Editing Network Rail (section)

==Safety==
[[File:Rail fatalities of European countries.png|thumb|330px|2013 Rail fatalities per billion passenger-km in European countries.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/images/c/c0/Rail_traffic_performance_and_no_of_significant_accidents_EU-28%2C_2013.png |title=Eurostat accident and passenger usage statistics |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170202004749/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/images/c/c0/Rail_traffic_performance_and_no_of_significant_accidents_EU-28%2C_2013.png |archive-date=2 February 2017 }}</ref>]]

While generally good, the safety record of the company was marred in February 2007 when a Virgin express [[Grayrigg derailment|derailed at Grayrigg]] in [[Cumbria]]. Network Rail admitted responsibility for the incident. The [[Rail Accident Investigation Branch|RAIB]] investigation concluded in 2009 that a faulty set of points had caused the derailment.<ref>{{cite book |url= http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/081023_R202008_Grayrigg_v3.pdf |title=Derailment at Grayrigg 23 February 2007 |publisher=[[Rail Accident Investigation Branch]] |year=2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141017151306/http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=%2F081023_R202008_Grayrigg_v3.pdf |archive-date=17 October 2014 |format=PDF<!--Deny Citation Bot-->}}{{page needed|date=September 2023}}</ref> In 2012 the [[Office of Rail Regulation]] announced that Network Rail was to be prosecuted under the [[Health and Safety at Work Act 1974|Health and Safety Act]] for "failure to provide and implement suitable and sufficient standards, procedures, guidance, training, tools and resources for the inspection and maintenance of fixed stretcher bar points".  Network Rail pleaded guilty and were fined £4.1 million including legal costs.<ref name="BBC16544694">{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23974267 |title=Network Rail appoints new boss Mark Carne |work=BBC News |access-date=6 March 2014 |date=5 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131123022837/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23974267 |archive-date=23 November 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/network-rail-fined-4m-over-preventable-crash-7619182.html |title=Network Rail fined £4m over 'preventable' crash |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |access-date=6 April 2012 |first=Kevin |last=Rawlinson |date=5 April 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130529004008/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/network-rail-fined-4m-over-preventable-crash-7619182.html |archive-date=29 May 2013 }}</ref>

In December 2005, two young girls were killed by a train as they were crossing the railway line via a pedestrian [[level crossing]] at {{rws|Elsenham}} in Essex. Network Rail was prosecuted for breaching [[health and safety]] law and fined £1 million in March 2012. The court heard that risk assessments carried out by Network Rail staff in 2002 had identified potential dangers with the crossing and recommended the installation of gates that would lock automatically as trains approached, but this was not acted upon.<ref name=bbc-elsenham>{{cite news |title=Network Rail fined £1m over girls' level crossing deaths |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-17378565 |access-date=16 March 2012 |newspaper=BBC News |date=15 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120315205026/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-17378565 |archive-date=15 March 2012 }}</ref>

Many track safety initiatives have been introduced in the time Network Rail has been operational. One high-profile measure, announced in December 2008, known as "All Orange", states that all track personnel must not only wear orange hi-vis waistcoats or jackets, but must also wear orange hi-vis trousers at all times when working on or near the track. This ruling came into force in January 2009 for maintenance and property workers and in April 2009 for infrastructure and investment sites.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://publishing.yudu.com/Ay1g7/railstaffdec08/resources/20.htm |last=Railstaff |title=Track Safety |website=Railway People |date=December 2008 |access-date=27 January 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084638/http://publishing.yudu.com/Ay1g7/railstaffdec08/resources/20.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref>

All workers working on or near the line or trackside have to pass a medical assessment and a drug and alcohol test. They must also sit a [[Personal Track Safety]] training course and undergo assessment to be issued with a PTS card (reassessment is required every two years).<ref>{{cite book |url = http://fastlinetraining.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/PTS-handbook.pdf |title = A guide to personal track safety |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150218104754/http://fastlinetraining.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/PTS-handbook.pdf |archive-date=18 February 2015 |df = dmy-all}}|format=PDF<!--Deny Citation Bot--></ref>{{Page needed|date=September 2023}} Network Rail workers undergo periodic assessments as part of the Skills Assessment Scheme, formerly called the AITL process (Assessment in the Line). This requires each worker to go through questions on a computer based program on all the competencies held.<ref>{{Cite web |date = 30 November 2022 |title = Skills Assesment Scheme User Guide |url = https://www.networkrail-training.co.uk/media/skills_assessment_scheme_handbook.pdf |website = Network Rail Training |access-date = 30 November 2022}}</ref>