Research into common rail health
environments and roles, and their
impacts on employees’ health and
wellbeing – An Overview
R&D Project T1085
Our Strategy:
Governance
RSSB Board
Health and
Wellbeing Policy
Group
Health Economics
Group
Task and Finish
Groups
HWPG Members: Chris Jones, Network Rail / Steve Hails,
Crossrail / Michelle Smart, Abellio Greater Anglia / Andrew
Edwards, East Midlands Trains / Graham Candy, Atkins /
Jonathon Willcock, Alstom / Dr Olivia Carlton, TfL / Peter
Fisher, Costain / Mary Sithole, TSSA / Susan Murray, Unite /
Dave Bennett, ASLEF / Paul Clyndes, RMT / John Gillespie,
ORR
Health and
Wellbeing
Professions
Committee
Background
In 2010 the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) produced the ORR Health Programme 2010 to 2014 that stated its
intention to improve occupational health management within the rail industry.
The rail industry needs guidance on ways to assess the first area of occupational health, the effect of work on
health. In particular, there is a knowledge gap in the way health risks in common rail work environments are
currently assessed, leading to inaccurate evaluation and management of these risks by the rail industry. Examples
of these risks are those associated with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations, such as
exposure to asbestos, inhalation and exposure to/skin contact with battery acids, diesel engine exhaust emissions,
hydraulic fluid and oils, cleaning chemicals, ammonia, silica dust, smoke and carbon monoxide, musculoskeletal
disorders (MSD), as well as fatigue and sleep disorders related to shift work.
This knowledge gap in assessing health risks in common rail environments leads to a number of risks for the
industry:
1. Incomplete assessment of health hazards in common rail environment leading to loss of life, threat of legal
action, costs to the company
2. Risk of worsened industry reputation, as employees and the public see sector as not addressing occupational
health risks
3. Increased costs from avoidable occupational ill health for the industry
This project aims to improve work environments in the rail industry through providing guidance on work related
health and wellbeing.
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T1085 Kick Off
3rd August 2015
Deliverables
The project will provide:
•
Expert risk assessment of the health hazards created in common rail environments and identification of
their controls
•
Identification of good practice in the use of controls and surveillance to mitigate the risks
•
Identification of common environments, roles, tasks and mitigation measures to create categories for use
of a health assessment matrix associated to the hazards identified
In doing so, it will deliver:
•
A research brief which will summarise the research done
•
A research report on the findings, the controls suggested and proposed implementation practices
•
A health surveillance matrix for the hazards and roles affected by the hazards researched
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T1085 Kick Off
3rd August 2015
Benefits
The benefits from this research include:
Improvements to health work environments where needed or confidence where existing practices are
sufficient.
Improving industry perception that it addresses the issue of work-related ill-health, which incentivises further
continuous improvement activities within companies, reduces the likelihood of regulatory action and brings
the industry in alignment with government thinking and activity within this area.
Tackling health/environment conditions earlier rather than later and thus prevent rather than fix the
problem, meaning improved lives of rail employees, reduced need and cost of medical services, less
absenteeism and more productive work hours.
Reducing the indirect costs and inefficiencies associated with work-related ill health, such as cost of
temporary staff, strain on teams with absent members, loss of management time to manage the loss of
personnel, improving productivity and reducing cost.
Cost savings for Network Rail, TOCs and FOCs, from avoidable duplication of effort
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T1085 Kick Off
3rd August 2015
Contractor selected
• HSL won the contract to help improve health risk management within
rail.
• They are now engaging with industry hazard specific groups to best
understand how to support improvements to their capability
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T1085 Kick Off
3rd August 2015
Overview of HSL Project
Hand-Arm Vibration, Respirable crystalline silica, MSDs, Trauma and DEEE
Recruitment &
Assessment &
Dissemination &
Dissemination &
Engagement
Research
Engagement
Application
ID Issues
/Risks
Engage
with
sector
Guidance
Assess Risks
ID
controls
Research
T1085 Kick Off
Hazard
Rating
Scheme
Control
options
3rd August 2015
Share
Steering Group
Provides stakeholder
engagement, generation of
real issues to resolve
Provide project oversight of
tasks
Sign off Hazards work as
complete
Ballast Dust
Working Group
HAVS Working
Group
MSDs Working
Group
Trauma Working
Group
DEEE Working
Group
Task and Finish
Steering Group for
Project T1085
Members include:
Tony Vozniack
Ann McHaffie
Sharon Allaway
Katy Coull
Andrew Edwards
Caroline Meek
Stephanie Fitzgerald
RSSB Health and
Wellbeing Policy Group
Hazard Specific Working Groups
Working Groups
Notes
HAVS Working Group
Group has been in existence for a while. Managed by
Network Rail. Does not include TOCs and FOCs
Ballast Dust Working Group
Longest running group with a number of successes.
Managed by Network Rail. Does not include TOCs
and FOCs
To be set up. Looking to be managed through/or in
conjunction with RSSB’s Human Factors Team.
Opportunity to link with this teams ongoing work and
contacts.
To be set up. ATOC currently reviewing TOC position.
RSSB’s Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald is experienced in this
area.
MSDs Working Group
Trauma Working Group
DEEE
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T1085 Kick Off
Regarded as a sensitive issue within rail. Currently
seeking a knowledgeable group.
3rd August 2015
Project schedule
NFSG
16 September 2015
Any comments please contact the RSSB
Health and Wellbeing Programme
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