In interesting report on what Network Rail is doing to mitigate increasing track worker safety risks, including a benchmarking study carried out with other high hazard industries such as oil and gas, and nuclear. These industries have more advanced processes and systems than railways and report injury frequency rates up to 30 times better than NR. The study showed that NR’s well-intentioned practices had the unintended consequences of creating artificial distinctions between rail and task safety, focusing on generic rather than specific tasks, and making it difficult to get a holistic view of risk. It also showed there is ambiguity about accountability for safety. NR used the study to develop practices which it is now rolling out.
- We read it in: International Railway Journal, May 2015, p37
