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Making Rail PPE Sustainable

Hi-visibility weatherproof safety clothing was first introduced to UK rail sector workers back in 1964. Since then, its essential contribution to PPE has enabled...

Our railways and trams need more focused organisation

Colin Wheeler Political turmoil, the UK economy, and Covid have all affected the way we live and work. Hopefully we are at last moving forward...

Expert commentary – RAIB Human Factors team

RailStaff regularly reports on the investigative findings of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), but what exactly is the organisation’s purpose and how does...

PROTECTING WORKERS FROM NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS

TIM TURNEY, GLOBAL MARKETING MANAGER AT OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPANY CASELLA, SHARES HIS EXPERT ADVICE ON PREVENTING HEARING LOSS IN THE RAIL SECTOR Noise-induced...

Safety regulation for our developing tram and light rail systems

By definition, trams run on rails and may use rails on roads and streets, as well as some on rail dedicated routes. Metros use...

CrossCountry appoints Wendy Smith as HR and Safety Director

Britain’s largest long-distance operator, CrossCountry, has announced the appointment of Wendy Smith as HR and Safety Director. Wendy joins from HS2, where she was Head...

GTR appoints Samantha Facey in safety-focused director role

Rail operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has appointed previous interim Head of Safety and Health, Samantha Facey, as Health, Safety and Security Director, further...

A return to the Railway Family – Could it reduce avoidable accidents?

Like many others I spent most of my working life in the employ of British Railways. I recall the original application form for employment...

Railway scaffolding accidents

Scaffolding design, be it for structural repairs to existing infrastructure, access for inspection, or to support a failing structure, is a crucial element of...

Reporting from the frontline

CIRAS representatives get the word out about confidential reporting – here they speak out from across the industry to explain what they do and...

Work-related violence

“I was just standing there, waiting for the 12:43, when this bloke came up and started shouting his head off. I tried to calm...

Rail still safer and greener than road

Britain’s railways remain the safest and greenest forms of land transport, but there is no room for complacency. The independent rail safety body RSSB has...

KeolisAmey Metrolink strengthens commitment to employee safety

KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) has made it easier for its employees to speak up about health and safety concerns by becoming a member of CIRAS...

RAIB investigates train overspeeding in Aberdeenshire

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is looking into how two trains went through an emergency speed restriction between Laurencekirk and Portlethen, Aberdeenshire, on 4...

New health and safety passport for HS2 workers

HS2 is working with Midland-based Biosite to develop a new initiative that will boost health and safety and competency insight across the supply chain The...

Is white-zone working the answer for the future?

Now that the report on the fatal accident at Margam has been released, it is time to make sure such an incident can never...

Safety is all about people

In a footnote to his main article, Colin Wheeler asks whether the lack of face-to-face communication is resulting in an increase in accidents and...

A problem shared is a problem halved

Health and safety concerns may be going unnoticed but reporting them is as important as ever. As the end of 2020 rapidly approaches, CIRAS urges...