What lessons can rail learn from the aviation industry?
Exploring safety culture, supply chain trust, and Operational excellence in rail and aviation.
Michael Woods, Principal Operations Specialist, RSSB
In January 2024, a Boeing 737 Max aircraft experienced a catastrophic mechanical issue. Shortly after taking off from Portland International Airport, the door plug came away from the craft. Already at 16,000 feet, the cabin immediately depressurised. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun pointed to a ‘quality escape’ in the supply chain. He said, ‘It escaped their factory but then it escaped ours too.’
Thankfully, there were no fatalities, though the event was traumatic for the passengers and crew. It also had a major impact on Boeing’s reputation and rocked the public’s trust in the industry. Kayak, an online travel agent, reported that use of their ‘aircraft type’ filter increased 15-fold. Customers were using it to avoid flying on the Boeing 737 Max.
Just 6 months later, another fault was discovered, and 100 more 737 Max planes were grounded. This time, a whistleblower from Boeing revealed a major electrical issue on the jet. The pilot’s main control unit and other critical parts were improperly earthed. On this occasion, it was Boeing’s production standards and safety culture that were called into question.
In rail, as in aviation, we have a long and complex supply chain. Train and freight operating companies have to be able to trust in the quality of their rolling stock. And trust in the maintenance of the network.
The Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme (RISQS) has more than 4,000 members. RISQS performs in-depth audits of suppliers and their products. Suppliers demonstrate their excellent quality against several metrics. In return, they gain certification and visibility to buyers. This system means that buyers can quickly and easily find suppliers they can trust. And that the railway as a whole can trust that critical work is done to the highest standard.
A healthy safety culture leads to a safe service that passengers can trust. It is one where safety concerns can be raised and addressed without the fear of repercussion. Without it, issues can be overlooked and ignored, and they can lead to situations like Boeing’s. A robust safety culture means that potential hazards or faults can be caught before they lead to accidents.
Having a confidential reporting channel like CIRAS is a real benefit in this area. If workers feel, for whatever reason, uncomfortable about flagging a safety concern, they can confidentially report it to the CIRAS hotline. CIRAS then address the concern with the company in question. It is a closed loop that helps stop internal issues building up. It also means that hazards and risks are addressed as early as possible.
Passengers need to be able to trust in the safety of the railway. And having a good reputation for safety culture gives the public confidence. They will then be more likely to use rail services in greater numbers.
RISQS: get the key dates and latest news for buyers and suppliers.
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CIRAS, the Confidential Safety Holine