scope:

This Network Rail standard specifies requirements for technical auditing of Rail Vehicle, Depot Plant and Equipment maintenance suppliers and associated supporting facilities and service providers as required by Network Rail, RVE standards.

Typically, the types of audit covered by this standard include, but are not limited to:

• RVE Management System Audits - VAB, NoBo, NST, etc.;

• Depot Plant and Equipment Audits;

• Maintenance Service Audits (Rail Vehicles, Plant and Machinery);

• Special Topic Investigation Audits;

• Asset Condition Checks (Rail Vehicles, PWRA (Private Wagon Registration Agreement) Vehicles, RRVs, RMMMs, Depot Plant equipment, etc.);

• Witness Maintenance Audits;

• Supplier Audits, e.g. small tools and equipment;

• Site Registration Assessments;

• PWRA Audits.

Purpose

The Network Rail Health and Safety Management System specifies an effective company-wide assurance and audit programme for the assessment of internal management system controls and external suppliers. This procedure specifes the Rail Vehicle Engineering audit process and gives guidance on the general principles for the planning and management of these audits.

Audits are a mandated management tool used to provide assurance that company policies and standards are being adhered to. Audits enable the identification of root causes of failure or weak processes and work practices. Audits are used to monitor Network Rail's and its Suppliers' management system controls to understand where and what improvement actions are necessary.

This procedure supports the Network Rail corporate assurance framework requirements specified in NR/SP/ASR/036 and Rail Vehicle Engineering (RVE) standard NR/L1/RVE/0003. It is based on the guidance and principles of BS EN ISO 19011.