Accident Frequency Rate

Definition

All injuries that are statutorily reportable under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) for all Network Rail staff and contractors working on Network Rail’s managed infrastructure, normalised per 100,000 hours worked. This measure provides information to help monitor and control accidents and injuries to the workforce.

Results

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Commentary

The Accident Frequency Rate for Network Rail employees and contractors for 2007/08 was 0.226. This is a 14% reduction over the figure in 2006/07 and continues the downward trend seen in previous years.  These figures compare favourably to the national rate for the UK construction industry which, in 2006/07 stood at approximately 0.401.

Despite this generally improving trend there were two workforce fatalities, both involving track workers struck by trains.

Key initiatives during the year which contributed to the continued reduction of the Accident Frequency Rate were:

• All Maintenance Delivery Units have developed and implemented 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. They give local ownership to local issues and empower people to deliver local resolution of safety issues. Achievements against the plans are monitored within the line through the Monthly Business Review (MBR) process in an effort to achieve consistent application of best practice and delivery against plan commitments.
• A review and revision of the Controller of Site Safety (COSS) site briefing forms has been undertaken. This included considerable user consultation and testing. The revised forms are simpler to complete, focus on a reasonable number of key issues, and are much clearer.
• In order to increase the effectiveness of workforce briefings, a training module on ‘effective briefing’ was developed and introduced to the COSS training course. The object of the module is to raise the delivery standards for COSS briefings and increase knowledge transfer. The aims are to raise workforce awareness of worksite hazards and control measures and, indeed, to raise the workforce’s expectations of a good briefing.
• New Lookout Operated Warning Systems (LOWS) technologies were trialled during 2007 and funding has been allocated for the purchase of equipment during 2008. The new equipment will enhance the safety of both the lookout and the group being protected by providing both audible and visual warning throughout the worksite using modern radio technologies. Whilst teething problems have been experienced, it is anticipated that this technology will have a positive safety impact.
• A national risk-based programme to install fixed lighting at 70 junctions, where a high risk to track workers from slips, trips and falls had been identified, was initiated in 2007. A trial site was identified and a variety of lighting equipment is being tested there. The testing explores the actual levels of light required on site to perform particular tasks and will check that all technical issues are identified prior to a national roll out (due to start in 2008).
• Work has been undertaken with Network Rail’s small plant and tool suppliers to reduce exposure of track workers to noise and vibration, and to reduce the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This has included the redesign and modification of existing plant and tools, as well as the sourcing of new plant and tools. The methods of work employing the plant and tools have also been examined with a view to reducing exposure to hazards while maintaining or improving productivity.
• In order to improve the availability of suitable and sufficient welfare facilities for track workers, a phased plan has been developed and implemented for the provision of permanent welfare facilities at strategic locations. This plan was initiated in 2007 and will continue through 2008.
• The ‘Safety 365’ safety awareness campaign continued throughout 2007 with a variety of track worker and general safety topics covered using a variety of media.  Subjects included: safety critical communications; slips, trips and falls; the use of mobile telephones on the infrastructure and buried services. The media used included: briefing packs for use by line managers; DVDs; posters; booklets and pocket cards. An impact survey was carried out in the latter half of 2007 to assess the effectiveness of the ‘Safety 365’ campaigns. This demonstrated that the messages of the campaigns were being communicated effectively and identified those campaigns that had been particularly successful. This information is being used in the development and delivery of the ‘Safety 365 – Healthy 2008’ campaigns.