scope:

This manual specifies requirements and guidance for the reporting and investigation of accidents and incidents.

It applies to all safety and environmental investigations that are led by Network Rail.

Purpose

This manual provides a structured, comprehensive and consistent process for:

a) deciding the level of investigation for all Network Rail led investigations;

b) Network Rail's response to inquiries and investigations led by external agencies e.g. the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), Coroners and the British Transport Police (BTP);

c) management of recommendations and local actions arising from inquiries, investigations and ORR inspections;

d) statutory reporting of accidents, incidents and occupational ill health;

e) risk ranking events including operational close calls/irregular working, their reporting and level 1 investigations;

f) reporting of enforcement action, including an enforcing authority's warning of or intention to serve an Enforcement Notice (i.e. a Prohibition or an Improvement Notice); and

g) the management of the response to any enforcement action served on Network Rail; and

h) how Network Rail will use intelligence from concerns raised through the Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis Service (CIRAS), alongside other sources of safety performance information, to assess the effectiveness of risk controls.