Learning from past mistakes is essential for managing safety on Britain’s railways. This principle led to the creation of the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), organisations dedicated to gathering and codifying safety insights to guide future practices. Despite significant improvements in safety management, there is still untapped knowledge within the workforce that could be invaluable if properly captured and utilised.

As the railway industry faces the Great British Railway Transition (GBRT), it is crucial to ensure that corporate memory resources are preserved to maintain and enhance safety practices. Historically, transitional periods have posed significant risks, as evidenced by incidents like the 1988 Clapham Junction derailment and the 2016 wrong routing in Cardiff. Both were linked to infrastructure upgrades and organisational changes, highlighting the dangers of losing critical knowledge during transitions.

The RAIB’s chief inspector emphasised the ease with which lessons can be forgotten, underscoring the importance of maintaining a just and learning culture. As the industry prepares for another major transition, safeguarding corporate memory is vital to proactively manage risks and prevent repeating past mistakes.

To address this challenge, the RSSB offers systems and expertise to help the industry capture and utilise corporate knowledge. An example of this effort is the recent ‘lessons learned’ exercise documenting the railway’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in a comprehensive report and a ‘Pandemic Playbook’.

Additionally, the Safety Management Intelligence System (SMIS) serves as a national database for health and safety events, providing valuable insights for industry-wide risk management. By leveraging these tools and fostering collaboration through initiatives like the Futures Lab, the railway industry can anticipate and mitigate emerging risks, ensuring a safer and more resilient future.