Crossing the Railway

Adam Meredith HM Inspector of Railways

10 December 2008

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This is why we are here

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Our purpose today

To set out how you can protect people using level crossings at work.

Network Rail will say how they will be working with you to improve joint control of the risk.

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HMRI findings 2007-08

• Increasing agricultural production

• Bigger machines crossing more often

• Faster trains more frequently on all lines

• More crossing by all types of vehicles because

• Rural development, recreation, farms converted to dwellings, rural businesses

• Farming land being split up and sold off

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Inspection work on UWCsContinues this year….

• Emphasis on tackling misuse (enforcement)

• Inspecting the known users of crossings

• Expecting to discuss safe system of work for:

• Workers

• Visiting employers / contractors

• Larger employers

• National Bodies

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Steps in creating a safe system of work• Do you need the crossing?

• Can you eliminate the risk any other way?

• Understanding the controls

• Understanding the instructions

• Additional hazards

• Planning for foreseeable abnormal situations

• What to do if there is a problem with the controls

• Out of hours arrangements

• What to do in an emergency

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Understanding the controls

• Signs

• Written instructions

• Sighting

• Phones

• Warning lights

• Barriers

• Gates

• Surface

• Fences

• Trespass / cattle control boards

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Some common combinations

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Signage at this crossing

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Sighting – the basic control

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Sighting where a telephone is provided may be poor

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Telephones

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Other controls – MWL (UWC and FP)

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Gates, fencing and surface

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Other controls - surface

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Other controls – cattle panels

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Other hazards at crossings

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UWCs and your safety management system• Identify who is at risk

• Check controls

• What more can you do?

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How you can control risk• Pre plan operations

• Discuss with Network Rail

• Is there a window to work in?

• Ask for a railway crossing attendant

• Communicate to visiting workers

• Employ you own banksman / gateman / phone operator

• Consider locking the gates

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Things to include in briefings• Understanding the crossing instructions

• Understanding the method of work

• When to use the phone (and/or alternatives)

• Lack of pedestrian facilities – how to cross safely

• Adverse Weather – fog, darkness

• Abnormal situations / loads / vehicles / reversing

• Damaged, missing or malfunctioning controls

• Out of hours arrangements

• What to do in an emergency

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Testing your system

• All calls are recorded

• You can check whether calls have been made

• Observation of staff using crossings

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Controls at crossing

• http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/

• GI/RT/7012

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Finally

Safe use of the crossing will continue to depend upon you