Health and wellbeing
Sickness absence in the rail industry is nearly twice the national rate and results in over a million lost workdays every year. But there is no safety without health and our employees need the right support and help to take care of their physical and mental wellbeing
RSSB continue to develop its health and wellbeing data hub, gathering data from companies across the rail industry on health and wellbeing issues. The dashboard provides the industry with an evidence base of health and wellbeing data, which can then be used to prioritise investment. As laid out in the new Rail Health and Safety Strategy, RSSB will be working with industry to develop and publish a long-term strategy for health and wellbeing data.
The health and wellbeing data hub shows that musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are one of the largest health and wellbeing issues. RSSB are undertaking an MSD survey to understand more about the problem and identify priority areas. All heavy rail organisations in the UK are invited to participate in the survey and distribute it with their workforce. The survey can be accessed via the link or QR code below and will remain open until 30 September 2024. The MSD roadmap (see image) shows the short-, medium- and long-term plans for collaborative work that will help reduce MSD across the industry. Firms that participate in the survey will receive their own company-specific MSD data. This will allow them to make evidence-based decisions on their own data.
In 2023/24, CIRAS received seven reports relating to concerns over staff musculoskeletal risk. This represents an increase over the one report last year and zero in 2021/22.
In one report, concern was raised about the musculoskeletal risk to station staff from assisting passengers in wheelchairs up a ramp to get from one platform to another.
The company responded that, in the short term, they plan to buy power operated wheelchairs to reduce the risk. In the long term, they will engage with other stakeholders to build the case for installing a lift.
