03.02.15
No train accident deaths for seventh straight year – RSSB
For the seventh year in a row there were no passenger or workforce deaths in train accidents, a new report from the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) confirms.
RSSB’s ‘Overview of Safety Performance’ for 201 shows that, excluding trespass and suicide, there were 17 deaths on the rail network in 2014, compared with 18 in 2013. Three of the deaths were passengers who died at stations.
Deaths arising from trespass and suicide increased for the third consecutive year, totalling 320 in 2014, compared with 315 in 2013.
The number of potentially higher-risk train accidents (PHRTAs) rose to 32 from 30 in 2013.
At 292, the number of signals passed at danger (SPADs) in 2014 was a 2% increase on the 285 recorded in 2013. SPAD risk rose to 84% mid-year, before reducing and ending 2014 at 61% of the September 2006 baseline level. This compares with 70% at the end of 2013.
George Bearfield, director of system safety at RSSB said: “Against continual growth in usage, our railway remains the safest form of land transport. The risk associated with train accidents resulting in passenger and workforce fatalities remains low, with no such accidents occurring for the seventh consecutive year. Improving level crossing safety continues to be a major focus for the industry to manage and it continues to raise awareness of the sources of risks and encourage responsible behaviour.
“Road transport plays a crucial role in keeping the railway running, by enabling round-the-clock maintenance and development. However, this brings with it a risk to rail staff and others, highlighted by the loss of life to an infrastructure worker who was moving materials from one railway worksite to another. A cross-industry project is underway to highlight the wider risks associated with driving for work and improve overall understanding and management.”
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