12.05.16
ORR celebrates first year ever without railway worker fatalities
For the first time, a year has passed on Britain’s railways without a railway worker losing his or her life.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), announcing the achievement, said that Britain’s railway network is “safer than it has ever been”, with no passengers or staff killed in accidents since 2007.
Ian Prosser, HM chief inspector of railways, hailed the achievements but warned that “we should not be complacent in any shape or form”, with recent incidents such as the signal passed at danger at Wootton Basset serving as a reminder of the need for continuous safety improvements.
The first unified mainline railway health and safety strategy was launched last month. In the summer, the regulator will publish its full review of health and safety performance on the railway, reporting on the work done in 2015-16.
ORR has also signed agreements giving it health and safety enforcement powers over Crossrail and HS2.
Level crossing deaths, another important safety issue, are at their joint lowest ever, with four deaths in 2015-16, following the closure of more than 1,000 crossings since 2009.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, hailed the “fantastic news”, adding: “This should be a reminder to the government that if they want to truly avoid a return to the bad old days of major rail disasters they must keep up investment in rail and rail maintenance – and ensure a good working relationship with trades unions and our members.”
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