Network Rail - Dynamic Risk Assessment

Our Ref: HSR/4/2
Head Office Circular: NP/318/13
18th December 2013

The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague

NETWORK RAIL – DYNAMIC RISK ASSESSMENT

Network Rail have proposed to introduce a new process for risk assessments during unexpected, unplanned and evolving situations and have consulted the RMT. On giving consideration to a report from one of the Lead Union Health and Safety Representative on the above matter the General Grades Committee have noted and adopted the following report from their Health and Safety Sub-committee:

We note the report on file. On examination the application of this approach in un-planned, unexpected and evolving situations is to be supported. The General Secretary is obstructed to obtain and circulate a briefing on this matter to Branches, Regional Councils and Network Rail Health and Safety Representatives.

I have obtained the following information from Network Rail on this matter:

Dynamic Risk Assessment on the railway

Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA) is a safety tool, designed to support Network Rail in making safety decisions.  It is used when there are unexpected or unpredicted situations where a team of competent people have to make a decision to protect safety.  The actual process will be facilitated by the Route Control M or incident controller in some cases, who will consult with any party who has relevant competency to ensure that a safe solution is arrived at.  It will only be used when there is a clear safety benefit, when a team of people are needed to produce the safe solution, and when time matters i.e. the situation will deteriorate if it is left alone for any length of time.  Several hundred people have been trained in how to apply the tool and it is envisaged that the process will be rolled out across the whole Network before April 2014.

Our Lead Union Health and Safety Representatives are involved in training other health and safety reps in the process. Further questions on this matter should be addressed to the Head Office Health and Safety section in the normal way.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely


Bob Crow
General Secretary