RAIB report: more investigations into serious accidents

In 2016 the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) initiated five investigations into serious accidents (where an investigation is mandatory) - four more than in 2015.

It conducted 14 investigations into incidents which under different conditions could have led to serious accidents (six fewer than in 2015).

The figures were revealed in RAIB’s annual report published on June 22. During the period in question, the body launched two investigations into incidents that could have led to serious accidents - a partial bridge collapse at Barrow-upon-Soar on August 1, and a landslip at Watford Tunnel on September 16 which led to a derailment and glancing collision.

A total of 52 preliminary examinations were completed, nine investigations and one class investigation started, and 16 safety digests begun. RAIB published 24 full investigation reports, one interim report and ten safety digests. It also issued urgent safety advice on two occasions.

RAIB has 54 recommendations where it is awaiting initial reports from safety authorities or public bodies on their status, and 19 which were progressing in 2016.

The report also identified eight areas which were prominent in its activities in 2016: failure of earthworks and structures; track worker safety; condition and maintenance of freight and engineering rolling stock; level crossings; the platform-train interface; fatigue; collisions in long worksites; and safety-critical communication.

In his foreword to the report, Chief Inspector Simon French said: “Good accident investigation is a powerful tool for revealing the underlying reasons for accidents. An important area explored during an investigation is the extent to which hazards and risks were properly understood by organisations before the accident occurred.

“This is important because many accidents could have been avoided if someone had asked the ‘what if’ question before the event.”