Case study: emergency skills fade
08 July 2025
New working-at-height training structure and practice shifts made available.
Staff working at height have refresher training every two years to maintain competency and skills, including practising a rescue of someone at height using specialist equipment. Trainers delivering this course recommend staff practise a rescue with the equipment regularly between training to avoid skills fade. However, there is never any opportunity for this at the Ipswich delivery unit (DU) covering Colchester, Ipswich, and Norwich.
Without regular familiarisation, it would be easy to forget. This could impact the ability to respond quickly in a working-at-height emergency, when speed is critical. The casualty can suffer from suspension trauma if left suspended from the harness. Staff would benefit from a six-monthly practice session and local working-at-height training structures for easy access.
Network Rail said conversations at Ipswich DU safety meetings had led to action. There is a working-at-height training structure at Ipswich and Norwich depots, and now also in Colchester. A portable training facility is available, too.
The working-at-height standard states the nominated competent rescuer should have practised in the last six months and that competent staff can practise during quieter shifts. Network Rail has now allocated specific time slots.