Newsletter: Long COVID affects operators of heavy machinery

30 Jan 2025
A railway track scene with annotations, using Fig 6 from the TAIC Report. A ground level view in a river plain surrounded closely by steep hills. The main rail line stretches into the distance. In the foreground, railway points give access leftwards to the crossing loop track. An annotated shape shows the position of a Westbound freight train, stationary on the crossing loop. Also foreground, a signal displays a red light for the Eastbound coal train that was approaching the entrance points for the loop
Annotated version of Fig 6 from TAIC report. (Image for illustration only to assist understanding, altered from original Fig 6 in TAIC report).

NB: The below is a brief electronic newsletter in plain English summarising key points in the report. The Commission's report speaks for itself -- you can download the full document here: www.taic.org.nz/inquiry/ro-2024-101. 

 

This report notes a workplace safety risk that is relevant for all safety-critical workers and their managers. The after-effects of acute illnesses such as COVID-19 can impair workers’ concentration, memory and thinking, including their ability to reliably self-assess as being fit to return to work.

A loaded coal train was eastbound from Arthur’s Pass to Lyttelton on the Midland Line. Its locomotive engineer (LE) was under instructions to cross with an opposing freight train at the Cora Lynn crossing loop.

On approach to Cora Lynn, a yellow intermediate signal indicated that the coal train would need to stop before the start of the Cora Lynn loop. To avoid a head-on conflict at speed, the LE would need to stop, ensure that the freight train was in the loop line and that the loop entry points were set for the main line. 

In the event, the coal train LE drove through the subsequent stop signal at the entry points and continued at 44 km/h along the main line – against signal instructions. There was no collision because the opposing train was already in the crossing loop, and the point settings enabled the coal train to continue on the main line, not into the loop. (see annotated photo below)
 

Cognitive impairment for the LE following a recent COVID-19 illness is about as likely as not the main circumstance leading to this incident. Medical advice to the Commission was that ‘brain fog’ is a well-documented after effect of COVID-19 that can continue for some time.
 

Acute illnesses such as COVID-19 may impair cognitive functions such as memory and concentration following recovery from the illness. 

  • All safety-critical workers should consider these potential after-effects when self-assessing as being fit to return to work.
  • All employers (including managers) of safety-critical workers should be aware that such after-effects may reduce a worker’s ability to reliably self-assess as being fit to return to work.