Around 34% of 'over-three-day injuries' to Network Rail workers have been under-reported among staff and contractors since 2005, according to an official study.
The report by the independent Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) details the unintended consequences of management actions designed to improve safety and to increase the efficiency of contracting.
The report confirms that significant under-reporting has taken place and RSSB estimates that between 500 to 600 reports of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations (RIDDOR) reportable accidents have gone unreported at Network Rail between 2005 and 2010.
There were several causes of under-reporting, including misinterpretation of reporting requirements and fear felt by Network Rail staff and contractors if they reported accidents.
This was not identified by Network Rail itself because it believed that the significant efforts it was making to improve safety, including investment in protective clothing, quantified targets and league tables, were driving the numbers of accidents down.
The review also found no evidence of a link between under-reporting of injuries and bonuses for directors or senior managers.
It details a number of suggested actions that Network Rail could take to promote a better safety and reporting culture.
The study was commissioned in June after the industry regulator, Office of Rail Regulation, and trade unions expressed concerns over RIDDOR injuries being reporting by Network Rail were less than the actual number.
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