Rail health and safety

The Office of Rail Regulation is the independent health and safety regulator for the railway industry, including metros, light rail and heritage. We cover the safety of the travelling public as well as workers on the railways. Browse the left-hand navigation or related links on the right for more information.

ORR's health and safety strategy is to secure the proper control by dutyholders of risks to the health and safety of employees, passengers and others who might be affected by the operation of Britain's railways. 

The Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC) provides advice to ORR on railway safety, exchanges information, comments on proposed new regulations and guidance and works to progress health and safety issues and other related developments within the industry.

Guidance on reporting serious incidents to HM Railway Inspectorate (HMRI), rail health and safety Annual Reports and Memoranda of Understanding between ORR and other organisations are available as related links on the right.

ORR welcomes the publication by the Health and Safety Commission and Institute of Directors of Guidelines for Directors and board members on health and safety responsibilities.  This will apply to the railway industry, in the same way as all other industries.

ORR railway safety statistical report survey

ORR is reviewing the contents of the Railway Safety Statistical Report this year to see what, if any, improvements can be made to make the information more useful and relevant.

We are undertaking a survey of the report's users to see what they think of the information provided in it and how they use it. 

We would welcome your views which you can give us by filling out the survey form . The closing date for the survey is 30 July 2008.

Health and safety forms

The forms below are mainly for use by Heritage companies, Tram companies and contractors involved in Light Rapid Transit Systems.

F2508RA

Report of an accident not at a level crossing (793 Kb)

F2508RB

Report of an accident at a level crossing (277 Kb)

F2508RC

Monthly report of dangerous occurrences (205 Kb)

LP RP1

Details of death of a person killed outright or fatally injured on a railway (852 Kb) This form is for the use of Coroners to inform ORR of their inquest verdicts where there has been a death on the railway.