As the combined safety and economic regulator for Britain’s railway, we reviewed how costs and benefits are assessed for safety initiatives, and whether reasonable practicability is systematically tested by dutyholders.
The GB rail industry has one of the best health and safety records in the world, which reflects sustained focus and investment in health and safety. As well as being safe, it is also important that the railway delivers value for money.
In 2024, we initiated a programme of work to review how the costs and benefits of health and safety interventions are assessed by dutyholders (including Network Rail and train and freight operators).
We sought to evaluate how and when cost estimates are compiled for health and safety interventions, and whether reasonable practicability is systematically tested by duty holders. This is important because health and safety law requires a dutyholder to do what is reasonably practicable to control risks.
We published the findings of our review in March 2025 and made 10 recommendations.
We have published a letter updating on progress in implementing the recommendations ahead of a final review of implementation by March 2026.