Our consulting solutions for rail excellence
For more than two decades, we’ve worked collaboratively with rail industry members to improve the safety, efficiency, performance, and sustainability of the network. Our remit covers every aspect of rail standards, and our subject matter experts can also flex into other industries to apply their multiple years of real-world experience.
We offer consultancy in several spaces and cover multiple scope levels. This piece summarises two case studies of such work.
Creating condensed, user-friendly Safe Systems of Work guidebooks
Our subject matter experts are among the most informed in the world. So, when we were approached by a railway partner to undertake an independent review of current Safe Standards of Work (SSW) documents, we turned to RSSB specialists with significant experience within the delivery of standards, the GB Rule Book, and human factors.
This project involved drafting recommendations to create condensed, more user-friendly SSW documentation. There had been a growing concern among industry professionals that the current SSW guidebooks had become too lengthy, too numerous, and too complex for users to properly digest the information before going onsite.
To that end, we conducted an independent review of the current documentation and provided recommendations for condensed SSW material. We spoke with rail staff across several UK regions to gather feedback on their experience of using the SSW guidebooks, and we translated those findings into a slimmed-down SSW information pack.
Engaging RSSB’s specialists in human factors allowed us to deliver a concise, user-friendly asset that still contained all the relevant information that our rail staff need to keep our network safe.
Carrying out risk assessments for a tram operator in a major UK city
A key pillar of our work is within risk management, conducting research projects and evaluating standards to improve safety and performance across the rail network. Renowned for this work, we were approached by a light rail tram operator to perform a risk assessment review and deliver recommendations to meet industry best practice.
Tram networks present certain risks not typically seen on the UK rail network. For example, tram stations are typically unmanned, meaning that two possible incident types—passengers falling into or becoming trapped in the gap between the tram and platform edge and passengers falling into the gaps between carriages—may be more likely to occur on this unsecure network.
After looking at the brief, our specialists decided that an independent review into the Double Unit Risk Assessment would be needed. This assessment allowed our experts to:
- craft their recommendations in such a way as to ensure that detail, content, and structure were aligned with good industry practice
- determine whether risks have been captured and implemented accordingly.
This project culminated in the delivery of several key safety recommendations that will align the tram operator’s practices to industry best practices. Notably, we were able to support the operator by setting them up to target risk management activities in the most effective, impactful way.
We’re already closest to the answers.
Our remit covers every aspect of rail. And with more than two decades supporting UK and international rail projects, we have the hands-on experience to identify and share the most effective solutions. When you need to get it right first time, get experience on your side.
