Securities Law

Network Rail faced significant challenges in improving safety for its frontline staff while maintaining business performance and embedding sustainable benefits. The organization, responsible for running a safe and efficient railway across Great Britain, had experienced tragic incidents, with 33 employees and contractors killed on its infrastructure since 2008. Previous attempts to enhance safety programs had failed, leading to skepticism among employees regarding the organization's commitment to safety. In response, Network Rail launched a Safety Task Force program in 2019 aimed at overhauling its safety procedures, which were still heavily reliant on paper-based documentation. The traditional Safe Work Pack (SWP) for projects could contain up to 60 pages, leading to inaccuracies and potential dangers for workers. Recognizing the need for a data-driven technology solution, Network Rail turned to EY for support in developing and implementing a digital transformation strategy that would not only modernize safety procedures but also change employee behaviors around safety. EY's approach involved a human-centered digital transformation that engaged 22,000 users across Network Rail and its supply chain. By consulting with stakeholders, EY identified how the new system should function and how best to train users, thereby reducing skepticism and fostering collaboration. The result was the creation of Network Rail–RailHub, a digital safety platform with an accompanying iOS application that allows workers to identify and mitigate safety risks, book access to tracks, and document their work. The implementation of Network Rail–RailHub led to quantifiable improvements in safety and operational efficiency. There was an 18% reduction in safety-critical errors in SWPs and a 43% reduction in near-miss incidents. The transition to a single, integrated cloud-based system also resulted in a 40% reduction in errors related to line blockage applications. Additionally, the digital transformation saved an estimated 34 million sheets of paper annually, significantly reducing the environmental impact of Network Rail's operations. The initiative not only enhanced safety compliance but also improved data quality and visibility, enabling better management and reporting of safety metrics across the organization. Overall, the project successfully aligned with Network Rail's mission of ensuring "everyone safe, every day."

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