Train Operator Discusses Safety Improvements With BAM

Network Rail has asked BAM Nuttall, the engineering group that carried out £210m worth of work for the train operator last year, to explain a "series of accidents".

In September, a BAM contractor suffered serious injuries after being crushed under machinery at a work site in Cardiff. In the same month, BAM was fined £140,000 over a breach of health and safety dating back to December 2010, in which a subcontractor was injured during the demolition of a bridge.

The Independent reports that Network Rail's chief executive Mark Carne has taken the step of meeting with BAM Nuttall chief executive Stephen Fox to discuss the incidents, and two additional suppliers may be asked to explain themselves in future.

It is hoped that the talks will help to improve safety on the railways, particularly since the number of workforce injuries on the mainline rail network increased by 3.5 per cent last year, with a total of 6,040 incidents.

The railways regulator recently approved plans to give more than £250m of dedicated funding to Network Rail over the next five years to reduce the number of injuries in the sector.

Expert Opinion

It is welcome to see that action is being taken to gain a better understanding of the incidents which have occurred in recent months, as it demonstrates a clear desire to ensure that steps are taken to learn lessons from the concerns raised in the past. <br/> <br/>"Our work on behalf of victims of accidents at work means we have seen the long-term impact such incidents can have on those involved, so the importance of ensuring people are protected from potential risks should not be underestimated. Every effort needs to be made to ensure health and safety is always the priority in the railway industry and other sectors." Stephen Nye - Partner