Report released into an incident involving a trackworker being struck by a train at Stevenage


The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) today released its report into an incident involving a trackworker being struck by a train at Stevenage, on 07 December 2008.

A full copy of the report is available here:

Summary

During track renewal work on the East Coast Main Line immediately north of Stevenage on 7 December 2008, the two centre, fast, lines were closed to traffic while the outer, slow, lines remained open.  After darkness had fallen, a track worker, who was standing between the up fast and up slow lines while a rail was being positioned on the up fast line, came into contact with a slow moving train on the up slow line.  He sustained severe bruising to his back and damage to his vertebrae.

The immediate cause of the accident was that the trackworker moved out of his position of safety to a point where he came into contact with the train.

This happened because

  • The edge of the zone in which the trackworker was working was not correctly defined.
  • The work planning had not identified the hazards and Safe Systems of Work in sufficient detail.
  • Appropriate protection of staff was not provided.
  • The use of rail transposition machinery caused the system of work set up to become unsuitable.
  • There was insufficient liaison between staff managing the site.
  • The passing train obscured the temporary lighting rendering the work site unlit.

Recommendations

As a consequence of this accident, the RAIB has made six recommendations targeted at Jarvis Rail, the main contractor, and Network Rail. These cover:

  • management systems for planning systems of work, and associated site documentation;
  • the assessment and mitigation of risk associated with rail transposing machinery;
  • clear communications at work sites;
  • the installation of fences next to tracks open to traffic;
  • the provision of lighting which can be installed adjacent to lines open to traffic; and
  • the use of rail transposing plant in close proximity to lines that are open to traffic.

Notes to editors

1. 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 3248.

Newsdate: 27 August 2009