As the combined safety and economic regulator for Britain’s railway, we reviewed how costs and benefits are assessed for safety initiatives, and whether reasonable practicability is systematically tested by dutyholders.
The GB rail industry has one of the best health and safety records in the world, which reflects sustained focus and investment in health and safety. As well as being safe, it is also important that the railway delivers value for money.
In 2024, we initiated a programme of work to review how the costs and benefits of health and safety interventions are assessed by dutyholders (including Network Rail and train and freight operators).
We sought to evaluate how and when cost estimates are compiled for health and safety interventions, and whether reasonable practicability is systematically tested by duty holders. This is important because health and safety law requires a dutyholder to do what is reasonably practicable to control risks.
By working closely with dutyholders and other rail industry parties, we have identified learning points for the industry to deliver best practice in assessing the costs and benefits of safety interventions.
We have published the conclusions of our review, including an independent reporter review of Network Rail’s approach.