§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the terms of reference are for the two additional members of the Railway Industry Advisory Committee; and from which areas nominations are accepted. [60606]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe published terms of reference for all Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC) members, including the two new passenger interest representatives, are:
790W
- to develop and advise the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) on a strategy for improving standards of health and safety in the rail industry and the protection of the public from related hazards;
- to advise HSC on the protection of people at work and others from hazards to health and safety arising within the rail industry;
- to provide advice and guidance to the rail industry in the context of HSC/E strategies;
- to encourage the participation of representative organisations in the protection of people from hazards to health and safety arising from the operation of the railway services; and
- in order to meet these goals to involve all those with an interest in health and safety on Britain's railways in the work of RIAC either through membership—particularly for representative organisations—or other forms of consultation.
The "person specification" set out in the advertisement states that applicants need to be able to:
- represent the broad interests of all passengers and the public generally in rail safety issues;
- take a strategic approach to issues;
- weigh up conflicting opinions and reach consensus;
- work constructively with a range of stakeholders across the rail industry; and
- prepare for and attend two to four meetings a year.
The new positions have been advertised in the national press and on the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) website. Details of the vacancies have also been sent to consumer bodies and passenger interest organisations.