Development of the "Error Evasion Skills Improvement Program"

We have developed an educational program for the train crews in order to enable them to take adaptable and appropriate actions by placing maximum priority on human life. This program is developed taking CRM (Crew Resource... [ view full abstract ]

We have developed an educational program for the train crews in order to enable them to take adaptable and appropriate actions by placing maximum priority on human life. This program is developed taking CRM (Crew Resource Management) training like that used in the aviation industry into account. CRM training effectively utilizes all resources available at the workplace (people, equipment, information, etc.) to bring together the capabilities of team members and to further raise job performance.
In the “Think-and-Act Training” part of the program, we conducted a drill simulating the safe evacuation and guidance of all passengers that involved assessing the situation, collecting information, allocating roles and cooperating and coordinating, while watching a video that showed the changing conditions inside the train and around it from the time of the earthquake to when the tsunami arrived.
In the drill, the person in charge of monitoring, called the facilitator, takes part, and crew members are given “scene cards” that present various situations in response to which they must make appropriate decisions. Crew members explain the basis of their decisions to the facilitator, who confirms based on that situation whether the optimal decision was made. The team is then presented with the next scene card. This process is repeated until all passengers can be evacuated and given guidance.
The drill is not for the purpose of finding the one right answer to the question of what action to take; rather, it emphasizes how decisions are made based on a person’s grasp of the various situations. Its ultimate objective is to foster the ability to respond flexibly and make good decisions in emergencies.
Crew members participating in the training were given a questionnaire afterwards, and the results indicated that the training had made a significant impact. For example, one participant wrote, "I really came away with a sense of the importance for understanding the situation, collecting information, and cooperating with passengers and the other people involved."
In this paper, the summary of this program and process of the development are explained.