Rail Accident Investigation Branch
RAIB has investigated a number of accidents involving track workers on Network Rails infrastructure and has identified track worker safety as an area of particular concern in recent annual reports. As a result, throughout 2015, we have been gathering data on track worker near miss incidents.
On 20 August 2015, we published our class investigation into possession irregularities. The main focus of that investigation was the safety of staff involved in carrying out engineering work associated with the closure of a line to all trains other than those directly involved in the work itself.
We are now undertaking a complementary class investigation focused on the safety of track workers under all circumstances other than those associated with possessions of the line.
Our investigation will:
- review the circumstances of accidents and near miss incidents involving trains and track workers outside possessions during 2015
- understand how and why decisions are made in practice, on the choice of protection arrangement, and identify trends over the last five years in the use of different types of protection arrangement
- identify the key factors in planning and undertaking work on site (including the behaviour of individuals) that increase the probability of track workers protection from moving trains being compromised
- consider working practices employed by other railway infrastructure operators to promote the safety of track workers
- consider the current and possible future availability and effectiveness of technology to reduce the risk in working on the track outside possessions
- review the current and possible future effectiveness of Network Rail programmes focused on reducing the risk to track workers from moving trains
- include engagement with staff involved in planning safe systems of work and in implementing safety arrangements on site
- consult with industry bodies that have an interest in track worker safety
- consider previous relevant RAIB investigations and their findings and recommendations.
Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industrys regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.
We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.
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