I dug out the figures on this,the risk to railway staff is vanishingly small - indeed it has been quite some time since someone has recieved a life threatening electric shock from a third rail traction supply.
The risk from retaining the third rail on this system - is negligible.
I agree with HSTEd's rebuttal of an earlier claim on the thread that third rail is dangerous. DC is far safer per passenger mile than AC. The island's third rail is an asset which should be kept & used.
I hope D stock with third rail pick up is used. Perhaps with batteries for back up & storing regeneration.
One problem is the track. The poor ride could be blamed on the primative suspension on the small wheel tube stock. The D stock rides better & will show the track is to blame for poor ride rather than the stock. But more regular tampering will sort it.