Corporate Health and Safety ArcelorMittal RS# 3 Work Environment Draft date: Oct 5, 2011 Rev 1.

Corporate Health and Safety ArcelorMittal

RS# 3 Work Environment Draft date: Oct 5, 2011 Rev 1

2

Summary• General subjects regarding work environment

• Definitions and terms

• Traffic signalling at entrances

• Rail way crossings

• Speed limits

• Loading and unloading

• Lineside

• Close clearance areas

• General traffic plan

3

General subjects regarding work environment • Seasonal impacts (e.g. rain, snow, …)• Visibility during day and night time as well

as difficult weather conditions (e.g. fog)• Impacts from production processes (e.g.

steam from cooling towers, fume, dust, …)

Recommendations and good examples !

• Rail tracks should be illuminated with high mast lights at night and in low light conditions.

• Brake distance is linked with the load of the hole block of cars including the locomotive and conditions of the tracks.

• Crossing a rail track during the winter season is more dangerous (slippery road/way conditions).

4

Definitions and terms (1/3 )• Track

The track on a railway/railroad, also known as the permanent way, is the structure consisting of the rail, fasteners, sleepers and ballast, plus the underlying subgrade.

• Level crossing / railroad crossing is a crossing on one level

– without recourse to a bridge or tunnel

– of a railway line by a road or path.

– are often "open" or "uncontrolled“

– manual or electrical closable gates (boom barrier) with or without flashing lights and signals that barricaded the roadway.

• Railroad switch is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another.

5

Definitions and terms (2/3 )• Railway signalling

is a system used to control railway traffic safely, essentially to prevent trains from colliding.

• Block signalling (Automatic block, Fixed block and Moving block)Trains cannot collide with each other, if they are not permitted to occupy the same section of track at the same time, so railway lines are divided into sections known as blocks. In normal circumstances, only one train is permitted in each block at a time. This principle forms the basis of most railway safety systems.

• Fixed signalsOn most railways, physical signals are erected at the lineside to indicate to drivers whether the line ahead is occupied and to ensure that sufficient space exists between trains to allow them to stop (mechanical signals , colour light signals, route signalling and speed signalling, approach release,….)

6

Definitions and terms (3/3 )• A position of safety

At least 3 metres (10 feet) away from the nearest line on which a train can approach• Lineside

You are on the lineside if:– you are between the railway boundary fence and the area called on or near the

line, and– you can be seen by the driver of an approaching train.You are not on the lineside if:– you are on a platform (loading bay, station,..).– You are not on or near the line if you are crossing the line at a level crossing.

• On or near the lineYou are on or near the line if you are:– within 3 meters (10 feet) of a line and there is no permanent fence or structure

between you and the line– on the line itself.You are not on or near the line if:– you are on a platform and you are carrying out typical work.

7

FPA questions - Traffic signalling at entrances• Level 0 – Question 3 [L0 - Q3]

Is there a clear traffic signalling at all plant entrances, which informs people there is rail traffic on site as well as?

– the rule of absolute right of way to rail traffic

– the rule of complete stop prior to crossing any rail track for all vehicles


• Rolling stocks have the right of way. Appropriate orientation, induction, training and signage must be available to ensure that all employees, contractors and visitors are aware of this rule.

• When on some locations and time the pedestrian rail crossing is increased, it can be possible to quit this absolute right e.g. shift changes at exits of departments

AM Hamburg

8

FPA questions - Rail way crossings• L0 – Q4

It is prohibited for not trained and not qualified people to be near to less than 3 meters of an open line.

• Vehicles must come to a complete stop prior to crossing any rail track(s).• Before crossing tracks, employees should look in both directions and not cross tracks behind or

ahead of standing cars or locomotives without having at least 10 feet clearance between employee and the above mentioned equipment. When authorized to cross or working around railroad tracks, employees should stop, look, and listen and cross at a 90° angle or perpendicular to the tracks.

• Employees must not crawl, or sit under cars, or sit on tracks or bumpers. When walking between a gap in parked cars or rail equipment, there must be a clearance of 20 feet between 2 pieces of equipment.


• Shared responsibility of rail crews and road traffic while crossing rail tracks. Do not insist on right of way in any circumstances.

• Safety training for all relevant people.• Surveillance cameras at highly frequented crossings.• Allow people and vehicles only to cross rail ways at appropriated level crossings.

9

FPA questions - Rail way crossings• L0 – Q4, Q5

In cases where a locomotive and or rail cars are moving into a pedestrian or road crossing, blind spot, congested/restricted (close clearance) area or approaching pedestrian or vehicular traffic, a crew member must ensure vehicular and pedestrian traffic is not present or is stopped before proceeding.

• The audible device on the locomotive must be used before crossings of roads and pedestrian walkways L2Q8. It may be necessary for the train to slow down or stop. When the locomotive is leading the movement, the locomotive operator must have full view of the road crossing or area before being able to proceed across it.

• If locomotive is not leading the movement, the ground person or person protecting the leading end of the movement, must maintain line of sight maintained on both sides of the crossing.


• Safety training for all relevant people.• Surveillance cameras at highly frequented crossings. • Always ensure that pedestrian and vehicular traffic or other

obstructions will not interfere with the movement.

10

FPA questions - Rail way crossings• L0 – Q4, Q5

Crossings may be protected by head-end protection, safety stops, or other warning systems to alert vehicles and pedestrians of the approaching train.

• No employee is to cross tracks when warning systems are activated unless the train crew operating the locomotive grants the permission.

• Walking on the tracks L1Q9, between the rails or stepping on the ball of the rail is prohibited.


• Marking of pathways to be used.

• Barriers, gates

• AM Hunedoara

Automatic gate, sensors are at the track in both direction, about 20 meters away from gate

11

FPA questions - Speed limits• L1 – Q2

Has a plan for rail traffic (with all the tracks for traffic, parking and marshalling, level crossings and line equipments) been defined in the basis of the HIRA with a clear signalling?Have adequate and safe speed limits been defined for all rail lines in all areas?


• Set speed limits in dangerous areas for vehicle on road and on track

• Speed must be adapted to the weight of the load and possible distance to stop the train.

• Speed limits must be the result of a risks assessment.

• Inside production facilities• Entrances / exits of buildings• Close clearance areas• Speed limits for specific areas (e.g. quays,

yards, …)

Shows one yellow number indicating the tenth of the speed allowed from the point where the following signal is found

12

FPA questions - Rail way crossings• L0 – Q5

Is each railway crossing clearly announced with the adequate signalling?Are all the railway crossings adequately illuminated?Is the visibility on the track left and right of the road good for all vehicles andpedestrian approaching the railway crossings?


• Gates, barriers• High-visible-signs• Road bumper in areas with lot of traffic• Speed limits for certain areas (e.g. quays,

yards, …)

AM Bremen

13

FPA questions – Lineside• L1 – Q8

Have safety rules been written for situations when duties require people to go on the lineside?The lineside is within the area between the rail boundary fencing and the point that is called “on or near the line”.Have those rules been written on the basis of a HIRA?Do those rules ensure the concerned people are protected from rail movements?


– For any work on or within 3 meters/10 feet of a railway track, a written permission is needed before the work starts.

– Every one that is required to work on or within a railway track must be protected from rail movements by track isolation.

– People working on these areas must wear adequate PPE based of the HIRA.

– For further requirements see AM Safety ST 004 – Rail Safety, clause 3

AM Bremen

14

FPA questions – Loading and unloading• L1 – Q7

Have safety rules been written on the basis of a HIRA for loading and unloading operations on and from wagons?Do those rules take into account the vehicles gross weight, the necessary load sharing out, wedging and stowing in the wagon?

AM Warsaw


• The wagons must be maintained in such a way that it is safe to work with or on.

• The loading platform must solid, well maintained, clean and dry.• The cargo securing points, in sufficient number, must be integrated

in the wagon construction.• The number of load straps is sufficient to secure the cargo. These

load straps are not worn or damaged.

15

FPA questions – Close clearance areas• L1 – Q11

Has a HIRA been conducted to identify close clearance areas around the track (limited clearance between the line on which trains or movements may approach and adjacent structures)? Are those close clearance areas clearly indicated with ban on entrance for vehicles and people?

• A risk assessment must identify any close clearances around the track (lateral and vertical). These must be properly identified with a posted sign that will be illuminated at night.

• Rail operators must not ride the side of rail cars, the side of locomotives, or ride in apposition where you could be struck by the close clearance point.

• Everyone must stay out of close clearances when operating or directing rail equipment movement.


AM Ostrava AM Bremen AM Warsaw

16

FPA questions – General traffic plan• L4 – Q1

Is there a general traffic plan with the inside and outside different traffics (all vehicles and pedestrian) on site? Is the rail network on the plan with all the traffic rules (speed limit, priority…)?


• Show areas with close clearance. • Add places where accidents

occurred in this map.• Easy access to this map should

possible for all relevant people.

17

Let’s all begin or continue to consider rail operation as a risky job

and let’s be especially careful when getting close to rail tracks!

Thank you!

Corporate Health and Safety ArcelorMittal RS# 3 Work Environment Draft date: Oct 5, 2011 Rev 1.

Documents

Transcript of Corporate Health and Safety ArcelorMittal RS# 3 Work Environment Draft date: Oct 5, 2011 Rev 1.