Wed Feb 12 19:08:37 UTC 2025: ## Southern Railway Bans Drowsiness-Inducing Drugs for Train Staff After Rise in Accidents

**Chennai, February 13, 2025** – Southern Railway has implemented a ban on various medications for its loco pilots, guards, and other running staff, citing concerns over drowsiness and its impact on train safety. The ban, effective immediately, includes antihistamines, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and cough syrups with sedative properties.

The decision follows a report by a committee of medical officers from the Indian Railway Health Services, which identified a list of medications that could impair cognitive and motor function. The railway attributed the ban to a recent increase in human error-related accidents, particularly derailments caused by trains passing signals at danger. Fatigue amongst staff due to irregular sleep schedules and long working hours has also been cited as a contributing factor.

The ban extends to over-the-counter medications, with staff strongly advised against self-medicating. The Ministry of Railways has requested reports from all zones regarding lifestyle diseases and job-related illnesses among train operating staff.

The All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) has voiced concerns about the ban, arguing that it could increase stress among staff without addressing the root causes of fatigue, such as long working hours and inadequate rest. AILRSA points to previous disputes regarding rest periods, including the temporary suspension of 29 loco pilots last year for taking authorized rest, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by railway staff. The union calls for a comprehensive study into the impact of sleep deprivation on loco pilots’ health and well-being.

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