Latest Updates in Risk and Safety Intelligence

In Period 6 the spotlight fell on our work to support health and wellbeing risk management. We also published guidance on the important but sometimes overlooked topic of managing safety-related customer contacts, stepped up our support to industry risk groups, and reviewed measures introduced earlier in the pandemic to help our members adapt to the changing covid-19 situation with increase in passenger numbers.

Highlights from period 6 2021/22 (22 August – 18 September)

Guidance on Managing Safety - Related Contacts from Members of the Public

We published a short guide to help safety management teams improve their processes and practices. It addresses issues highlighted by the investigation into the fatal tram derailment at Sandilands and revisits previous learning from Potters Bar. We worked with our members to understand current practices to identify opportunities for improvement. We also engaged closely with the Office of Rail and Road.
The health and wellbeing index - a new measure of health and wellbeing

We have developed a novel tool to measure prominent health conditions affecting rail staff. The health and wellbeing index (HWI) allows the health risk from different conditions to be combined and compared. As the first tool of its kind, the HWI will enable an evidence-based approach to targeting health improvement and can be used to build investment cases and to monitor change. We have now completed the initial trials and documented findings and recommendations in a report, which is available from our HWI web page. Furthermore, our paper on the development of the HWI was published in the journal Safety Science, recognising its ‘first-in-class’ status.
Improving information for cross-industry risk groups

We have reviewed and refreshed the information we provide to the industry risk groups that oversee delivery of the Leading Health and Safety on Britain’s Railway strategy. The new-look reports focus on key points and potential actions, and will be published on the RSSB website (for example, the Workforce Safety Performance Report).
Flagging a rise in near misses with goods vehicles at level crossings

We identified a rise in the number of near misses with goods vehicles, which led to Level Crossing Strategy Group (LCSG) reviewing possible causes and agreeing to take numerous actions. These include improving collaboration between the group and heavy goods vehicle organisations and their members, initiating data sharing agreements with road traffic users and the DVLA, and proposing joint messaging with industry bridge strike champions. This is an important risk area in the build up to the festive season, when more goods vehicles are likely to be on the roads.
Providing practical advice for managing health and wellbeing

Late August saw the issue of Rail Safety Review (RSR) 55, which included the final instalment of the health and wellbeing mini-series authored by Kevin Thompson. Over the last seven issues RSR has introduced issues, practical advice and presented the benefits of managing and the costs of not managing health and wellbeing. Topics have included managing shock or trauma, fitness for duty, fatigue, physical wellbeing, workplace health hazards, musculoskeletal disorders and presenteeism. The series was well received by readers and has opened dialogue for how RSSB can help further.

“Another interesting article. I found the presenteeism information a particularly interesting topic, and it clearly has an impact on workers’ personal fatigue, which we should … be capturing when rostering safety critical workers … I’ve given myself some food for thought there…” Rail Industry Supplier
Advising on use of platform whistles

In March 2020, as a precaution to reduce Covid-19 transmission risk to employees and passengers, RSSB advised that traditional whistles should cease to be used on platforms and stations if other options, such as electronic whistles, could safely be used. In Period 6, we facilitated an industry workshop which reviewed the risk assessment and concluded that the restriction of using traditional whistles due to health risk should be withdrawn.

Period 6 Key Metrics

Making it easier for our members to access the products and services they need

7 Safety performance and learning from operational experience packs circulated to risk groups.

7 Safety performance reports published on the RSSB website.

14 Data requests and member enquiries closed out.

4 Engagement meetings held with 4 member companies.

73 Platform train interface risk assessments completed by members using the tool.

5 Trespass Risk Assessment tool downloads.

12 Downloads of the Taking Safe Decisions Cost Benefit Analysis Tool.

22 Downloads of the Risk Profile Tool.

16 Views of videos introducing our risk and safety intelligence services and resources.

28 Health and wellbeing data report downloads.
Making smis quicker and easier to use

98% Average satisfaction score from members on SMIS input training courses held this year - 4 members trained this period.

“Just want to say thank you and say I think it was just right. I have short attention span on Teams calls and the activities mixed with talking kept my attention for all 3 hours so good job to Claire, super impressed :D.” Freight Operating Company

3 New or improved guidance documents published to drive better use of SMIS this period.

12 Views of our 10 ’how to’ videos that are available to support embedding data entry and self-service business intelligence capability.

28 SMIS helpdesk queries resolved.

321,139 Events reported in SMIS since the new system went live in 2017.

5.6% Error rate in SMIS basic data quality (↓0.1% from last period).

10,855 Events reported (since launch Jan 2021) using new, simpler SMIS personal accident form, saving members at least £18,000 worth of effort.

98% New SMIS event data were available in business intelligence within 15 minutes of entry.