27 March 2013

The IOSH Railway Group want to recognise and encourage innovative projects in the industry that have had a proven impact on fatigue management. The award aims to raise the profile of Occupational Health Issues like fatigue management in the industry and to share stories of success.

'Clapham bought fatigue management to the attention of the industry. Lord Hidden recommendations covering working hours, saw British Rail introduce a Work Standard.  Times have changed and fatigue is not longer viewed as a front line issue.  Recently CIRUS have noticed a increase in reports involving fatigue, this along with RSSB research into SPADS has bought Fatigue back into focus.  With this in mind the Railway Group believe that this is a good time to bring a fresh focus to this issue.  We encourage you all to share best practice to help make our railway safer for everyone'

'We are talking about fatigue management on our LinkedIn subgroup, so why not share your stories'

Martin Leeks, Railway Group Chair

Entry is open to anyone working in the railway industry in the UK either individual or team entries. We will be looking for entrants to demonstrate impact, measurable benefits, sustainability and transferability.

The awards will be presented at the Rail industry conference in London on 28 November 2013 which is attended by senior figures in the railway industry. Prizes include a free place at the conference and dinner at a top London Restaurant.

If you think you may have a project that fits the bill see our awards flyer for more information and download and return the entry form. Your entry should reach us by 01 October 2013.

Please send your completed entry form to the Networks team, IOSH, The Grange, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 1NN or email the Networks team

13 March 2013

The IOSH Railway Group is seeking applications for a volunteer to fill a new position on the Railway Group Committee.

The successful applicant needs to work within and have experience of a Train Operating company or Freight Operating Company with an aptitude and enthusiasm towards gaining success in raising the profile of the IOSH Railway Group and development of it’s activities.

To join the committee you will need to:

• be an IOSH member with up-to-date CPD
• be able to attend approximately 4 meetings per year as an active member of the team (approximately 6 days a year)
• have experience of delivering value in a professional environment (on a paid or voluntary basis)
• have well developed interpersonal skills and a high standard of presentation and professionalism

As a volunteer, we recognise that you are giving up your time and IOSH will pay reasonable travel expenses.

For more information on volunteering, please refer to the Networks Handbook which can be viewed at www.iosh.co.uk/networkshb

If you are interested in joining us, complete the application form and forward it to Sarah-Louise Cook by 30 April 2012.

06 March 2013

Incidents at user worked rail crossings continue to occur and cause great concern. 

There are over 3,000 private railway crossings on the national network and a large number on heritage and other railways.

17 users have been killed in the last 9 years even though the total numbers of users and occasions on which these crossings are used is considered to be low.

The use of these crossings by machinery, vehicles and pedestrians as part of an undertaking falls within the remit of Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Office of the Rail Regulation (ORR) has a continuing programme to bring these crossings and their implications to the attention of employers, the self-employed and clients of construction and other contractors as part of the wider duty to manage transport safety in particular.

The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) has organised an event at the full-scale user-worked rail crossing training facility at Cannock Chase on Wed 27 Mar 2013 (10:30am – 3pm). 

Contact Adam Meridith if you would like to attend

Adam.Meredith@orr.gsi.gov.uk

27 March represents an opportunity to view the purpose built training facility and benefit from a practical demonstration.

Delegates will be invited from a number of different sectors and employers as this is an attempt to reach a number of disparate groups.

Further information about this facility and the key messages for driver training and safe use, see  

Cannock UWC installation

level crossing Information from ORR

User Worked Crossings Video on safe use

22 November 2012

A prohibition notice has been served on a site foreman who failed to ensure his site gang worked to procedures.

Suspicions arose when a HSE Inspector witnessed dust coming from a Ringway worksite in Gloucestershire in October 2012.

The dust was found to be caused by operatives dry-cutting kerbs, a dangerous activity known to raise exposure to harmful air-borne particles.

Because of the foreman's knowledge of the ongoing works and resulting dusts, full accountability was found to rest with him, rather than the company.

The foreman will now not only have to serve the notice - he is among the first to be billed from the Health and Safety Executive under the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012.

The fees, introduced earlier that month on 1 October with the aim to deter those accountable from employing lax practices in health and safety policy, could charge up to £124 per hour for the time the HSE will spend investigating, writing reports and taking enforcement action.

The Ringway incident continues to be investigated and further disciplinary action may be taken.

Information supplied by Ringway/Eurovia's press release.

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) announced today in its annual assessment of Network Rail that during the last year the company’s performance has been mixed.

The letter to Network Rail’s remuneration committee, and ORR’s annual assessment of Network Rail (covering the first year of control period four (CP4) 1 April 2009 – 31 March 2010) published today highlights:

• good progress has been made on passenger safety;
• good management of level crossings, with 403 crossings either closed or in the process of being closed;
• good progress working with the industry on planning ahead initiatives;
• early work on the enhancement programme is progressing solidly although there are still problems to overcome;
• asset reliability has improved, contributing to an overall reduction in delays caused by Network Rail;
• there is still more to do in regard to asset management where the regulator had to push the company hard to produce and justify revised asset policies and there are serious concerns with their structures policy;
• some concerns over strategic timetable planning;
• efficiency improvements are unclear, implying a tougher challenge for  Network Rail during the remainder of CP4;
• three fatal accidents to workers or contractors; and
• ORR issued five prohibition notices and 12 improvement notices.

Bill Emery, ORR chief executive said: “Network Rail’s performance is vital to a successful railway, given its monopoly position as infrastructure manager and owner of the railway.

“This is the first year of the new control period, which we have set the company some challenging but achievable targets such as 21% efficiency gains, train punctuality for national services at 92%, a third less train disruption caused by engineering works by 2014 and a substantial programme of asset improvements.

“All of these are part of a five year package to help transform the railway into a safer and more reliable system meeting the needs of passengers and freight users.

“Over the last 12 months and taking all of the evidence into account, our independent view is that we judge Network Rail’s performance has been mixed. There are some positives, such as regional train performance, passenger safety generally has been good and there has been some success with level crossings, the early work on the £7.6 billion enhancement programme has been progressing steadily, and work continues to reduce disruption caused by engineering works.

“However, there are areas of concern, most notably Network Rail’s asset management policies for structures such as bridges and viaducts, and we are not yet convinced of the efficiency gains the company is claiming.”

“Although passenger safety has generally been good, we cannot forget that during the past year 3 railway workers lost their lives, reminding us all that there is simply no room for complacency in health and safety.

“In some areas, we consider that the level of our intervention and the pressure we needed to apply went above what should have been required.

“The first year of CP4 is now complete, and Network Rail must redouble its efforts to meet the tough but achievable challenges, particularly over efficiencies, we have set it over the next four years.”

ORR’s assessment of Network Rail’s performance formed the basis of its advice to the Network Rail board’s remuneration committee to inform their decisions on senior management bonuses.

The letter to the remuneration committee makes it clear, in the current economic situation and given Network Rail’s mixed performance that the company must back-up any decision on bonuses with clear evidence of the benefits that have been brought to the railway as a whole.

ORR also publishes today Network Rail monitor for quarter 4 (covering 10 January 2010 – 31 March 2010) and the latest issue of ORR Review.

ORR will also publish its annual report and resource accounts for 2009-10 on 3 June. 

This copy is taken from the Office of Rail Regulation press notices

Wednesday, 5 May 2010

The European Commission has on May 5, 2010 referred four Member States to the EU's Court of Justice for failing to communicate their national measures for transposing legislation on working conditions in the international rail sector

National measures must cover minimum standards in working conditions, driving times, breaks and daily and weekly rest periods. The countries concerned are Estonia, Italy, Luxembourg and Portugal. The move follows a final warning sent to all four countries in June 2009.

The EU rules on working conditions for mobile workers in international rail transport (Directive 2005/47/EC) translate an agreement between European trade unions and employers. They aim to ensure satisfactory conditions for those working in cross-border rail services. Legislation on the conditions for rail workers should have been transposed by the Member States by 27 July 2008 at the latest, following consultation of the social partners.

On 1 October 2008, the Commission sent letters of formal notice – the first stage of the infringement procedure – to 17 Member States for failing to take the necessary national measures to comply with the EU rules (i.e. national laws, regulations and administrative provisions) and notify them within the required time limit.

On 25 June 2009, nine countries had still neither adopted the necessary measures to comply with the Directive nor provided notification. This is why the Commission decided to issue a final warning (reasoned opinion for non-communication) to these Member States.

The Commission has still not received the necessary reassurances from Estonia, Italy, Luxembourg or Portugal that they have implemented the EU rules and has therefore decided to refer them to the Court of Justice.

This copy is taken from the European Commission press notices

Monday, 24 May 2010

A jury at Chichester Crown Court found Anthony Sidney Reen guilty of serious breaches of health and safety obligations following a successful prosecution brought by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).

Mr Reen who worked as a boiler inspector / competent person and traded as Steaming for Pleasure, has been fined £750 and ordered to pay £1500 costs.

ORR’s prosecution followed a complaint from the owner of a steam locomotive, who bought it to restore. During the restoration, it was given the guise of ‘Ivor the Engine’ from the children’s television series and was then made available for hire.

Mr Reen inspected the boiler between November 2006 and April 2007, as it needed to pass several safety checks before it could enter service. ORR’s investigation found that when Mr Reen inspected the boiler it was already in a dangerous condition and shouldn’t have been allowed to operate without suitable repairs being carried out, followed by certification by a competent person.

It was Mr Reen’s responsibility as the competent person to ensure a high standard of inspection and not to expose others to potential dangers. Mr Reen failed to discharge these duties.

Commenting on Friday's verdict, ORR’s deputy chief inspector Caroline Wake said: “This was a serious breach of health and safety legislation; had the boiler failed in service then the staff of the hiring heritage railway and members of the public could have been placed at risk – possibly serious risk. The failings of Mr Reen - who was employed as an expert in order to verify the condition of the boiler - put everyone who came into contact with the locomotive at risk, and that is simply unacceptable.

“There is absolutely no room for complacency in health and safety and ORR will not allow staff and public safety to be put at risk. We will continue to press for improvements and take enforcement action - including prosecution - when necessary.

“ORR will continue to work with the heritage sector to ensure that inspections by competent persons are undertaken to the highest standards”.

This copy is taken from the Office of Rail Regulation press notices