RAIB reports delayed?

[mxtt.prior]

I’ve been wondering if there is some kind of delay/backlog/understaffing at RAIB at the moment.

Historically there seems to have been ~1 report or safety digest published a month, but it’s now been 3 months since the last published report I can see (on https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports)

Coincidentally I seem to be seeing a few ads for positions at RAIB recently (see also https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/raib-inspector-role.292939/).

Is a 3 month gap between reports normal? Or is something causing a delay?
One would presume that the sooner reports are able to be published after incidents, the sooner any required safety critical learning points can be implemented, so delays to reports can’t be a good thing.

 

[Bigfoot]

The Salisbury collision report took two years to be published.

I'd prefer detail and accuracy over 'well the timers up that will do for that report'.

 

[james_the_xv]

Reports are published when they are ready. Although if urgent safety advice needs to be published based off initial investigations this is done separately.

 

[norbitonflyer]

....or it may just be that there have been fewer incidents of late. The outputs of reports will always be lumpy, both for that reason and because some reports take longer than others. You may get two report issued in quick succesison, relating to separate incidents many months - or even years - apart.

 

[Mojo]

If you look at reports issued thus far this year you have:
01 - relating to an incident 13 months earlier
02 - 10 months
03 - 12 months
04 - 11 months
05 - 11 months
06 - 12 months
07 - 11 months

And for Safety digests:
01 - relating to an incident 4 months earlier
02 - 4 months
03 - 4 months
04 - 3 months

If you look at the Raib's current investigations page (https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...t-investigation-branch-current-investigations), the oldest incident which is awaiting a Safety digest occurred less than 3 months ago, and the oldest incident awaiting a report is approaching 14 months. I know this is only 10 months data, but nothing within it suggests to me that they are currently experiencing a backlog or any sort of delay.

 

[Dr Hoo]

RAIB used to have a firm aim of not exceeding a year (except for the most complex investigations or perhaps if there was a similar incident that it was sensible to conflate). Recent experience has been pretty typical.

 

[norbitonflyer]

If you look at reports issued thus far this year you have:
01 - relating to an incident 13 months earlier
02 - 10 months
03 - 12 months
04 - 11 months
05 - 11 months
06 - 12 months
07 - 11 months

And for Safety digests:
01 - relating to an incident 4 months earlier
02 - 4 months
03 - 4 months
04 - 3 months

If you look at the Raib's current investigations page (https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...t-investigation-branch-current-investigations), the oldest incident which is awaiting a Safety digest occurred less than 3 months ago, and the oldest incident awaiting a report is approaching 14 months. I know this is only 10 months data, but nothing within it suggests to me that they are currently experiencing a backlog or any sort of delay.

So it would appear that what we are seeing is a lack of reportable incidents in the second half of 2024. Which is surely something to be welcomed!

 

[RUK]

The RAIB are recruiting for new Inspectors at the moment, so perhaps they’re short-staffed:

For those fancying a change, the RAIB is looking for new Inspectors, closing date 2nd November

We're recruiting Inspectors of Rail Accidents

We're looking for people who are interested in making a significant contribution to railway safety in the United Kingdom to join our team

www.gov.uk

 

[ainsworth74]

If you look at the Raib's current investigations page (https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...t-investigation-branch-current-investigations), the oldest incident which is awaiting a Safety digest occurred less than 3 months ago, and the oldest incident awaiting a report is approaching 14 months. I know this is only 10 months data, but nothing within it suggests to me that they are currently experiencing a backlog or any sort of delay.

Reckon we're probably getting a report soon as well. The investigation into the accident at Bourneview footpath crossing is shown as "Consulting" which suggests the report is complete in draft form and they're seeking comments from relevant parties prior to finalisation. Obviously that can take some time but certainly suggests that it probably is going to be next one that appears.

 

[edwin_m]

So it would appear that what we are seeing is a lack of reportable incidents in the second half of 2024. Which is surely something to be welcomed!

Five reports (of all types) for incidents between 1/7/2024 and 31/12/2024. However there are four investigations from this period still in progress, giving a total of nine investigations initiated.
Nine reports for the same period in 2023 and no investigations in progress, so the same number of investigations.
But 13 reports (no investigations in progress) for the first half of 2024 and 11 for the first half of 2023.

I can't think of any reason why there should be more incidents during the first half of the year - in fact considering leaf fall I'd expect the opposite.