Past events and webinars

20 March 2026

Catch up on this insightful webinar that explores the benefits that human factors bring to the rail industry. The session explains how applying human factors can deliver cost savings, enhance performance, and improve safety and health outcomes across operations and projects.

• Presentation
• Q&A

25 November 2025

This webinar explored some of the most pressing and practical challenges in maintaining safety-critical competence among train drivers. Drawing on operational experience, regulatory requirements, and the changing needs of today’s workforce, experts covered a range of pertinent topics. These included: enhancing train driver route knowledge, mitigating the reduction in contact time, improving the ratio of driver standards managers to train drivers, returning to safety-critical duties after long absence, achieving competence for controllers of safety-critical work, and embedding non-technical skills.

29 January 2025

Twenty-five years on from Ladbroke Grove, the understanding and application of ergonomics and human factors is still a prerequisite to continuous improvement in safety and performance. This webinar discussed the development of human factors in rail and the benefit this brings, the risks we face if we forget the human factors lessons we have learnt, and how human factors continues to improve safety and performance.

4 October 2024

In this webinar, we’ll cover the Ladbroke Grove accident of 1999, including what happened and what came next. Hear from several experts from across the industry on the SPAD risk today and the work happening now to bring it down in the future.

25 June 2024

In this webinar, watch our team explore a range of human factors concepts in relation to the Safety Management Intelligence System cause form. Across four presentations, they cover situational awareness, questions to ask as an investigator, practical application, and more.

14 December 2023

This webinar refocuses industry’s efforts on signals passed at danger (SPAD) management given the rise in SPAD rate and risk following the Covid-19 pandemic. It also shares tools, guidance, and support available from RSSB to improve SPAD management and data.

18 October 2023

This webinar sets out how human factors is helping the industry, including in its response to current and future risks. It helps deepen your understanding of human performance in the freight yard, future risks, and how change in rail affects human performance.

23 May 2023

This webinar highlights the recent outputs of the rail industry’s Depot Working Group (DWG). The DWG raises the profile of depot risk at a cross-industry level, works with rail companies in safety improvements, and seeks to standardise depot safety where the risk would benefit from it. The webinar covers: how we are improving depot data quality for insights and value to the industry; use of the Depot Good Practice Guidance; the DWG’s bowtie, which helps to set out the threats and barriers to walking on a depot; and what we learnt from the Rail Partners Train Depots for Today and Tomorrow Conference.

PDF files relevant to the webinar can be accessed below.

Presentation by Rob Sigirst, RSSB - How we use industry data and improving data quality

Presentation by Phil Barrett, Rail Partners - Story of the Depot Working Group: the Catalyst for Change 

18 April 2023

Evidence suggests that the increase in the risks of over-speeding, distraction and fatigue-related incidents across the industry impact the health and safety of drivers, and result in increased costs to businesses. This webinar looks at the importance of changing the way people think about driving, which is an essential part of making sure that everyone stays safe on the road. Topics will include: how effective continuous improvements deliver behavioural change; road risk monitoring strategies with behavioural data KPIs; impact of telematics on business operations; and organisational safety culture.

PDF files relevant to the webinar can be accessed below.

Presentation by Steve Graham - Occupational Road Risk Management: Changing behaviours

Presentation by Dr Neale Kinnear - The complex world of commercial fleet roadrisk: From the Safe System to driver

Presentation by Nicola Jaynes - Driving and Riding Safely for Work

31 March 2023

The potential changes in the rail industry present us with an opportunity to bring infrastructure professionals together so we can align discussions and support improvements in frontline performance. Now is the time for national alignment so that we can better manage the needs of the frontline. Watch this webinar to see how we are organising this alignment and what the groups are already working on.

Presentations

An overview of The Network - Stuart Webster-Spriggs, Volker Rail

ISLG Network & Key processes - Darryl Hopper, RSSB

Mechanical & Electrical Engineers Networking Group – Outputs & Activities - Paul Conway, Colas Rail

Rail Industry Sustainability Forum – What we do - Katherine Haigh, Volker Rail, RISF Chair

Rail Plant Association – An Overview - Paul Helks, RPA

28 February 2023

Changes in how the industry operates, the increasing cost of living and job insecurity can all impact how people feel. Watch this webinar to understand how uncertainty can affect people, and how rail organisations can effectively support the workforce in navigating challenging times with a bit more ease. 

Dealing with Uncertainty presentation

How Eurostar & Thalys are preparing to support colleagues through a period of change presentation

1 December 2022

In this webinar the People on Trains and Stations Risk Group (PTSRG) and associated committees explained how they can support the industry to provide a safer and more efficient railway. We covered; collaborative working concepts led by BTP, passenger handling best practice following the Commonwealth Games and the action industry is taking on passenger welfare and dignity during emergency incidents.

- Station Operations Webinar Slides

- Station Operations Q&A Session

11 November 2022

In this webinar the Train Accident Risk Group (TARG) focus on the human performance element of managing a variety of train accident risks. The discussion cover improvements to processes, rules, technologies, risk management and competence.

21 September 2022

In this webinar the Human Factors Strategy Group (HFSG) discuss and explain the industry wide human factors strategy and the strategic challenges faced. The group demonstrate how human factors improves safety, performance and change; and encourage learning and sharing of human factors issues, challenges, and successes.

31 August 2022

Asset integrity is fundamental to the safe and efficient running of the rail network. This webinar highlights key aspects of asset management, the importance of a structured risk based approach and the critical contribution these play in making sure assets work safely, sustainably, day in, day out.

18 May 2022

Within this webinar you will hear about depot health and safety from the perspectives of those organisations that have suffered depot fatalities. What the organisations did next to learn from their investigations, and what controls they needed to improve.

26 April 2022

This webinar covers the key changes to ways of working from a Single Approach to Isolations on Overhead Line Equipment which is due to start deployment in 2022, and outlines the support available to help with preparing for the change. It will also provide an overview of plans for an Industry-wide ‘Electrical Safety Step Up’ as part of the electrical safety culture and behaviours workstream.

22 March 2022

Hear about: case studies on how the police investigate companies following RTAs involving employees driving for work purposes; What a robust investigation of road traffic collisions to prevent reoccurrence looks like; and the National Highways Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention Team – driving forward.

1 March 2022

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is over twice the rate amongst rail staff as in the general public. PTSD is a treatable condition but only 2% of rail staff with PTSD have had treatment that works. Join this webinar to understand more about managing trauma and what treatment entails. You will hear directly from rail staff who have first-hand experience of going through treatment, as well as a clinical psychologist who specialises in trauma. Our aim is to separate facts from fiction about managing trauma.

23 February 2022

Join us to find out what the industry is doing to reduce the risk of freight derailments on the network, how the industry is working collaboratively to address derailment risk, the progress made since LHSBR first set out the roadmap and find out how we’re listening to frontline staff and responding to their needs.

31 January 2022

The rail industry is committed to reducing suicides not only on the rail network, but also in society. Find out what the industry is doing to identify risk factors in vulnerable communities, whilst promoting positive mental health messaging and hope.

Hear what the industry is doing to tackle work-related violence and reflect on the next steps needed to improve reporting.

20 August 2021

Joins us to hear about: Why effective management of fatigue is so important, the benefits of getting it right, the role of senior leaders; and what you should expect to see in your business.

Monday 9 March, 15:00

In this webinar RSSB’s standards team presented the March updates to the Standards Catalogue. Highlights included, Review of emergency protection arrangements, Updated Guidance Notes on OPE NTSN and CCS NTSN, Revisions to AC and DC Rule Book modules, GEGN8575, changes to DC energy collection standards, The Rail Industry Standard for exterior door control on passenger vehicles. New national requirements for ERTMS – ETCS DMI.

Monday 8 September, 15:00

In this webinar RSSB’s standards team present the September updates to the Standards Catalogue. Highlights include new guidance on traction batteries and the next phase of the defective on-train equipment project. You will also learn about the introduction of special working procedures into the Rule Book and efforts to reduce the use of detonators.

9 June 2025

Join RSSB’s Standards team to hear about the new and updated standards published in June 2025. These include crashworthiness risk assessment for mainline passenger rolling stock, traction batteries in rolling stock depots, and fire compartmentation and lithium-ion traction batteries.

3 March 2025

Catch up on our Standards Quarterly Update to hear about the updates being made to the Standards Catalogue in March 2025. Our speakers share updates on assessing and managing medical fitness for work on the GB mainline railway, types of lineside operational signs, and signage at power changeover locations. They also explore maintaining the visibility of signal and operational signs, the management of overrun risk, and much more.

9 December 2024

In this webinar, RSSB’s Standards team go over the December updates to the Standards Catalogue. They discuss revisions to train driver selection, rolling stock wheelsets handling and storage, level crossing system integration, and much more.

9 September 2024

In this webinar, join RSSB’s team for September’s updates to the standards catalogue. They include revisions to the guidance around using GSM-R, walking on or near the line, drivers’ use of audible warnings, and more.

Monday 4 March

RSSB’s standards team share the March updates to rail standards, which cover noise and vibration, design of rail freight vehicles, and on-train camera monitoring systems. There are also briefings on the standards management processes, how to apply for a deviation, standards consultations, and how to get involved in standards drafting.

4 December

Hear the RSSB’s standards team share the December rail standards updates, which cover track geometry, systems and components, essentials for cyber security, and the fire-related properties of batteries. The webinar also includes briefings on driver-controlled and driver-only operation on-train camera monitoring systems and showcases training material designed to support the standard on operational railway safety awareness.

15 November 2023

This webinar coincides with the start of industry consultation on revisions to National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs). The proposed revisions follow changes to the European Union’s corresponding Technical Specifications for Interoperability published in September 2023.

Listen to the webinar to learn about the revisions and the consultation process for them.

4th September 2023

Hear RSSB’s Standards team share the changes to the Rule Book that come into force in December. The briefing also covers updates to RSSB standards on the operational requirements to mitigate GSM-R radio failures; requirements for signalling layouts and signal aspect sequences; engineering requirements for heritage vehicles on the mainline network; and the management of failures, faults and defects to CCS systems. There are also updates on the development of the latest versions of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability in the EU and the work that’s under way to support the introduction of hydrogen-powered trains onto the network.

5 June 2023

Hear updates about four new standards with new technology guidance for monitoring axlebox bearings, seat comfort assessment, operational railway safety awareness, and ETCS Baseline 3 Onboard Subsystem Requirements. The team will also give updates for communicating urgent operating advice and reporting high risk defects.

6 March 2023

This month’s Standards catalogue changes include updates to help infrastructure managers ensure gauge compatibility with rolling stock and two standards related to railway wheelsets. Plus standards for battery powered trains, highlights from the 2022 Standard Annual Report and the progress made to updating National Technical Specification Notices.

20 February 2023

RSSB’s Standards team provide an update on the most significant changes to the suite of AC electrification standards that come into force in March 2023.

AC Standards (Rolling Stock and Electrification) Q&A session

5 December 2022

Hear the RSSB Standards team's summary of the new and updated standards published in December 2022. This briefing includes the application of standard vehicle gauges and infrastructure based train detection interfaces. It also covers significant changes across the series of standards guiding the AC energy and rolling stock subsystems and their interfaces, plus a new standard covering ERTMS National identities.

5 September 2022

Hear from RSSB’s Standards team for updates to defective on-train equipment, differential permissible speeds, safety assurance of software-based systems, ERTMS Handbook, Trespass Risk Assessment, and more!

6 June 2022

Watch for updates on platform dimensions and interfaces between them, track, trains and buffer stops; compatibility of rolling stock and infrastructure, plus more on low adhesion.

7 March 2022

Join the RSSB Standards team to learn about updates for Testing Railway Safety Critical Workers for Drugs and Alcohol, Accident and Incident Investigation and a new standard for multimode signage.

8 February 2022

More detail and insight on the recently published Guidance Note on the Management of Electrical Risk Related to Operational Tasks on Electrified Lines (GEGEN8575).

Listen to the webinar discuss: determining mandatory content for the Rulebook; update on limited release standards since Sept plus upcoming standards; the standards framework since leaving the EU and managing changes and updates to National Technical Specification Notices.

13 December 2023

Hear from RSSB’s Chief Operating Officer, Johnny Schute, who shares how RSSB is planning to support you and the wider rail industry in 2024-25. The session features an overview of our plan for the next five years and details the programme and solutions for 2024-25.

23 April 2026

RSSB and the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) invited attendees to take part in the latest UKRRIN Inspire, held on Thursday 23 April from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the RSSB offices in London.

This one-day event set out UKRRIN’s next chapter, bringing funders, industry and research institutions together to explore research pipelines and collaboration opportunities.

4 March 2026

We were delighted to host the annual joint V/T SIC (Vehicle/Track System Interface Committee) and ADHERE (ADHEsion REsearch challenge) seminar. This in-person seminar was a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge research and practical solutions for the rail industry. It delivered insightful findings on damage and wear mechanisms, innovative management approaches for vehicle/track interface issues, and the latest strategies for optimising wheel/rail adhesion. Those who attended gained technical knowledge from leading experts, discovered new approaches to managing vehicle/track interface challenges, learnt about adhesion management and its impact on performance, and had the opportunity to network with peers.

5 March 2025

This combined seminar provided delegates with research findings on the technical understanding of damage and wear mechanisms and new management approaches for vehicle/track interface issues. It also gave further insight and techniques to improve resilience to wheel/rail adhesion.

16 May 2023 9:30am

Hear RSSB’s R&D team share an update on the freight research programme. The programme aims to help the rail sector find solutions to optimise operations, grow and decarbonise. Discover the key findings and hear what they mean for the industry, direct from those behind the work.

23 March 2023

Hear the latest developments on improving vehicle/track interface issues by viewing the V/T SIC seminar (parts 1 and 2). For the latest on improving resilience to wheel/rail adhesion issues, watch parts 1 and 2 of the ADHERE seminar.

Links to the seminar sessions can be accessed below. PDF files relevant to the seminar can be accessed from the button below.

V/T SIC seminar 2023 – Part 1/2

V/T SIC seminar 2023 – Part 2/2

ADHERE seminar 2023 – Part 1/2

ADHERE seminar 2023 – Part 2/2

6 June 2022

Reshaping our railways post-pandemic: Research with an impact was the theme for WCRR 2022. The event brought together the global community to explore this theme over the course of an exciting five-day programme of activities.

Please note, Non-attendees are able pay to access post event resources.

15 March 2022

Hear the latest activities on improving vehicle/track interface issues by viewing the V/T SIC seminar (parts 1 &2); and improving resilience to wheel/rail adhesion issues by viewing the ADHERE seminar (parts 1 & 2). 

You can watch the videos by clicking on the links below, or download the pdf documents here.

• V/T SIC seminar 2022 – Part 1/2

• V/T SIC seminar 2022 – Part 2/2

• ADHERE seminar 2022 – Part 1/2

• ADHERE seminar 2022 – Part 2/2

03 March 2022

Find out how RSSB research is supporting freight. Early insights, breakout sessions and panel discussion one year on as we commence efforts to reload the research pipeline.

The second ADHERE webinar for 2021 was held in collaboration with Network Rail. The webinar provided an update on innovative rail cleaning trials undertaken by the University of Sheffield (cryogenic blasting) and PlasmaTrack; as well as the autumn 2020 trial undertaken by Water-Trak.

In these uncertain times, the future of the railway depends on our ability to deliver better experience for customers through a reliable and punctual service. The PERFORM programme is a cross-industry research initiative, led by RSSB, which tackles some of the rail industry’s biggest challenges around performance. This webinar series has been designed to share information about how the industry can benefit from recent research in this area.

21 April 2026

Catch up to explore the Freight Precursor Indicator Model (FPIM), a major step forward in improving freight safety through shared, consistent data. FPIM provides a risk based framework that helps identify emerging risks, highlight safety hazards, and support smarter, evidence driven decisions. You’ll hear about progress across the programme, insights into derailment related precursors, and how Freight Operating Companies will collaborate through this new system. This session gives you a clearer view of how FPIM will enhance data quality, efficiency, and sector wide safety performance.

• Presentation

In this webinar, we look at the complexities and variation of freight train preparation and where the segregation is between freight operating companies and entities in charge of maintenance. We also go over the National Freight Safety Group’s aims and objectives, the Freight Safe Programme, RIS-3781-TOM Issue 2, and much more.

The 8th International Human Factors Rail Conference was held at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London, St Paul's, on 18 and 19 September 2025.

The conference brought together scientists, consultants, regulators, operators, infrastructure managers, manufacturers, and suppliers to share rail human factors knowledge. The conference focused on the discussion of topical issues such as human factors in design, new technology, in-cab signalling, traffic management, non-technical skills, the platform-train interface, and safety culture.  Delegates joined us from around the world to share state-of-the-art human factors research.

25 June 2025

Fire is rare on the railway. But there’s still a small risk of loss of life, injury, or damage. By sharing best practice across the industry, we can reduce that risk further. This in-person forum gave attendees a chance to hear about annual fire statistics, changes to standards, and how the risk profile is changing.

27 May 2025

This webinar explores findings from ORR’s review into the costs and benefits of safety interventions, how RSSB is helping embed good practice in safety decision taking, and how we can take balanced risk decisions in practice.

7 May 2025

In this webinar, learn about the upcoming changes to the Rule Book regarding emergency protection. The proposed changes aim to simplify the current rules. They also aim to remove detonators and emphasise the importance of contacting the signaller at the earliest opportunity.

23 October 2024

In this webinar, hear from speakers at Driving for Better Business (DfBB) and Network Rail on how best to manage occupational road risk. They discuss what to include in a driving for work policy, why it’s important to investigate every road traffic collision, and more.

15 May 2024

The UK Rail Fire Forum is an annual gathering of experts, stakeholders, and rail operators with an interest in fire prevention. The forum provided an opportunity to hear about a review of annual fire statistics, fire testing, and changes to standards. The session also covered how the risk profile is changing, from new consumer equipment to new forms of traction. Sessions included national UK incident statistics relating to fire; updating the Safety Risk Model; an international review of fire incidents – Europe and Global; the link between human factors and passenger behaviour in evacuations; and much more.

13 February 2pm

People responsible for depots, yards, sidings and freight terminals had the opportunity to speak with the technical specialist and drafting group involved in devising the new guidance note GN3616 Guidance on Operational Railway Safety Awareness. Attendees learnt how GN3616 could support them to meet the requirements of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Join us as we officially open the IRSC 2020 and watch five great presentations and Q&A session. 

Join us for day two of the IRSC 2020 as we listen to a further four presentations and delve deeper into the subjects with the Q&A at the end.

Watch four great presentations and Q&A session, hear what great plans Korea has in store for IRSC 2021 and we say an official farewell to IRSC 2020.

25 February 2026

Discover more about the work being undertaken to decarbonise the rail network by supporting technologies that will provide traction power in locations where it is not cost-effective to electrify. The team covers the potential use of low carbon fuels, challenges around widescale deployment of batteries, and how smart management of power could maximise efficiency.

22 October 2025

Discover how RSSB’s new Rail Carbon Accounting Methods help organisations navigate the complexities of carbon reporting in rail.

27 March 2025

In this webinar, learn about the new waste regulations, why they’re important, and the legal requirements for businesses. You’ll also learn how we’re supporting members to meet the regulations and hear about the work of the Zero Waste Working Group.

Monday 18 March
14:30

RSSB and leading consulting firm WSP share research into strategic options for the roll-out of battery-powered trains onto the GB rail network. The project has evaluated different approaches to battery train operations and charging in support of the industry’s emerging plans for investment in new rolling stock across the network. Presentations show research findings and what’s next from RSSB and key industry stakeholders.

17 February 2022

Join us to discuss how the GB rail industry could prepare for the impacts of variations in sun, solar wind and magnetosphere that may pose significant risks to transport, power grids, infrastructure, systems and emerging satellite-derived space services.

Listen to some of the industry’s top leaders discuss how the rail industry needs to act to meet the environmental challenges of tomorrow, hosted by Tom Burridge, former BBC Transport journalist.

Watch to learn about the importance adaptation plays in climate change, what rail is doing to create a safe and reliable network and how we can collaborate to improve resiliency.

Learn about; the importance of air quality to the rail industry, what the industry is doing to pro-actively improve air quality, the most effective mitigation methods throughout the rail network and recommendations on future air quality mitigations.

1 April 2025

In this webinar, learn about some of the key activities underway to protect vulnerable people from harm and identify and manage trespass risk. Also, hear about how we’re working together to share best practice and resources.

26 February 2025

Rail is already a big force for health equity. It boosts people’s access to a healthy life by providing good jobs and benefits, and it provides safe, active, green, equitable transport. But to play our part in changing the state of inequity, there is more we need to do. Watch our webinar to learn how framing your activities as moving parts in the system of equity will reveal synergies you didn’t know existed.

25 September 2024

In this webinar, two members of our Human Factors team speak about RSSB’s current fatigue risk projects and resources. Also, a special guest from Nottingham Trent University discusses countering sleepiness in safety-critical contexts.

1 February 2023

Hear RSSB, Network Rail, Capgemini and HS2 discussing a new standard - Client Safety Assurance of High Integrity Software-Based Systems for Railway Applications. This sets out requirements and guidance for managing safety assurance of high integrity software-based systems used in railway applications. It will help the rail industry to better manage and reduce the number of incidents where the performance of software is one of the causal factors.

Watch our cross-industry workshop which discussed how robotics and autonomous systems could be better utilised to revolutionise train maintenance, and rethink depot design and use.