Network Rail fined £3.75m following Margam worker deaths
Network Rail has been fined £3.75m after two track workers were killed when they were struck by a train near Port Talbot.
Maintenance workers Michael Lewis, 58, and Gareth Delbridge, 64, died when they were hit by a passenger train on the line between Port Talbot Parkway and Margam on 3 July 2019.
An investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found that a number of safety failures contributed to the deaths of the two men.
The RAIB found that Network Rail had failed to properly assess the risks associated with the work being carried out, and had not put in place adequate safety measures to protect the workers.
The investigation also found that the workers had not been properly trained or supervised, and that they were not wearing the correct safety clothing.
Network Rail pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching health and safety law at Cardiff Crown Court, and has been ordered to pay £3.75m in fines.
The company has also been ordered to pay £150,000 in costs.
Speaking after the hearing, Office of Rail and Road (ORR) chief inspector of railways Ian Prosser said: “Today’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of Network Rail’s failings in this tragic case.
“Network Rail failed to properly assess the risks and put in place adequate safety measures to protect their workers. As a result, two men lost their lives.
“We will continue to work with Network Rail and the industry to ensure that lessons are learned from this tragedy and that such a devastating incident never happens again.”
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We deeply regret the tragic events of 3 July 2019, and we offer our heartfelt apologies to the families, friends, and colleagues of Michael Lewis and Gareth Delbridge.
“We accept the court’s decision and we are committed to learning from this terrible incident and making sure such a tragedy never happens again.”
The spokesperson said that Network Rail has already made a number of changes to its safety procedures in the wake of the incident, including:
- Reviewing and updating its risk assessments for all track work
- Improving the training and supervision of track workers
- Providing track workers with better safety clothing and equipment
- Installing new safety devices on the railway
The spokesperson said that Network Rail will continue to work with the ORR and other industry stakeholders to improve safety on the railway.
Network Rail fined £3.75m following Margam track worker deaths
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