TRACK WORKER STRUCK BY A TRAIN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2022 :: RMTnews 16 In February 2021 a passenger train struck and fatally injured a track worker who was walking in a crossover line between two through lines near Surbiton station, south west London. He was one of four track workers involved in undertaking inspections at the location. An investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has recommended Network Rail maintain members of work groups working on or near the line within designated safe limits, when some or all lines remain open to traffic. Another recommendation related to understanding the nature and reasons behind rule and behavioural non- compliances observed by RAIB during its investigation. A recommendation was also made to Rail Delivery Group to work with the wider rail industry to improve the judgement of train drivers on whether track workers are in a dangerous position and to reinforce the use of the train horn to deliver urgent warnings. The accident happened because the track worker, who was the Controller of Site Safety and involved in carrying out the track inspections, was unaware of his position relative to the train. He was unaware of his position probably because he had become distracted, either due to teaching an assistant or by undertaking an actual inspection. Once distracted, it is likely his deviation towards the line on which the train was travelling was exacerbated by the layout of the rails at the junction. The train driver sounded the train’s warning horn twice during the train’s approach but neither of the other two people working with the controller of site safety recalled hearing it. RAIB’s investigation found that: • The inspection was planned to be completed while trains were running with a safe system of work in place that used unassisted lookouts. This was the least safe type of system of work which could be implemented when working on track, but its ongoing use had not been challenged in the years before the accident. • Network Rail had a programme in place to eliminate unassisted lookout working but this had not yet led to changes to the safe systems of work at the depot where the controller of site safety worked. • Safety of people working on or near railway lines relies on the controller of site safety implementing and managing a safe system of work, however where they are also responsible for carrying out the work, they are at increased risk of becoming distracted. This can, and has, led to staff being struck by trains or being involved in near misses. RAIB identified five learning points. These relate to: • Train drivers sounding an urgent warning to track workers where there is doubt whether they have moved clear of the line the train is travelling on • Track workers looking to confirm on which line a train is travelling when hearing a train warning horn • Track workers having quick access to emergency contact details • Those creating patrol TRACK WORKER STRUCK BY A TRAIN Recommendations made to Network Rail after track worker fatally hit by train Surbiton station