Impairment Science and WSP Selected for National Safety Council Fatigue Prevention Pilot
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
DRUID Technology to Help Measure Fatigue-Related Impairment in Safety-Sensitive Rail Operations
CAMBRIDGE MA, June 8, 2026 – Impairment Science, Inc. (ISI) has been selected by the National Safety Council (NSC) as part of the 2026 Work to Zero Workplace Fatigue Pilot Grant Program, a national initiative designed to advance innovative technologies that help prevent fatigue-related incidents and injuries in the workplace.
WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms, will partner with Impairment Science to evaluate the effectiveness of the DRUID® fit-for-work assessment platform in identifying fatigue-related impairment among employees working in transit rail environments. The project was selected as one of only a handful of pilots funded through the Work to Zero initiative, which supports real-world testing of technologies aimed at reducing workplace fatalities and serious injuries.
Fatigue remains one of the most significant—and often underrecognized—safety risks in modern workplaces. Research cited by the National Safety Council shows that workers on night shifts face a 30% greater risk of injury, while employees working 12-hour shifts experience nearly a 40% increase in injury risk. The challenge is especially pronounced in industries where employees work extended hours, rotating shifts, overnight schedules, or in physically demanding environments.
For WSP, fatigue management is a critical concern. The company operates in numerous safety-sensitive sectors, including transportation, infrastructure, construction, mining, environmental remediation, and emergency response. Within its transportation division, rail and transit operations present unique fatigue-related risks due to overnight work, rotating schedules, low-light conditions, and work performed around active rail lines and moving equipment. WSP’s incident reporting cites conditions consistent with fatigue-related contributors.
To address this challenge, WSP and Impairment Science will deploy the DRUID platform across selected transit rail projects. Select employees will complete a one-minute DRUID assessment at the beginning and end of each shift over the course of the pilot. DRUID uses neuroscience-based cognitive and motor performance testing to compare an individual's current performance against their personal baseline, providing an objective measure of readiness and potential impairment.
“Unlike traditional fatigue management programs that rely heavily on self-reporting or observation, DRUID directly measures the functional effects of fatigue on the brain and body,” says Rob Schiller, CEO. “The assessments can identify meaningful changes in reaction time, attention, decision-making, balance, and coordination—factors that are critical to safe performance in rail operations.”
Data collected during the pilot will be displayed through the DRUID Enterprise platform, allowing supervisors and health and safety personnel to identify trends, monitor workforce readiness, and make more informed operational decisions. The pilot is expected to support earlier identification of fatigue-related risk, improve intervention opportunities, and generate insights that can help optimize scheduling, staffing, and work practices.
The project will be conducted over approximately six to nine months. Initial phases will focus on planning, training, onboarding, and baseline establishment, followed by active deployment and workforce monitoring. The final phase will involve data analysis and reporting to evaluate the effectiveness of objective fit-for-duty testing as a fatigue risk management tool. The insights generated through the study may help establish scalable best practices for rail operations and other safety-sensitive industries facing fatigue-related challenges.
By partnering with WSP and the National Safety Council, Impairment Science continues its mission to provide organizations with practical tools that measure real-world readiness for work, helping prevent incidents before they occur and supporting the ultimate goal shared by Work to Zero: eliminating workplace fatalities through innovation, science, and data-driven safety practices.
About WSP
WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms, delivering engineering, environmental, advisory, and technical services across transportation, infrastructure, energy, buildings, mining, water, and environmental markets. With approximately 80,000 employees worldwide, including more than 20,000 in the United States, WSP partners with public and private sector clients to design, build, and sustain critical infrastructure that supports communities and economies around the globe. The company's commitment to health, safety, and operational excellence drives continuous innovation in risk management, workforce readiness, and worker protection. Learn more at WSP.
About the DRUID App from Impairment Science
DRUID is a neuroscience-based cognitive assessment app developed by Impairment Science, Inc. to promote workplace safety and productivity, monitor chronic medical conditions, and advance optimal athletic performance. By measuring changes in cognitive and motor function, DRUID provides an objective assessment of impairment and readiness for work, helping organizations identify fatigue, substance-related impairment, and other factors that can affect safety and performance. Learn more at Impairment Science, Inc.
Contact Information:
Impairment Science, Inc.
Chris Bensley
(617) 612-5800