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Setting the Standard: Delivering Safe, Compliant Isolations for Network Rail

Vital is one of the UK’s leading providers of Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) isolations, delivering full planning and delivery services on behalf of Network Rail. With over a decade of partnership, we’ve earned a reputation for safe, compliant, and efficient delivery, trusted by E&P Engineers and Works Delivery Managers across the rail network.

Context

Our commitment to precision, performance, and safety excellence has positioned Vital as a key partner in Network Rail’s national isolation strategy – and a pioneer in delivering the new Single Approach Isolation (SAI25) standard.

Safe electrical isolations are critical to maintaining and upgrading the UK’s rail network. Each one must be executed with absolute accuracy to protect workers, maintain service continuity, and comply with rigorous safety regulations.

Since 2015, Vital has managed the full planning and delivery of OLE isolations for Network Rail, supported by an experienced team based in Crewe.

Our Crewe office was one of the first nominated to deliver the SAI25 Single Approach Isolation Standard, a benchmark that will be rolled out nationally across all Network Rail routes by 2025.

The Challenge

Network Rail required a delivery partner capable of managing every stage of the isolation process – from planning through to execution – while upholding the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance.

Their objectives included:

Managing the full isolation lifecycle, from design to delivery.
Achieving incident-free, compliant operations under the new SAI25 standard.
Ensuring competency, right-to-work, and IR35 compliance across all workers.
Introducing automated fatigue and resource management systems.
Embedding a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Our Solution

Vital’s Isolations and Associated Services contract covers the complete end-to-end management of OLE isolations.

Planning and Coordination

Submission of verified Isolation Design Forms (IDF) and Safe System of Work (SSOW) packs.
Dedicated delivery teams, including OLE Works Delivery Manager, Isolation Planners, Nominated and Authorised Persons, and Earthing Assistants.
Workforce planning through Oracle/PeopleSoft Rail Planner, integrating Sentinel competency data, travel times, and real-time fatigue validation.
Proactive fatigue management linked to HSE and Network Rail standards, eliminating human error at allocation stage.

Delivery and Performance

180+ fully sponsored and trained E&P operatives delivering isolations across 13 UK depots.
Consistent 99.1% attendance and 99.5% documentation compliance.
All equipment (Earths, Poles, Testers) calibrated and compliant with Network Rail standards.
Weekly performance calls and monthly depot meetings with Network Rail for continuous improvement.

Safety and Competence

All planners trained to SIA25 level; full ERAR (Electrical Risk Assessment Reviewer) and ERAF (Electrical Risk Assessment Form Planner) competencies achieved.
Automated Fatigue Management System with 100% compliance.
Mandatory Drugs & Alcohol screening, Sentinel medical checks, and mental and physical health monitoring.
Deployment of Mental Health First Aiders across worksites.

Results & Outcomes

Vital has delivered measurable improvements across every key metric since 2015:

First company to deliver the new SAI25 standard for Network Rail Crewe.
One of the UK’s largest isolation providers.
180 experienced OLE workers deployed nationwide.
99.1% site attendance and 99.5% timesheet/COOM compliance.
Zero incidents or non-compliances recorded.
13 depots supporting localised, fatigue-minimised delivery.
24/7 on-call service, ensuring rapid mobilisation for planned or emergency works.

All isolations under the new SAI25 standard have been delivered incident-free and fully compliant, setting the benchmark for safety and performance.

Added value

Vital’s value extends beyond compliance. We innovate to improve safety, wellbeing, and delivery efficiency at every stage.

Safety and Wellbeing Innovations

Safety & Wellbeing Vehicles.
Over 20,000+ face-to-face safety briefings delivered on-site, reinforcing Network Rail’s “Everyone Home Safe Every Day” ethos.

Mental Health First Aiders.
Supporting early intervention and resilience.

LED PPE Lighting.
Enhancing night-time visibility and safety.

Mentorship App.
Tracking training and professional development across the workforce.

Track Chargeman Handbook.
Created with Network Rail to log experience and ensure correct skill deployment.

iPad Auditing.
Real-time PPE and compliance auditing with photographic evidence.

Digital Transformation

Oracle/PeopleSoft Rail Planner integrates fatigue, travel, and Sentinel competency data to automate scheduling, improve compliance, and reduce admin time.
Recognised as a best-in-class rail planning system, developed by Vital in collaboration with Network Rail stakeholders.

Client Testimonial

“On behalf of Network Rail’s Overhead Line Delivery Unit at Crewe, Vital has provided us with overhead line contingent labour and full isolation services for many years. They have consistently provided us with a timely and professional service, from a single operative up to a full isolation service, including planning, meeting attendance and isolation delivery.

“Over the last three years, they have provided the full isolation service on our behalf for the Crewe programme. This is a major rail project at Crewe comprising multi-discipline works, whilst at the same time, facilitating maintenance and third-party contractor works. This has resulted in the need to provide complex superseding isolations, including numerous blockades. They have undertaken all planning, resource and isolation delivery, which have been delivered in a very professional manner without incident.

“I have been particularly impressed with their safety culture and drive to deliver all services without accident or incident. Their management and staff are professional, knowledge and keen to go the extra mile to deliver the service that we expect as a delivery unit.”

– Lee Brown, Section Supervisor – Network Rail, Crewe