When you go out to work on track you expect to come home safety at the end of the day, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case. Rules and procedures are there for a reason and they must fully implement to ensure that death or serious injuries are prevented.
Performing labour on or nearby a railway track can be risky if safe working rules and procedures have not been appropriately implemented to protect the worksite. Trains cannot stop immediately and any interruption in the communication or management of a worksite can leave workers extremely exposed to dangerous positions.
Operational safe working on track involves a high concentration, preparation, and organization. Whenever there is work taking place on or near a track, management and interaction are essential. Before permission is granted to occupy or work near a track, it is essential that all information is clearly transmitted and verified between the Protection Officer and the Network Control Officer.
All personnel or contractors who enter the Rail Corridor whose movements will, or have the potential to, enter the Danger Zone must have successfully completed the respective training course and must hold a valid card authorization.
An adequate briefing about the work site and effective communications equipment must be made available to the track workers. For track personnel, it is essential to guarantee that all levels of worksite shield have been fully implemented before starting work on or near the track.
These briefings will be documented in a pre-work briefing form which personnel will be mandatory to sign up. If you do not know any aspect of the briefing, you should seek explanation from the person conducting the meeting.
High-visibility clothing
Wearing high-visibility clothing greatly increases the distance from which a person can be seen by approaching rail traffic. All persons entering the Rail Corridor must always wear approved orange high-visibility clothing. If approved high-visibility clothing is not worn, an approved orange high-visibility vest must be worn as the outermost garment.
In some cases, rail traffic activities are directed by flag and light signals. These signals are usually given by red and green flags or lights. To avoid any chance of disorientation, red and green clothing should not be worn by persons whilst in the Rail Corridor.
Drugs and alcohol
In Australia, trains companies are committed to protecting the health and safety of all personnel, contractors, consultants, customers, and members of the public by minimizing disasters, incidents or injuries. This responsibility involves maintaining an alcohol and drug free workforce while on duty. Safety is the importance.
Fatigue
You need to improve a knowledge of the physical and emotional effects that your hours of work have on you, your family, and friends. These special effects might impact on your safety and that of other staff, visitors, and customers. Tiredness may affect you if you are working extended or varying shifts, so make sure that you rest in your assigned breaks. If you think you are suffering from fatigue, you should immediately advise your supervisor.
The Rail Corridor
The Rail Corridor is the area from fence line to fence line – or where no fence is provided, the Rail Corridor will extend 15 metres from the outermost rail.
The two major components of the Rail Corridor are the Danger Zone and safe places.
The Danger Zone the Danger Zone is anywhere within 3 metres horizontally from the nearest track and any distance above or below these 3 metres, unless constantly in a safe place.
A safe place A safe place is a place where a person and their equipment cannot be struck by rail traffic.
Did you know? A freight train travelling at 80km/h takes approximately 1.5km to stop
Who’s who on the track
Overhead Safety Observer (OSO) A person competently trained in ‘live’ line protection and implementation who watches and stops plant from breaching safe approach distances to electrical infrastructure. can be identified by its orange helmet
Rail Industry Worker (RIW) As a RIW you are required to: be fit work at all times, carry your RIW card all times, always wear mandatory PPE, be free from fatigue, drugs and alcohol, always follow TFPC nd WGS instructions. can be identified by its white helmet.
Track Force Protection Coordinator (TFPC) A trained and competent person who assesses and implements worksite protection arrangements.
The success of an OH&S and environmental Management System ultimately rests on the willingness of everyone to cooperate and work collectively.
OH&S and environmental requirements include legal responsibilities, which, if not complied with may lead to penalties imposed on the company and individuals.
