Railways: Temperature
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure the safety of staff working on the rail network in extreme heat.
Answered by Keir Mather
As employers, train operating companies are responsible for considering if high temperatures pose a risk to the health and safety of their employees. It is the individual employer’s responsibility to decide on the specific measures to put in place to mitigate any health or safety risks. The Office of Rail and Road regulates health and safety for the entire mainline rail network in Great
Network Rail takes seriously the risks of adverse weather conditions on the health and safety of its employees such as dehydration, sunburn, and heat exhaustion. it work collectively with its trade union colleagues to issue general advice on how risks can be mitigated with things like work rotation, regular breaks and sun protection (which is made available). Local areas also consider specific measures to put in place to mitigate any health or safety risks dependent on the work activity and individual vulnerabilities, whilst monitoring effectiveness. Teams also have the opportunity to instigate Network Rail’s work safe procedure should further adjustments be required.
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