32
TRACK SAFETY
RAILSTAFF MAY-JUNE 2021
REPORT BY COLIN WHEELER
HOW POST COVID WORKING SHOULD BECOME SAFER
G
ratitude and regret are amongst my emotions having learnt of Simon French’s planned retirement this Autumn from the job of Chief Inspector of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). They recently published their annual report for 2020 (January 1 to December 31). Simon has drawn attention to the fact that October 17 last year was the fifteenth annual anniversary of the start of RAIB’s investigations.
Over the years they have published 368 reports and 102 safety digests. Simon’s commitment and understanding of the personal loyalty of railway people and what may be described as the railway family has been evident during his time as Chief Inspector. It is reflected in the 2020 Annual Report which is comprehensive, well-illustrated with hard hitting pictures and without excessive or repetitive pie charts and tables.
RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF
Summaries of Learning, urgent safety advice and 61 recommendations
One of RAIB’s initiatives of which Simon and his team should be proud is the publication of “Summaries of Learning”. This series of reports began last year with the publication of one covering “the safe management of weather-related events which affect train operation” and another on “the integrity of train braking systems”. In 2020 RAIB received an astonishing 457 notifications leading to 38 preliminary examinations of evidence. These resulted in the publication of 14 detailed reports and 6 safety digests. As a result, four letters were sent to Coroners and two “Urgent Safety Advice” notifications were circulated. Also, during the year RAIB made 61 safety recommendations whilst keeping a check on outstanding ones. Investigations are followed by consultation with those involved prior to their publication. Nonetheless, the average time taken to investigate and publish is now down to eleven months. Simon French comments that “the rail industry is one of the most open sectors of the UK economy on matters relating
© bluekite
IN THIS ISSUE'S REPORT COLIN WHEELER COVERS RAIB'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2020, THE RETIREMENT OF SIMON FRENCH, ACCIDENTS, NEAR MISSES, NO MORE LOWS AND HOW POST COVID WORKING SHOULD BECOME SAFER. Colin Wheeler.
to safety” and adds “the entire industry benefits from learning from accidents, regardless of which companies were involved”. Without doubt Simon’s contribution to railway safety has been significant with a number of class investigations providing deeper insights into areas for improvement. But there is still a long way to go and it seems likely that his successor will be kept busy. My hope is for a safer railway for all who work or travel on our railways. Being an eternal optimist, I should like to see safety improve to such an extent that RAIB needs fewer investigators. I recently exchanged emails with a former colleague related to how and when our main line railway will at last stop using people holding coloured flags to stare into the distance, concentrate and blow horns or whistles to warn of approaching trains, including those travelling at 125 mph! An aspiration which I hope will be realised by the efforts of Network Rail’s Safety Task Force from whom I hope we will learn more at this year’s Safety Summit.
