The unnamed man, 37, was hit by a Southern train on 6 November last year. Photograph: Kirsty O'Connor/PA

Rail worker killed by train with zero-hours contract

Aminy Andawi
Business & Industry
Automotive & Equipment
Jul 12, 2019
2048
A rail worker killed by a passenger train in South London with zero-hours contract. The investigators found that the cause of his death was probably fatigued and he was left exposed to danger. The safety inspectors demanded Network Rail to make sure that its outsourced worker are fit to work. Not too long after the incident, another two track workers were hit by a train in South Wales.

The incident took place at Stoats Nest Junction, near Purley, an unnamed man was hit by a Southern train from London Victoria to Three Bridges. He was placing equipment on the track and was walking with his back to the train. The train was travelling at 69 mph.

The Rail Accident Investigation Bureau (RAIB) said that the worker was probably fatigued and he was alone that night as his co-worker had not turned up for work. It is not sufficiently identified the risk of fatigue among zero-hours contracted workers by the labor supplier. On the other hand, the chief inspector of rail accident, Simon French said that there should a significant safety risk for the workers.

This incident could lead to huge fines for Network Rail for violating the health and safety breaches. Network Rail announced on Tuesday that the launch of a safety task force with a total budget of £70m will improve the track worker safety.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jul/11/rail-worker-killed-by-train-was-fatigued-and-on-zero-hours-contract

Business , Transportation