Enforcement of health and safety legislation

We enforce health and safety legislation on the railways. Those working in the rail industry can expect us to take action in a targeted and proportionate way, just as happens with other industries.

Enforcement powers

The Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority For Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006 (EARR) set out the enforcement responsibilities of ORR. EARR was amended in 2008 to improve clarity in the division of enforcement responsibility. Activities or premises not allocated to ORR for enforcement under EARR Activities are subject to enforcement by either the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) or Local Authorities according to the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998 (EA98).

Policy

Our health and safety enforcement policy statement is an important document explaining how we will enforce health and safety law. We have also adopted HSE’s Enforcement Management Model which provides a framework for inspectors to make consistent enforcement decisions.

Enforcement action taken

This sections gives details of those in the rail industry who we have issued improvement or prohibition notices, and those we have prosecuted over the last 5 years.

Last updated: 10 September 2008

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