RSSB's Annual Safety Performance Report published under the headline: "Continued improvement in rail safety performance" notes that during 2004 the improvement seen in safety on the national rail network over recent years has continued. However, the train accident at Ufton Nervet in November 2004 and the rise in the number of workforce fatalities provides a stark reminder of the potential for accidents on the railway.

Workforce safety on the railways remains a key area of concern with eight track worker fatalities in 2004. This represents the highest number of track worker fatalities in a year since 1991. Working in close proximity to running trains and high voltage electricity supply while carrying out construction-type work means that the risk to track workers is high compared to other industries in the UK. The report also shows a 6% rise in reported workforce assaults for 2004. While this figure does not represent an increase in physical injury to staff, the increased level of reporting being encouraged within the industry is beginning to show the extent of verbal abuse suffered by staff on the railway.

The report also records significant improvement in the risk from signals passed at danger (SPADs) and a reduction in the number of trespass related fatalities. In addition, less track defects, reduced levels of vandalism, fewer individual passenger accidents and, notwithstanding the accident at Ufton Nervet, fewer road vehicle incursions are reported.

Announcing the latest figures, Aidan Nelson, director, Policy and Strategic Initiatives for RSSB said: ?2004 was a year in which the sustained efforts of the industry to address risk from (SPADs) and trespass can be seen to be bearing fruit. However, last November?s collision at Ufton Nervet is a stark reminder of the need to work with the wider community to address the harm that can arise from level crossing misuse?.

Headlines:

There were two fatal train accidents in 2004, resulting in eight fatalities (seven at Ufton Nervet and one to a member of the work force at Ancaster)

Nine members of the workforce were killed

The number of SPADs on Network Rail?s infrastructure decreased from 379 in 2003 to 346 in 2004

Overall SPAD risk has, on a two year basis, decreased by 61% to its lowest ever level

Public accidental fatalities fell from 57 in 2003 to 42 in 2004

Reported assaults on railway staff increased by 6%

Serious 'line of route' offences (with the potential to harm those on trains) reduced by 14%

Trespasser fatalities decreased by 31%

Seven accidental fatalities occurred to level crossings users.

Rail is still one of the safest forms of public transport and is nine times safer than travelling by car.

For a full analysis of the RSSB report click here