Network Rail Wales and Borders Route is taking a major step forward in the advancement of workforce safety by deploying Tended’s geofencing technology across its Maintenance organisation.
This initiative is the largest deployment of geofencing technology to date, with Wales taking a leading role in driving safety innovation in Network Rail.
This deployment, which forms part of Network Rail’s CP7 delivery plan, reinforces their ongoing commitment to improving the safety of their workforce. It follows successful pilots across the route, where standard operating procedures were developed to create a clear roadmap for integrating the technology into their business-as-usual processes.
Tended’s geofencing technology will support addressing key risks to trackworker safety by helping to improve location and situational awareness.
The rollout will see devices deployed for all Maintenance teams across the route working separated in line blockages or possessions as a priority.
The work activities for the deployment have been prioritised by risk, with a primary focus on teams and individuals working near open lines. By providing real-time alerts if they leave safe working areas and approach hazards like open lines, the technology enhances situational awareness which should help prevent irregular working and near-miss events.
The technology will also be used for supporting the correct placement of protection equipment, such as marker boards and possession limit boards, as well as supporting compliance with the line clear verification process.
Watch the video to learn how Tended's geofencing system works:
Steve Hood, SEW Programme Manager said: “Working on the rail infrastructure comes with risk and as this technology has developed it is only right that we give our colleagues the opportunity to benefit from that virtual tap on the shoulder to help them know they have accessed at the right location and help them stay within their protection. In time, Geofencing will just become another piece of PPE and its use whenever our colleagues feel that it will help them. In Wales & Borders we are committed to eliminating risk and where that is not possible reducing it to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) and Tended’s geofencing solution will really help us achieve that commitment.”
Leo Scott Smith, CEO and Founder at Tended said: “As a company, we’re driven by creating innovative solutions that help ensure every worker gets home safely at the end of their shift. That's why we're incredibly excited to see our geofencing technology being rolled out across Wales in this major project. It represents a significant step forward in the management of worksites where technology is supporting the safety and wellbeing of the people dedicated to keeping our rail network running.
Implementation Manager Ash Bayley, who will be leading the delivery, said: “Over the last 12 months, we have been working closely with a number of teams across the route to develop a strategy and framework that will provide frontline workers with several safety benefits. We will be working closely with the sections throughout this deployment to ensure they are supported as our technology becomes part of their normal working practices. Once fully deployed, I do not doubt that geofencing will play a part in making sure track workers arrive home safe and well at the end of each day.”
Tended has been working with Wales and Borders for the past 12 months, watch the video to see how we got on with its team in Wrexham:
Stay tuned for more exciting updates on this deployment over the coming months!
