The Rail Safety and Standards Board Podcast (RSSB)
Explore every episode of The Rail Safety and Standards Board Podcast
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Feb 2022 | Learning from... - the Clapham Accident | 00:10:20 | |
Fortunately, multiple fatality rail accidents in Britain are rare. But only by learning from the past can we reduce risk in the future. Learning and remembering are vital. Even the lessons from a major accident, like that near Clapham Junction in 1988, can all too soon be forgotten. In this episode we look at the Clapham accident, some of its causes, and how well we have, or haven't, learned from it. Good corporate memory—and incident reporting—as you'll hear, are vital to making our railways a safe place to work and travel.
01:22 A bit about Greg Morse. 02:28 Describing the Clapham accident. 03:15 The causes behind the accident. 04:11 How mistakes came to be made. 04:49 How fatigue is managed today. 05:31 Organisational complacency. 06:18 Clapham's lessons relevant today. 08:00 Looking at the whole system. 09:24 About future episodes. 09:58 Close. Give us your thoughts and ideas—on this or any other episode: podcasts@rssb.co.uk | |||
| 16 Feb 2022 | Lone Working—Your Health, Safety and Wellbeing | 00:14:34 | |
In this episode we talk about lone working, and how it can affect health, wellbeing and personal safety. I talk with Joana Faustino, Senior Work Psychologist at RSSB, and Rachel Rowlinson, Associate Director at Britain Thinks, who has a special interest in health matters in the rail industry. 01:56 About Rachel and her role in the railway. 02:34 Who and what was involved in the research. 03:14 Guidance for lone workers and their managers, and just who is a lone worker. 04:55 How many people just might be lone workers? 05:35 How Covid-19 has influenced the number of lone worker roles. 05:54 Are you a lone worker if you work from home? 06:40 What makes you a lone worker? 07:25 The down side of lone working. 08:12 Things about lone working that can affect health, wellbeing, and safety. 09:17 What organisations can do to better support lone workers. 10:19 What lone workers can do to support their own wellbeing—some top tips. 11:22 Top tips from the guidance for physical health and safety. 12:35 The Lone Worker's Wellbeing Action Plan—what keeps lone workers happy and healthy at work, and what causes stress or anxiety 13:31 Sources of support available to lone workers. Resources mentioned in this episode: RSSB webpage: Keeping Lone Workers Safe and Secure. This page has links to all three of the guidance documents talked about in this episode. Related resources: T1213 Understanding the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Risks and Impacts of Lone Working in Rail—Project Report https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1213 Contact a Samaritan https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ or call 116 123. | |||
| 03 Mar 2022 | Freight Safety—The Condition of Freight Vehicles on the Network | 00:20:03 | |
Checking that freight vehicles are safe to go onto the rail network is not an easy task. It's work that's often done in difficult conditions, and the consequences of mistakes can be costly. The role of ground staff in freight depots and yards has changed dramatically over recent years. The conditions in which they work, in freight depots and yards where they carry out their vital and often challenging work, need to be improved. 01:53 About Devon. 02:34 About Dave. 04:07 About the Condition of Freight Vehicles on the Network (CFVN) Working Group. 05:39 How the freight sector has engaged, and the various stakeholders collaborate. 06:42 The CFVN project's strategic activities, and two core workstreams. 08:28 How the train preparation and loading workstream has been structured. Survey responses from freight ground staff as they engage in the project. 10:33 Open and honest ground staff describe situations and propose solutions. 11:29 Some of the specific themes that came out. 13:58 Training for ground staff roles. Better non-technical skills and working facilities. Two quick wins. 16:40 What the CFVN Working Group will do with the data. 18:16 Hopes for the project—reducing delays, standardising preparation and loading procedures. Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway – freight derailment chapter https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/freight-derailment Annual Health and Safety Report 2020-21 https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-performance-reports RAIB: Summary of learning – 5. Freight train derailments (see Section 3.2) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summary-of-learning-5-freight-train-derailments/summary-of-learning-5-freight-train-derailments | |||
| 24 Mar 2022 | Road Driving for a Safer Railway—Driving and riding safely for work | 00:13:41 | |
Do you, or your employees, drive or ride a vehicle for work? The HSE's guidance on Driving and riding safely for work tells you what you need to know to comply with current legislation. Nicola Jaynes, HM Inspector of Health and Safety, talks about what the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does, and about its most recent, update to guidance for those who employ people to drive or ride for work, and for those who do the driving and riding. About Nicola Jaynes and the risks involved in driving and riding for work [01:28] About the HSE, as inspector, regulator, guide, advisor, and sometimes prosecutor [03:20] About the new guidance, which is now available on an easily updateable microsite [05:38] The new content differs from previous guidance, here's what's available [06:53] What you need to know as a user of a 2-wheeled vehicle [09:02] About drivers' health and wellbeing and fatigue [09:52] Collecting data about road traffic incidents [11:24] Driving when self-employed, in the gig economy, and in the grey fleet [11:59] Close [13:05]
You may find these useful: Driving and riding safely for work (HSE microsite): https://www.hse.gov.uk/roadsafety/ Occupational Road Risk Management (RSSB web page): https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/occupational-road-risk-management Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/contents Driving for Better Business Rail Sector gateway: https://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/rail-sector/ THINK! Road safety campaigns: https://www.think.gov.uk/ The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSE site): https://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.htm A guide to workplace transport safety (INDG382) (the 2014 edition): https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg136.htm | |||
| 14 Apr 2022 | On Track—Staying Safe | 00:19:06 | |
This episode was originally published to the RSSB at the Front Line stream in June 2021. It features Nick Millington, Director of the Safety Task Force at Network Rail. He talks about recent accidents on the mainline railway, and what the task force is doing to reduce open line working. We talk about the removal of lookouts, night shift working and fatigue, what more possessions will mean for signaller workload, and the aspiration for more effective work planning. 01:02 About Nick and his role in the railway. 02:27 Numbers of near misses, track worker fatalities, and open line working. 04:30 Equipment and technologies to replace lookouts. 08:07 Removing the lookout competence, new roles, and better protection. 10:20 Signaller workload, better planning, and collaboration for safe systems of work. 13:00 Increased night shifts, wellbeing and fatigue; and more efficient work planning. 16:38 Future plans, integrated signal-controlled protection and warning systems, and the search for innovations. Resources related to this episode: Nick Millington's video report on LinkedIn of his May 2021 visit to North West and Central regions to talk health and safety with those on the front line Network Rail Front Line Focus episode 96 Infrastructure Safety Leadership Group Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway—Workforce Safety web page | |||
| 03 May 2022 | Could you be a Samaritans Christmas Star | 00:13:02 | |
Christmas is a time for many to celebrate with family and friends. But for others it can be a time of isolation and despair. It's a time when Samaritans can be called on to shed some light in a dark place, or we can make an intervention with someone for whom small talk could save their life. When you could be that Christmas Star. In this episode we hear from two people: one who works for Samaritans to help the rail industry, and one from the rail industry who works to help Samaritans. 00:04 Christmas is a busy time for Samaritans as many suffer despair and loneliness. 01:16 What does a Samaritans Regional Development Lead do? 02:13 Join in the 'Samaritans Christmas Star' campaign, or nominate your own star. 03:20 How a train guard chose to support the 'Samarathon' fund raiser. 07:35 Bessie tells why she chose to support Samaritans, and what she did to raise funds. 10:30 Samaritans work at Christmas, how many people call, and why. 12:03 Contact information for Samaritans and its Christmas Star campaign.
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| 03 May 2022 | Could you help save another life? | 00:13:03 | |
Small talk does save lives, as Dom Mottram found out when it saved his life. Now a project manager at Network Rail, he talks about how someone helped him with small talk, and how he now pays that back. 00:04 Introduction Samaritans phone number: 116 123 Samaritans email contact: jo@samaritans.org Samaritans Small Talk Saves Lives campaign webpage: https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/small-talk-saves-lives/ If you'd like to get involved with the campaign or take the Managing Suicidal Contacts training, email railcompanies@samaritans.org These might also be of interest: RSSB Suicide Prevention web pages: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-prevention Rail Suicide Prevention website: https://railsuicideprevention.co.uk/ RSSB Mental Wellbeing webpages: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/key-industry-topics/health-and-wellbeing/mental-wellbeing Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway Public Behaviour section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/public-behaviour | |||
| 12 May 2022 | Road Driving for a Safer Railway—Embedding Driving for Better Business in the Supply Chain | 00:06:17 | |
As it has accounted for as many as half of our workforce fatalities, road driving is an important area for risk management. Both as employers and contractors of services, rail organisations have a duty of care to those who work for them. Part of the Road Risk Group’s strategy for reducing road driving risk is to implement the National Highways programme Driving for Better Business (DfBB). And that includes extending participation in the programme to your supply chain. To support that aim, Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser, talks about how National Highways has gone about it. 01:05 Why National Highways chose to embed DfBB into its supply chain. 02:19 What National Highways looks for in its supplier companies 04:05 The National Highways experience 04:34 For more information… 05:49 Summary These resources may help you: Driving for Better Business Free Risk Assessment: https://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/free-risk-assessment/ Driving for Better Business Rail Sector Gateway https://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/rail-sector/ Occupational Road Risk Management (web page with links to related industry groups) https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/occupational-road-risk-management | |||
| 19 May 2022 | Learning from... the Potters Bar Accident | 00:08:56 | |
We can learn a lot from accidents. As we try to avoid history repeating itself, Greg Morse looks back at the Potters Bar accident of 20 years ago. What went wrong? What have we learned? 00:36 What happened at Potters Bar. 02:28 The errors that led to the accident 04:19 The blurred edges of maintenance programmes 05:38 How we now respond to safety reports, including from the public 08:08 Summary and close You may find these of interest: Learning from… - the Clapham accident podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/925129/10042758 Managing Safety Related Reports from Members of the Public https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/guidance-and-good-practice/safety-related-customer-contacts Understanding current practice for identifying and managing safety-related reports from members of the public (Research project: OTH-SRC) https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/OTH-SRC The Asset Integrity Group https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/groups-and-committees/safety/system-safety-risk-group/asset-integrity-group Rolling Stock Asset Integrity (RSSB members and affiliates only) https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity Infrastructure Asset Integrity (RSSB members and affiliates only) https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity Red 62 - Asset Integrity (RSSB members and affiliates only) https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/learning-from-experience/red-safety-videos/red-62-asset-integrity | |||
| 26 May 2022 | Learning from… - corporate memory: Right Track is 10! | 00:07:53 | |
Learning from… previous experience is vital. But unless we keep and communicate what we learn, the memory is lost. As Right Track magazine celebrates its 10th anniversary, we look at why and what it delivers for those who work at the front line on the railway. 00:48 Why Right Track was created 01:25 How Right Track set out to stand out from the crowd 02:23 Some of the ‘firsts’ that Right Track brought to safety learning 03:26 The trends that Right Track has followed… and the issues it tackles 04:44 How Right Track will continue to keep itself relevant and broad-based 06:13 How Right Track sits alongside and supports Leading Health and Safety on Britain’s Railway 07:05 Summary and close Give us your thoughts and ideas—on this or any other episode: podcasts@rssb.co.uk You may also be interested in: Podcast episode 38: Learning from…the Potters Bar accident https://www.buzzsprout.com/925129/10611287 Podcast episode 30: Learning from…the Clapham accident https://www.buzzsprout.com/925129/10042758 Greg’s blog for Right Track issue 38 https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/right-track-38 Greg’s blog for Right Track issue 36 https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/read-right-track-36 Greg’s blog for Right Track issue 35 https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/read-right-track-35 Ali Chegini’s blog ‘Remembering Great Heck, 20 years on https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/remembering-great-heck-20-years-on | |||
| 30 May 2022 | More Efficient Rail - PathFinder | 00:23:39 | |
One of the railway’s aims is to deliver better customer service. Much of the operating timetable is set many months in advance. But there is also a need to make very-short-term plans (VSTP) for train paths. Sometimes just hours in the future. PathFinder aims to be an end-to-end solution for VSTP that can design, deliver, approve, and resource a new train path. In far less time than is currently possible. This IT solution has been developed by Worldline and Alstom, and trialled with South Western Railway and the Network Rail Wessex Route. 01:56 Marcus Carmichael describes how RSSB sees the performance challenge for the GB railway and the need for better VSTP. 04:05 Chris Prior and the role of the Train Running Controller. 05:38 James Hilder talks through the train planning process and timescales 06:57 The impact of lots of VSTP requests on network performance 08:33 How a completed VSTP is implemented 09:28 About Doug Short and PathFinder 12:56 Integration with stock and crew resource systems 13:55 Fully integrated workflow and approval stages 15:47 How far advanced is PathFinder and what gaps are there? 18:18 South Western Railway’s assessment of PathFinder 21:26 How RSSB R&D contributes to greater network performance. 23:15 Close These may be of interest: Podcast episode 29: More Efficient Rail Freight – Path Planner https://www.buzzsprout.com/925129/9907510 RSSB seeks innovative solutions to performance challenge (news article) https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/news/RSSB-are-seeking-innovative-answers-to-GB-rails-performance-challenges Pathfinder (I01-CLR-05): Applying machine learning from historical events and the current state of the railway to generate and validate new Very Short-Term Planning (VSTP) train schedules, and to amend existing ones. https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/I01-CLR-05 Dynamic Freight Capacity Management [PathPlanner] (I01-CLR-04): Identification of unused train paths for use by freight services as part of the Very-Short-Term Planning (VSTP) system. https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/I01-CLR-04 Assisted VSTP (I01-CLR-06): Enabling electronic Very Short-Term Planning (VSTP) requests, to improve efficiency and streamline communication. https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/I01-CLR-06 PERFORM Research Programme—Launch Conference https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/key-industry-topics/performance/perform-successfully-launched-at-the-enabling-better-network-performance-conference Improving PERFORMance Webinar Series: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/key-industry-topics/performance/improving-performance-webinar-series Blog: Can Machine Learning Improve Railway Operational Performance? https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/can-machine-learning-improve-railway-operational-performance | |||
| 09 Jun 2022 | Road Driving for a Safer Railway—Road Traffic Collisions and Legal Privilege | 00:32:39 | |
If road traffic collisions cause as many as half of the fatalities to our workforce, why aren’t they RIDDOR reportable? Fortunately, few collisions have fatal results. But that means close calls and near misses must be investigated seriously, to prevent the next incident, that may be more serious. When a collision happens: Who is responsible? Was the driver competent? Was the vehicle safe? What policies do you have in place to answer these questions? And if the worst should happen, do you have the right cover in place to protect yourself, your drivers, and your company’s brand reputation? 00:42 About Charlotte LeMaire 01:00 About Andrew Drewary 01:44 Andrew’s view on why incidents on the road aren’t viewed in the same way as those in the workplace. 03:12 The Health and Safety Executive’s increasing interest in incidents while road driving. 04:03 Do we keep our road driving competency and skills up to date? 06:10 What rules do and perhaps should apply to all who drive for work? 07:00 Driving your own vehicle actually loads greater responsibility. 07:30 What makes a good driver? 08:14 What are the consequences of a road traffic ‘accident’? 09:25 Good drivers are made by good managers. 10:35 The precursors to a police-attended collision. Have you got the right policies in place? 11:54 Have you controlled all the risk you can control? 12:45 Why investigate incidents as well as collisions? 14:52 Road risk is a serious matter. Are your investigations up to scratch and objective? 16:32 The consequences of the four-line investigation report. 18:29 The benefits of outsourcing investigations. Protecting the brand. 19:47 Do your company and your drivers have immediate legal representation? 21:28 What are you drivers legally required to do at the scene of a police-attended collision? 22:41 Why have processes to give your drivers legal advice, and the knock-on benefits. 23:52 The differences between 24/7 legal roadside assistance and a 24/7 insurance reporting line. 26:35 How legal privilege helps and protects drivers and companies. 30:55 Summary and close
These may also be of interest: Our podcast on the HSE guidance on Driving and riding safely for work https://www.buzzsprout.com/925129/10302467 The HSE guidance on Driving and riding safely for work https://www.hse.gov.uk/roadsafety/ The Road Risk Group webinar with Andrew’s videos of driving that leads to a collision: Fair culture work on RSSB website: Supporting a fair culture - creating appropriate plans after incidents (research project) https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1068 Supporting a Fair Culture: Creating Appropriate Plans After Incidents https://www.rssb.co.uk/-/media/Project/RSSB/RssbWebsite/Documents/Affiliate/Affiliate-content/Improving-Safety-and-Health/nts-supporting-a-fair-culture-cop-guidance.pdf Developing a Fair Culture (RSSB training course) https://www.rssb.co.uk/services-and-resources/training/developing-a-fair-culture | |||
| 30 Jun 2022 | Learning from... - the Hatfield accident | 00:12:26 | |
On the railway the state of the track that trains run on is vital to the safety of passengers and crew. It needs to be monitored and maintained regularly. But in the late 1990s that wasn’t always happening. And in October 2000, that led to a derailment that caused 4 deaths and injured over 70 more. 00:37 What happened at Hatfield 02:18 What causes rails to break 03:30 What led to the accident 05:40 Was it caused by incompetence or misfortune? 08:18 The trend in broken rails at the time 10:08 The improvements made since the accident 11:35 Summary and close These may be of interest: Asset Integrity – Lessons from Hatfield: blog by George Bearfield, Chair of the Asset Integrity Group. Remembering Hatfield – 20 years on: blog by RSSB CEO, Mark Phillips. About the Asset Integrity Group Corporate memory - how to keep learning: article in which Greg Morse explains how RSSB keeps the lessons of the past alive for both present and future. | |||
| 14 Jul 2022 | Road Driving for a Safer Railway—Effective RTC Investigations | 00:18:41 | |
Only when we investigate can we understand. Incidents while driving for work can have fatal or life-changing results, so we need to investigate to find ways to stop incidents repeating. Here’s what’s needed for an effective investigation.
01:58 About Gill Milner, RTC investigator 02:55 Gill offers a definition of an RTC 03:40 Why start your investigation in the Golden Hour 04:45 The five stages of the investigation 05:37 How to debrief a driver 07:35 How the driver may have added to the causes 09:18 How the job design may have added to the causes 11:20 How the organisation may have added to the causes 12:12 Build a timeline for the incident 14:04 What to do when a serious incident happens 16:34 Investigation complete, what are the safety learnings?
You may be interested in: Transport Research Laboratory publication: MIS058 Study on good practices for reducing road safety risks caused by road user distractions https://www.trl.co.uk/publications/mis058-study-on-good-practices-for-reducing-road-safety-risks-caused-by-road-user-distractions TRL publication: Smartphone use while driving: a simulator study https://www.trl.co.uk/publications/ppr592 TRL publication: Investigating driver distraction: the effects of video and static advertising https://www.trl.co.uk/publications/ppr409 TRL publication: Drivers attitudes to distraction and other motorists’ behaviour A focus group and observational study https://www.trl.co.uk/publications/ppr435 TRL publication: The relationship between driver fatigue and rules limiting hours of driving and work https://www.trl.co.uk/publications/ppr413-a | |||
| 28 Jul 2022 | The Railway Mental Health Charter | 00:14:44 | |
Not just a certificate for the wall, but a seven step guide for how to support your employees and colleagues towards better mental health. 00:00 A little bit about mental health at work 01:47 Meet Faye Bacon 02:14 About the Railway Mental Health Charter 02:42 How the Charter helps companies support mental health 03:28 Action 1, the importance of senior leaders’ support 04:45 Action 3, increasing awareness around mental health 05:26 Action 6, effective people management for mental health 06:06 Action 4, creating an effective peer-to-peer support system 06:22 Action 7, signposting mental health support resources 06:51 Action 2, using company data to highlight needs 07:16 Action 5, getting the right policies in place 07:44 The Charter is only a starting point for planning 09:31 Support for new Charter signatories 10:18 Reasons for supporting mental health, legal and financial 11:34 Who has, and who we’d like to sign the Charter 12:39 Some benefits of signing the Charter 14:05 Where to find more information The Railway Mental Health Charter – RSSB web page https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/key-industry-topics/health-and-wellbeing/mental-wellbeing/railway-mental-health-charter-rmhc | |||
| 11 Aug 2022 | BowTie Risk Analysis - A Novel Use at LNER | 00:17:18 | |
RSSB’s work with BowTie risk analysis has made it easy to visualise operational hazards, their precursors and mitigations. At LNER they’re applying the method in a novel way, to develop a corporate risk register. To identify the hazards faced in running a train operating company. 01:29 Introducing Ian Baulch-Jones 02:55 Ian recaps risk analysis and how BowTie analysis works 04:58 What LNER is doing with BowTie analysis 06:30 Why BowTie analysis? 08:08 Has anybody done this before? 08:54 The benefits envisaged in using the Bowtie Method. 09:56 How long is this all going to take? 11:41 Where LNER’s project sits within ORR’s RM3 13:34 How this BowTie diagram differs from an operational hazard diagram 15:27 LNER’s experience so far… 16:27 Close
You may be interested in: Rail Industry BowTie Analysis: A Good Practice Guide RSSB BowTie Risk Model Library Other related resources: Wolters Kluwer: CGE Risk Webpage CGE Risk (YouTube video) The BowTie Method in 5 Minutes | |||
| 25 Aug 2022 | Safety Culture - The Role of Leaders | 00:13:44 | |
Safety Culture is everybody's business. In the first of a new series Ellie Burrows, Chair of the System Safety Risk Group, talks about the role of leaders in embedding safety culture. She describes the need for a fair culture and how that works to support safety learning. 02:20 What Safety Culture means to Ellie 03:54 Ellie’s role in leading and supporting the development of Safety Culture 04:56 The essential tasks for leaders of Safety Culture 06:07 Traits and characteristics for leaders of Safety Culture 07:39 The need for fair culture to build trust 08:39 The need for good understanding of fair culture and human factors 10:01 How fair culture works 11:35 The actions, policies, and practices that demonstrate a fair culture 13:05 Summary and close
You may also be interested in: Leading Health and Safety on Britain’s Railway Developing a Fair Culture – RSSB Training Fair Culture Investigations – Network Rail Safety Central web page | |||
| 08 Sep 2022 | Asset Integrity—Why there are no famous asset managers | 00:15:05 | |
Assets are everywhere. They are the things, physical and digital, that make up the systems we work with. When they work as designed and planned, to meet their objectives, the people who manage them go un-noticed. But these are the people who keep the risk of using them as low as reasonably practicable. 02:07 Asset integrity and why it’s important 03:42 The whole lifecycle of asset management 06:54 The asset management is needed to keep risks as low as reasonably practicable 07:58 The criticality of system design 09:01 Asset decisions beyond safety 12:05 What’s coming up in this asset integrity series 14:13 Summary and close When Software Goes Wrong - Digital Asset Integrity on the Railway – blog from the first in that podcast series, with links to other blogs and resources: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/digital-asset-integrity-one-path-to-reducing-railway-risk The Asset Integrity Group’s web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/groups-and-committees/safety/system-safety-risk-group/asset-integrity-group Rolling Stock Asset Integrity web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity Infrastructure Asset Integrity web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity Red 62 video – Asset Integrity (RSSB members and Affiliates only): https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/learning-from-experience/red-safety-videos/red-62-asset-integrity | |||
| 29 Sep 2022 | SMIS - Data models and system development | 00:10:35 | |
Good information makes for good, evidence-based, safety critical decisions. Much of that information comes from data in the railway’s Safety Management Intelligence System, SMIS. This podcast looks at what’s being done and planned to make it easier and more efficient to use.
01:34 A bit about Paul Murray 01:58 About SMIS and how it is used 02:56 Why we continually improve and simplify SMIS 03:36 Less data, but more effective 04:18 Who’s been involved in the SMIS programme 04:57 Update releases and their benefits 06:07 Faster, easier data input 06:50 Automatic data transfer is coming 07:20 Systems that can connect to SMIS 07:55 Industry data requirements and data matching 08:39 If you’d like to explore the API route… 08:59 The importance of SMIS to the railway of the future 09:35 More SMIS episodes to follow
You may also be interested in: The Safety Management Intelligence System https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system SMIS in context https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system/smis-in-context Strategy for SMIS https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system/strategy-for-smis Improving SMIS: Usability, Performance, Business Intelligence https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system/improving-smis-usability-performance-business-intelligence The Safety Risk Model https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-risk-model An Overview of The Precursor Indicator Model https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/rail-risk-toolkit/pim/an-overview-of-the-precursor-indicator-model | |||
| 06 Oct 2022 | SMIS - Building the user expereince | 00:10:25 | |
SMIS is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022. Hear something of its history, its reason for being, and what it has done for our industry. How SMIS supports risk modelling and safety decision making. 00:48 Introducing Kevin Thompson 01:16 The origins of SMIS after the 1988 Clapham rail crash 02:39 How SMIS functionality and technology have developed 03:34 The components that make up SMIS today 05:26 How SMIS supports RSSB’s work 06:36 How SMIS helps rail companies 07:08 How RSSB supports SMIS users 08:36 The value that SMIS delivers to risk modelling and decision making 09:53 Close
The Safety Management Intelligence System https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system SMIS in context https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system/smis-in-context Strategy for SMIS https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system/strategy-for-smis Improving SMIS: Usability, Performance, Business Intelligence https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system/improving-smis-usability-performance-business-intelligence The Safety Risk Model https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-risk-model An Overview of The Precursor Indicator Model https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/rail-risk-toolkit/pim/an-overview-of-the-precursor-indicator-model | |||
| 13 Oct 2022 | SMIS - The Importance of Data Quality | 00:12:52 | |
Good decision making needs the support of good data. So, in this episode you can hear about the work that goes into assuring data quality, and the people behind it. 00:46 Introducing Siona Vass 01:43 About data quality and why it’s important 03:29 How RSSB measures data quality 04:26 Industry’s involvement in improving data quality 06:15 Continuous improvement and when data quality is ‘good enough’ 07:26 How RSSB monitors data that might be missing or under-reported 08:51 The role for leaders in supporting data quality 10:16 What would happen if we didn’t manage data quality 11:23 The biggest contributors to data quality 12:15 Summary and close
You may also be interested in: Data Quality Programme https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system/smis-data-quality SMIS in Context: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system/smis-in-context Improving SMIS: Usability, Performance, Business Intelligence https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system/improving-smis-usability-performance-business-intelligence Strategy for SMIS https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-management-intelligence-system/strategy-for-smis Learning from the past to inform the future of SMIS https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/learning-from-the-past-to-inform-the-future-of-smis | |||
| 08 Dec 2022 | Road Driving for a Safer Railway - Overspeeding | 00:10:53 | |
Overspeeding isn’t just an issue when driving trains. It happens on the roads as well. With nearly 10,000 road vehicles in its fleet Network Rail took steps to put numbers to it, and the findings were alarming. Hear what’s being done to tackle the problem and the outcomes so far. | |||
| 03 Jan 2023 | Simpler, lower cost AC electrification standards | 00:21:59 | |
Achieving net zero carbon by 2050 will need more electrification of the GB railway. This episode looks at new and updated standards that don’t just make the requirements easier to understand. They also have the potential to deliver cost savings of well over £27m over five years. So, if you design OLE or AC-powered trains, you’ll want to listen to this episode. 01:24 About Mike Tatton 02:14 How standards are changed 03:43 Drivers of change for electrification standards 05:33 Who will be using these standards 06:42 What’s changed in GLRT1210, issue 3 12:03 What’s new in RIS-1853-ENE 13:43 The new energy standards summarised 14:29 About Darren Fitzgerald 15:05 Key changes to the rolling stock RGS and the new RIS 16:21 New vehicle bonding requirements 17:25 Change to the cant rail warning line requirement 18:38 Main benefits from changes to these standards 19:45 Potential financial benefits from the changes 21:00 Summary and close
Resources mentioned in this episode: December 2022 webinar recording Register for the extended webinar at 11.00, 20 February 2023 GLRT1210, AC Energy Subsystem and Interfaces to Rolling Stock Subsystem, issue 3 RIS-1853-ENE, AC Energy Subsystem and Interfaces to Rolling Stock Subsystem, issue 1 RGS-2111, Rolling Stock Subsystem and Interfaces to AC Energy Subsystem, issue 3 RIS-2715-RST, Rolling Stock Subsystem and Interfaces to AC Energy Subsystem, issue 1 | |||
| 12 Jan 2023 | Developing the Whole System Risk Model | 00:19:12 | |
The railway is a very complex system. RSSB has developed tools for the industry to assess and target some hazards, but not all of them. Much of our risk analysis knowledge is based on the Safety Risk Model (SRM), now in version 9. One response to some identifiable hazards is to impose a blanket speed restriction. These can cover wide areas, and may themselves actually increase some types of risk. Being able to identify specific parts of the network that may be susceptible to increased risk under certain environmental conditions can help. Building on the knowledge within the SRM, RSSB has, with Network Rail, started to develop the Whole System Risk Model (WSRM). Prompted by the Carmont incident, it’s a project that will take some time, but it has to start somewhere. 03:00 About Marcus Dacre 03:30 Risk modelling work at RSSB 03:59 Modelling earthworks failures in the Precursor Indicator Model 05:12 RSSB’s involvement in responding to the RAIB recommendations to the Carmont incident 06:10 About the SRM 06:53 About Vincent Ganthy 07:34 Vincent’s focus on overall risk created by extreme rainfall events 09:00 Differences between the SRM and the WSRM 10:15 Establishing the level of network vulnerability 11:41 How the WSRM supports operational decision making 13:11 Current limitations and its potential for wider development 14:22 What we've found about the risk from speed restrictions 15:26 How to use the findings to respond to extreme rainfall events 16:11 Current testing and proving of the model 17:20 What’s next, the roadmap to extend the model You may also be interested in: How the Whole System Risk Model stops rail overcompensating for extreme weather events (RSSB web page 22 December 2022) https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/how-the-whole-system-risk-model-stops-rail-overcompensating-for-extreme-weather-events Research project: Development of a system risk model for extreme rainfall events (T1269) https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1269 Safety Risk Model: Improving safety and reducing costs https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/risk-and-safety-intelligence/safety-risk-model/safety-risk-model-improving-safety-and-reducing-costs Structures and Earthworks Rules Changes (RSSB web page 6 March 2021) https://www.rssb.co.uk/standards/using-standards/structures-and-earthworks-rules-changes Case Study: Risk from soil cutting failures (RSSB web page 24 November 2022) https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/key-industry-topics/data-insights/earthworks-data-insights/case-study-risk-from-soil-cutting-failures Any practices described in this podcast shall not be assumed to be risk free. The Rail Safety and Standards Board and other participants in this recording shall not be held liable for actions taken by third parties that lead to loss or injury. Any practices described should, specifically, not be followed in the United States of America or Canada. | |||
| 26 Jan 2023 | An introduction to standards in rail | 00:21:57 | |
Standards are talked about very often within rail, so this podcast provides an introductory overview. It describes what standards are, when rail started using standards, what the different types of standards abbreviations mean, how standards development is triggered, and where to find out more.
00:37 Introducing Tom Lee, Director of Standards at RSSB 01:47 Brief definition of standards 03:17 When rail first started using standards, and why 06:18 The organisations that produce standards relevant for rail, and the main standards abbreviations 11:31 The areas that standards cover 13:46 What causes a standard to be developed or revised, and the processes involved 20:20 How to find out more 21:40 Close | |||
| 09 Feb 2023 | Coping with our third pandemic winter | 00:13:29 | |
Colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses always increase over the winter period. That list now includes Covid-19, which is still with us. So, how can we best protect ourselves from it and the others in the coming weeks and months? Claire Shooter, our Public Health Manager, explains what we can expect and do to stay as healthy as possible. 00.44 Claire explains when and why there are peaks in respiratory illnesses. 01.57 Why we know less about the current Covid situation. 02.54 What a rise in infections might mean for rail. 03.30 About Long Covid, its symptoms and how to manage it. 04.58 What we know about Long Covid. 07.00 If you think you may be suffering from Long Covid… 08.30 How RSSB can help you deal with Covid and any other public health issues. 08.51 Where to find accurate sources of information. 09.17 About the GB Rail Pandemic Playbook 10.56 Explaining the structure of the Pandemic Playbook. 11.57 Why you won’t need to read the whole document. 12.58 Summary and close You may be interested in: HSE Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Advice for workplaces https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/ Society for Occupational Health Return to work guidance for recovering workers https://www.som.org.uk/covid-19-return-work-guide-recovering-workers Acas: Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for employers and employees https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus Public Health Note: Covid-19 in Winter 2022-2023 https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/public-health-note-covid-19-in-winter-2022 Vaccinating to Protect Against Covid-19 https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/vaccinating-to-protect-against-covid-19 Covid-19 support https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/the-coronavirus-pandemic-how-we-can-help-you Workforce Wellbeing [during the pandemic] https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/the-coronavirus-pandemic-how-we-can-help-you/workforce-wellbeing Distinguishing reliable sources for public health https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/distinguishing-reliable-sources-for-public-health | |||
| 09 Mar 2023 | Health and Wellbeing - Dealing with prostate cancer | 00:08:53 | |
This is the first in a series on specific health conditions. In this episode, recorded in Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, an RSSB employee talks with one of our health and wellbeing specialists about his experience of diagnosis, and the support received during treatment. 00:43 About Deb Archibald 01:04 About Tavid Dobson and discovering his cancer 02:05 Tavid talks about his treatment options 02:30 Making sense and making decisions 03:34 The impact and support at work 04:31 The support mechanisms that worked for Tavid 05:37 How to respond and support 07:14 On men, talking about having cancer 08:27 Deb closes with talking to colleagues and where to find more information | |||
| 16 Mar 2023 | Safety Culture - the RAIB perspective | 00:16:57 | |
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch does what it says on the tin. It looks at both accidents and incidents to find their underlying causes. No blame is laid, but recommendations for mitigations are made; some of which may be around organisational culture. Here, two of RAIB’s accident investigators talk about a company’s safety culture, learning opportunities, and how the two work together to deliver an ever safer railway. 00:05 Introduction 01:37 About Tabitha 01:57 About Mark 02:38 Tabitha’s views on the connection between safety culture and learning 05:17 Mark talks about what impact RAIB recommendations might have on company culture 06:55 Tabitha’s adds more on recommendations that address safety culture 08:41 Mark talks about the language in RAIB reports and how it supports a just culture 10:53 Mark talks about difficulties in establishing underlying factors 11:23 Tabitha on RAIB’s guidance for investigating underlying organisational factors 13:48 Mark talks about RAIB’s products that support corporate memory 15:33 Summary and close
Related links Rail Accident Investigation Branch web page https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/rail-accident-investigation-branch How to notify RAIB of an accident https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/notifying-us-of-an-accident The Railways (Accident Investigation and Reporting) Regulations 2005 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1992/contents/made?view=plain Accident Investigation and Learning RSSB web page https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/learning-from-experience/accident-investigation-and-learning RSSB Accident Investigation Training https://www.rssb.co.uk/services-and-resources/training/accident-investigation-training | |||
| 13 Apr 2023 | Rail Social Value - The Pathway to Filling the Skills Gap | 00:26:19 | |
Finding the right people to fill vacant roles can be difficult. Steve Womack of Amey Infrastructure Wales talks about how he has found workers with transferable skills. He's also contributing social value to his local area by employing ex-offenders. 02:31 Getting involved with the Pathway Programme 04:00 Finding the right candidates for the right roles 06:00 The response of staff to working with ex-offenders 07:39 Gareth’s involvement and experience with the programme 08:51 Gareth’s reception at Amey Infrastructure Wales 09:35 Steve talks about the results and the learning from the programme 10:35 Dealing with the transition from prison to release and employment 13:10 What Gareth has learned and gained from the programme 14:50 Steve recommends getting involved in the programme 16:10 About other schemes around the country 16:28 Steve’s offer to talk about his experience with the scheme 18:05 Gareth explains the challenges for programme participants 20:36 Learnings for participants and organisers within the programme 22:25 Using Gareth as a mentor for new participants 25:05 Gareth sums up his experience of the programme | |||
| 27 Apr 2023 | 20 Years of RSSB – Level Crossing Safety | 00:13:59 | |
As RSSB celebrates its 20th year, this episode looks at the work that it has done to help improve safety at level crossing, one of the biggest sources of risk for the railway. 00:57 About Michael Woods 02:00 The Ufton level crossing accident described 03:32 How Michael got RSSB involved 04:56 RSSB directors brief ministers and help secure RSSB’s future independence 05:54 Looking at new technologies to improve level crossing safety 08:37 Reviewing the ideas sent on for safety improvements 11:04 Proposals for rail vehicle and track design improvements 12:29 Improvements in level crossing safety since Ufton 13:30 Close
You may be interested in: Level Crossings – RSSB web page Network Rail strategy: Enhancing Level Crossing Safety 2019 – 2029 (PDF download) https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Enhancing-Level-Crossing-Safety-2019-2029.pdf Level crossings – Network Rail web page | |||
| 15 Jun 2023 | Asset Integrity - A systems management approach to deliver value | 00:13:57 | |
Are you getting the best value from your assets? Could your asset management approach be improved? In this episode we look at ISO 55001 as a possible framework for better asset management. 01:59 What to include in an asset management approach 02:15 Which framework to use for asset management 03:23 What’s in ISO 55001 04:25 The what to do, not how to do it 04:48 Understanding the context of your own organisation 05:40 Why a rail organisation would want to adopt ISO 55001 06:40 Selecting the standards that work for your organisation 07:54 Allocating and prioritising the right resources to your plan 09:03 Finding the right (external) resources to implement your plan 10:22 Is this the right thing for your organisation? Do you have the data to answer the question? 11:50 Some examples of the ROI from implementing ISO 55001 12:50 Use ISO 55001 as a tool; it’s not the answer 13:30 Summary and close
You may be interested in Getting started with ISO 55001 https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/Asset-Management/Getting-started-with-ISO-55001/ Introducing ISO 55001 Maximizing the value of your assets– PDF download (1.2 MB) https://www.bsigroup.com/LocalFiles/en-GB/iso-55001/resources/ISO-55001-Client-Guide.pdf ISO 55001 supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13. https://www.iso.org/sdgs.html | |||
| 29 Jun 2023 | Highlights of the Annual Health and Safety Report 2022-2023 | 00:08:38 | |
The significant trends in safety risk from 2022-2023, and what's being done to keep our railway one of the safest in the world. | |||
| 01 Aug 2023 | Challenges and opportunities for net zero carbon rail | 00:20:20 | |
Rail has been the most environmentally-friendly form of long distance transport for many years, and now needs to reduce its carbon emissions even further. George Davies, director of sustainability at RSSB, and Martin Watt, counsel at global law firm Dentons, discuss the challenges and opportunities of net zero carbon for rail. | |||
| 26 Feb 2024 | What to expect from our Strategic Business Plan | 00:13:48 | |
Welcome back to a new season of the RSSB Podcast. In this episode, we’re joined by RSSB Chief Executive Mark Phillips. Mark takes us through our five-year Strategic Business Plan covering 2024–2029, pulling out some of the key priorities along the way. He’s particularly excited to see how rail can leverage some of the technological and digital advancements taking place. Listen now to learn more about what we’re hoping to deliver to industry in the next few years. | |||
| 04 Apr 2024 | Introducing our 2024-25 Annual Business Plan | 00:15:13 | |
Welcome to another episode of the RSSB podcast! Today, join four members of our Executive Committee — Johnny Schute (Chief Operating Officer), Keith Hanlon-Smith (Chief People Officer), Hannah Kingsley (Chief Finance Officer), and Paul McLaughlin (Chief Commercial Officer) — as they outline industry's current challenges, discuss RSSB's priorities in addressing those, and introduce our new 'strategic multipliers'. | |||
| 29 Apr 2024 | Sustainable Rail Blueprint: its impact so far and where we go from here | 00:11:34 | |
This month we're joined by Thom Rawson, RSSB's Sustainable Rail Principal, to talk through the impact the Sustainable Rail Blueprint has had so far. He also covers how we're helping rail organisations embed it, how we're facilitating industry collaboration on sustainability, and what's next. | |||
| 28 May 2024 | Getting health on par with safety | 00:08:31 | |
Welcome to another episode of the RSSB podcast! This month we're joined by Tracy Orlandi, who is Head of Wellbeing and Occupational Health at East Midlands Railway. She talks about the progress being made in rail employee health and wellbeing, areas where gaps remain, and what it'll take to elevate health to the same level as safety in the rail industry. | |||
| 25 Jun 2024 | Rail freight: meeting the 75% growth target safely | 00:09:33 | |
Welcome to another episode of the RSSB podcast! This month we're joined by Dougie Hill, who is Chair of the National Freight Safety Group. He talks about the freight landscape in 2024, what it'll take to safely meet the government's rail freight growth target, and what RSSB is working on to make this happen. | |||
| 30 Jul 2024 | Health and safety data: quality information drives quality decisions | 00:14:49 | |
This month we're joined by Marcus Dacre, RSSB’s Head of Risk and Safety Intelligence. | |||
| 27 Aug 2024 | Our place at the heart of the rail industry | 00:11:26 | |
We're joined this month by Johnny Schute, our Chief Operating Officer. Johnny speaks with us about RSSB's unique whole-system perspective and what that means for the GB rail industry. | |||
| 24 Sep 2024 | Why industry-wide collaboration will 'forever be valuable' | 00:13:26 | |
This month we're joined by Vaibhav Puri, RSSB's Director of Sector Strategy and Transformation, to speak about the value of industry-wide collaboration for the rail sector. | |||
| 31 Oct 2024 | Unlocking value for industry in 2025 and beyond | 00:12:40 | |
This month, we're speaking with Helen Costello, RSSB's Director of Business Management and Performance. | |||
| 13 Nov 2024 | Road Safety Week special: How the ‘perfect storm’ led to this survivor’s RTC | 00:12:12 | |
This is the first episode in our 2024 Rail Industry Road Safety Week miniseries. | |||
| 14 Nov 2024 | Road Safety Week special: Supporting a line report through an RTC | 00:07:42 | |
This is the second episode in our Rail Industry Road Safety Week miniseries. | |||
| 15 Nov 2024 | Road Safety Week special: Police tips on keeping your drivers safe | 00:10:01 | |
This is the third and final episode in our Rail Industry Road Safety Week miniseries. Content warning: This episode contains mentions of mental ill-health, suicidal ideation, and completing suicide. If you’d like to skip over this discussion, please jump from 02.26 to 04.25. If you’re affected by this and need support, contact Samaritans on 116 123. Find out more at https://www.rssb.co.uk/managing-occupational-road-risk | |||
| 26 Nov 2024 | Reflections and resolutions with RSSB Chair, Mike Brown | 00:10:30 | |
In this episode, we're delighted to be joined by Mike Brown, Chair of the RSSB Board. | |||
| 03 Jan 2025 | Revisiting the Sustainable Rail Blueprint: Milestones, member adoption, and more | 00:15:20 | |
Welcome to our first podcast of 2025! With us today is Stacey Head, our Sustainability Manager. She’ll be speaking with us about some of the initiatives the Sustainable Rail Blueprint has prompted in its first year, how RSSB supports members to embed the Blueprint, and what the future holds for it. | |||
| 03 Feb 2025 | How industry is coming together on trespass and suicide prevention | 00:14:36 | |
In this episode, we're joined by Rich Godwin. Rich is the Chair of industry's Trespass and Suicide Prevention Working Group. He's also a Suicide Prevention Co-ordinator at Network Rail, North West and Central Region. Optimising safety and satisfaction for passengers is vital for both RSSB and Network Rail. So, today, we're discussing how industry has been coming together to drive down numbers of trespass and suicide incidents. Find out more at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/trespass-and-suicide And have a look at www.railsuicideprevention.co.uk, which is designed to help you make effective and potentially life-saving interventions. | |||
| 25 Feb 2025 | 'The future of freight is bright': Boosting safety and growth | 00:12:06 | |
In this episode, we're joined by Andrea Rossi. Andrea is the CEO of DB Cargo UK and a non-executive director on the RSSB Board. Together, we'll explore the current rail freight landscape, what the future might hold for the sector, and how RSSB fosters collaboration and innovation to ensure continued safety and growth in this area. Find out more at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/freight-safety | |||
| 28 Mar 2025 | Navigating technological change in the evolving rail industry | 00:14:29 | |
In this episode, we're joined once again by Vaibhav Puri, RSSB's Director of Sector Strategy and Transformation. Together, we'll explore some of the issues inherent in the adoption and implementation of new technology, our initiatives in this area, and some of the most promising new technological advancements. Find out more at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/our-business-plan | |||
| 30 Apr 2020 | Covid-19, Lockdown and your Mental Wellbeing | 00:20:11 | |
Joana Faustino, Work Psychologist at RSSB, talks about the feelings we might be experiencing and some coping strategies for the pressures that we are facing. 03:10 Acknowledging your emotions. 04:12 How are news reports affecting you? 04:55 Managing worry. 07:09 Managing difficult situations. 09:30 Physical and mental health working together. 10:40 Keeping a routine. 12:28 Getting help from others. 13:30 Identifying and solving problems. 15:44 Help from outside sources. 16:48 How we can help others. Postpone your worry leaflet: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/CCI/Mental%20Health%20Professionals/Generalised%20Anxiety/Generalised%20Anxiety%20-%20Information%20Sheets/Generalised%20Anxiety%20Information%20Sheet%20-%2005%20-%20Postpone%20your%20Worry.pdf Postpone your worry worksheet: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/CCI/Mental%20Health%20Professionals/Generalised%20Anxiety/Generalised%20Anxiety%20-%20Worksheets/Generalised%20Anxiety%20Worksheet%20-%2001%20-%20Postpone%20your%20Worry.pdf Problem solving worksheet: https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/ProblemSolvingWorksheet.pdf NHS How to get to sleep: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/how-to-get-to-sleep/ NHS Your Mind Plan: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/your-mind-plan-quiz/ Mind for better mental health: https://www.mind.org.uk/coronavirus-we-are-here-for-you/ Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ You can find links to other related resources for the rail industry and for individuals by going to the RSSB website www.rssb.co.uk and searching for 'Covid-19' or 'mental wellbeing'. These include other resources and articles such as: Local IAPT service : an NHS service that provides talking therapies for common mental health difficulties. The Railway Mission : The Railway Mission have set up a dedicated support mailbox for rail staff during the pandemic at COVID19@railwaymission.org. Rail staff can also phone, text, or WhatsApp on 07903-505868. The Covid-19 Road Transport Toolkit: https://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/covid-19/ | |||
| 28 May 2020 | Signals passed at danger: reducing railway risk | 00:23:44 | |
Trevor Parkin of East Midlands Railway and Chris Harrison of RSSB talk about what the rail industry is doing to reduce the number of signals passed at danger, and so the likelihood of a potentially fatal train accident. 02:10 About Chris Harrison. 02:35 SPADs in the 1990s and the changes made since. 03:53 The Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS). 06:07 Optimising the safety benefit of TPWS. 07:59 The Red Aspect Approaches to Signals (RAATS) Tool. 12:32 How to reduce SPAD numbers—the strategy. 14:50 About the SPAD Risk Subgroup. 18:05 Industry challenges for the RAATS Tool. 22:03 Getting train operators to use RAATS. Resources mentioned in this episode: SPAD Good Practice Guide https://www.rssb.co.uk/Insights-and-News/Key-Industry-Topics/SPAD-Good-Practice-Guide SPAD Risk Subgroup https://www.rssb.co.uk/Learn-and-Connect/Groups-and-Committees/Safety/SSRG/TARG/SPAD-RSG Red Aspect Approaches to Signals (RAATS) Toolkit https://www.rssb.co.uk/Standards-and-Safety/Tools--Resources/Rail-Risk-Toolkit/Red-Aspect-Approaches-to-Signals-Toolkit Other related resources: SPAD Risk Ranking Tool https://www.rssb.co.uk/Standards-and-Safety/Tools--Resources/Rail-Risk-Toolkit/SPAD-Risk-Ranking-Tool Signals passed at danger – A summary of the rail industry's approach to risk reduction | |||
| 29 Jun 2020 | Confidential reporting: reducing railway risk | 00:11:21 | |
This podcast looks at the part that CIRAS, the Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis Service, contributes to the continual improvement of safety management for the railway and other transport systems. In this episode Catherine Baker, director of CIRAS, talks about how the confidential reporting service works—the types of incidents and reasons for calls, and examples of the results that CIRAS achieves. She also talks about what CIRAS does to maintain confidentiality, and how the service complements an organisation's existing reporting and whistleblowing systems. 01:00 What is confidential reporting? 01:58 Common barriers to raising an issue at work. 02:30 Confidential reporting in practice. 03:25 Sharing findings with all CIRAS members. 03:45 The most commonly reported issues 04:48 Why people contact CIRAS 05:10 How confidential reporting differs from internal reporting or whistleblowing. 06:30 How confidential reporting makes a difference. 07:09 How CIRAS maintains confidentiality. 08:18 The impact of Covid-19 on CIRAS reporting 09:15 The future need for CIRAS 10:15 Where to find out more. Resources mentioned in this episode: · CIRAS website: https://www.ciras.org.uk/ · CIRAS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ciras/ · CIRAS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ciras_uk | |||
| 30 Jul 2020 | Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway: collaborating to reduce railway risk | 00:15:14 | |
In this episode Dougie Hill, Head of National Freight Strategy & Policy at Direct Rail Services, and Geoff Spencer, former CEO of DB Cargo (UK), talk through the challenges to get competing companies to collaborate. Their work in the National Freight Safety Group (NFSG) has led to the Freight Integrated Plan for Safety. 01:50 About Geoff Spencer. 02:45 Freight sector risk reduction in 2016. 03:40 Practicalities of getting competing companies to collaborate. 05:00 Engaging stakeholders and setting realistic timescales. 06:50 LHSBR topics beyond derailment and early collaboration. 07:25 Managing the top risk projects and some notable successes. 09:25 RSSB support for NFSG as a collaborative group. 10:33 What worked to create a collaborative environment. 11:45 Lessons learned to implement and improve collaboration Resources mentioned in this episode: National Freight Safety Group: https://www.rssb.co.uk/Learn-and-Connect/Groups-and-Committees/Safety/SSRG/NFSG The Viareggio train derailment [2009] Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viareggio_train_derailment New Insights into the Viareggio Railway Accident, Manca D., 2014, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 36, 13-18 DOI: 10.3303/CET1436003] https://www.aidic.it/cet/14/36/003.pdf Rail Freight Operations Group https://www.rssb.co.uk/Learn-and-Connect/Groups-and-Committees/Safety/SSRG/NFSG/RFOG Other related resources: Road Risk Collaboration https://www.rssb.co.uk/Standards-and-Safety/Improving-Safety-Health--Wellbeing/Enhancing-Safety-Health--Wellbeing-Through-Collaboration/Rail-Industry-Road-Risk-Resource-Centre/Road-risk-collaboaration Managing Occupational Road Risk Related to Fatigue https://www.rssb.co.uk/Insights-and-News/Key-Industry-Topics/Fatigue-and-Alertness/Fatigue-Risk-Management-Systems/Managing-occupational-road-risk-related-to-fatigue | |||
| 23 Sep 2020 | Station Plans for Accidents: improving customer care | 00:24:29 | |
In this podcast Sara Sherrard and Tom Moran talks about failings in customer care and the improvements implemented after Sara's mother suffered a fatal accident at Mill Hill Station. Sara Sherrard's mother, Priscilla Tropp, died following a fall down a station staircase. Tom Moran is now the MD at Thameslink and Great Northern Railways. Sara describes her experience as she learned the details of her mother's accident, treatment and what happened around the Coroner's Inquest. Tom talks about his meeting with Sara, her concerns about the serious failings in process and communication, and the improvements that, between them, they have achieved since then. 02:30 About Sara Sherrard, her mother and the accident at Mill Hill Broadway Station. 05:18 What happened after the accident. 06:46 The Coroner's Inquest and inaccessible information at the station. 09:57 Sara's feelings at the reopened inquest, findings, recommendations, and inaction. 12:50 GTR's response to the Coroner's Regulation 28 report—and a frustrating visit to Mill Hill. 15:25 How Tom Moran learned about Sara's situation and their first meeting. 18:20 Implementing PAPI, and ongoing work with Sara. 21:30 Sara's work with the railway and her hopes for future improvements. Resources mentioned in this episode: The GTR PAPI aide-mèmoire: (PDF download) https://www.rssb.co.uk/-/media/Project/RSSB/RssbWebsite/Documents/Public/Public-content/Insight-and-News/Podcast/gtr-caring-for-our-customers-staff-aide-memoire.pdf | |||
| 28 Oct 2020 | When Software Goes Wrong—Digital Asset Integrity on the Railway | 00:20:46 | |
In this podcast Dr Emma Taylor, former rocket scientist and chartered mechanical engineer, talks about how the changing railway and increasing number of digital components will start to blur the lines between rolling stock and infrastructure design and build. And how it will be increasingly beneficial to have software engineers and cyber security specialists in teams. Emma has been talking to stakeholders across the rail industry about what keeps them awake at night. And it turns out to be the unknown unknowns, the gaps in knowledge and understanding about how digital components work and interact. 01:20 About Dr Emma Taylor. 03:38 How digital technologies will affect the rolling stock/infrastructure interface. 04:40 LHSBR priority areas and the importance of digital competencies. 05:17 About the Asset Integrity Group. 05:58 What keeps asset managers awake at night? 07:10 The need to describe whole systems as more than just their physical components. 08:18 Understanding what could go wrong and why 09:45 Filling the gaps with good quality information and data. 11:23 Key messages for asset integrity groups. 13:40 Why we need to include new experience and knowledge around the digital railway. 17:01 Why it needs to be okay to say we don't know. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Asset Integrity Group https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/groups-and-committees/safety/ssrg/aig In LHSBR: Rolling Stock Asset Integrity: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity Infrastructure Asset Integrity: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity Blogs: Asset integrity – let's keep listening (Emma Taylor): https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/Asset-integrity-lets-keep-listening Asset integrity – eyes everywhere (Catherine Baker): https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/Asset-integrity---eyes-everywhere Asset integrity – it’s not all in the data (Greg Morse): https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/Asset-integrity---its-not-all-in-the-data Asset Integrity – Lessons from Hatfield (George Bearfield): https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/blogs/asset-integrity-lessons-from-hatfield | |||
| 16 Nov 2020 | Trespass kills: its impact on a better, safer railway | 00:22:00 | |
In this first podcast about trespass, Oliver Bratton, Director Network Strategy and Operations, Louise McNally, Trespass Prevention Lead, at Network Rail, and Inspector Becky Warren, of the British Transport Police, talk about the human, safety and operational impacts of trespass on the railway. They talk about its human costs, as a result of fatalities and life-changing injuries. On the family and friends of those whose lives are altered or taken, and on those who witness the traumatic results of trespass, be they railway staff, passengers, the public, or the police who have to deal with the aftermath. They also talk of the additional costs and potential dangers added by the delays that trespass causes. 00:46 Intoducing Inspector Becky Warren 01:30 Introducing Louise McNally 01:58 Introducing Oliver Bratton 02:52 Why trespass happens… 04:16 …and some of its human impacts 05:18 What BTP does when trespassers are seen on the railway 07:53 Becky recounts the trauma of having to deal personally with the aftermath of a trespass fatality 13:40 What Network Rail does when trespassers are seen on the railway… 10:00 … and the possible impacts of trespass delays 11:20 Advice for drivers who see trespassers—December 2020 Rule Book changes 12:25 Some recent incidents of trespass disruption 14:02 Sign to make it clear where trespass begins 14:45 Recent industry actions and strategy to reduce trespass 16:45 The Trespass Improvement Programme 18:20 Guidance on trespass risk assessment 19:37 RSSB's work to support the Trespass Improvement Programme and risk assessment Resources mentioned in this episode: LHSBR Public Behaviour section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/public-behaviour The Trespass Improvement Programme: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/trespass/trespass-improvement-programme RSSB research project T1168 Evaluating Effectiveness of Trespass Detection and Prevention Methods: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1168 RSSB research project T1182 Industry Trespass Data Collection Requirements: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1182 Delays explained, Vandalism and trespass—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/delays-explained/vandalism-and-trespass/ Railway safety campaigns, You Vs Train—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/trespass-campaigns/ You vs. Train website: http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/ | |||
| 09 Dec 2020 | Could you help save a life? | 00:16:25 | |
In this episode Jason Alexandre of Samaritans talks about the Samaritans' partnership with Network Rail and the rail industry to reduce the number of suicides on the railway. Customer experience manager Rizwan Javed talks about how the training gave him the confidence to intervene, and then tells the story of just one of the 29 life-saving interventions he has made. 01:19 About Jason. 01:57 About Rizwan. 03:22 Samaritans' partnership with the rail industry. 05:15 Talking numbers, and the success of interventions by railway staff. 05:55 About the Managing Suicidal Contacts training programme for the rail industry. 10:20 How the Managing Suicidal Contacts training got Rizwan to start a conversation. 12:20 Rizwan tells the story of just one of his interventions.
Related resources: For more information on Samaritans partnership with the rail industry and to take part in the managing suicidal contacts training, you can email railcompanies@samaritans.org. Suicide prevention key contacts: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-prevention/suicide-awareness-key-contacts Suicide prevention good practice: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-prevention/suicide-awareness-key-contacts Suicide prevention support materials: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention-support-material Suicide prevention guidance: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention-guidance RESTRAIL Toolbox (REduction of Suicide and Trespass on RAILway property) https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/trespass/restrail-toolbox-reduction-of-suicide-and-trespass-on-railway-property Continuing the evaluation of the national rail suicide prevention programme (T1081) https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1081 Minimising the impact of suicides on railway staff (T317) https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T317 Improving suicide prevention measures on the rail network in Great Britain (T845) https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T845 | |||
| 15 Dec 2020 | When Software Goes Wrong - The NIS Regulations 2018 | 00:12:06 | |
In this episode Dr Emma Taylor talks about the 'NIS Regulations', what they mean for the industry and about what the industry needs to do to comply with the regulations. She looks at who should be concerned, and what we need to do to demonstrate compliance and avoid fines of up to £17m. What to do until we have a good body of precursors to digital incidents; and what aspects of operations should be considered as safety critical. 01:44 Who should be aware of the NIS Regulations, and why. 07:20 What we should be doing until we have a body of knowledge about digital safety and a have built a good set of precursor indicators. 09:30 Is the railway's current definition of 'safety-critical' broad enough? And what risks can come from breaking into a 'non-safety-critical' system. Episode 6—the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/925129/6106243 Data & Information System Interface Committee: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/groups-and-committees/technical-strategy/sic-chairs/di-sic | |||
| 15 Dec 2020 | When Software Goes Wrong - The Need for Culture Change | 00:22:01 | |
In this episode, Dr Emma Taylor talks about the human aspects, the culture change that will be needed to address digital safety threats. The need for traditional design engineers to broaden their sphere of thinking, and to bring others into design conversations. Emma also talks about the need to start thinking about reasonably foreseeable scenarios. For us all to start thinking about what could go wrong when you consider the digital components within your physical assets. 00:36 The main barriers to developing an appropriate level of digital resilience. 07:12 What Emma's experience in the Oil and Gas and Aerospace sectors tell us about what we ought to focus on to better manage digital safety risk. 08:58 What the industry should be doing to identify what could go wrong. 13:39 What could happen if you don't start to think about digital safety until after the incident has happened. Related resources: National Cyber Security Centre: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/ Episode 6—the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/925129/6106243 Data & Information System Interface Committee: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/groups-and-committees/technical-strategy/sic-chairs/di-sic | |||
| 18 Jan 2021 | Trespass Kills: assessing trespass risk | 00:11:13 | |
In this second podcast about trespass, Walt Cartwright, of DB Cargo UK, and Simon Martin, Route Crime Manager at Network Rail, talk about the practical sides of assessing trespass risk and putting prevention measures in place. Walt talks about the benefits of the new guide and the consistency it can bring to understanding how to assess trespass risk. How it will increase understanding of how to judge when that risk has been reduced to 'as low as reasonably practicable'. Simon talk about the reasons for trespass, particularly around stations, and about the results from a trial of higher fencing. 01:10 About Walt Cartwright. 01:45 About Simon Martin. 02:12 Why Walt is passionate about reducing trespass. 03:12 The benefits of the new guide to trespass risk assessment. 04:48 How the new guide should improve understanding of what 'as low as reasonably practicable' looks like. 06:26 Why there's lots of trespass at or near stations; and what Network Rail is doing to reduce it. 09:12 The results of a trial with higher fencing at a specific location. Resources mentioned in this episode: LHSBR Public Behaviour section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/public-behaviour The Trespass Improvement Programme: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/trespass/trespass-improvement-programme RSSB research project T1168 Evaluating Effectiveness of Trespass Detection and Prevention Methods: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1168 RSSB research project T1182 Industry Trespass Data Collection Requirements: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1182 Delays explained, Vandalism and trespass—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/delays-explained/vandalism-and-trespass/ Railway safety campaigns, You Vs Train—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/trespass-campaigns/ You vs. Train website: http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/ | |||
| 27 Jan 2021 | Trespass kills: the ORR perspective | 00:11:18 | |
In this third podcast about trespass, David Whitmarsh, acting Principal Inspector of Railways for Scotland, talks about the ORR's expectations of the industry when it comes to trespass prevention. He talks about why the ORR might decide to prosecute a railway company rather than the trespasser, and how the level of fines is calculated by the courts. What the ORR would consider to be 'good and sufficient [fences] for today's railway'; and how the new guidance on trespass risk assessment will help railway companies know whether they might be meeting those expectations. 01:10 About David Whitmarsh. 01:55 Why the ORR might prosecute a railway undertaking, rather than the trespasser. 03:06 When BTP would prosecute the trespasser. 03:48 How fines are decided by the courts. 05:10 What constitutes 'good and sufficient fences', and the regulations that determine what good and sufficient looks like today. 07:20 David's view of the new good practice guide on trespass risk assessment and how companies may get it wrong. 09:13 The new guidance as a means to help improve efforts to assess, manage, and mitigate trespass risk. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1997: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/553/contents/made Risk Management Maturity Model (RM3) [amended 2020] https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/rm3 Other related resources: Railway safety miscellaneous provisions [HSE guidance, PDF download] https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/om/guidance-on-railway-safety-regulations-1997.pdf LHSBR Public Behaviour section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/public-behaviour The Trespass Improvement Programme: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/trespass/trespass-improvement-programme RSSB research project T1168 Evaluating Effectiveness of Trespass Detection and Prevention Methods: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1168 RSSB research project T1182 Industry Trespass Data Collection Requirements: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1182 Delays explained, Vandalism and trespass—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/delays-explained/vandalism-and-trespass/ Railway safety campaigns, You Vs Train—Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/trespass-campaigns/ You vs. Train website: http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/ | |||
| 10 Feb 2021 | When Software Goes Wrong—The Cambrian Line Incident | 00:15:50 | |
In this fourth podcast about the impact of software failures on railway asset safety Dr Emma Taylor talks about the causes of the Cambrian Line Incident. Failures both of the software system and of the processes during development, testing and implementation. Also, about the industry's response to recommendation 3 in the RAIB report on the incident. 01:04 The Cambrian Line Incident described. 01:52 How the European Rail Traffic Management System works and what went wrong. 03:39 How this failure could have been foreseen, what led to it, and how it affected the signalling system. 05:41 The RAIB recommendation about safety learning and what didn't happen that should. 07:30 The importance of reporting system faults, however small they may seem. 08:47 How you can tell if the software you are using is complex or not. 10:10 How we need to change our way of thinking about systems that include software. 11:45 How compliance with standards and processes may not show everything that might go wrong. 12:20 Why we all need to learn a bit of a new language. 13:15 What the industry is doing to address these issues. Resources mentioned in this episode: Loss of safety critical signalling data on the Cambrian Coast line, 20 October 2017: https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-17-2019-loss-of-safety-critical-signalling-data-on-the-cambrian-coast-line The digital bits of a system podcast https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/rm3 Other related resources: LHSBR Infrastructure Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity LHSBR Rolling Stock Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity | |||
| 25 Feb 2021 | When Software Goes Wrong - A City Metro System | 00:15:56 | |
In this fifth podcast about the impact of software failures on railway asset safety, Dr Emma Taylor talks about the causes behind an accident that happened during testing on a city metro system. Checks from the V-model that should have been applied during the development, testing and implementation of the complex, software-based system. 02:04 Using the V-model to verify and validate the integrity of safety-critical software systems. 03:10 The signalling failure incident and the major changes that were being tested. 04:43 The system definition step in the V-model—opinion on some assumptions made about the dependability of the core software. 05:16 Latent software faults. 05:50 Risk assessment, identifying hazards, and designing software systems to avoid them. 07:25 Some personal thoughts on why a data synchronization issue might have been missed. 08:15 The practical stages of software development, system requirements, and recording design changes. 09:20 Failure of data copying between systems, and related process documentation. 10:22 The testing part of manufacture—verification and validation throughout the lifecycle. 11:38 The role of third-party, independent assessors in the development process. Resources mentioned in this episode: The V-model on Geeks for Geeks.org: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering-sdlc-v-model/ The V-model for humans on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-Model_(software_development) Loss of safety critical signalling data on the Cambrian Coast line, 20 October 2017: https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-17-2019-loss-of-safety-critical-signalling-data-on-the-cambrian-coast-line The digital bits of a system podcast https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/rm3 Other related resources: LHSBR Infrastructure Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity LHSBR Rolling Stock Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity | |||
| 03 Mar 2021 | When Software Goes Wrong—A Quick Recovery | 00:19:21 | |
In this sixth podcast about software failures in safety-critical systems, Dr Emma Taylor talks about an incident that happened in 2014 during normal working of the National Air Traffic System. We look at what went wrong, and how good recording and documentation at each stage in the V-model allowed a complete shutdown of the air traffic control system for southern England to be quickly reinstated—without any harm to the thousands of passengers in the air. 02:05 The incident and its impact on passengers; and what the railway can learn from it. 04:20 What's coming for the railway as it introduces more and more digital parts. 04:43 The system definition step in the V-model, and assumptions made about the core software. 07:15 Why the latent software fault wasn't found; the failure, and safety hazard categorisation. 09:20 How good documentation and work logs narrowed the search for the faulty line of code. 10:51 Specifying the ability of a complex software-based system to log changes and faults. 11:39 The recommendations from the NATS report that will help find the 'needle in the haystack'. 14:04 The need to manage software quality in the supply chain. 15:12 Don't ask suppliers deliver beyond their capabilities. 16:44 Retaining development information, auditing the evidence, verifying processes, and formal error management systems. Resources mentioned in this episode: NATS System Failure 12 December 2014 – Final Report, Independent Enquiry https://www.nats.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Independent-Enquiry-Final-Report-2.0.pdf Loss of safety critical signalling data on the Cambrian Coast line, 20 October 2017: https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-17-2019-loss-of-safety-critical-signalling-data-on-the-cambrian-coast-line The digital bits of a system podcast https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/rm3 The V-model on Geeks for Geeks.org: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering-sdlc-v-model/ The V-model for humans on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-Model_(software_development) Other related resources: LHSBR Infrastructure Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity LHSBR Rolling Stock Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity | |||
| 10 Mar 2021 | Defining a New Rail Sustainability Strategy | 00:22:48 | |
In this episode I talk with RSSB's recently appointed Director for Sustainable Development, George Davies, about his vision for a new Rail Sustainability Strategy. He also talks about his plans for how to collaborate with industry colleagues to agree, implement, and communicate the strategy and the progress it achieves. 00:55 The broad scope of sustainability, its definition, and its primary elements. 02:59 How Sir David Attenborough ignited his passion for the environment. 04:19 Pandemics as a result of human activity, and the climate emergency. 05:42 Transitioning from aviation to the railway and the issues to be addressed. 08:22 Rail's challenges for sustainability—hydrogen and battery power. 09:53 Delivering social benefit, and getting freight off the roads. 11:36 Rail's strategic objectives, and defining the Sustainable Rail Strategy. 14:34 How to set out 'flagship industry goals' on carbon, air quality, social impact, and biodiversity; and their route maps. 16:27 The mission to demystify sustainability and make it an accessible topic. 17:43 Engaging with industry groups and sectors to achieve the strategy's goals. 19:25 The need to engage with rolling stock owners and leasing companies. 20:24 Working with central and devolved governments, and with charitable organisations. Resources mentioned in this episode: Online explanations of a 'stranded asset' in an environmental context: London School of Economics – Grantham Institute: https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/what-are-stranded-assets/ Carbon Tracker: https://carbontracker.org/terms/stranded-assets/ Other related resources: The RSSB Sustainability web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability The RSSB Decarbonisation web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability/decarbonisation | |||
| 18 Mar 2021 | When Software Goes Wrong—Engaging Your Imagination | 00:19:04 | |
In this seventh and final episode about software failures in safety-critical systems, Dr Emma Taylor talks about a number of incidents, from the railway, a medical incident and aircraft. To encourage you to be creative when you start to think about reasonably foreseeable scenarios—what could possibly go wrong with your complex software-based system. And what you can do to help design out errors before they cause an incident. 01:42 How to look beyond railway-specific risk analysis to find reasonably foreseeable scenarios 02:48 We must look to the past to see what could happen in the future, and the importance of using your own scenarios 03:37 Soncepts to help you start your own thinking processes 04:36 Common themes, and considerations relevant to software 09:20 Old hardware and software issues—why you should report and record faults 08:24 Looking at other sectors and industries for learning 12:03 How to carry out an effective risk assessment for digital systems 13:18 The consequences of a 2019 software patch, for Class 7XX trains 15:40 You don't need to ask complex questions 15:59 The software patch on the 737-8 Max aircraft that led to hundreds of fatalities 16:43 Software and cyber security—who do you want to let into your house? Resources in this episode: Article on the Maersk malware incident How the Boeing 737 Max Disaster Looks to a Software Developer (a personal view) https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/aviation/how-the-boeing-737-max-disaster-looks-to-a-software-developer Federal Aviation Authority Updates on Boeing 737 MAX Federal Aviation Authority—Boeing 737 MAX Reading Room Boeing's own 737 MAX Updates web page—with links to the plane's validation process: https://www.boeing.com/737-max-updates/ ORR: Report following railway power disruption on 9 Aug 2019 Related resources: LHSBR Infrastructure Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/infrastructure-asset-integrity LHSBR Rolling Stock Asset Integrity section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/rolling-stock-asset-integrity The digital bits of a system podcast https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-compliance/rail/health-safety/strategy/rm3 The V-model on Geeks for Geeks.org: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering-sdlc-v-model/ The V-model for humans on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-Model_(software_development) | |||
| 24 Mar 2021 | Horizon Scanning, Covid-19 and Rail Biosafety | 00:11:45 | |
This episode looks at how the RSSB Horizon Scanning programme has identified issues and helped companies make the best possible decisions around the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. With a vaccination programme well under way, Claire Shooter talks about the support that has been delivered, and how to deal with the uncertainty of the future. 01:44 What Horizon Scanning means at RSSB and how it supports the industry. 03:17 The uncertainties that Covid-19 still holds for the industry. 04:30 The impact of changing lockdown restrictions. 05:55 How horizon scanning helps us spot trends and what we can do with that information. 06:48 How horizon scanning has been drawn in to much shorter time lines and why. 07:27 What horizon scanning has given to industry, and how it will continue. 08:09 How to deal with uncertainty when trying to plan for the next three months. Resources mentioned in this episode: Rail Biosafety Horizon Scanning Programme Related resources: Covid-19 support https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/the-coronavirus-pandemic-how-we-can-help-you Horizon Scanning at RSSB | |||
| 06 May 2021 | Road Driving for a Safer Railway—The Hidden Problem | 00:14:19 | |
In this episode Tavid Dobson, Lead Safety Management Specialist at RSSB and Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser at National Highways, talk about how collaboration between their organisations is working to better manage the risk that arises from driving for work. 01:26 About Anne-Marie and how she came to work in road safety. 02:08 About Tavid and how he came to work on road driving risk. 03:04 RSSB's work on road risk, now a priority topic in Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway. 04:05 The Driving for Better Business (DfBB) programme, its vision, its aims, and accident statistics for people driving for work. 06:42 Using DfBB as a common framework and the need for a collaborative approach. 07:35 Resources available from DfBB, and the value of collaboration with RSSB. 09:16 The industry benefits from working with DfBB now and in the future. 10:15 The challenges that the rail industry faces in managing road risk. 11:47 The DfBB programme is no more than meeting existing legal requirements. Resources mentioned in this episode: Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway: Occupational Road Risk Management page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/occupational-road-risk-management 'Managing occupational road risk associated with road driver fatigue' research project T997 https://www.sparkrail.org/pages/libraryresults.aspx?k=T997 Driving for Better Business website: https://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/ Road Risk Group web page: Association for Road Risk Management: https://www.arrm.org.uk/ Related resources: RoSPA, Management of Occupational Road Risk web page: Infrastructure Safety Leadership Group: RoadSafe website: https://www.roadsafe.com/ | |||
| 13 May 2021 | Road Driving for a Safer Railway—The Road Risk Charter | 00:10:30 | |
In this episode Steve Enright, Head of Safety, Security & Sustainability for Abellio Transport Holdings UK, and Chair of the Road Risk Group, talks about the Occupational Road Risk Management Charter and why companies should sign it. He also looks at how companies that don't have vehicle fleets can still be vulnerable to road risk. 01:30 About Steve, his railway career, and his work before the railway. 02:06 What's in the Charter, who he wants to sign it, and the benefits that it will bring. 03:30 Why working collaboratively will bring greater benefits than going it alone. 05:05 The numbers involved in road collisions, their impact on our industry and society. 06:42 Why companies should commit to the Charter in an uncertain future, with employees and resources already stretched. 07:03 How road risk impacts companies that don't, or appear not to, run vehicle fleets. 08:09 Why sign the Charter and engage with road risk—the benefits that include cost savings and reputational benefit. Resources mentioned in this episode: Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway: Occupational Road Risk Management page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/occupational-road-risk-management Driving for Better Business website: https://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/ Road Risk Group web page: Association for Road Risk Management: https://www.arrm.org.uk/ National Freight Safety Group webpage: Related resources: RoSPA, Management of Occupational Road Risk web page: Infrastructure Safety Leadership Group: RoadSafe website: https://www.roadsafe.com/ | |||
| 06 Jul 2021 | Road Driving for a Safer Railway—The DfBB Gap Analysis Tool | 00:16:56 | |
In this episode Simon Turner, Campaign Manager for Driving for Better Business (DfBB), talks about what DfBB aims to do to help reduce road accidents, injuries and deaths. One of the tools DfBB has produced is a Gap Analysis Tool. Simon talks about what it can do to help rail industry companies to identify whether they are meeting legal requirements, and to better manage road driving risk. 00:52 Driving for Better Business, its objectives, some benefits, and legal requirements. 02:34 Rail industry and national statistics for road driving accidents when driving for work. 04:06 What DfBB does to help employers manage their road driving risk. 04:45 How the DfBB framework helps to benchmark, do a gap analysis, and provides resources. 06:24 How the DfBB Gap Analysis Tool can identify what and where improvements to road risk management can be made. 08:23 How the Gap Analysis Tool can be used by all businesses, and the rail-specific section on procured transport—taxis and rail replacement bus services. 09:55 The most common gaps companies find—mostly around road driving policies. 11:34 Potential consequences for companies that don't apply policies correctly—with an example from the rail industry where a heavy fine and costs were imposed. 12:43 The authorities are making more 'stops', and how those might disrupt business activities. 15:13 Where to find the Gap Analysis Tool, and other useful resources. Resources mentioned in this episode: Driving for Better Business website: https://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/ Association for Road Risk Management: https://www.arrm.org.uk/ Related resources: Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway: Occupational Road Risk Management page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/occupational-road-risk-management Road Risk Group web page: National Freight Safety Group webpage: RoSPA, Management of Occupational Road Risk web page: Infrastructure Safety Leadership Group: RoadSafe website: https://www.roadsafe.com/ | |||
| 04 Aug 2021 | BowTie Risk Analysis—Why, When, How to use it | 00:15:02 | |
In this episode Ben Gilmartin talks about the BowTie Method of risk analysis: its history, and his experience of using it. About RSSB's work to broaden understanding of risk by using the method, and to develop BowTie analyses for all the risk areas included in Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway. Resources mentioned in this episode:
Related resources: | |||
| 12 Aug 2021 | Road Driving for a Safer Railway—The Gap Analysis Tool at East Midlands Railway | 00:09:00 | |
In this episode Chris Lewis, Health, Safety, Security and Environment Change Business Partner at East Midlands Railway, talks about the Driving for Better Business Gap Analysis Tool. We hear how he has used it, its simplicity and strengths, his lessons learned from using it, and how outputs from the tool have helped prioritise actions and widen thinking in planning and decision making. 00:54 About Chris and work for the railway. 01:51 Chris's role as the road risk lead at EMR. 02:59 Working with RSSB and the Driving for Better Business programme—the Gap Analysis Tool, its simplicity and strengths. 04:07 Lessons learned from using the rail-specific, offline Gap Analysis Tool. 05:42 How outputs from the tool help prioritise actions and consider areas that may not otherwise have been included. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Driving for Better Business Gap Analysis Tool: https://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/getting-started/ Euro NCAP— The European New Car Assessment Programme: https://www.euroncap.com/en Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway—Occupational Road Risk Management page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/occupational-road-risk-management Related resources: Rail industry Road Risk Group web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/groups-and-committees/safety/ssrg/rrg Other podcasts in the Road Driving for Safer Railway series: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/rssb-podcasts/road-driving-for-a-safer-railway | |||
| 26 Aug 2021 | The Sustainable Rail Strategy—How Rail Will Deliver on Government Priorities | 00:14:27 | |
In this episode George Davies, Director of Sustainable Development at RSSB, talks about the collaborative work done, and to be done, to deliver the Sustainable Rail Strategy. Both as a document and as a living set of ambitions and actions to achieve a sustainable world. 01:51 Determining the Sustainable Rail Strategy, the need for clear ambitions, and flagship industry goals. 05:26 The technology leadership needed to implement solutions and and achieve targets. 08:42 How communications, engagement, and collaboration are essential to achieve sustainability goals. 11:56 The importance of groups such as community rail programmes for local success; and the DfT for guidance. Resources mentioned in this episode: Great British Railways: The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/great-british-railways-williams-shapps-plan-for-rail Rail Environment Policy Statement: On Track for a Cleaner, Greener Railway: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-sustainability-on-the-railway-stating-our-priorities Decarbonising Transport: A Better, Greener Britain: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transport-decarbonisation-plan Related resources: Transport decarbonisation plan: tackling climate change – oral statement to Parliament (transcript): https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/transport-decarbonisation-plan-tackling-climate-change Transport decarbonisation plan (speech transcript): https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/transport-decarbonisation-plan Decarbonising UK transport: final report and technology roadmaps: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/decarbonising-uk-transport-technology-roadmaps | |||
| 09 Sep 2021 | When the Rules Don't Apply—The G-FORCE Tool in the Control Centre | 00:11:45 | |
In this episode Patrick Allinson, Operations Control Manager at Great Western Railway, talks about his experience of the G-FORCE Tool. Used in the GWR control centre for nearly 12 months, Patrick talks about his experience and some of the incidents when G-FORCE has been used to speed decision making. 01:39 About Patrick. 02:30 How decision making is handled. 03:49 Who has used the tool and who could use G-FORCE in future. 05:12 When and how G-FORCE might be used, and when it should not, with some examples . 09:10 Why Patrick feels the industry needs G-FORCE and the benefits that it can bring. Resources mentioned in this episode: G-FORCE: A Model to Improve Decision-Making Capability https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/understanding-human-factors/operational-decision-making/gforce-a-model-to-improve-decision-making-capability Related resources: You can find all the G-FORCE-related resources from this RSSB web page: https://www.rssb.co.uk/search#search-results_e=0&search-results_q=G-Force | |||
| 22 Sep 2021 | Remote Condition Monitoring—Using the Internet of Things for a Better Passenger Experience | 00:09:54 | |
In this episode Dave Hatfield and Simon Rodgers talk about the work they are doing to improve the lot of passengers. A pilot project to deliver and respond to real-time data about the environmental conditions inside train carriages. Ultimately, they want to predict issues up to 24 hours before they happen and take remedial action to prevent or minimise them. 01:31 About Simon and the work his company does with technology. 02:14 About Dave and his railway career. 02:49 The Internet of Things and what it can do to improve passenger experience. 04:06 How the Internet of Things could improve train services. 05:27 How in-carriage data is being transmitted and used 24 hours a day, and how it will be used to forecast issues 24 to 48 hours ahead of them happening. 07:29 The benefits for Grand Central Railway—pre-emptive maintenance and fewer trains unexpectedly out of service. 08:11 What can be measured, used, and deliver better operations and cost savings. Resources related to this episode: LTE-M, or LTE Cat M1, is a wide area network that uses radio technology for communication. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTE-M What is LTE-M? a blog by Link Labs https://www.link-labs.com/blog/what-is-lte-m LTE-M connectivity optimized for IoT: from Thales. https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/markets/digital-identity-and-security/iot/resources/innovation-technology/lte-m | |||
| 07 Oct 2021 | Collaborative Modelling—Sharing Data Without Giving Away Your Secrets | 00:24:52 | |
How can you share your data outputs without revealling how you found them? The Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) protects commercially sensitive and valuable intellectual property, while generating richer answers. In this episode David Golightly and Ken Pierce from Newcastle University talk about the tool, which is creating opportunities for rail. 01:30 About David. 02:02 About Ken. 03:00 The FMI and how it works. 06:14 How you can share your data outputs without revealling how you found them . 08:43 FMI and RSSB's work on decarbonisation. 11:54 How FMI could be applied to operational performance and infrastructure construction. 13:50 How the automotive industry uses FMI to test OEM components before being ordered, manufactured and shipped. 17:51 Opportunities for FMI to benefit the rail industry. 19:44 FMI in human performance modelling that could predict railway system performance. 21:14 How FMI could support the vision for Great British Railways. 23:38 How FMI can support the Williams-Shapps plan for delivering systems solutions. Resources related to this episode: Introduction to FMI by Hubertus Tummescheit, CEO Modelon Inc (23 mins) The FMI standard: https://fmi-standard.org/ List of 150 modelling and simulation tools that already support FMI: | |||
| 11 Jan 2022 | HS2—Busting the Capacity Myths | 00:17:25 | |
HS2 is set to cost the taxpayer £96 billion – 71% more than the 2015 estimate. Is cutting the journey time from London to Birmingham by 30 minutes really worth all that money? According to Ben Rule, Infrastructure Management Director at HS2, the high-speed railway line is an invaluable investment, which will bring much wider benefits to Great Britain and its railways. 00:40 A bit about Ben 01:57 Response to critics: HS2 isn’t an overpriced project that just slightly cuts journey times 02:56 It’ll do so much more, including improving connectivity 04:15 Then there’s the role it’ll have in reducing the country’s carbon footprint 06:52 Let’s not forget the economic and social benefits: freight, employment, business opportunities 08:44 While many may not agree, this couldn’t have been achieved with our existing network HS2 home page: https://www.hs2.org.uk/ HS2 Phase One plan and profile maps: London to the West Midlands: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hs2-plan-and-profile-maps-between-london-and-the-west-midlands | |||
| 20 Jan 2022 | Making Freight More Efficient—The Path Planner Tool | 00:16:44 | |
Would you like to offer your freight customers a more flexible and efficient service? Many freight routes are booked months in advance, but not always used. Or perhaps you need a detour, either to deliver for a customer or because your route is blocked. The hurdles in the way of Very Short-Term Planning can delay approvals until it's too late. This is where the Path Planner tool comes in. In this episode Maggie Simpson, Director General of the Rail Freight Group and Martin Gleadow of 3Squared talk about the importance of rail freight and one way to increase capacity. 01:51 Introducing Maggie Simpson. 02:37 A bit about Martin Gleadow. 03:16 How important is the rail freight sector to the UK economy? 04:42 The carbon benefits of moving freight from road to rail. 05:55 How freight planning works today. 08:03 How a responsive planning process could help customers. 10:00 Developing the Path Planner tool. 10:58 How Path Planner works. 14:04 What's next for Path Planner. 15:02 Rail Freight Group's view of this and other R&D. 16:02 Close. 16:42 ENDS More about the Dynamic Freight Capacity Management project: https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/I01-CLR-04 Give us your thoughts and ideas—on this or any other episode: podcasts@rssb.co.uk | |||