Rail Wellbeing Alliance
Even in the relatively short time I have been privileged to work in this industry, safety standards have changed, and what was considered ‘normal’ isn’t seen that way now. Go back 30-40 years and safety standards are all but unrecognisable.
We, the people of the railway, made changes happen. We worked together to set in motion a cultural change that is still developing now. It’s time we took that same spirit, drive and determination and do the same for health and happiness."
Scope
The RWA and its subgroups coordinate a variety of health activities across the industry, so that legal requirements, cost benefits, and better health provision within organisations can be universally achieved. This includes concerns identified in the Rail Health and Safety Strategy. In particular, these relate to mental wellbeing, musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue, assessment and management of occupational health hazards, occupational health provision, reporting and monitoring of workforce health and wellbeing, as well as health promotion and ill health prevention.
Rail Leader Update – Health and Wellbeing
Rail companies will benefit from more streamlined support with their health and wellbeing activities following the restructure of the Rail Wellbeing Alliance’s (RWA’s) subgroups. In this update for rail leaders, Joana Faustino, Principal Health and Wellbeing Specialist, gives the reasons behind the change. She also covers the latest initiatives of the RWA and its subgroups.
The RWA's guiding principles
- We are volunteers who do this because we care, not because we’ve been told to.
- The RWA is not a governance forum - it exists to support colleagues, open doors and as far as we can, lead by example.
- Our plan is to draw on the best technical and leadership skills in the industry to deliver great results.
- We use our industry networks to help share key and agreed narratives, maintaining a close relationship with sector groups.
The RWA reports directly to the Rail Industry Health and Safety Executive Advisory Group and typically meets every six weeks. The group produces a summary of the ‘Key Messages’ after each meeting, which highlight work delivered or underway (see our resources section below).
If you have any questions or wish to contact the group, please email: Health&Wellbeing@rssb.co.uk
Subgroups
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Fatigue Coordination GroupThe Fatigue Coordination Group is a specialist risk subgroup that supports the industry in devising and sharing world class approaches to managing fatigue. It aims to improve employee health and wellbeing and make fatigue-related incidents a thing of the past. It supports the Rail Wellbeing Alliance in coordinating and monitoring the rail industry’s progress on fatigue risk management.
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Health and Wellbeing Action GroupThe Health and Wellbeing Action Group (HWAG)’s purpose is to improve data-driven and evidence-based decisions for the prevention and management of health and wellbeing issues in the industry.
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Occupational Health & Hygiene Advisory GroupThe Occupational Health & Hygiene Advisory Group (OHHAG)’s purpose is to develop and oversee a strategic roadmap for an improved approach to the prevention of harm and early identification and intervention on work-related ill health risks.
Membership
To address the strategic challenges for health and wellbeing and fatigue, RWA has industry director level sponsors who oversee the delivery and realisation of the benefits. The group also has chairs for these areas and the relevant subgroups.
- Industry Sponsors (x3)
- Chair
- Deputy Chair
- Workstream Chairs (x3)
- Professional Head of Safety, Health and Wellbeing
The RWA includes the ORR as observers. We have representation from across the industry including trade unions, infrastructure, supply chain, freight and train operations.
Chair: David Horne, London North Eastern Railway
RSSB main representative: Gemma Lavery
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Group members
Name Company Representing Status Annette Edgington Rail Operations (UK) Limited Non Passenger Train Operators Member Christine Kinloch RSSB RSSB Meeting Manager David Horne London North Eastern Railway Passenger Train Operators Chair Donna Morgans
London North Eastern Railway
Passenger Train Operators
Member Gemma Lavery RSSB RSSB RSSB main representative Jen Ablitt Office of Rail and Road Office of Rail and Road Observer Laura Clarke DB Cargo (UK) Limited Non Passenger Train Operators
Member Lisa Leighton
Northern Trains Limited Passenger Train Operators Member Martin Frobisher Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Infrastructure Managers Member Mick Rayner Balfour Beatty Rail Limited Suppliers Member Nadine Rae TSSA Trade Union Member Nicola Buckley
Traspennine Trains Llimited Passenger Train Operators
Member Rob Miguel Unite the Union Trade Union Member Robert Morris Siemens Mobility Limited Suppliers Deputy Chair Rob Mullen
Trenitalia C2C Limited Passenger Train Operators Member Ruth Busby Great Western Railway Passenger Train Operators
Member Samantha Phillips Transport for London (TfL) Passenger Train Operators Member Steve Best Arriva Rail London Ltd Passenger Train Operators Member
Tracy Orlandi East Midlands Railway Passenger Train Operators
Member
