Introduction
The railway is in a period of change.
- the vision created by the whole industry
We are in a period of change. The rail industry needs to continue to work with government to put in place new structures and ways of working. It needs to continue to embrace the opportunities brought by new technology. It needs to operate within the boundaries of affordability. We must be vigilant in assuring the health and safety of those using the rail network and those working on the railway.
Building on previous successful strategies, this document sets out the five-year Rail Health and Safety Strategy for the industry.
This strategy aims to bring greater cohesion and shape the future culture of the industry in a period of change.
The vision of becoming the healthiest, safest affordable railway in the world is built on three key principles:
Improving performance and accessibility so that rail is a practical and attractive option for everyone.
Finding better and more effective ways of managing existing and emerging safety risks.
Continually improving the environmental conditions for staff, to ensure their health and wellbeing and increase the attractiveness of working in rail.
The strategy sets out key activities to improve the health, safety, and wellbeing of our workforce and the safety of passengers and the public who interact with the railway. Taking an industry wide assessment of key risks, it was developed through extensive industry consultation. It identifies the opportunities that offer the greatest benefit and value from working in collaboration.
The road maps are owned and delivered by industry health and safety groups and their members from across the sector. Each group reviews performance, risk data, and operational experience supplied by RSSB.
The groups are a forum for sharing information and good practice drawn from the UK and around the world. They use intelligence to identify emerging trends and take actions to address them. Working together brings efficiency and promotes innovation and delivery of effective outcomes.
This strategy sits alongside duty holders’ plans and other industry strategies, including those for sustainability and cyber security. RSSB will work with those delivering them to ensure alignment and maximise on their benefits for the wider industry.