Research ready to use
Updates to the wheel tread damage guideNew guidance on medical impairment in driversMore effective incident learning reviews
The updated guide reflects modern fleets and provides evidence-based best practice to maintainers.
Since the publication of the previous wheel tread damage guide 12 years ago, fleets have evolved significantly. We have now carried out a full update of the guide to reflect changes in fleet design, train maintenance practice, and new technology. The work was carried out by RSSB in conjunction with the Institute of Railway Research at the University of Huddersfield.
By working closely with operators and train maintainers, we made sure that the new guide can make a real impact in maintenance depots. The project:
reviewed changes in wheel damage and wheelset management
quantified improvements in wheel life from these approaches
identified ‘new’ forms of wheel damage and those becoming more significant.
The project carried out a review of the data currently recorded by train operating companies and maintainers as part of routine maintenance. The guide shows how this data could be used more efficiently to monitor the condition of wheelsets and support maintenance decisions.
The new guide also incorporates learning on freight maintenance, drawing on the existing knowledge transfer partnership between the University of Huddersfield and Rail Wagon Association.
Download the updated wheel tread damage guide at rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/COF-UOH-82.
We will be promoting the updated guide through a series of workshops with rail operators, vehicle maintainers, and key industry stakeholder groups. The workshops will support knowledge exchange and promote good practice in wheelset maintenance. To register your interest in attending a workshop, contact Paul Gray, Professional Lead, Engineering:
Paul.Gray@rssb.co.uk
[The updated wheel tread damage guide] will help us as end users, through experience and new learning, to identify damage earlier and take remedial action before problems significantly affect wheelset life.
Giving occupational health and safety teams the tools to make evidence-based decisions on incapacitation risk.
Our research has led to new guidance addressing the legal requirement that safety-critical workers must not have medical conditions ‘likely to cause’ sudden incapacity.
The project developed a Taking Healthy Decisions (THD) model and a Medical Assessment Framework (MAF). These offer consistent, risk-based, and transparent ways to judge and manage the risk from medical impairment. They cover both sudden and gradual incapacitation or impairment. It replaces previous guidance from RSSB, which is no longer considered best practice or compliant with current legislation.
The new framework encourages a more flexible approach. It will allow better use of the ‘fit with adjustments’ category through a structured process to risk assess and implement adjustments.
For example, one operator reported that around 15 train drivers with diabetes were precluded from work. This is a significant cost and impact on both operations and individuals when modern technologies, such as continuous glucose monitoring, can act as a safety assurance and lower the risk.
This risk-based decision-making framework aligns with industry safety standards and legal requirements. It maps the clinical aspects of the decision-making process onto the Taking Safe Decisions framework.
The framework defines risk boundaries (high, medium, low) and provides clear criteria for fit and unfit outcomes. It encourages collaboration in arriving at decisions, bridging the communication gap between occupational health practitioners and the operation/safety specialists. It also meets the requirements of the Equality Act.
We tested the guidance for train drivers in workshops, focusing on test cases such as type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and sleep apnoea. Future work will develop and test this framework for other safety-critical roles.
Download the guidance and criteria for medical impairment in drivers: rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/occupational-health-and-safety/medical-impairment-risk-in-safety-critical-workers
Read about the research at rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1324.
For more information, contact Clare Forshaw, Professional Head of Health and Wellbeing:
Clare.Forshaw@rssb.co.uk
The research project provides much-needed clarity on medical impairment risk […] By improving guidance and fostering better conversations between occupational health and safety teams, the project enhances industry-wide understanding of medical impairment risks, ultimately contributing to safer workplaces.
This work highlights the enhancement of technology, supporting medical conditions previously considered a no-no on the railway.
New guidance on how to learn from incidents to prevent recurrence and improve overall performance.
After any event that significantly affects performance, train and freight operating companies and the infrastructure manager carry out an incident learning review (ILR). The ILR aims to identify the root cause of the incident, reducing the likelihood of a similar chain of events and minimising the impact if it does occur.
However, different parts of the network use different review processes, with varied levels of effectiveness. There are also inconsistencies in how ILRs are triggered. Any learning from the review occurs within the route or company directly involved in the incident, but it does not typically feed across industry.
This research aimed to improve the consistency and effectiveness of the ILR process. We identified good practice from both rail and other relevant industries. We focused particularly on sharing review outcomes and ensuring that learning becomes embedded within the industry.
The research produced guidance that will support organisations in applying ILRs more consistently. We also released training materials to develop the skills of people who chair ILRs, helping them better understand the process and providing them with the confidence to lead the reviews effectively.
By making ILRs more effective, these outputs will help reduce the frequency and severity of significant incidents as critical learning is identified, shared, and embedded.
Download the guidance and training materials at rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1336.
Contact Marcus Carmichael, Professional Lead Operations and Performance, with any queries:
Marcus.Carmichael@rssb.co.uk
