Sector: railway

The safety culture at Kazakhstan’s national railway hadn’t moved on from its time under Soviet control. But in the last year, new HSE director Askhat Sariyev has started to change processes, practices and – most importantly – mindsets.

Since its introduction, the system called Carl (call, action, report, learn) has led to a 50 per cent reduction in ‘close calls’ at Colas Rail.The firm was presented with the main gong at in the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) annual International Rail Awards.The app allows anyone working on Colas sites to report a close safety call. Once a report has been made, safety advisers and project managers receive email alerts in real time to enable action to be taken.

With increasing passenger numbers leading to greater investment and changes in management structures, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) annual Rail Industry Conference will examine what these changes mean for its members and other senior leaders.Sessions will look at how safety is being addressed as part of the changes process and how risks are being assessed. The changes include the devolution of routes in Network Rail and new ways of working between significant industry bodies.

Keith Morey will spend a week with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). His visit will allow for the sharing of good practice from both the UK and Kazakhstan rail networks and build links between relevant organisations.The knowledge-sharing assignment, which takes place from March 13-19, is the first activity as part of a partnership between IOSH and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).KTZ is the largest rail operator in Kazakhstan, accounting for 47 per cent of freight as well as being a major provider of passenger services.

Rail Safety Systems BV (RSS) was crowned the winner of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) International Railway Group Award 2016, in recognition of its work to create a new magnetically-attached safety barrier.The Dutch-based firm says its innovation has “transformed the conventions of workforce protection”, saving time and money on installation compared to standard safety barriers.

Industry experts discussed leadership techniques, learning from accidents, behavioural safety and occupational cancer during the conference, which this year focused on ‘promoting a positive impact’.John Gillespie, HM Assistant Chief Inspector of Railways at the UK’s Office of Rail and Road (ORR), told delegates that “positive leadership is essential if we are to have an impact” on safety and health in the industry.He said: “Positive leaders need to have an understanding of motivation, and what actually motivates individuals towards as positive goal.

More than half of all near-misses between trains and vehicles at level crossings in Britain occur at user-worked crossings (UWCs) - where the user has to open and shut a gate, or lift a barrier themselves, in order to cross rail track.IOSH Rural Industries and Railway Groups are working together to raise awareness of the issue through a free event which includes a live demonstration of good practice around UWCs and other rail level-crossings.

Each year, the Railway Group of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) celebrates innovative projects in the UK and across the world that have produced a practical solution to, and made a positive impact on, an occupational health and safety problem in the rail sector.It is seeking entries from all corners of the globe for its 2016 award, which this year has taken inspiration from the strategic objectives of the UK’s Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB).