Formal Inquiries

Up until 6 January 2007, the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) managed the rail industry's formal inquiry process to ensure that lessons are learned and promulgated and that effective actions are taken.

RSSB’s role was to ensure that serious railway accidents were investigated thoroughly and independently, and that lessons for safety are learned and acted on. Independent investigation of such events is now the province of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

RSSB continues to maintain a register of respected personnel with expertise in various railway disciplines, to act as independent chairmen in formal investigations, on request from industry duty holders.

The reports make recommendations to industry parties for preventing such occurrences and dealing with lessons learned. The industry parties are then required to consider the recommendations and take appropriate action. RSSB monitors progress in this regard and produces an annual report of the status and progress of implementation of recommendations.