Infrastructure Safety Liaison Group (ISLG)
Terms of Reference
1.
Introduction
ISLG is a leading forum for GB railway contractors to work together and with the wider industry
to improve health, safety and environmental performance, share experiences, good practice
and knowledge.
ISLG specifically aims to:
2.

Review health, safety and environmental performance

Review legislation and standards

Clarify and prioritise risk issues

Identify good practice and wider intelligence

Facilitate solution

Influence and lobby industry

Sponsor RSSB research, projects and initiatives
Membership criteria and current members
Membership criteria
ISLG membership is open to companies who are members of the infrastructure contractors’
community. There are three categories of members: Core Members; Associate Members; and
Invited Trade Associations & Guests.
Core Members
Core Members must:
1. Hold a Principal Contractors Licence (PCL) – required for work on Network Rail
Infrastructure and
2. Hold a Plant Operators Licence (POL) – required to operate On Track Plant (OTP)
within Engineering Possessions
3. Demonstrate experience as a principal contractor on other rail infrastructure (e.g.
DLR, LUL), significant business across the country, and involvement in rail safety
issues.
Core Members commit to pay for the hosting of a meeting at an ISLG approved venue on a
rotational basis. Approximate cost is £1300 every 2.5 years. Core Members must not miss
three consecutive meetings without arranging an appropriate deputy.
Associate Members
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Infrastructure Safety Liaison Group (ISLG)
Terms of Reference
Associate Members may only meet 1 of the criteria for a Core Member, but wish to attend ISLG
on a permanent basis. Associate Members must attend three consecutive meetings and
demonstrate a commitment to ISLG by contributing to the group’s business before they can be
considered for Core Membership status, which will be subject to the approval of existing Core
Members.
Invited Trade Associations & Guests
Individuals representing organisations such as Rail Industry Association (RIA), Rail Industry
Contractors Association (RICA), Rail Plant Association (RPA), Network Rail (NR), London
Underground Ltd (LU) may attend ISLG but do not have either Core or Associate Member
status. Therefore, they are not required to fund a meeting nor can they be nominated for the
role of Chair or Deputy Chair. They are, however, expected to contribute to discussion and
ISLG’s work plan.
Occasionally, ISLG will be observed by individuals representing industry agencies such
as the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), Rail Accident and Investigation Branch (RAIB) and
Department for Transport (DfT), this arrangement is subject to prior agreement with the Chair.
Current membership
Current members comprise representation from (Core Members):
Amey
J Murphy and Sons Ltd
Atkins
London Underground Ltd
Babcock Rail
May Gurney
Balfour Beatty Ltd
Morgan Sindall
BAM Nuttall
Osborne Rail
Carillion
Taylor Woodrow
Colas Rail
Thales DTS
Costain – Rail Sector
Volker Fitzpatrick
Invensys
Volker Rail
Meeting frequency, location and host
Meetings are held bimonthly, usually on a Wednesday. Dates of the meetings should be agreed
and issued at least 3 months before the commencement of the year in which they relate to.
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Infrastructure Safety Liaison Group (ISLG)
Terms of Reference
Each meeting is ‘hosted’ by a member company on a rotating basis. The host funds the room
hire and facilities; lunch and dinner; and this may also include the bar bill, subject to agreement
by host company.
The current venue is the Derby Conference Centre and is subject to change according to the
needs and budget provision of the group’s members.
The group is facilitated by Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), who also provide
secretarial support to ISLG.
3.
Roles and responsibilities of members
ISLG members are expected to:
4.

Bring personal and professional industry domain knowledge to ISLG to enable a
competent, supportive and sometimes challenging debate

Network in advance of ISLG to ensure that a wide sector consensus is reached on items
being discussed

Communicate the main priorities and objectives at other industry groups or company
meetings to promote and improve the industry’s understanding of the contractors’
community

Commit to feeding back from these groups any topical issues, policies, viewpoints (which
may be different from member’s personal view), needs and co-dependencies and
requirements to ISLG

Adopt personal behaviours that ensure a timely start to meetings, attendance for the full
business, and personal preparation that optimises the likelihood of a fully informed
discussion

Take action to address any actions or other business outside of the ISLG meetings, by
personal or additional forums

Must attend and engage in the whole meeting unless agreed by the Chair.

Speak on behalf of their company rail business and have direct access to their Rail MD /
Board member.

Must advise the Chair via the Secretary in advance if unable to attend, and must ensure
their deputy is fully briefed & prepared.

Arrange diaries so that deputisation is minimised and must not miss 3 consecutive
meetings or Chair will contact their MD.
Agenda
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Infrastructure Safety Liaison Group (ISLG)
Terms of Reference
The meeting agenda will be agreed by the Chair approximately two weeks in advance of the
meeting and will be issued one week in advance of the meeting by the ISLG Secretary. The
agenda may be formed using the agreed template.
5.
Chair and Deputy Chair
The Chair and Deputy Chair are selected on a rotating basis.
The tenure of the Chair and Deputy Chair is two calendar years (January to December). The
Deputy Chair will be selected by way of a vote to be undertaken no earlier than the 1 st
September of the year preceding office. See Appendix A for information on the election
process.
The Deputy Chair will automatically take up the position of ISLG chair upon completion of two
years in the Deputy Chair role, or earlier in the event of the Chair.
The Chair is expected to work closely with the ISLG Secretary to ensure each meeting is
planned in a timely manner.
The Chair is responsible for opening and closing the main meeting.
The ISLG Chair is responsible for:

Leading the establishment of ISLG objectives which contribute to industry safety
improvements

Lead the strategic development of ISLG ensuring the group remains relevant to the
current industry structure and its strategic needs

Lead the communication of ISLG activities to all relevant parties in accordance with
Communications Strategy

Represent ISLG at industry meetings/forums where relevant to the purpose and scope of
the group

Obtain assistance from and developing working relationships with other industry
groups/bodies in delivering the purpose of ISLG
In the absence of ISLG Chair the Deputy Chair, or other nominated ISLG member will take on
the above responsibilities.
6.
Role of steering group
The steering group meetings are bimonthly and usually take place a month before each main
meeting.
The steering group acts as a forum of ISLG members to review the progress and outputs of the
main meetings as well the forward direction of the group.
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Infrastructure Safety Liaison Group (ISLG)
Terms of Reference
The steering group meetings take place at RSSB offices and are facilitated by RSSB.
The agenda for the steering group meetings will be prepared and issued by the ISLG secretary
one week before the meeting.
The steering group meetings are open to all members of ISLG, but should be attended (in
person or by telephone) by the Chair.
7.
Subgroups
ISLG has two subgroups – Rail Industry Assurance Group (RIAG) and Rail Industry
Environment Forum (RIEF). The same member companies are present on the subgroups and
ISLG. The sub-groups will maintain their own Terms of Reference subject to ISLG’s approval.
8.
ISLG’s Business Plan
ISLG will set out the group’s business plan each January. The business plan consists of ‘Pods’
which act as working groups for one or more Problem Definition Statements (PDSs). Leaders
and members of Pods must ensure progress of the defined issues and update the group at
each meeting during the Pod session.
9.
Interface with other industry groups and organisations
ISLG members are expected to represent ISLG at industry groups and organisations. Members’
responsibilities include:





Raise awareness of the group
Promote the work of ISLG
Communicate topical issues
Communicate good practice and wider intelligence
Complete a Meeting Feedback Form to the ISLG Secretary for circulation to members
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