To further improve safety on site, the South Rail Systems Alliance (SRSA) collaborated with the Occupational Psychology Centre (OPC) on workshops focused on safety culture.

Developed and implemented over the course of 2025/2026, the training course is a large-scale programme of behavioural safety workshops involving staff of all levels across the SRSA and our trusted supply chain, including directors, senior leaders, project managers, designers, engineers, supervisors and frontline workers.

 These bespoke workshops explored how operational change, behavioural factors and routine adaptations can influence decision-making and safety performance over time.

Psychological safety formed another key element of the programme, underpinned by our ‘Free to be Safe’ initiative. The workshops reinforced the importance of creating an environment where colleagues felt empowered to stop work, question unsafe decisions, challenge assumptions and speak up when something didn’t feel right.

Over 20 workshops have been undertaken across our UK sites since late 2025, with initial safety data showing improvements, particularly in a reduction in Lost Time Injury Frequence Rate and Fatality Weighted Index incidents.

Speaking on the intricacies of the workshops, Paul Taylor, Safety and Sustainability Director at Colas Rail UK, says “The SRSA is clearly setting the benchmark as we continue to evolve our safety culture. Safety can sometimes be perceived as a culture of compliance, but with these workshops fostering and expanding our ‘Free to be Safe’ messaging, our teams are empowered to speak up, challenge and stop work if they feel it is necessary to do so.

“Accidents generally don’t occur because people don’t know the risk controls, they happen when events or routine focus our minds elsewhere. The results from this training programme shows its effectiveness, I’m delighted to see so much engagement and the key messages taken away from those who have taken part.”

Laura Hedley, Head of Consultancy and Talent Services at the OPC concluded “The workshops reinforced that behavioural safety is not separate from operational delivery. It is part of it. Helping people recognise how change can quietly influence behaviour and decision-making is incredibly important.

“What stood out with SRSA was the openness to bring together cross-functional teams and suppliers, creating honest conversations and a shared ownership that helps strengthen safety culture over time.”

First published: 14th July 2026