The framework for safety management on the railway is created by British and European safety legislation and is based on two fundamental components – the Railway Safety Case regime and Railway Group Standards.
The Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 2000 require infrastructure controllers and any company intending to operate on the railway to produce a formal document, the Safety Case, which demonstrates that the company has the necessary ability, commitment and resources to assess and control the risks associated with its activities.
Infrastructure controllers and train and station operators who hold Railway Safety Cases (for operation on or related to infrastructure controlled by Railtrack) must comply with Railway Group Standards. These are mandatory documents directed towards ensuring system safety and safe interworking on the Railtrack network.
Railway Safety, through its Audit and Evaluation department, is responsible for carrying out audits of operators’ and Railtrack’s compliance with their safety cases and with relevant Railway Group Standards.