14 June 2004 - Rail Annual Safety Performance Report
The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), since having been tasked to improve Safety Performance, by setting up an Independent Board, have now published their Annual Safety Performance Report for 2003 to 2004.
The Independent Board consists of a Members Council, a Board and Advisory Committee, which is owned by the railway industry.
This better level of reporting, highlights not only the improvement areas, but also provides figures as to areas, which could have limited noticeability and can then be addressed for better Health and Safety measures to be implemented.
Some main findings of the Report:
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significant train accidents down by 27% (the lowest level ever recorded)
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SPADs (signals passed at danger, a SPAD, describes an incident when a train passes a stop signal without authority to do so)
increased by 5% during 2003, to 381 -
public accidental fatalities reduced by 2%
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201 major injuries to passengers, representing a 5% increase on last year’s figure
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reportable ‘line of route’ offences reduced by 26%
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trespasser fatalities increased by 8%
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15 accidental fatalities occurred at level crossings
Gerry Doherty, TSSA General Secretary, commented on the issue of staff security:
"It is unacceptable that rail staff are bearing the brunt of the public's frustration with a failing rail service through verbal abuse and threats of violence. This is putting staff under intolerable stress and we call on the industry to take the issue seriously by introducing a zero tolerance approach to customers who behave in this way."
Aidan Nelson, Director Policy and Strategic Initiatives for RSSB commented:
"The industry has again shown that focused action delivers safety improvements. That there were no fatalities in a train accident in 2003 is great news. The challenge is clear: improve quality and the rail sector can further improve the safety of passengers and those who work in the industry’ It is clear that safety performance is improving in many areas, however the challenge facing the industry is workforce safety and, in partnership with other agencies, the road – rail interface and wider issues of public behaviour."
More information can be found on the Rail Safety and Standards Board web site here.
