Integrating Human Factors and Safety Culture into the Railway Safety Management System

The recast Directive (EU) 2016/798 on Railway Safety introduces for thefirst time requirements on human factors and safety culture. Such requirementshas been part of the legislation in the aviation and nuclear domains for... [ view full abstract ]

The recast Directive (EU) 2016/798 on Railway Safety introduces for thefirst time requirements on human factors and safety culture. Such requirementshas been part of the legislation in the aviation and nuclear domains for sometime.

MTO Safety is assisting the European Railway Agency in developing new guidancematerial for the European railways based on research and best practices inmanagement of human factors and safety culture.

The new guidelines will address the new contents and focus of the Agency´srevisions of Common Safety Methods, as well as the recast safety Directive e grequirements on human factors and safety culture. Also, the new guidelinesshould support the inclusion of human factors and safety management in the newsafety management system requirements as set out in Annex II of the revisedcommon safety methods on conformity assessment.

The primary target for the new guidance material is the National SafetyAuthorities (NSA) and the purpose is support them in performing theirregulatory tasks in the new area of safety culture. Also, the guidelines shouldassist railway undertakings and infrastructure managers in developing andmonitoring their safety management system and facilitate communication betweenregulators and the regulated businesses.

The paper will present a progress report on work with the new guidancematerial.