What we do
The Safety Risk Model (SRM) is a comprehensive mathematical representation of 120 hazardous 
events which together models the safety risk of the GB mainline railway.
The SRM has been designed to take full account both of high-frequency, low-consequence events (like slips, trips and falls), and low-frequency, high-consequence events (like train accidents). It was developed using modelling techniques informed by a combination of incident data and expert judgement. Most of the data used to populate the SRM comes from the rail industry’s accident reporting into the Safety Management Information System (SMIS); a national reporting system provided and maintained by RSSB.
The SRM has been developed in the form of a cause and consequence analysis using fault trees and event trees to represent each of the hazardous events. Its power lies in its ability to inform decisions on safety priorities and assess the impact of possible risk controls
The causes and consequences of each event are modelled in detail, considering the railway as a whole, rather than concentrating on a particular route or operator.
The model is regularly updated under the stewardship of the SRM Practitioners Working Group, a body comprising representatives nominated by RSSB members. The results of the SRM are made available through the issue of the Risk Profile Bulletin (RPB).