Cross-industry groups: what have they been up to?

We go behind the scenes at RSSB’s cross-industry risk group meetings from July to October to find out what they’re focusing on.

Takeaways from the latest cross-industry risk group meetings

Naomi Osinnowo
Editorial Content Manager, RSSB

The cross-industry risk groups meet every 2 to 3 months to discuss risks facing the industry and how to reduce them. These groups reflect the risk areas covered in industry’s Rail Health and Safety Strategy (RHSS), and their decisions influence the course of travel for rail. So, it’s important you know what they’re working on.

We capture the biggest headlines from their most recent meetings, held from July to October.

System Safety Risk Group

Last met in October

The System Safety Risk Group has held a workshop to explore how it can most effectively empower its subgroups and to encourage industry-wide adoption of the RHSS. The session identified some initial steps for the SSRG to take. These include:

enhancing membership of the group
updating its remit
ramping up communication and awareness raising.

On-board Trains Working Group

Last met in October

As of January 2025, all SSRG subgroups will begin publishing a quarterly ‘project on a page’ (POAP) document to show the work they’re doing to help deliver the RHSS. The On-board Trains Working Group has now developed its POAP documents to reflect refreshed passenger operations work streams. This includes a new POAP on stranded trains and passengers. The group is confident that, with its POAPs, it has tangible outputs to work towards.

Rail Freight Operations Group

Last met in September

The Rail Freight Operations Group (RFOG) has expressed concerns about the drivability of freight trains in the UK under the European Train Control System (ETCS). This comes after tests were carried out on the first Class 66 locomotive to be fitted with ETCS on-board equipment. Drivers reported that they faced a braking curve that they struggled to adhere to, resulting in them significantly modifying their driving style to compensate.

Separately, the RFOG sponsored a knowledge search into personal health monitoring (PHM) devices in train driving. The group wanted to know if PHM devices could reduce the user’s risk of incapacity such that they could return to work. The search results were presented at the group’s September meeting, and members think there’s merit in considering the use of these devices.

Infrastructure Safety Leadership Group

Last met in September

The Infrastructure Safety Leadership Group (ISLG) has established a task and finish group to help reduce incidents of objects being left on the line. This is a direct response to an ‘objects on the line’ report, which called for the ISLG to develop and own a code of practice, with the support of RSSB. This subgroup will capture and standardise current good practice, as well as address areas for improvement.

Meanwhile, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) may conduct a class investigation following the near miss with a track worker near Chiltern Green in April. ISLG has provided an overview of its work in the areas that would be covered by the investigation. The group will provide ongoing support to RAIB during any investigation.

Stations Working Group

Last met in September

The Stations Working Group has identified three new workstreams to support its strategy to provide safe and intuitive station and on-board environments:

Crowd management: Identify whether inconsistent terminology and interventions introduces risk to rail and determine if further actions are needed.
Risks associated with train dispatch: Use human factors methodology to identify and categorise risks associated with train dispatch.
Station boarding ramps: Assist duty holders by identifying risks and mitigations and by clarifying relevant standards and frameworks.

Asset Integrity Group

Last met in September

The Asset Integrity Group (AIG) has appointed leads for its new task and finish groups, providing structure and focus to the delivery of its initiatives. However, it will seek an industry appointment to lead its Extreme Weather and Asset Resilience Task and Finish Group. The AIG’s various projects are at different stages of delivery, reflecting signs of good progress.

Separately, the group enthusiastically discussed objects on the line. The topic was part of the AIG’s new ‘rotating theme approach’,whereby a different theme is discussed at each meeting. The group would like to allocate more time to these themed discussions at future meetings to enhance participation and share insights.

Trespass and Suicide Prevention Strategy Group

Last met in August

A trespass data model, which uses machine learning technology to understand and categorise trespass data in the Safety Management Intelligence System, is being developed. Following feedback from the Trespass and Suicide Prevention Strategy Group (TreSP SG), it’s being improved. The final output will be made available to group members.

Separately, the group has endorsed a new project, ‘Defining the requirements for trespass and suicide signage’ (T1357). Proposed by a senior research analyst at RSSB, it seeks to provide a standardised approach to the placement of clear, well-designed signage. This will help mitigate trespass risk while factoring in the needs of vulnerable people. TreSP SG will maintain oversight of the project.

Lastly, the development of a ‘one-stop shop’ for the industry’s trespass and suicide prevention activities is well under way.

SPAD Risk Subgroup

Last met in July

The SPAD Risk Subgroup has analysed three SPAD investigation reports to deepen its understanding of why SPADs continue to climb. Though there were similar underlying causes across each incident, there were dissimilarities too. But the group did discover that the SPAD at Stafford LS5575 in 2023 led Freightliner to address a recommendation, which has resulted in it implementing a new cab-pass policy.

The review of high-risk SPADs will be a permanent agenda slot at the group’s meetings. Additionally, the group will enter all SPAD causes into a chart for further analysis and trend tracking. Findings will be shared with industry.

How the cross-industry groups are structured

Check out this chart to find out how the cross-industry groups are structured and the strategies with which their work is aligned.

View chart