UIC Leaflet 961: Training and Qualification Standards for Railway Staff

What is UIC Leaflet 961?

UIC Leaflet 961 is a core human-resource and safety document titled “Staff training – Principles for the selection, training and assessment of staff.” While much of the UIC’s focus is on technical Rolling Stock or infrastructure, Leaflet 961 addresses the most critical component of the railway system: the human operator.

The primary goal of this leaflet is to ensure that all personnel performing safety-critical duties—such as a Train Driver, shunters, or dispatchers—possess the necessary psychological, physical, and technical Staff Training. Standardizing these qualifications is essential for Interoperability, allowing staff to work safely across different national networks.

Selection and Psychological Aptitude

UIC 961 emphasizes that safety begins before training starts. It outlines the “Selection” phase, which includes:

• Psychological Evaluation: Assessing cognitive abilities, reaction times, and stress tolerance.
• Physical Fitness: Standardized medical checks focusing on vision, hearing, and conditions that could lead to sudden incapacity.
• Communication Skills: Ensuring staff can communicate clearly and calmly, particularly in emergency situations where language barriers might exist in international traffic.

Training Methodology and Assessment

The leaflet provides a framework for how Competence Management should be structured within a Safety Management System (SMS):

• Theoretical Knowledge: Deep understanding of signaling systems, braking physics, and operational rules.
• Practical Training: Hands-on experience under supervision, often involving the use of high-fidelity simulators to practice handling degraded modes or accidents.
• Continuous Assessment: Requirements for regular “refresher” courses and periodic evaluations to ensure that skills do not fade over time (Rule Book knowledge).

The Role of Human Factors

UIC 961 is heavily influenced by the study of Human Factors. It recognizes that most railway incidents are caused by human error, often due to fatigue or complex interfaces. The standard encourages training that highlights:

• Situational Awareness: Training staff to maintain a high level of perception in repetitive environments.
• Fatigue Management: Educating staff on the biological rhythms and the dangers of sleep deprivation in shift work.

Evolution and the ERA

Within Europe, many principles from UIC 961 have been codified into law via the European Railway Agency (ERA) and the Train Driver Directive (2007/59/EC). UIC 961 remains a vital global guideline for railways outside the EU and serves as a best-practice manual for RUs (Railway Undertakings) to refine their internal training programs.

Comparison: Safety-Critical vs. Administrative Training