Network Rail recently released survey findings that reveal railway professionals are often underrated in terms of public importance, compared to other key workers in Britain. While 56% of survey respondents ranked health & social care workers as the most important, only 3% considered railway professionals to be top key workers. Moreover, 42% admitted to having little or no understanding of the responsibility’s railway workers undertake.
In response, Network Rail has launched a campaign called “Hidden Heroes, aiming to challenge these perceptions by showcasing the critical work its employees do behind the scenes to keep the railway system operational.
Here are just some of the critical jobs in UK rail operations:
1. Track Maintenance Workers (Permanent Way Engineers)
Dangers: Working on live tracks presents risks of being struck by trains, heavy machinery, and tools. There is also the risk of working in all weather conditions, sometimes at night, in isolated areas.
2. Signal Engineers and Technicians
Dangers: Signal engineers and technicians work near live tracks and electrical systems. They may need to work at heights or underground in tunnels.
Managing complex signalling equipment with the potential for electrical malfunctions also poses risks.
3. Railway Operatives (Mobile Operations Managers)
Dangers: Responsible for responding to incidents on the rail network, such as clearing debris, resolving train breakdowns, and removing obstacles like fallen trees.
4. Bridge and Tunnel Inspectors
Dangers: Inspectors must work at heights or in confined underground spaces, often close to passing trains. They also work in potentially hazardous environments like tunnels and on large steel structures.
5. Overhead Line Workers (OLE Engineers)
Dangers: These workers maintain and repair overhead electric lines, often working at height and around live electricity. They need to ensure minimal disruption to train services, often working under tight time constraints.
All these jobs require a high level of training, adherence to strict safety protocols, and vigilance to prevent accidents & injuries while working in a potentially hazardous environment.