Kent & East Sussex Railway

Superb. It captures atmospheric weather for an atmospheric event. Railways should do more galas in November!

 

I agree, great reminder of events past on a line I am unlikely to be well enough to attend anymore.
A great video.

 

Very professional video

 

Just seen worrying news of an injury to a worker at the K&ESR - hospitalised with burns.
Local rag on FB.

 

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tenter...after-suffering-serious-burns-at-kent-347370/

 

Queen Victoria Hospital is the best place for burns injuries. I hope they make a full recovery.

 

It would be good if people would refrain from speculation. Doubtless a full report will appear in due time.

 

There is unlikely to be any published report. This sort of accident is not within the scope of RAIB.

 

more the pervue of the ORR:

I know nothing about the incident other than that given in the article, but Google suggests:

A stationary incident involving an injury to a volunteer at a UK heritage railway is primarily investigated by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) alongside the heritage railway's own internal safety team. Because the incident involves a stationary train or yard activity rather than a moving train collision or derailment, it generally falls outside the primary remit of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).
Primary Investigating Bodies

• Office of Rail and Road (ORR). As the independent safety regulator for Britain's railways, the Office of Rail and Road investigates workplace injuries, workshop accidents, and stationary incidents that fall outside RAIB's scope. They evaluate safety management systems, determine whether health and safety laws were breached, and hold the statutory power to prosecute. [1, 2, 3]
• The Heritage Railway Organisation. Under UK health and safety law, the dutyholder (the railway operator or trust) is legally required to conduct its own internal investigation. Following guidance from bodies like the Heritage Railway Association, the railway's safety manager will gather witness statements, preserve evidence, and review risk assessments to prevent a recurrence. [1, 2]

Reporting Requirements
For a stationary injury to a volunteer to trigger a regulatory investigation, it must meet the reporting thresholds under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). Under HSE RIDDOR guidance, the railway must report the incident to the ORR if the injury arose from a work-related activity and resulted in a specified serious injury (such as a fracture or amputation) or required the volunteer to be taken directly to a hospital for treatment. [1, 2, 3]
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Whether there will be a published report or not, my main hopes from this are that the volunteer involved makes a rapid recovery, and that any lessons that can be learned from this ARE learned.

My thoughts are with that volunteer and all the others involved.

 

Speaking as a KESR Trustee:

(1) Our thoughts are, of course, with the volunteer and their family as they recover.

(2) If there are lessons generally applicable to the sector, we will make sure they are shared appropriately.

Cheddleton showed the way with such ‘sharing’ recently.

Robin