UK: The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has published its annual report for 2020, when it received 457 notifications which led to 38 preliminary examinations of evidence and 14 investigations which will be published as detailed reports and six as safety digests.
RAIB also published 16 full investigation reports, eight safety digests, four letters to coroners and two notifications of Urgent Safety Advice, and made 61 safety recommendations.
Last year RAIB launched a series of Summaries of Learning reports, drawing on data from its archive of investigations in order to highlight matters of continued concern. In 2020 RAIB identified two new Summaries of Learning: the safe management of weather-related events which affect train operation; and the integrity of train braking systems.
‘One of RAIB’s core functions is to inform the industry, government and the wider public by conducting independent investigations of accidents and incidents, the results of which are always made public’, said Simon French, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents.
‘This duty to report our findings means that the rail industry is one of the most open sectors of the UK economy on matters relating to safety. This openness also means that our work is available for public scrutiny, which we welcome. It also means that the entire industry benefits from learning from accidents, regardless of which companies were involved.’
- French has announced his intention to retire this autumn.
