BUS OPERATOR
WORKSTATION
PROCUREMENT TEAM
TRAINING
TO ENHANCE BUS OPERATOR
ERGONOMICS, HEALTH, AND SAFETY
A TRAINING TEMPLATE FOR TRANSIT AGENCIES
[ADD THE TRANSIT AGENCY NAME, CLASS TITLE,
TRAINING DATE AND OTHER INFORMATION HERE]
Version: February 19, 2016
TCRP Report 185
EXPLANATION
2
This training template is designed to help transit
agencies prepare and support their procurement teams
in ensuring that the buses they purchase promote best
practice ergonomics, health and safety.
The template is organized in module outlines covering
the knowledge and skills areas recommended by transit
agencies, unions and industry experts, and the
objectives for each module.
The specific content required should be adapted and
developed by the transit agency. Reference materials
and existing trainings are suggested.
This template is designed to be filled in with
information, images and content that are specific to the
transit agency and the group being trained.
TRAINING AREA 1: PROCUREMENT
3
Training about how procurement works at the transit agency should be
provided to all new procurement team members and to other stakeholders
as desired so they can participate as needed. Training should be updated
for all procurement team members at the initiation of procurement cycle
or as changes occur.
Modules:
1. Procurement as practiced at the agency
2. Procurement update
Purpose
Review steps of real life bus procurement
acquisition planning
Understand stakeholder and team roles
Content
Current procurement protocol
Practical examples of targeted design
areas for bus operator health and safety,
and what is involved with those
specifications
Materials
Presentation by group facilitator or
procurement staff
Recommended Bus Procurement Team
Process Guidance Tool
4
MODULE 1:
PROCUREMENT PROCESS
MODULE 2: PROCUREMENT
UPDATE
Purpose
Establish common understanding of process
Review upcoming procurement calendar
Identify process changes
Define team roles
Content
Review of agency procurement, highlighting any changes
Calendar: information collection, analysis and planning,
specifications, RFP, review, award, factory visit, pilot, roll
out, warranty period, evaluation
Team chart and roles
Feedback on previous process, gaps, skills needed
5
Previous specification document
Materials Team chart and responsibilities
Calendar
TRAINING AREA 2: TECHNICAL SKILLS AND
KNOWLEDGE
6
All procurement participants should understand the basics of the bus operator
workstation design related to ergonomics, health and safety. A summary explanation
may be adequate for those not making material decisions. An active role in identifying
problems, suggesting and assessing changes, and testing delivered buses calls for
more detailed training. These modules can be prepared by the transit agency staff
who have experience in the area. The “Ergonomics for bus operators” template
developed with this project can be adapted for module 4.
Modules:
3. How the workstation affects operator health and safety
4. Ergonomics
5. Occupational health and safety
6. Driving
7. Maintenance
MODULE 3: HOW THE
WORKSTATION AFFECTS
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Purpose
Define the demands of driving that can affect bus operator
health and safety
seating
controls
visibility
Content signage
farebox
wheelchair
passenger interaction
7
Presentation by staff that experience in bus operations
Images, prototypes or access to current workstation and
Materials past elements that caused problems
Bus Workstation Design Features Guidelines
APTA Standard Bus Procurement appendices as updated
MODULE 4: ERGONOMICS
Purpose
Define workplace ergonomics demands, including
biomechanics and human factors
Identify how these affect bus operators
Apply knowledge to practical examples and develop
solutions
Content
joint posture
force demands
reach
vibration
anthropometrics
seated work
stress
8
Presentation by safety staff
NTI Musculoskeletal Disorder Awareness and Prevention
(Direct Delivery)
Materials
NTI Musculoskeletal Disorder Awareness and Prevention
(Train the Trainer)
OSHA #2255 - Principles of Ergonomics
MODULE 5: OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Describe the common health and safety hazards for bus operators
Explain fundamentals of OSH and industrial hygiene
Purpose Review Agency’s safety structure, reporting system
Define areas of bus cab design that affect safety and health
Content
Vehicle safety as it affects the operator
Hierarchy of controls
Hazards and controls:
Slips and falls
Environment: heat, cold, air quality, light
Health and wellness, including seated work, stress
Assaults in the bus work environment
9
Workshop prepared by safety department or joint safety committee
Transit health and safety handouts
Materials OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour General Industry Outreach Training
Course (adapted for transit)
OSHA #521 - OSHA Guide to Industrial Hygiene
Purpose
Explain and demonstrate driving demands
Identify cab configuration issues in current fleet
Content
Physical challenges
Work schedule challenges
Cognitive load
Targets for procurement
Bus operators’ interactive workshop or presentation on
driving demands
Operations perspective on procurement for safety and
Materials health – targets and limitations
Bus assessment checklist
A Transit Workplace Health Protection and Promotion
Practitioner’s Guide from TCRP Report 169
10
MODULE 6: DEMANDS OF
DRIVING
MODULE 7: DEMANDS OF
MAINTENANCE WORK
Purpose
Explain and demonstrate maintenance ergonomics demands
Identify cab configuration issues in current fleet
Content
Physical demands of work
Importance of equipment selection and placement on safety
and health, including maintainers
11
Maintainers presentation on cab configuration
Materials Maintenance Department perspective on procurement for
safety and health – targets and limitations
TRAINING AREA 3: ADVANCED TECHNICAL
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
12
Some team members or others in the transit agency may already have advanced
training or technical skills. The transit agencies can call on these people to provide
explanations or even more formal training to the rest of the team. Advanced training is
especially important in areas such as bus design and testing when the team, and
sometimes bus operators or maintainers, are involved in bus evaluation.
Modules:
8. Product and vehicle design
9. CAD modeling, blueprints and specifications,
10. Product testing
Purpose
Define background for bus design, selection and build
Allow procurement team to make practical and effective
proposals for improvements
Provide tools for developing effective RFPs
Content
Steps in design: concept, CAD, mock up, functional
prototype, pilot, production
Stakeholder roles in participatory ergonomics
Bus manufacturer design and build processes
Presentation by engineers, maintenance or procurement
Summary from manufacturer about their design and build
Materials processes
Bus Workstation Design Features Guidelines and 3-D PDF
Universal Model
13
MODULE 8: PRODUCT AND
VEHICLE DESIGN
MODULE 9: CAD AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Purpose
Communicate basic skills for interpreting and commenting
on images and descriptions of equipment
Provide experience with tools used in design and
procurement
Practice reading blueprints and design specs
Content
Blue print reading
Specifications models
Using the Bus Operator Workstation Engineering CAD Model
Using the universal 3-D PDF Model
14
Presentation by maintenance or engineering staff
Examples from last procurement
Materials
Bus Operator Workstation CAD Model and the 3-D PDF
Universal Model
Purpose
Support the organization in evaluating new equipment and
cab configuration changes
Establish a common language for discussing product and
vehicle testing
Design a testing protocol format to adapt as needed during
procurement
Content
Phases of equipment and vehicle testing for occupational
health and safety
Planning an effective testing protocol
Prototypes and mockups
Testing to failure
Presentation by design expert, engineering or maintenance
Use existing or develop:
- Bus cab specification checklist (developed with input from
Materials
engineer, maintenance, bus operators)
- Checklists for specific equipment
- Evaluation forms
15
MODULE 10: PRODUCT
TESTING