Metro-North Railroad to Screen Engineers for Sleep Apnea

Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — A New York commuter rail line is taking steps to potentially screen its engineers for sleep apnea after the fatal crash in the Bronx a little more than a year ago.

Four people were killed and 61 people were injured on Dec. 1, 2013, when the Metro-North train rounded the curve in the Bronx at 82 mph, well above the 30-mph speed restriction.

A report by the National Transportation Safety Board determined that the operator had “an undiagnosed severe obstructive sleep apnea exacerbated by a recent circadian rhythm shift required by his work schedule.”

Metro-North Railroad will spend $200,000 on a seven-month contract with Persante Health Care Inc. of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, which specializes in sleep disorders.

“Today Metro-North is taking another big step in our pursuit of best safety practices,” said Metro-North President Joseph Giulietti. “This pilot will go a long way to ensuring safety of our customers as well as improving the overall health of our employees.”

All 410 Metro-North engineers and about 20 engineers in training will undergo an initial screening by the railroad’s Occupational Health Services Department using use at-home, overnight sleep apnea tests . Engineers recommended for additional screenings will be referred to the contractor.

The program could be expanded to the Long Island Rail Road and New York City Transit, depending on its results, according to transit officials.

The $200,000 contract will go before the full board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for a vote on Wednesday.

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