleep health. 

• Provide resources and support for staff to manage fatigue effectively.  

Incident Investigation: 

• Investigate fatigue-related incidents and near-misses to determine root causes and implement corrective actions. 

• Use findings from investigations to improve fatigue management strategies and prevent future incidents. 

Collaboration with SWR Functions: 

• Be able to support operational managers to balance the fatigue risk improvements being sought with the operational requirements of the railway 

• Work closely and provide guidance with all functions within SWR to integrate fatigue management. 

• Collaborate with colleagues to reinforce effective monitoring of fatigue standards and drive continuous improvement. 

Reporting and Documentation: 

• Prepare regular reports on fatigue management activities, including risk assessments, incident analysis, and fully costed recommendations for improvement. 

• Maintain accurate documentation of all fatigue management activities and findings. 

Compliance and Continuous Improvement: 

• Ensure ALARP led compliance with all relevant regulations and standards related to fatigue management in the rail industry. 

• Stay updated with industry best practices and emerging research to continuously improve fatigue management practices. 

These activities help ensure the safety and well-being of railway staff and passengers by effectively managing fatigue-related risks. 

You'll need to be:

• Ability to analyse fatigue-related data and identify trends and risk factors. 

• Proficiency in using data analysis tools to monitor and assess fatigue levels. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively educate and train employees on fatigue management practices. 

• Ability to collaborate with various departments and stakeholders to integrate fatigue management into safety protocols. 

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence both management peers and the behaviour of front-line employees, but also to listen to their ideas and concerns. 

• Capability to identify fatigue-related issues and develop effective solutions. 

• Proactive approach to implementing and improving fatigue management strategies. 

• Able to conduct training sessions and workshops on fatigue management and sleep health. 
• Ability to develop educational materials and resources to support ongoing learning. 
• Experience in developing and implementing fatigue management policies and procedures. 

• Experience in working with safety management systems (SMS) and integrating new processes into overall safety protocols. 
• Experience with incident investigation and reporting. 
• Track record of driving continuous improvement  

Desirable Knowledge/Skills/Experience 

• Formal Safety qualifications such as NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience of working with a wide range of railway stakeholders.
• Proven experience (3–5+ years) in fatigue risk management, occupational safety, or human performance within a safety-critical industry.
• Familiarity with fatigue modelling tools (e.g., HSE FRI) and risk assessment methodologies

About the location

South Western Railways HQ is based on the 4th Floor at South Bank Central, a stone's throw from the River Thames and a 10 minute walk from our busiest station, Waterloo. It is local to many well-known attractions, restaurants and retail facilities and is easily accessible by public transport. 

Working pattern

Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days 

9am-5pm but some travel and flexibility required 

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Excellent pension scheme

We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below.  We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/