RAIB (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) has released its report into a near miss with two track workers at Penkridge, Staffordshire.
On 10 July 2022, two track workers narrowly avoided being struck by a train while working close to Penkridge station. The train was travelling at 61 mph towards Stafford when the driver saw the track workers standing on the line and sounded the locomotive’s horn. One of the track workers saw the approaching train and warned his colleague; they both jumped clear of the track before the train reached their position.
The incident occurred because the two track workers did not have a recognised safe system of work in place to protect them from approaching trains. The track workers had split off from a larger group to operate an overhead line isolating switch south of Penkridge station. When they left the group, the track workers and the person in charge (PIC) did not reach a mutual understanding of the safety arrangements that would subsequently apply. At the time the train passed, the track workers believed that the line they were standing on was blocked to the passage of trains, as had been the case when they left the group. The PIC believed that the track workers were standing away from the track in a position of safety, and so he had allowed the line blockage to be removed without warning them.
RAIB’s investigation found that there was no formal guidance on the arrangements and responsibilities of staff when individuals leave a PIC’s safe system of work. This was a possible underlying factor. The investigation included consideration of previous investigations and found that there is a widespread acceptance that PICs and Controllers of Site Safety (COSSs) can actively observe and advise their work group on site over a greater distance than is practical or reasonable.
As a result of this investigation, RAIB has made two recommendations to Network Rail. The first relates to the improvement of processes and guidance available to PICs and COSSs to help control the risks when groups split or change during a work activity. The second relates to the practicalities of managing a group on site, and understanding how this can be improved.
RAIB has also identified three learning points relating to the importance of clear communication, the duties allowed to be undertaken by a PIC, and the importance of the availability of train mounted CCTV to assist in safety investigations.
Andrew Hall, chief inspector of Rail Accidents, said: “Network Rail has made huge progress in reducing the amount of work undertaken on lines open to traffic. However, the near miss at Penkridge, where a line blockage was being used, is a reminder that working on the track remains hazardous. In this incident, track workers split into two groups, with the person responsible for their safety remaining with one group and no safe system of work in place to cover the revised working arrangement. This was a result of a misunderstanding between the trackworkers and almost cost two people their lives.
“If a group of trackworkers has to be split, adequate arrangements must be put in place to ensure that the safety of all members of the group are maintained. Communication must be such that everyone fully understands what safe systems of work are in place.
“This investigation also shows how valuable forward-facing CCTV is for undertaking safety investigations. How close this near miss really was, only became apparent when our inspectors were able to review this vital evidence.”