Identifying the use of unassisted lookouts and the potential for removing them completely
Since the fatalities at Margam in 2019, Network Rail set out to reduce, and then remove, the use of unassisted lookouts as a safe system of work. A project began to update the Rule Book to support this aim. But this project was paused so that resources could focus on work about trackworkers walking on or near the line.
More recently, the Network Rail Technical Authority carried out a retrospective hazard identification (HAZID) to understand how often unassisted lookouts are still used, and to assess whether their use could be removed entirely.
The HAZID, supported by follow-up discussions within Network Rail, showed that using lookouts could be limited to slow speed areas. This can be done if a risk assessment is undertaken to justify their use under company instructions. This work made it possible to develop and publish the required Rule Book changes.
The HAZID involved the Network Rail Technical Authority, access planning groups, Network Rail Routes and Regions, and the supply chain. These same groups took part in the development work and agreed on the detailed updates.
The most significant impact would be to prevent a single fatality. The projected benefit would be £2,487,000.
Reducing trackside work and movements between safe zones could decrease slips, trips, and falls by 3%. That would be a potential saving of £1,364,250.
Less risks from legal action may also yield savings of around £175,000. Note that even a modest 1% reduction in delay minutes, related to injuries or fatalities, could add another £55,120 to the overall savings.
The project predicts that the total industry benefit over a 5-year period would be £4,061,370.