ABSTRACT
Information provided by the driver often provides a critical component of the SPAD investigation process. Thus, the ability of driver managers, who usually undertake the initial interview with the driver, to obtain accurate and detailed information is of great importance. However, this is one area where little attention has been paid in terms of the process or indeed the skills and knowledge of those undertaking the interview. Following the Ladbroke Grove accident in 1999, the rail industry, and in particular Network Rail, was criticised over the quality of SPAD investigations, especially with regard to identifying any contributory human factors. As a result of the work undertaken to improve consideration of human factors in investigations, it became apparent that the issue was not always that investigators failed to understand what the human factors issues might have been, but that complete and accurate information was difficult to obtain, or was not forthcoming. This chapter describes the work undertaken to identify good post-incident interviewing practice that could be adopted by the rail industry.
