Research into common rail health environments and roles, and their impacts on employees health and wellbeing An Overview R&D Project T1085
Our Strategy:
Governance RSSB Board Health and Wellbeing Policy Group HWPG Members: Chris Jones, Network Rail / Steve Hails, Crossrail / Michelle Smart, Abellio Greater Anglia / Andrew Edwards, East Midlands Trains / Graham Candy, Atkins / Jonathon Willcock, Alstom / Dr Olivia Carlton, TfL / Peter Fisher, Costain / Mary Sithole, TSSA / Susan Murray, Unite / Dave Bennett, ASLEF / Paul Clyndes, RMT / John Gillespie, ORR Health Economics Group Task and Finish Groups Health and Wellbeing Professions Committee
Background In 2010 the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) produced the ORR Health Programme 2010 to 2014 that stated its intention to improve occupational health management within the rail industry. The rail industry needs guidance on ways to assess the first area of occupational health, the effect of work on health. In particular, there is a knowledge gap in the way health risks in common rail work environments are currently assessed, leading to inaccurate evaluation and management of these risks by the rail industry. Examples of these risks are those associated with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations, such as exposure to asbestos, inhalation and exposure to/skin contact with battery acids, diesel engine exhaust emissions, hydraulic fluid and oils, cleaning chemicals, ammonia, silica dust, smoke and carbon monoxide, musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), as well as fatigue and sleep disorders related to shift work. This knowledge gap in assessing health risks in common rail environments leads to a number of risks for the industry: 1. Incomplete assessment of health hazards in common rail environment leading to loss of life, threat of legal action, costs to the company 2. Risk of worsened industry reputation, as employees and the public see sector as not addressing occupational health risks 3. Increased costs from avoidable occupational ill health for the industry This project aims to improve work environments in the rail industry through providing guidance on work related health and wellbeing. 4 T1085 Kick Off 3 rd August 2015
Deliverables The project will provide: Expert risk assessment of the health hazards created in common rail environments and identification of their controls Identification of good practice in the use of controls and surveillance to mitigate the risks Identification of common environments, roles, tasks and mitigation measures to create categories for use of a health assessment matrix associated to the hazards identified In doing so, it will deliver: A research brief which will summarise the research done A research report on the findings, the controls suggested and proposed implementation practices A health surveillance matrix for the hazards and roles affected by the hazards researched 5 T1085 Kick Off 3 rd August 2015
Benefits The benefits from this research include: Improvements to health work environments where needed or confidence where existing practices are sufficient. Improving industry perception that it addresses the issue of work-related ill-health, which incentivises further continuous improvement activities within companies, reduces the likelihood of regulatory action and brings the industry in alignment with government thinking and activity within this area. Tackling health/environment conditions earlier rather than later and thus prevent rather than fix the problem, meaning improved lives of rail employees, reduced need and cost of medical services, less absenteeism and more productive work hours. Reducing the indirect costs and inefficiencies associated with work-related ill health, such as cost of temporary staff, strain on teams with absent members, loss of management time to manage the loss of personnel, improving productivity and reducing cost. Cost savings for Network Rail, TOCs and FOCs, from avoidable duplication of effort 6 T1085 Kick Off 3 rd August 2015
Contractor selected HSL won the contract to help improve health risk management within rail. They are now engaging with industry hazard specific groups to best understand how to support improvements to their capability 7 T1085 Kick Off 3 rd August 2015
Overview of HSL Project Hand-Arm Vibration, Respirable crystalline silica, MSDs, Trauma and DEEE Recruitment & Assessment & Dissemination & Dissemination & Engagement Research Engagement Application Engage with sector ID Issues /Risks ID controls Assess Risks Control options Guidance Hazard Rating Scheme Research Share T1085 Kick Off 3 rd August 2015
Steering Group Provides stakeholder engagement, generation of real issues to resolve Provide project oversight of tasks Sign off Hazards work as complete Ballast Dust Working Group HAVS Working Group MSDs Working Group Trauma Working Group Task and Finish Steering Group for Project T1085 Members include: Tony Vozniack Ann McHaffie Sharon Allaway Katy Coull Andrew Edwards Caroline Meek Stephanie Fitzgerald RSSB Health and Wellbeing Policy Group DEEE Working Group
Hazard Specific Working Groups Working Groups HAVS Working Group Ballast Dust Working Group MSDs Working Group Trauma Working Group DEEE Notes Group has been in existence for a while. Managed by Network Rail. Does not include TOCs and FOCs Longest running group with a number of successes. Managed by Network Rail. Does not include TOCs and FOCs To be set up. Looking to be managed through/or in conjunction with RSSB s Human Factors Team. Opportunity to link with this teams ongoing work and contacts. To be set up. ATOC currently reviewing TOC position. RSSB s Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald is experienced in this area. Regarded as a sensitive issue within rail. Currently seeking a knowledgeable group. 10 T1085 Kick Off 3 rd August 2015
Project schedule NFSG 16 September 2015
Any comments please contact the RSSB Health and Wellbeing Programme 12