At COMET, safety is at the core of everything we do. Whether it’s helping organisations investigate incidents, uncover root causes, or prevent repeat failures, our work is driven by the idea that every risk prevented is a life potentially saved.
That’s why we’re excited to announce our partnership with Rail Safe Friendly (RSF), a programme that takes rail safety education directly into schools, helping children, teachers, and communities understand how to stay safe near the railway.
What is the Rail Safe Friendly Programme?
The RSF Programme, created by Learn Live and backed by key rail organisations Siemens Mobility, ORR and RSSB, delivers engaging video content into classrooms across the UK. It’s designed to teach students about railway safety in a way that’s age-appropriate, accessible, and impactful.
With thousands of schools and over 100 businesses already involved, the programme is fast becoming one of the most far-reaching educational initiatives in the rail industry.
COMET is proud to be sponsoring several schools across the UK to receive this content, some of which have been nominated by our own employees. These schools will be guided through different levels of engagement, from watching broadcasts to launching rail safety campaigns of their own.
Why COMET is supporting this programme
We work closely with rail companies across the UK, including Network Rail, who is also a strategic supporter of the Rail Safe Friendly Programme. Our software is used to support investigations, audits, and root cause analysis across the rail network, helping prevent incidents and improve long-term safety performance.
But beyond the tracks, we also recognise the role that education plays in preventing harm, especially among young people.
Steve Holmes, COO of COMET expressed enthusiasm about the partneship,
“As an organisation that works closely with the rail industry, we see first-hand how safety relies on both operational excellence and public awareness, Rail Safe Friendly brings that awareness right to the heart of local communities, starting with our schools. We’re proud to support this initiative and play a small part in helping give young people the knowledge to stay safe around the railway.”
Stuart Heaton, Managing Director of Learn Live and Founder of The Rail Safe Friendly Programme added,
"We are incredibly grateful for COMET’s partnership and support in our mission to enhance railway safety education. Their commitment is a significant step towards reaching more children and young people across the UK with vital rail safety knowledge. This collaboration truly demonstrates our shared goal of creating a safer environment around our railways for everyone."
This mission becomes even more meaningful when you understand the story that inspired the programme.
Harrison’s Story: A reminder of why this matters
In 2017, 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne lost his life after entering a rail freight depot to retrieve a football. He was electrocuted by 25,000 volts from overhead power lines, despite never actually touching them. The electricity arced and struck him. COMET is proud to announce its partnership with the Rail Safe Friendly (RSF) Programme, an initiative delivering crucial rail safety education to schools across the UK. This collaboration aims to raise awareness of railway dangers and promote safety among children, teachers, and communities. Read on to learn more about COMET's involvement, the importance of rail safety education, and the story that inspired this vital program.
Harrison lived in a quiet village with no railway station. His parents, like many, didn’t realise how close the railway was or how dangerous it could be.
“I had never realised that I needed to educate my children about the dangers of the railway,” said Harrison’s mother, Liz Ballantyne.
“Harrison didn’t touch the overhead power cables on that day. I didn’t know that electricity could jump and arc, and I doubt that he did either,” added his father, Drew Ballantyne.
Their story has become the emotional driver behind the Rail Safe Friendly programme and a key part of the educational materials now shown in schools. You can watch Harrison’s video, created by Network Rail, here:
Why is rail safety education important for everyone?
You might think rail safety is just for people who live near stations or work on the railway. But in reality, rail infrastructure runs through towns, suburbs, and rural communities across the UK, often with footpaths, bridges, or level crossings nearby.
It’s not just children who need to be aware of the risks. Adults of all ages often underestimate how quickly a train can approach, how silent it can be, or how dangerous electrified infrastructure can be even without physical contact.
And with increasing urban development, more people are living near rail corridors without realising the risks.
5 rail safety tips you might not know
- Electricity can arc through the air
You don’t need to touch overhead power cables to be electrocuted. High-voltage electricity can jump across gaps, especially if you're holding something conductive. - Trains can take over a mile to stop
Even emergency braking doesn’t stop a train instantly. By the time a driver sees a person or object on the tracks, it’s often too late. - Modern trains are incredibly quiet
Without the old chug and rattle, today’s electric trains can approach at high speed without much warning. Headphones or distractions make this worse. - Trespassing on the railway is a criminal offence and extremely dangerous
What seems like a shortcut can have life-threatening consequences. It’s never worth it. - Level crossings are not always automatic
Some require users to check and cross manually. Misjudging train speed or distance can lead to fatal accidents.
What’s next?
COMET will be receiving quarterly updates from the Rail Safe Friendly Programme, tracking how many schools and students have engaged with the safety content. We’ll also be celebrating the achievements of the schools we support as they move through Bronze, Silver and Gold safety accreditations.
Most importantly, we hope our support will contribute to a safer future, one where fewer families suffer the kind of heartbreak Harrison’s family endured.
If you'd like to know more about COMET’s work in the rail sector, including how our software supports investigation, audit, and root cause analysis, visit: COMET RAIL
And to learn more about the RSF Programme or how your organisation can get involved: RAIL SAFE FRIENDLY
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