Siemens Mobility to improve rail safety education in schools across the UK: Siemens-Mobility School Outreach

17 Apr 2024

Siemens Mobility to improve rail safety education in schools across the UK

  • Siemens Mobility is working with Rail Safe Friendly – a social impact programme aimed at enhancing rail safety and reducing the number of trespass incidents. 
  • Over 4,000 UK schools are already participating in the programme. 

Siemens Mobility has continued its drive to improve safety across the rail network by partnering with Rail Safe Friendly to educate young people on the dangers of trespassing on railways in order to raise awareness, save lives and prevent injuries.  

By engaging with schools located near Siemens Mobility depots and projects, particularly those in disadvantaged areas, the company is committed to making a positive impact in the communities it serves. 

The Rail Safe Friendly programme provides schools and the rail industry with an opportunity to work together to improve rail safety awareness among young people  across the UK using content from Network Rail’s Switched On Rail Safety website.  

The programme was launched in 2023, following the tragic death of 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne who received a fatal electric shock after climbing over a fence to retrieve his football at a train depot. Currently, over 4,000 schools in the UK are participating in the programme, with funding support from various industry partners within the rail sector. 

Robert Evans, Health Safety and Environment Director for Siemens Mobility, said: “As an industry, there is more we can do towards promoting the safety of people on and around the railway. Education is key, especially for young people who may not fully grasp the potential dangers of trespassing on the rail network.  

Supporting the communities in which we work is really important to us, and by joining forces with Rail Safe Friendly and supporting their impactful educational programme, we are taking active steps to empower the next generation with the knowledge and awareness required to travel safely on the rail network every day.” 

Broadcasts are delivered through live or on demand content digitally into classrooms and assembly halls using the digital education provider Learn Live. The channel also has a moderated, GDPR compliant LIVE CHAT facility to promote interaction and involvement from the schools and colleges taking part in Rail Safe Friendly. 

Stuart Heaton, Managing Director of Learn Live and Rail Safe Friendly, said: “We are delighted to welcome Siemens Mobility to the Rail Safe Friendly programme. Their support means that we will be able to reach many more young people in delivering vital rail safety education in order to prevent injuries and save lives.” 

For further information please see: railsafefriendly.com 

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Contact information

Winnie Orbih

winnie.orbih@siemens.com
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Notes to editors

There are three levels to the Rail Safe Friendly programme for schools to achieve: 

  • Bronze level – A school will ensure that all pupils and teachers have watched the rail safety broadcast either live or on demand via the Learn Live channel. Schools will need to register to confirm their attendance and provide feedback after the broadcast has been viewed by the students. Schools will also need to sign up to the Switch On Rail Safety website to receive rail safety updates from Network Rail. 
  • Silver level – To achieve the Silver level, a school will need to have completed the Bronze level and have communicated to parents and carers the details of the rail safety broadcast. This can be done via newsletters, parent assemblies, school websites, social media channels or other forms of communication used by a school. The school will also be asked to promote the Switched-On Rail Safety website on their social media channels. 
  • Gold level – To achieve the Gold level, a school will need to have completed the Bronze and Silver levels and create a rail safety video, podcast or poster with their students to promote in their school and social media channels using a brief provided by Learn Live. 

About Siemens

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare.

From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers.

By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people.

Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare.

In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €77.8 billion and net income of €8.5 billion.

As of September 30, 2023, the company had around 320,000 employees worldwide.

Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.