The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its report today into the trackworker fatality at Trafford Park on 26th October 2005.
The full report is available here:
A summary of the key points from the report is included below.
Summary
On Wednesday 26th October a train travelling between Liverpool and Manchester struck and fatally injured a railway trackworker at Trafford Park West Junction, Manchester. The deceased was employed by Schweizer UK, who were operating as a subcontractor to Carillion. At the time of the incident he was carrying out a visual inspection of the track layout with a colleague and a Carillion employee. In addition to the fatality, the Carillion employee received a minor injury.
The immediate cause of the accident was that the staff on the track did not respond to the approach of the train and move out of its path. There were several causal and contributory factors involved.
Recommendations
The RAIB has made nine recommendations as a result of its investigation. They cover:
• the safety certification of the staff involved
• training and performance assessment regimes
• research into understanding the causes of rule violation
• improved briefing of staff and monitoring of compliance with safety requirements
• review and amendment and re-briefing site staff regarding emergency procedures
Notes to Editors
1. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch started operation on 17 October 2005. The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety. The RAIB does not establish blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.
2. For media enquiries please call 020 7944 6984.
Newsdate: 25 August 2006
