Safety - Corporate Plan 2008 - About us - Translink

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9.1 BUS SERVICES

Specific priorities for the bus operations include:

SAFE OPERATIONS

New Safety Management System (SMS) - The first phase has been completed. The SMS is currently being implemented across all Translink.
Safety Legislation - New seatbelt legislation that came into effect from February 2007 means that all bus passengers in Northern Ireland over the age of 14 must use a seat belt if one is available: urban services are exempt.
Emergency Plan – an updated bus emergency plan was issued in April 2006. This is tested annually and close liaison with the Central Emergency Planning Unit of Government continues
Transport to School by Bus - The funding and approval by Government for Translink to purchase 110 additional buses fitted with seat belts for school transport provision has improved the comfort and safety of children traveling to school by bus. Standing will be eliminated by April 2009; the ‘3 for 2’ rule’ on schools services is no longer used. In addition, 35 Goldline vehicles are being reconfigured for school services and 80 new double deck buses, all of which are being fitted with seat belts.
Route Risk Assessments - These are important safety tools that involve the preparation of a detailed analysis of each service route, with the help of a team of staff, to identify hazards and work to introduce solutions.

SAFETY AT WORK

Safety Culture / Human Factors - Programmes to improve safety culture have been introduced and are ongoing. Safety culture training commenced in 2007/08 along with a renewed approach to Executive Group involvement including safety tours and themed campaigns.
‘No Smoking’ policy - in place for the introduction in April 2007 of new legislation that made all station and work premises smoke-free environments.
Well being programmes - a specialist and confidential stress counseling service is available to all Translink staff that may need it and regular health and well being awareness programmes are in place.
Incident and Accident Reporting - A new computerised incident reporting system covering both bus and rail divisions has been fully implemented within NI Railways and is currently being commissioned in the bus companies.
Safety clothing / driving handbook - New high-visibility clothing is in use by bus operations and engineering staff using bus yards, following completion of a risk assessment exercise. A new, updated and improved driver’s handbook, ‘Safety, the Law and You’, was prepared and distributed to all Ulsterbus and Metro drivers.
It includes detailed guidelines on subjects ranging from coping with aggressive behaviour to procedures for dealing with accidents and emergencies.

PUBLIC SAFETY CAMPAIGNS

Safety Bus - Translink continues to bring safety education messages to schoolchildren and community groups. The award winning special ‘Safety Bus’ and its team currently visit around 200 secondary and grammar schools each term, to educate and discuss the problems of stone throwing or unruly behaviour.
Post incident care teams – these are to be recruited and trained during 2008/09

9.2 RAIL SERVICES

Specific priorities for the rail operations include:

SAFE OPERATIONS

New Safety Management System (SMS) - The first phase of a new SMS has been completed including the establishment of new high-level standards.
Safety Legislation - A programme of new safety legislation requires formal ‘safety certification’ of NI Railways by DRD. This process is underway and on schedule for completion during 2008/09.
Emergency Plan – an updated railway emergency plan is tested annually and close liaison with the Central Emergency Planning Unit of Government continues.
Accommodation Crossings – The Group continues to reduce risk at railway accommodation crossings (non public roads) through a programme of closure, detours, bridge building or other safety measures.
Train Protection Warning Systems (TPWS) - A programme to fit TPWS to the highest risk signals, at an approximate cost of Ł4 million, is now completed.

SAFETY AT WORK

Incident and Accident Reporting - A new computerised incident reporting system covering both bus and rail divisions has been fully implemented within NI Railways
Safety Culture / Human Factors - Programmes to improve safety culture have been introduced and are ongoing. Safety culture training commenced in 2007/08 along with a renewed approach to Executive Group involvement including safety tours and themed campaigns.
‘No Smoking’ policy - in place for the introduction in April 2007 of new legislation that made all station and work premises smoke-free environments.
Well being programmes - a specialist and confidential stress counseling service is available to all Translink staff that may need it and regular health and well being awareness programmes are in place.

PUBLIC SAFETY CAMPAIGNS

Rail safety message - The hard hitting ‘Dead Cert’ advertising campaign launched in August 2005 continues. It reinforces the dangers of misusing trains and railway facilities, particularly as the C3K trains are faster and quieter.
Post incident care teams – these are to be recruited and trained during 2008/09
Deterring anti social behaviour, vandalism and litter - A number of innovative initiatives continue, each aimed at reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour on board trains and at stations: These include:
- Joint action with the police to run patrols on trains.
  ‘C U in Court’ poster campaign to raise awareness of the CCTV now in use on new trains. This evidence can be used in court.
- An anti-graffiti campaign was piloted in Bangor in partnership with the local PSNI, the Council, town centre management and a newspaper to offer rewards for information leading to the successful prosecution of train graffiti artists.
- Translink’s environmental unit also campaigns to deter fly-tipping on the railway line and highlight the problems of litter, graffiti and trespass around the network.
Prosecutions - Translink adopts a determined stance against anti-social behaviour on buses, trains and properties. This is reflected in the increasing numbers of successful prosecutions and the rising level of fines awarded by the courts to offenders. These prosecutions are prominently communicated. There are also now successful prosecutions by the bus companies.