RISQS reveals top audit failings

The Rail Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme (RISQS) has revealed the top three reasons suppliers are failing their annual accreditation audits.

The RISQS team completes more than 3,500 audits a year, identifying areas of noncompliance and potential risks within railway industry supply chain operations. Evidence from RISQS audits have revealed the three major issues that lead to suppliers failing audits:

1. Failing to effectively monitor safety performance.

2. Being unable to provide evidence of compliance with key pieces of legislation or safety standards.

3. Not demonstrating they have carried out random alcohol and drugs tests on 5% of their in-scope employees during a specified period.

Audits provide valuable insights for suppliers, buyers, and standard setters at RSSB and Network Rail to improve safety, efficiency, and operational performance. Suppliers failing an audit are given a short period of time (usually days) to demonstrate compliance. They are then re-audited within 12 weeks to ensure their processes are embedded in the business.

Phil Smith, RISQS scheme manager, said: “Companies seeking to join RISQS are thoroughly audited to ensure they are competent and safe, before getting access to our web platform linking rail industry buyers and suppliers.

“Our evidence shows the top reasons for companies failing to join the scheme are inadequate monitoring of safety performance, compliance with legal and safety standards and being unable to demonstrate enough of their employees are being randomly tested for drugs and alcohol.

“The rail industry rightly sets a high bar for companies seeking to provide staff or services within its supply chain, but with more and more buyers only using RISQS to pre-qualify suppliers in safety critical areas the benefits of safe and competent companies joining the scheme are clear.”

Network Rail has recently updated its Drugs and Alcohol standard increasing the number of in-scope employees and sub-contractors to be randomly selected for a test each year from 5% to 20%. RISQS audits are currently verifying and validating that companies have processes and plans in place to test 20% of employees, and the results will be verified at a subsequent audit.

Railway bridge revitalised

Historic England has awarded Durham County Council £161,000 to repair and revitalise the remains of the world’s first iron railway bridge.

Completed in 1823, Gaunless Bridge was designed by ‘father of the railways’ George Stephenson and spanned the River Gaunless in West Auckland, in County Durham. Forming part of a line serving the Witton Park Colliery, it originally carried horse-drawn coal wagons, which were then replaced with steam locomotives in around 1833.

The bridge remained in use until 1901 when it was no longer able to take the weight of the increasingly heavy coal wagons.

Whilst the bridge was dismantled - part of which is on permanent display at the National Railway Museum - the stone abutments supporting the structure remained in place and are now part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway Scheduled Monument. In recent years they have fallen victim to anti-social behaviour, which has affected their condition.

The grant from Historic England will be used to repair the abutments, which will support a new bridge deck that will form part of the new 26-mile Stockton and Darlington Railway Walking and Cycling route. Alongside the repair work, Historic England will involve the local community, running sessions about the history of the bridge with local school children and setting up a volunteer group dedicated to the long-term care of the site.

Giles Proctor from Historic England said: “We are really pleased to be funding this restoration project through the Stockton and Darlington Railway Heritage Action Zone. Gaunless Bridge has a significant role in the history of the railway and the repair of its abutments marks the first step in securing the bridge’s legacy as a part of the new Walking and Cycling Route.”

This project is part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway Heritage Action Zone, a five-year project focused on rejuvenating and restoring the 26 mile stretch of historic railway, and to help realise its potential to become a major heritage attraction and visitor destination in the build up to its 2025 bicentenary.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “As the world’s first iron railway bridge, Gaunless Bridge is a key part of our rail heritage, both at a local and national level.

“We’re really pleased therefore that this funding is allowing us to restore and repair the abutments, helping preserve this important site.”

TBF offers financial and medical benefits, a wide range of complementary and alternative therapies, bereavement grants and welfare advice. Supporting members during times of need, hardship and distress for less than 20p per day. £1.25

Northern announces penalty fine progress Northern has issued 10% fewer penalty fares in the first month since the government increased the ‘fine’ to £100 compared to the same period last year.

3,831 people caught travelling without a valid ticket or ‘promise to pay’ notice were issued with a penalty fare, compared to 4,261 in the same period last year.

The government’s new £100 penalty fare came into effect on 23 January. Since 2005, the penalty fare had been just £20 –but it was felt by the industry that that figure was too low and was no longer an effective deterrent to would-be fare evaders.

The £100 penalty fare forms part of The Railways (Penalty Fares) (Amendment) Regulations 2022. Penalty fares are reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days.

The rail industry remembers

On Thursday 23 March, three years after the first Covid-19 lockdown, the rail industry came together to hold a memorial day to celebrate the vital role played by its people during the pandemic, while also remembering those from the industry who lost their lives to the virus.

The National Railway Museum in York hosted a memorial service for hundreds of employees who helped to keep key workers and essential goods moving throughout the pandemic. Network Rail’s chief executive, Andrew Haines, and chair Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill were present at the event in York, where Lord Hendy unveiled a plaque dedicated to the railway employees who served the country during the pandemic.

Organised by the Railway Mission, and the brainchild of Liam Johnston, executive director of the Railway Mission, and Rachael Etebar, director of people and culture at British Transport Police, a minutes’ silence was also held at midday and observed in railway offices, depots and stations across the country.

GB Railfreight invests in health & wellbeing

GB Railfreight (GBRf), operator of rail freight service across the UK and employer of over 1,300 staff, has announced the opening of new health and wellbeing centres in its London and Doncaster offices.

GBRf aims to be the safest and most supportive rail freight business in the industry. Today’s announcement delivers preventative, convenient healthcare for all employees helping to create a safer, healthier and happier work environment.

The centres cost £22,000 to build and are equipped with the latest technology to check hearing, vision, blood pressure, and complete electrocardiograms (ECGs). Health and Wellbeing is core to GBRf’s sustainability strategy.

Northern staff reveal worst passenger habits

Train crew and station staff working for Northern have revealed the worst passenger habits 'of the few that affect the many' on the train operator's 2,500 services a day.

Their biggest bugbears range in scale from simple bad manners and those showing no consideration for other passengers to dangerous behaviour and criminal acts. Actions making the list include:

• People putting their feet, bags and pets on seats – feet and bags are an ‘old-school’ problem that prevent others from being able to sit down, but more recently, people encouraging their dogs (in particular) onto seats presents a hygiene problem and/or worse for people with severe allergies.

• Playing music through loudspeakers instead of using headphones – not everyone shares your taste in music.

• Vaping on-board – just like cigarettes, this is not allowed on-board trains in England and hasn't been since 2014.

• People who leave their rubbish behind –Northern employs 500 train presentation officers but putting your rubbish in the bins provided will allow them to focus on the tougher elements of train cleanliness.

• People sitting in priority seats that don’t give way to fellow passengers who are more inneed – not all disabilities are visible, please be considerate of others.

• Making contact with the train (knocking on windows etc) as it’s about to depart - this represents a serious safety risk, particularly if the person is under the influence of alcohol.

• People not giving way to passengers getting off the train before trying to board – this is a simple action that will make the process easier and quicker for all.

• Fare evading – conductors and revenue officers have seen it all before (and heard every excuse); passengers have a duty to buy a ticket before they travel.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “We welcome around one million customers on-board our trains each and every day and the overwhelming majority are polite, considerate and respectful of others.

"However, it's no wonder given the numbers involved that our train crew and station staff encounter the occasional bad-mannered individual from time to time. What doesn’t surprise me is that the things that bug my colleagues are those which have a negative impact on other customers. They have our customers’ backs.

“To anyone guilty of any of the ‘traits’ included in this list, I would ask you to think of others when using our services. I know my team would appreciate it.”