What’s new in risk reduction?
The headlines from RSSB’s specialist cross-industry risk groups from February and March.
Naomi Ossinowo, Editorial content manager, RSSB
Our cross-industry risk groups meet regularly to discuss risks facing the industry and how to reduce them. Below we capture some of the headlines from the meetings held in February and March.
The System Safety Risk Group (SSRG) has approved the remit to establish a new accident investigation group. The new group will drive improvement in the quality and pace of investigations. Its scope includes but is not limited to:
accident and incident investigation
technical investigation
sentinel investigations.
The group will explore:
pre- and post-accident investigations
applicable standards and how they can be improved
good practice in investigative interviewing
quality of investigations
competence of investigators
quality of reports
cost-benefit analysis of recommendations.
The SSRG has noted, with concern, the upward trend in work-related violence. The group is keen to explore conflict diffusion techniques and how these can be used to support railway staff.
The group has also noted that RSSB is rolling out new, interactive data hubs for SPADs, level crossing safety, freight safety, and workforce safety in stations and on trains. The SSRG’s subgroups have steered the development of these data hubs, which will be showcased at the next SSRG meeting following their debut in March.
The Road Risk Group (RRG) has been thanked for its involvement in last year’s Road Safety Week, which took place in November 2023. The industry-wide roadshow included 14 events, with some hosted by Great Western Railway and Transport for Wales, and visits from Deutsche Bahn and Colas Rail. It is hoped the event’s success will provide a blueprint for Road Safety Week 2024, which will run from 24–30 June. Email RRG to take part this year.
The Train Accident Risk Group’s (TARG’s) analysis of causal data has revealed that poor depot maintenance is causing derailments. The main issues are a build-up of mud on railheads, poor conditions of back roads and railheads, and wheel flanges being below Network Rail wear limits. The SPAD Risk Subgroup, which reports to TARG, has been tasked with addressing this risk. The group will investigate it further and produce guidance on the risks in yards, depots, and sidings.
The proposed update, engagement, and consultation of the industry’s Train Protection Strategy has presented to TARG. The current timescale for delivery is July 2024, with submission to the Vehicle/Train Control & Communications System Interface Committee and the RSSB Board. As a key cross-industry stakeholder group, TARG will be consulted throughout this process.
Retrieval of items from the track (RIFT) is among the risk areas the Station Working Group (SWG) is focusing on. In its latest meeting, attendees highlighted the importance of preventative measures and not just focusing on the act of retrieval. The group says comprehensive guidance on RIFT is needed, development of which could involve other stakeholders through a gap analysis workshop.
As part of wider industry efforts to address the risks and opportunities presented by planned events, the SWG will identify and understand the specific risks posed by passenger congestion.
The On-board Train Working Group is developing a bowtie to analyse and demonstrate the causal relationships in overcarry risk. The group’s latest meeting highlighted the need for an easy-to-use bowtie, which could start with an overview of the issue and then capture specific scenarios in detail.
The level crossings safety performance overview for Q3 2023/24 has been shared with the Level Crossing Strategy Group. It has shown an ongoing rise in the number of events involving trains striking road vehicles at level crossings. However, the trend in near misses with pedestrians decreased over that quarter. Meanwhile, further analysis of near misses involving pedestrians and pedestrians crossing when unsafe revealed that non-vulnerable user groups were involved in most of these incidents.
The Infrastructure Safety Leadership Group (ISLG) Network is keeping a watching brief on two investigations:
the derailment at Walton-on-Thames on 4 March 2023
the incident of a runaway grinding trolley at Aston on 6 March 2024.
The group will use the outcomes of the investigations to share lessons learnt. It will also explore how the findings connect with projects being sponsored by its parent group, the ISLG.
The ISLG Network has committed to working with Network Rail on its main workforce safety priorities for Control Period 7 (CP7). They are respiratory risks, track worker safety on the operational railway, and road vehicle driver safety—all of which relate to the ISLG Network’s own objectives.
Daren Norris, Chair of the Infrastructure Safety Leadership Fatigue Working Group, has provided an update on the key priorities for the group in CP7. These include:
engaging with frontline staff to understand needs
providing access to guidance and best practice for staff at all levels
developing a proposal for fatigue and alertness content to be introduced to the current personal track safety training provision
understanding the commercial drivers for 12-hour shifts
challenging the Network Rail 003 Fatigue Standard and providing input into the development of a revised version
ensuring that the membership is actively engaged.
The parent group, ISLG, has asked members to ensure that industry fully understands the Office of Rail and Road (ORR)’s recently updated draft guidance on fatigue. ISLG would like the working group to carry out an impact assessment if the ORR’s guidance is rolled out.
The Rail Freight Operations Group has discussed the need for all operators to understand how RIS-3119-TOM (Rail Industry Standard for Accident and Incident Investigation) applies to their organisation and their investigation processes. The discussion was fuelled by issues experienced in gathering correct data after an incident.
Visit the RSSB website for an overview of all RSSB’s safety risk groups. There, you’ll also see how they’re structured and how they interact with each other.
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