CIRAS confidential safety hotline shares insights into health and wellbeing concerns that its reporting analysts have listened to in recent years.
In 2023/24, most concerns raised with CIRAS were linked to health and wellbeing. These types of concern are about how work could impact the health and wellbeing of the reporter, their coworkers, or others, such as visitors or members of the public.
Many of the concerns were about passengers or staff smoking or vaping in unsuitable places, creating an unpleasant environment and risking the effects of passive smoking. Other health-related concerns raised since 2023 have been about mould and damp, pests, pressure and workload, a lack of suitable handwashing or other welfare facilities, sewage, musculoskeletal risks, diesel fumes, brake dust, and ineffective procedures causing stress.
Reporting data
After someone raises a concern through our reporting channels – using our app, hotline, online form, or freepost – we arrange a phone conversation with them whenever they prefer. We listen carefully and impartially to make sure our report to the relevant company is as detailed as possible while protecting the identity of the reporter and anyone else involved. Reporters who use CIRAS always receive a response and can raise concerns through us for any company – not just their employer. If there is an immediate risk of harm, then more urgent or emergency reporting channels should be used instead of CIRAS.
At CIRAS, we collect reporting data by asking questions during our phone conversations with reporters. We aggregate this data – with no identifying information – to show trends or patterns that may indicate emerging issues for the industry to further investigate.
Working safely
Work can affect health and wellbeing both physically and mentally, and in the short-term and long-term.
The safety, availability, and effectiveness of tools can affect how we work. If equipment is damaged and we therefore aren’t using it as intended, it could also harm us. A tool might vibrate above the limit, or broken equipment might lead us to stand or sit in a way that causes musculoskeletal issues.
Work can impact mental health and stress. When it affects safety, we listen to concerns that ways of working or workplace culture could be negatively impacting mental wellbeing: for example, if there is a risk of distraction or fatigue as a result.
There may be hazards in the workplace such as fumes, dust or fibres, and toxic substances. Good occupational hygiene can control and address these, preventing illness and improving workers’ quality of life and long-term health. Stay up-to-date with relevant health and safety training and risk assessments. Follow safety information, training, and any control measures, but make the right call and raise concerns you have about training, information sharing, processes, ways of working, or anything else. If in doubt, it is worth raising a concern and getting a response.
Welfare facilities
We’ve listened to concerns about mess rooms, toilets, washrooms, changing areas or canteens. Some have been about unhygienic conditions due to a lack of running water or soap to wash hands. There have been reports about mess rooms not having enough space for taking breaks or not being cleaned regularly. Sewage leaks and recurring blocked toilets are other issues that prompt reports.
The reports led to faults being fixed, facilities upgraded, and new cleaning arrangements. They also revealed that limited communication between teams and a lack of clarity about responsibilities were some of the reasons for delays. At other times, reports showed companies that they could better communicate with staff about the progress of repairs.
CIRAS reports contributed to a previous Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) project on welfare facilities. The RSSB report published included an important reminder:
“It is important that employees do report concerns, directly or indirectly, to allow improvements to be made. Employees should be encouraged to report concerns openly though their line management or internal processes, through safety representatives, or through reporting systems such as Close Call or CIRAS.”
Pest concerns
We’ve been hearing more about pests: animals or insects causing a nuisance or potential harm to humans because of their presence or behaviour in the working environment. This has included pigeons, rats, mites, and wasps in a variety of locations: train stations, depots, and mess rooms.
Pigeon and rat droppings can carry diseases that humans can contract, and this is often what most concerns reporters. The presence of pests also impacts hygiene, especially where food is prepared or stored. Wasps can sting anyone in their surroundings, and some people may have allergic reactions.
The presence of one pest can encourage others. In one of our reports, a mite issue developed when they were drawn to pigeon droppings.
Pests can also introduce other risks. Rodents can chew through wiring, potentially resulting in electrical hazards, and we processed a concern about bird droppings creating a hazard on a railway station staircase.
Feedback on pest reports tends to be positive – with issues heard and resolved. We do encourage people to report these issues using company channels as they are usually the quickest way to get them resolved.
If you prefer to raise concerns in confidence or have tried to raise concerns through other channels without success, CIRAS is available.
Find CIRAS reports at ciras.org.uk/reports (or search online for CIRAS reports). You can filter by theme, transport sector, date, and type of location.
Find out more at www.ciras.org.uk/rightcall
