The Light Rail Safety Standards Board (LRSSB) have developed new Safety Management System (SMS) to aid the whole light rail sector in the UK whilst also supporting the South Yorkshire Mayor Combined Authority (SYMCA) during the transition of the operation of the Supertram network.
With the SYMCA now in charge of the South Yorkshire Supertram network they had to undertake a Risk Assessment Maturity Model assessment to allow them to apply for non-mainline safety certification and the development of their own SMS. The LRSSB provided assistance to them for this and this also allowed the organisation responsible for enhancing safety on UK tramway’s to draw up a new SMS guidance document.
Mark Ashmore, Head of Safety and Assurance at LRSSB, said: “In addition to setting out the governance processes that are an essential part of a comprehensive SMS, the guidance describes the typical procedures to ensure safe operation of trams, as well as the safety of workers, passengers, and members of the public. It has been designed specifically for light rail systems and aligns with national and international standards, including ISO 45001 guidance on occupational health and safety management systems, the Office of Rail and Road’s RM3 framework, and guidance on the assessment criteria for non-mainline safety certificate and safety authorisation applications.
“We are extremely pleased that this collaboration has been mutually beneficial. It’s not only helped SYMCA obtain non-mainline certification but also assisted the LRSSB in the development of its SMS guidance. The invaluable information collected from within an active operational environment can now be included within both the new guidance and an Rm3 assessment tool.”
Gerry Masterson, Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Officer for SYMCA, commented: “We are very proud at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to be working with LRSSB in the development of this Safety Management System guidance document. We are hopeful that the structure this guidance provides will support South Yorkshire’s Supertram to lead the way in developing a SMS that will become a benchmark for the light rail industry.”