RSSB providing new data insights in special reports

RSSB has said it is publishing a new quarterly report helping businesses get a better understanding of health and wellbeing performance.

The move is an industry first, the organisation says.

The reports are aimed at HR and operational decision makers, giving access to shared, aggregated data to assess and monitor health risks and benchmark progress against others.

RSSB says that its research suggests a greater than three per cent higher sickness rate in the rail industry compared to the ONS average. Highest on the list is mental ill health, something supported by analysis using the health and wellbeing index.

• RSSB and Worldline developing R2 for the digitally focused railway
• RSSB opens consultation on Sustainable Rail Strategy Prototype
• Hannah Kingsley appointed as RSSB’s new Chief Financial Officer

The report marks the beginning of a new era in health data-sharing by the rail industry, which RSSB says has been a winning strategy for rail over the last 25 years.

Health risks will be quantified in a way that helps wellbeing champions and budget holders target the right interventions.

That said, its experts stress this is early days, and the current report is the very first of its kind. Whereas it provides value to all HR and operational leads, it gives the most benefit to the 12 organisations who participated in the benchmarking that got their own customised, independent analysis and assessment from RSSB.

Efforts are continuing to ensure the improvement of the benchmarking and reporting process. By June 2024, the final phase of work will see the rollout of the system to the whole industry. Nevertheless, RSSB is keen to bring aboard new participants during this early research phase of quarterly reporting.

RSSB’s health and wellbeing specialist, Magdalena Wronska said: “Tackling the risk and cost associated with poor health is much more difficult without the right data to quantify them. This ground-breaking research and new quarterly report help industry take a huge leap forward in data capability and insights. It means board rooms and budget holders are better informed about the choices concerning policy and investment in health. And ultimately this means better employee wellbeing, and reduced risk and cost.”

The initiative forms part of the work RSSB does to help the rail industry work together through Leading Health and Safety on Britain’s Railway (LHSBR).

The research phase is still open, and any companies who wish to participate in the benchmarking process and quarterly reporting, should contact RSSB’s research analyst: Noodhir Sobun, via email atNoodhir.Sobun@rssb.co.uk.

Download article