Celebrating a Major Milestone in Rail Safety Training

As part of Rail Safety Week (16-22 June) we are celebrating a significant milestone, having trained 5,000 people from across the country on our ground-breaking Rail Safety Awareness (RSA) course.

The courses, which have earned industry acclaim, are tailored to each customer’s operational and locational requirements and include a classroom-based theory session followed by practical training within private railway infrastructure but not on the mainline environment.

The content covers railway terminology and definitions, the railway environment, employee responsibilities, safe walking, safe working, emergency situations and effective communication. It does not qualify candidates to walk or work on Network Rail controlled infrastructure.

Participants who have completed the RSA courses all perform vital roles in the vicinity of railway lines, such as freight yards and maintenance facilities, for a variety of sectors such as ports, quarries and power stations.

Our Managing Director Neil Sime says: “To have trained 5,000 people in vital and practical skills in how to stay safe in the railway environment is a landmark achievement to reach in our company’s 30th anniversary year.

“Our team at Victa are experts in the field of safety training and we are very proud developing this bespoke course for the benefit of people working in a range of sectors that are linked to rail freight. Alongside those working in sidings, yards, maintenance facilities and terminals the course is also ideal for staff employed in train maintenance, cleaning facilities and the emergency services.”

David Livett (pictured), Biomass Maintenance Planner, Port of Liverpool, was the 5,000th person to receive the training.

Andrew Wijeyewardena, Rail Operations Manager at the Port of Liverpool, says:

“Victa’s Rail Safety Awareness training is a must course for anyone working in the rail freight environment.

“The course has been vital for the consistently safe delivery of biomass, containers and scrap metal operations conducted within the Port of Liverpool’s rail network. Since the first course was held in October 2015, over 250 members of port staff have benefitted from the course. Staff attend from a diverse range of functions, including material handling operatives, maintenance engineers and the Port of Liverpool Police.

Feedback from attendees is consistently good, with the course delivering a comprehensive understanding of the numerous hazards that exist from rail freight operations within private terminal sidings, an often overlooked; yet nonetheless, critical part of the UK rail freight industry. I would recommend the course, and the associated two-yearly refreshers, to anyone who may have an interaction with rail freight infrastructure or operations.”

To-date, we have trained 2360 candidates for the aggregate/mineral products industry and 2822 candidates for the other locations (docks, power stations, bulk handling and intermodal rail connected terminals).

At the heart of everything we do is a steadfast commitment to safety. Our training courses are designed to enhance safety practices and are sought after by businesses across the rail industry.

We are pleased to offer a range of training programmes, including:

Rail Safety Awareness (RSA): Essential for understanding the fundamentals of rail safety.

Rail Site Operation Managers Courses: Tailored to equip managers with the skills to oversee safe rail operations effectively.

Safety Critical Communications Courses: Focused on ensuring clear and precise communication to prevent accidents and ensure smooth operations.

Designated Person (DP) Courses: These courses offer essential instruction, knowledge, and understanding of the Railway Rulebook Module T10. Their objective is to ensure competence in establishing a safe system of work while operating on rail vehicles.

Each course is meticulously crafted to meet industry standards and ensure that safety remains a top priority. By equipping rail professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge, we are fostering a safer rail environment for everyone.

To find out more and to book a course please get in touch with us!

Contact Pam Smith

Rail Enhancement Training Administrator

Victa Railfreight Ltd

Email: pam.smith@victa-railfreight.com