Rail ESM History

With the re-organization of the UK railway industry, YBSG was recognized as a 'cross-industry committee.' A protocol was agreed between RSSB and YBSG that enabled the new Industry Standards Coordination Committee (ISCC) to agree a remit and provide a funding mechanism for YBSG activities. During 2010, it became obvious that Yellow Book 4 was behind the times in terms of its risk assessment approach and that large-scale revision was required. It particular it lacked practical guidance on how safety can be achieved and assured in different environments. ISCC acknowledged that various other organisations had produced guidance for the UK mainline rail industry on risk management, in particular the UK Office of Rail Regulation's guidance on the common safety method on risk evaluation and assessment, and decided in early 2012 to withdraw Yellow Book 4. It has been replaced with guidance specifically tailored for use by members of the UK mainline railway industry; further guidance is being developed. However in the absence of anything more suitable being available to the Rail Industry, Yellow Book 4 is still widely used throughout the world, including non-mainline railways in the UK.

During 2012, with the support of MTR Corporation Hong Kong, TPD developed new safety management guidance to fill the gap left by the Yellow Book that addresses its weaknesses, whilst maintaining some of its valuable principles. This new International Handbook for Engineering Safety Management has been launched as the iESM and is designed for international usage.