Personal Track Safety
Module 5
Accessing and Navigating the
Railway (On or Near the Line)
Topic 1
Keeping you safe
Personal
Many, many
Protective
hazards
Equipment (PPE)
Following a safety briefing and before they begin the walk on or near the line to the work site, the team
must make sure they are wearing the correct PPE.
As a minimum, everyone working on or near the line must wear all orange high visibility clothing, a safe-
ty helmet and safety footwear. Depending on the task, the team may also need to wear other items of
PPE such as gloves or safety glasses.
Personal Track Safety
Many, many
Location, Location,
hazardsLocation
The team locates the site of the work depending on the information provided to them, for example
signal posts, location cases or switches and crossings (points). This will be confirmed in the Safe Work
Pack.
Mileage Markers
Markers are here to identify locations along the track.
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Track Layout
To stay safe, the team must be able to identify the different parts of the track and lineside. Different
safety rules apply to each area, depending on whether the track is active.
Looking at this diagram, where might be considered a safe walking route?
Write your answer in the box below, and check it against the answer overleaf.
Personal Track Safety
Walking to the Work Site
The team makes their way to the work site via the designated safe walking routes. At different parts
of the journey this involves either walking in the cess at a safe distance of 2m (6ft 6in) from the line or
taking an authorised walking route.
As they walk, each member of the team is careful to follow safety rules. They walk in single file, facing
the direction of travel, are always aware of their surroundings in relation to the position of safety, and
look up every 5 seconds.
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Safety Signs
Along the route to the work site the team encounter several safety signs.
Red and white signs indicate something that
is prohibited or forbidden in that location, for
example limited clearance or no access signs.
Yellow triangular signs give warnings of possible
hazards, for example Overhead Line Equipment.
Blue signs indicate something that is mandatory,
for example no refuge.
Green signs provide information, for example
emergency phones.
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Prohibition Notices
A prohibition notice is one of the most important signs on the railway. If this sign is present it means
there is no safe access to this part of the track while trains are running, except in an emergency or if a
line has been blocked.
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Areas of Limited Clearance
“The team continue walking to their work site and reach a
bridge with a red and white chequered sign indicating an
area of limited clearance.
Limited clearance is an area where there is no position of
safety on that side of the railway.
As they pass under the bridge, they won’t be able to walk at
the safe distance of 2 metres (6fti6in) from the track. So the
team proceed using information contained in the Safe Work
Pack to walk around the obstruction.
This could be a planned line blockage that the Controller of
Site Safety (COSS) would put in place as arranged in the Safe
Work Pack.
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Crossing the Line
To reach their work site, the team will need to cross the line. First, they make sure there is no bridge or
subway nearby – if there is, they must use it as this is the safest way to cross.
The Safe Work Pack will identify the method of crossing the track – whether Line Blockage Protection (no
trains will be running) has been put in place or that authorised Lookout Protection has been arranged.
Know your destination
Before you begin to cross, make sure there is a position of safety on the other side of the line. You must
be able to reach the position of safety at least 10 seconds before a train arrives.
Be vigilant
Choose a place where visibility is not restricted and look both ways.
If you see a train approaching, stay in a position of safety, acknowledge the train as it approaches (by
facing the train and raising one hand), then watch it pass. Do not cross in front of it.
Take the safest and most direct route
When it is safe to cross, walk at right angles to the track – this is the shortest route to the other side.
Beware of crossing in front of stationary vehicles in case they start to move.
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Crossing the Line
Watch your footing
Avoid crossing at points as they can move without warning and you could get your foot trapped. Walk on
the ballast, not on the rails and sleepers as they can be slippery. Avoid any obstructions on or near the
line you are crossing, for example, rails, loose timbers, rods or wires which could be trip hazards.
Conductor Rails
If you need to cross a line with conductor rails, look for a location where there is protective guarding or a
gap in the conductor rail.
If you must cross where there is a conductor rail, make sure there is enough space to place your foot be-
tween the 4th rail and the nearest running rail. In some cases, you may need to step over the conductor
rail (the 3rd rail) and the nearest running rail together.
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Lineside telephones
Lineside telephones are all clearly labelled with instructions and location information. The signs on the
outside of the cabinets let you know what type of phone it is and how it can be used.
Types of Telephone
An emergency phone has a green sign. They are in
places of safety and can be used to call the emergency
services, the operator, or to report a fault.
A phone with a black cross on a white background is a
lineside phone, located in an area of limited clearance.
These phones are used by train crews. Sometimes they will
include another sign as well as the black cross – these have
different meanings and give additional information about
the location to Train Drivers.
The only time staff who are not train crew may use a
lineside phone is in an emergency as they are not in a
position of safety.
A black and white striped sign on a phone cabinet means
this is a signal post phone. Lifting the handset will
immediately call the nearest Signaller and inform them of
your location.
A yellow cabinet with a black phone symbol is a general
railway phone. They are often located at level crossings.
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Know your Signs
Knowing what you do now about signs along the rail, what
does this sign indicate in a position of limited clearance?
Write your answer in the box below, and check it against the
answer overleaf.
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Know your Signs
A ‘No refuges’ sign indicates that there is no position of
safety on this side of the line, but that there is on the other
side.
If there were safe refuges on both sides of the line this sign
would be red and white. An area where there are no safe
refuges would have a prohibition notice, meaning that no
one may enter this area while trains are running.
Personal Track Safety
Keeping yourself safe:
summary
Hazards and risks don’t just exist on the work site – safety procedures also apply when walking to and
from the job.
Everyone must wear the appropriate PPE before going lineside. At a minimum, this means all orange
high visibility clothing, a safety helmet and safety footwear.
Teams must walk in a position of safety – this is either a distance of 2m (6ft 6in) from the line, or via an
authorised walking route.
In an area of limited clearance, it’s not possible to walk at a safe distance from the line. These areas will
have signs to warn you if there are safe refuge points and where they are.
An area of limited clearance which has no safe refuge points is indicated by a prohibition notice. You
may not enter this area while trains are running.
If you need to cross the line, always follow the safety procedure.
Make sure there is a position of safety on the other side, look both ways to be sure there are no trains or
other vehicles, and cross at right angles to the line. Walk only on the ballast and beware of any possible
trip hazards.
Lineside telephones are labelled with signs to let you know what type of phone it is and how it can be
used. Phones in areas of limited clearance should never be used except in an emergency.
Personal Track Safety
Personal Track Safety
Module 5
Accessing and Navigating the
Railway (On or Near the Line)
Topic 2
At the work site
Know the line
Working on or near the line, it’s important to understand the features of the line and know what each
part is called. The diagram below illustrates a labelled section of track.
Fastening Ballast Fastening
Running Rail Sleeper Running Rail
Points
Some lines have features called points. These are sections of the railway where two lines meet and
merge into one (trailing points), or where one line separates into two (facing points).
You must take care when working around points, as they affect the safety of trains.
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Signals
Signals control the movement of trains. They are usually (but not always) located to the left of the line.
What types of signals can you expect to encounter on the line?
Semaphore signalling
Semaphore signals indicate the state of the line ahead to a Train Driver. If a red arm is in a vertical
position pointing either up or down, the train is safe to continue. If it’s horizontal, it means stop.
A yellow arm in the horizontal position indicates to a Train Driver that it is okay to proceed but they
should expect the next signal to be a red stop signal. A yellow arm in the 45 degrees raised or 45 degrees
lowered position indicates to the driver that the next signal will be showing safe to proceed.
Areas that use semaphore signals are not usually track circuited. A white diamond on the signal means
that track circuits are in use and there is no telephone at this location.
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Signals
Colour Light Signals
Each colour light signal displays an ‘aspect’. These are shown below.
A colour light signal is said to be ‘at danger’ if it’s showing a red aspect.
European Rail Train Management System (ERTMS)
ERTMS is a type of signalling where the driver has a computer display in the cab.
It’s currently only used on the Cambrian Line in Wales, from just outside Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and
Pwllheli. If you will be working on these lines you will receive separate training on ERTMS.
Within a possession
Keep in mind, when a work team has possession of a track and the trains have been stopped, the
signalling system is suspended.
Movements within a possession are controlled by verbal instructions and hand signals.
Track Circuits
If you are working near a signal, you must understand how the
track circuit works, and how it triggers the signal.
The railway is divided up into different sections of track, each
electrically isolated from the sections before and after it. Each
section contains its own electrical circuit, which controls a signal
located on the approach.
If there are no trains on that section of the track or on the one
immediately ahead of it, the signal will be green, indicating to
drivers that it’s safe to keep moving.
How it works
When the train enters a section of the track, it causes a short circuit
which changes the signal aspect to red. This tells the driver of the
next train that there is already a train in this section, and they
must wait.
As the first train moves along the next sections of the line, the
signal changes through amber and back to green, at which point
the next train can enter safely.
Why we need to understand this
The system is set up in this way that there can never be more than
one train in the same section of the track. But trains are not the
only things that can cause short circuits.
If a team working on or near the line accidentally caused a short
circuit (for example by putting a metal tool against the track)
the system would react as if a train had entered the section and
change the signal.
Disrupting the normal operation of the signal is extremely
dangerous as it would communicate the wrong information to train
drivers.
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Axle counters and treadles
You need to be particularly careful if the signal near the work
site uses axle counters and treadles.
Some areas use axle counters to count the number of axles that
pass into and out of an area. For example, if it counts 20 wheels
in it must count 20 wheels out. If it doesn’t then the signalling
system will keep nearby signals at danger.
Axle counters are easy to recognise because of the yellow
mushroom shaped junction box beside the line.
It’s important that your team must not allow any metal object
within 300mm (12 in) of an axle counter head.
Why do you think this is?
Write your answer in the box below, and check it against the
answer overleaf.
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Axle counters and treadles
The reason is bringing a metal object too close to an axle
counter head could affect the count and change the signal in
front of a train.
You must report any damaged or displaced axle counter heads
to the signaller immediately.
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Level crossings
If your work site is down from level crossing, you will need to understand the different types of crossing
and how they’re used.
Manually controlled level crossing
(Notice the CCTV Camera)
Automatic Half Barrier
Foot crossing
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On-Track Plant (OTP) and
On-Track Machines (OTM)
If there are OTP and OTM at the work-site, it is important to know this lifesaving rule for staying safe
around this equipment;
An exclusion zone is set up around the OTP and OTM, as they can have arms that move 360 degrees
and the driver may not be able to see you. Never enter the agreed exclusion zone, unless directed by the
Machine Controller who will be the Person in Charge.
Of course, it is imperative to apply all our life saving rules on and off the railway.
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Overhead Line Equipment (OLE)
There might be OLE above the line you’re working on, so take care.
OLE is electrified at up to 25,000 volts of Alternating Current. The cables themselves, all exposed parts
and anything hanging from them must be considered live.
You should walk at track level, using normal roads and platforms. Take care if there is a need to work
on embankments, structures or vehicles which could bring you to an unsafe distance within 2.75m (9ft)
from the OLE. Working with ladders or liquids can also increase the risk of encountering OLE.
OLE should always be considered live and dangerous. The workers must make sure they, their clothing,
tools and equipment are at least 2.75 metres (9ft) from:
• Any live or potentially live part of the OLE
• Anything hanging from the OLE
• Any broken or detached part of the OLE that is still connected, even if it is lying on the ground.
Treat any red bond wires that have become detached as live OLE and report it immediately to the
Signaller.
If a job requires an OLE isolation, the COSS will secure an Overhead Line Permit (Form C). Before
beginning work, the COSS will deliver a safety briefing to tell the team about the isolation and anything
that will remain live within it.
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Direct Current Conductor
Rail (DCCR)
In other parts of the network, you might have to work near a
DCCR.
The DCCR is raised higher than the other rails, and rests on
insulators that are fixed to the sleepers.
The conductor rail and its connections must always be regarded as
live and extremely dangerous. You must stay at a safe distance of
30cm (1 ft) away from it.
You must have been trained in working near the conductor rail
and assessed as competent before you can enter these areas. Use
insulated tools, troughs and appropriate PPE, and take extra care if
you’re working with liquids or near flood water.
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Signalling power supplies
A signalling power supply is typically 650v AC. This is then transformed into 110v, and sometimes into
other voltages for signalling equipment such as signals and points.
Firstly, never assume the equipment is safe.
There are approximately 75,000 Signalling & Telecoms location cabinets on the railway infrastructure of
which some may not be properly earthed.
An electric shock from a signalling Functional Supply Point can cause injuries, either through the shock
itself or by causing the worker to fall and be injured that way.
You should keep at least 300mm away from any S&T or line-side location cabinet unless your duties
require you to enter this area. Always test before you touch, using an approved voltage indicator.
Never undertake an activity unless you have been trained, assessed as competent and have the right
equipment.
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High risk locations
Network Rail has identified a design shortfall in some:
• Location cases
• Supply terminal pillars
• Functional supply points
• Relay rooms
This means that these items may not be safe to touch.
Because of the danger of electrical shock, Network Rail has issued the NRS 302 safety bulletin.
Do not touch or make contact with line-side location cabinets (unless your job requires you to do so and
you have tested the equipment first).
Contact with a cabinet includes:
• Leaning on it
• Placing tools against it
• Placing equipment on it or against it
• Lunch bags against a cabinet
You should also beware of using liquids around the cabinet.
Personal Track Safety
Staying Safe
Before you move on; What is the safe distance required for an
electrical line-side location cabinet?
Write your answer in the box below, and check it against the
answer overleaf.
Personal Track Safety
Staying Safe
If you are working near or passing a line-side location cabinet or
signalling power supply you must keep 300mm away from it, unless
your work requires you to enter this area.
If you need to interact with electrical equipment, always test
before you touch, and only undertake the task if you have been
properly trained and assessed as competent.
Personal Track Safety
Summary
Everyone working on or near the line must be familiar with the different features of the line, including
rails, ballast, sleepers, points, signals, conductor rails and OLE.
Different lines use different types of signals to let trains know when it’s safe to enter a section of the
track. A semaphore signal uses a physical arm to communicate to train drivers, while ERTMS transmits
the signal directly into the cab of the train. In a possession, the signals would normally be suspended,
with vehicle movements controlled by hand signals.
Track circuits and axle counters control the signals, which in turn control the movement of trains along
a track. You must be careful not to do anything that could cause a short circuit, for example leaning a
metal tool against the rail, as this could disrupt the normal operation of the signal.
OLE is electrified up to 25,000 volts AC. You must stay at a safe distance of at least 2.75m (9ft) from
any potentially live cables, anything touching it or hanging from it, and any red bond wires that have
become detached. Where possible, work at ground level, and never work above the OLE. Take care if you
need to work on an embankment or vehicle, as this could bring you close than 2.75m to the live cables.
You can recognise the conductor rail because it is raised higher than the other rails and rests on
insulators.
You must stay a minimum of 300mm (1ft) from the live rail. Be aware of the danger of working with
liquids, or if you are working near flood water.
Finally, signalling power supplies or location cabinets can be dangerous. Touching these cabinets could
give you an electric shock, which could lead to a fall. Stay 300mm away from supply cabinets, unless
your work requires you to enter this area. If you need to interact with one, always test before you touch
using an approved voltage indicator.
Personal Track Safety
Personal Track Safety
Module 5
Accessing and Navigating the
Railway (On or Near the Line)
Topic 3
Safe System of Work
Safe system of work
There are several safe systems of work that you might need to use when working on or near the line. The
team we’re following will be using a separated site of work.
Safeguarded
In a safeguarded system of work all lines are blocked to normal traffic.
Engineers’ trains and on-track plant can still make movements, but these are restricted and can be no
faster than 5 miles an hour.
Fenced
A fenced system of work uses a safety barrier to prevent workers from moving towards open lines. Staff
must stay on the safe side of the fence, not lean over it or place anything against it.
The fences usually involve driving metal spikes into the ground and stretching either blue netting or
black and yellow tape between them. Teams must take care before inserting the spikes that there are no
buried services on this stretch of line, such as electrical cables, which could cause injury or death.
Personal Track Safety
Safe system of work
Separated site of work
A separated site of work is safe if it is a minimum of 2m (6ft 6in) from the line. If there are more than
two people in the group, a site warden is appointed to give a verbal warning of any danger.
If you are working on a separated site of work and hear the site warden’s warning (either a verbal shout
of ‘get back!’ or a series of short blasts on a whistle or horn) you must stop work and make sure you are
still within the safe confines of the work area.
Open line working
Open line working uses a warning system to alert the team when a train is approaching. This might
be an Automatic Track Warning System (ATWS), Train Operated Warning System (TOWS) or Lookout
Operated Warning System (LOWS).
This system of work is only used when other safe systems of work are impossible and the work cannot
wait for a safer time.
Know the boundaries
Whatever safe system of work your team is using, you must make sure that you know what the safe
distances are in your location and how to get into a position of safety. You must be able to reach a
position of safety at least 10 seconds before a train passes.
Personal Track Safety
Keeping you safe
There are several people whose job is to keep everyone safe
when working on or near the line.
COSS
The Controller of Site Safety (COSS) is responsible for setting
up a safe system of work. Before the team begins work on or
near the line, the COSS delivers a safety briefing to make sure
everyone knows the necessary safety arrangements.
If at any time you have any doubts or questions about safety,
you must ask the COSS.
Site Warden
A Site Warden is responsible for making sure all workers stay
in a position of safety when the team is using a separated
site of work. Never distract a site warden. Their role is crucial
to keeping the whole team safe.
Lookout
A Lookout is sometimes used to warn teams working on
the open line that a train is approaching. Never distract a
lookout.
PiC
The Person in Charge (PiC) is a role that helps plan work
they are going to be overseeing. They are responsible for
operational and task risk when On or Near the Line. They
make sure the work is undertaken safely and accurately in
accordance with the plan.
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Warning!
Depending on the location of the work site and the safe system of work that’s been put in place, there
are different types of warning equipment that might be used.
Warning signals can include a horn, whistle, touch or flag. You must know what type of warnings will be
used on your work site before beginning work.
Automated Track Warning System (ATWS)
An ATWS uses lights and sirens and/or a personal warning device to warn workers of an approaching
train on the line.
Train Operated Warning System (TOWS)
A TOWS uses sirens to alert teams on the line that a train is approaching.
Lookout Operated Warning System (LOWS)
Like ATWS, the LOWS use lights and sirens and/or a personal warning device to let workers know about
an approaching vehicle.
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Warning!
Beyond or on the approach
A warning can come from either ‘beyond’ or ‘on the approach’. They indicate where the lookout is
positioned in relation to a fixed structure and the normal direction of traffic on the line.
• Beyond is on the far side of the signal
• On the approach is on the near side of the signal
Everyone working on or near the line must understand these terms as they are commonly used on the
railway.
Personal Track Safety
Summary
Before you begin work on or near the line you will be told which safe system of work you will be using.
This could be a safeguarded system where all lines are blocked, fences to separate workers from traffic, a
separated system of work or open line working with a warning system in place.
The COSS is responsible for planning the safe system of work and for delivering a safety briefing to make
sure everyone understands how it works.
You may also see Site Wardens and Lookouts on the work site – they are there for your safety, and you
must not distract them.
It’s important to know what type of warning equipment is in place. Depending on the type of warning
system being used, the signals might include lights, sirens or personal warning devices.
If a lookout is used, they may be using a horn, whistle, touch or flags.
If you hear the warning signal while working on or near the line, move to a position of safety
immediately.
If a team member is wearing ear defenders or it has been agreed that due to environmental noise such
as noisy winds or factories alongside the railway boundary the Lookout will warn the team member by
touch.
Everyone is responsible for their own safety. Make sure that you stay within the limits of your safe system
of work, and that you know what warning signals are being used on your work site.
It could be the difference between life and death.
Personal Track Safety
