Workforce safety (fatality and weighted injury rate)

Definition

This measure compares the weighted number of fatalities and RIDDOR reportable personal injuries for all Network Rail staff and contractors, normalised per 1,000,000 hours worked. This measure provides information to help monitor and control accidents and injuries to the workforce.

Results

Commentary

It has been necessary to review and re-align the data, as a result of the findings of Network Rail’s own investigations and the RSSB’s (Rail Safety and Standards Board) independent review of RIDDOR reporting arrangements.

The FWI target for this year has not been met and the moving annual average (MAA) FWI rate has remained broadly level since 2009/10. The reduction in workforce fatalities from three to one has been offset by an increase in the number of major injuries reported.

Tragically there was one contractor employee fatality during 2010/11. In April 2010 at Stewarton Viaduct in Scotland, a contractor employed by SW Global Resourcing Ltd received fatal injuries when the raised mobile elevated platform, from which he was undertaking strengthening work on the viaduct, toppled over.

Key initiatives during the year which contributed to the management of workforce safety, health and welfare were:

• 'All orange' personal protective equipment (PPE) has been introduced and implemented nationally.
• Continuing the Safety 365 safety awareness campaign using a variety of media which covered specific track worker and general safety topics. The media used included: Safety 365 communications trucks that visit worksites and are used to brief worksite operatives on the latest safety topics, an 'Ask the experts' webpage on the Safety Central website, briefing packs for use by line managers, DVDs (e.g. Frontline Focus and E-learning), posters, booklets and pocket cards.
• Maintenance delivery units have continued to develop and implement their own local accident reduction plans. These are designed to focus on local issues that have been identified through work activity risk assessments and local accident investigations.
• Continuing the Controller of Site Safety (COSS) working group meetings with representatives from Network Rail functions and Trades Unions, to identify improvements to existing COSS practice.
• Review and re-drafting of the Network Rail standard for Controller of Site Safety (COSS) and Safety System of Work (SSOW) to require individuals with Personal Track Safety (PTS) competence to demonstrate suitable behaviour, knowledge and experience before being allowed to progress to higher-level competences.
• Continuing a collaborative approach to the management of workforce safety, health and welfare with contractors and suppliers through the Project Safety Leadership Group and the Supplier Safety Forum.
• Continued health screening and surveillance for noise-induced hearing loss and hand arm vibration syndrome.
• The development and publication of a company standard for working at height.
• Health promotion and education campaigns including health fairs and health and wellbeing fact sheets designed to help the workforce to understand what they can do to help themselves.
• Rehabilitation physiotherapy for employees with musculoskeletal disorders due to work related injury.
• Stress counselling and the provision of work/life balance literature.
• Undertaking a programme to install fixed lighting at junctions on London North Western route where frequent night time access is required.
• A programme of on-track plant (OTP) site compliance checks and high-ride road rail vehicle (RRV) compliance checks has been implemented and is an ongoing activity.