Protecting trackside staff and lone workers with real-time video monitoring

The rail industry is a challenging and hazardous work environment, particularly for those working trackside or in remote locations. Workers often face exposure to extreme weather conditions, fast-moving trains and electrical hazards.

Although the Annual Health and Safety Report 2022-2023 by the UK Office of Rail and Road (ORR) showed some improvements regarding trackside safety, there were still 38 incidents of ‘near misses’ with trains, 137 reported injuries sustained by track workers and three fatalities.

The rise of employees working in isolation in the rail industry has also prompted growing concerns over lone worker safety and the urgent need for better rail safety management.

Given these dangers, implementing robust lone-worker monitoring software — such as advanced real-time video monitoring — is crucial to reducing the risks, improving trackside safety and, ultimately, protecting staff from harm.

The importance of safeguarding trackside workers

Trackside work involves various high-risk activities, such as conducting repairs, maintaining rail infrastructure and inspecting tracks — all while trains continue to operate on nearby lines.

This risk is amplified by exposure to harsh weather, fatigue from long shifts and the pressure of working against tight schedules. Workers are at greater risk of serious injury or death if they lose focus or are unaware of incoming trains, machinery malfunctions or other hazards.

In addition to the dangers presented by the work itself, trackside work is often conducted without close or direct supervision, making it difficult to ensure employees are working safely and following protocols. Without proper safety monitoring, workers may also struggle to seek help or report incidents in real time. These risks not only endanger workers but can also lead to costly delays and interruptions to rail services, affecting both passengers and operators.

Guaranteeing trackside safety is not only a legal obligation but also a moral one. Employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment and must prioritise the well-being of their workforce.

A comprehensive safety management system helps reduce these risks. However, more proactive measures, such as real-time video monitoring, are necessary to safeguard employees in remote or hazardous conditions.

How real-time video improves rail safety management

As railway infrastructure expands and staffing needs increase, implementing lone-worker safety solutions that can be monitored from central locations will become even more critical.

Traditional methods of lone worker monitoring rely heavily on scheduled check-ins via phone or radio, which can be inefficient and easily disrupted by communication issues or worker oversight. These methods also lack the immediacy needed to respond to sudden incidents. In fast-paced and dangerous work environments like railways, this can result in severe delays in addressing emergencies, potentially worsening outcomes.

Real-time video monitoring offers an alternative solution that provides continuous and immediate oversight.

By using cameras equipped with real-time feeds, supervisors can observe trackside work from a central control room, ensuring trackside safety even from remote locations. This technology enables 24/7 surveillance, allowing for swift responses to potential dangers.

Should a worker find themselves in a hazardous situation, such as an unexpected train arrival, dangerous weather or equipment failure, support can be provided instantly — whether through dispatching assistance or alerting nearby team members.

Real-time video feeds allow for instant assessment of a situation and verification of compliance with safety standards. Additionally, real-time video monitoring tools can detect if workers are using the correct protective gear or following designated safety protocols, further enhancing rail safety management.

Lone-worker monitoring software can also be integrated with video feeds, allowing for advanced features like motion detection, GPS tracking and emergency alerts. This technology ensures workers are continuously monitored without the need for close or direct supervision, helping to improve operational efficiency and reducing the risks associated with trackside work.

Lone worker safety solutions for remote locations

While real-time video monitoring is an effective solution for tackling trackside and lone worker safety, it comes with its own challenges.

Remote locations, where workers are often isolated, may lack the infrastructure needed for consistent video feed transmission. Poor connectivity, especially in rural or rugged terrains, can make it difficult to maintain a reliable live feed.

However, advancements in video compression technology have addressed these issues to deliver high-quality real-time video over wireless cellular networks — offering a more robust lone-worker safety solution even in challenging environments.

Unlike conventional video codecs unsuitable for transmission over cellular, AI-based network-aware codecs enable truly real-time video over mobile networks by self-optimising compression to deliver accurate, low-latency footage in congested or remote locations. This technology can support various camera outputs — from body-worn devices to fixed or mobile CCTV.

Enabling quicker response times and better coordination during emergencies, this level of real-time visibility is critical in safety management systems. Not only does this technology allow employers to remotely monitor worker activity, but it also ensures compliance with safety protocols and provides an additional layer of protection in the event of sudden accidents.

Ensuring lone worker safety and trackside safety is essential for the rail industry — after all, rail workers face an array of potential hazards. So, don’t they deserve to know they have an extra pair of eyes looking out for them if an incident takes place and they need assistance?

The risks associated with trackside work are significant. Digital Barriers’ AI-based real-time video monitoring solutions present an innovative addition to safety management systems. Suitable for use in building high-speed rail networks, these solutions enable rail operators to monitor lone workers without interruption — even in remote areas — to reduce the risks faced by isolated employees.