§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the criteria for allowing people to operate signal boxes; and what previous experience of specific lines is required by operators of signal boxes on those lines.
§ Mr. FreemanThere are no statutory criteria against which competence to operate signalling equipment is to be judged. However, the Health and Safety Executive's guidance on the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 recommends that the employer should be satisfied that the employees have appropriate training, personal qualities, fitness and qualifications to do the work in question without undue risk to themselves or others and that they are fully aware of the nature of the work. HM railway inspectorate has sampled the effectiveness of the selection process applied by Railtrack and is satisfied that Railtrack is taking the necessary steps to ensure competence. HMRI is continuing to monitor the situation.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the locations at which British Rail staff who do not hold the required certificate of competence operated signal boxes on 22 June.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 stipulate that those employed on tasks that are regarded as critical to safety must be competent. Certification of competence is not a statutory requirement under the regulations. All staff operating in signal boxes have been assessed and confirmed competent by Railtrack. HM railway inspectorate has sampled the effectiveness of that process and is satisfied that Railtrack is taking the necessary steps to ensure competence. HMRI is continuing to monitor the situation.