Personal Track Safety

Module 3
Hazards and Risks

Topic 1

Spot the hazards and risks

Personal Track Safety

Severity and
likelihood of hazards

Working on the railway can be dangerous, so we must all be aware of the potential hazards and risks
involved.

What do you think some potential hazards are in this scen­ario? Write your answers in the space below,
and then check your answers against those on the next page.

Personal Track Safety

Severity and
likelihood of hazards

The trains themselves are the most dangerous hazards – they could be travelling at up to 125 miles per
hour. But they are also the least likely to cause an accident, providing you follow the correct procedures
and processes.

On-Track Plant (OTP) and On-Track Machines (OTMs) can be just as dangerous as trains, and they are
more likely to be a risk to you. Plant vehicles can move forwards and backwards and may have arms or
other equipment that can move around 360 degrees.

To reduce the danger, we set up exclusion zones around OTP and OTMs. They are created to prevent you
from walking into ‘blind spots’ where operators cannot see you.

For added safety, a Machine Controller (MC) or Crane Controller (CC) is allocated to each plant vehicle.
They are in two-way radio communication with the Plant Driver and will tell you when it is safe to move
past.

Never walk into an exclusion zone without permission from a Machine Controller or Crane Controller.

Personal Track Safety

Severity and
likelihood of hazards

Another potential danger is that of a runaway.

This is where a vehicle or piece of equipment accidentally becomes detached, then runs away until it
loses its momentum or hits something.

Some examples of rail plant that could potentially runaway:

• OTP
• OTMs
• Hand trolleys
• Trailers
• Wagons

Underfoot conditions are less dangerous but most likely to cause slips, trips and falls.

Uneven ground within the cess, raised tracks, cabling and equipment are some of the more common
hazards to watch out for when you’re on or near the line.

Manual handling incidents can also be dangerous, and just as likely to happen.

When lifting and moving equipment, always use the correct methods and tools. And always use support
if you need it.

Personal Track Safety

Spot the station hazards

Here's a picture of a British railway station – you might even recognise it. Study the image carefully.
What do you think would be the biggest hazards when working on that site?

Write your answers in the space below, and then check your answers against those on the next page.

Personal Track Safety

Spot the station hazards

Among the many hazards to be found when working in this sort of environment, the biggest ones are
probably:

• Bridges
• Public vehicles
• Multiple tracks
• Multiple points – track sections that move to allow trains to transfer from one track to another
• Overhead line equipment (OLE) – electrified cables

And by the way, well done if you recognised Newcastle station!

Personal Track Safety

Spot the MEWP risks

Which of these are possible risks that could be taken by people working on Mobile Elevated Working
Platforms (MEWPs)?

Write your answers in the space below, and then check your answers against those on the next page.

Personal Track Safety

Spot the MEWP risks

• Standing on the frame rather than the platform

• Not being appropriately harnessed to the platform
• Working at an unsafe height
• Working with a hooded top on

People who don’t use a harness and/or stand on the frame of the MEWP risk falling out and injuring
themselves…or worse. A hood can muffle sound and restrict vision which decreases the wearer’s ability
to detect hazards while working.

One of the biggest reasons we use MEWPs is they allow us to work safely at height.

Personal Track Safety

Summary
Hazards
Hazards are objects or situations that you should always be
on your guard against. These can include moving objects like
trains, vehicles, plant and machinery. Good work set-ups take
into account all of these, and more.

However, you still need to stay aware of the hazards of where

you’re working at all times – both for your safety and for the
safety of those you work with.

Risks
Risks refer to the things we do (or don’t do) that could
endanger us.

Never do anything that might put anyone in danger.

Responsibility
When you’re on site, you are responsible for your own safety
and that of your fellow workers.

If you’re ever in doubt about anything, ask questions. Don’t

take chances!

Personal Track Safety

Personal Track Safety
Module 3
Harzards and Risks

Topic 2

Top safety tips

Personal Track Safety

Always be
on the lookout

Hazards can be found in any railway environment, so you need to remain vigilant and identify them
before they develop into safety risks or issues. This will go a long way to keeping everyone safe.

Consider what hazards you might see while working on track. Where are they, and what risk could they
pose?

Write your answers in the space below, and then check your answers against those on the next page.

Personal Track Safety

Many, many hazards

Hazards come in many forms.

Trains approaching and passing are an obvious hazard, but others are not so apparent.

For instance, working in night-time conditions can be very different to working during the day.

Be aware of the weather conditions. Working in dry summery weather is very different to working in cold
winter weather.
And it could be raining, or snowing, or really windy.

Keep an eye out for uneven ground and hazards such as rabbit holes or heavy vegetation growing
towards the track.

The weather can also affect conditions underfoot.

Pay attention to limited clearances, overhead line equipment and direct current conductor rails and keep
a safe distance from On-Track Plant and On-Track Machines.

Finally, always wear the appropriate PPE correctly, first making sure it’s in good condition. And use the
appropriate tools and equipment for the work you’re doing.

Personal Track Safety

Take 5
No matter what your role is or where you work, take time out
to think about the hazards or risks associated with your work.
Thinking ahead can help you complete your activities safely.

Take 5 is a quick and simple safety check you can carry out at
any stage of an activity.

Before a task
Take 5 minutes to think through the steps of what you will
be doing. Identify any risks and make sure they’re removed,
reduced or controlled before starting.

During a task
Take 5 minutes to ask yourself: “Do I feel safe doing this task?
Are others around me working safely?”

After a task
Take 5 minutes to observe the work area and reflect on the
task. Can any improvements be made?

Personal Track Safety

Personal Protection
Equipment (PPE)

Always select and use the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). No matter what task must
be completed during shift, certain PPE must always be included.

What PPE do you think are always included? Write your answers in the space below, and then check your
answers against those on the next page.

Personal Track Safety

Personal Protection
Equipment (PPE)

Depending on the task to be completed during your shift, this must include:

• Hard hats
• High visibility (hi-vis) clothing
• Safety footwear, gloves and safety spectacles

Make sure all of these are clean, correctly fastened and worn properly.

Personal Track Safety

Reporting safety
concerns
Safety is of prime importance. So if you have any concerns
about the safety of yourself or others, you must report them.
There are a variety of ways you can do this.

Task-related safety
Report any concerns about the safety of a task to the
Controller of Site Safety (COSS). They are responsible for
identifying the hazards and risks at a work location and on
the route to it. They will welcome any further information and
act on your concerns.

If the issue has not been resolved to your satisfaction, you

should put the Worksafe Procedure into action.

Person-related safety
If you feel anyone, fellow worker or other person, might be
endangering themselves or others, report your concerns to
the Controller of Site Safety (COSS). They are in charge of
implementing Safe Systems of Work and will deal with the
matter promptly.

CIRAS
If you have a safety concern, but feel you can’t use internal
reporting channels, or have tried without success, you can
use the Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis Service
(CIRAS).

This independent organisation will protect your identity and

raise your concerns with any railway organisation for resolu-
tion. They will also keep you in the loop, so you know what
action has been taken.

Personal Track Safety

Personal Track Safety
Module 3
Hazards and Risks

Topic 3

Supporting you

Personal Track Safety

Top-up challenge
Why do we set up exclusion zones around
On-Track Plant and On-Track Machines?

Exclusion zones are actually set up to prevent accidents

occurring where plant and machine operators have limited
visibility.

Task-related safety
All of the below are hazards you might encounter when
working on or near the line.

Personal Track Safety