Safety at worksite and

General Rules
and
Subsidiary Rules
(G & SR)
BASED ON G&SR OF WR
 IMPORTANCE OF GR

CRS / CCRS draw their powers from

(1) Railway Act
(2) G&SR
(3) SOD

These are non-negotiable

Thus all sanctions granted by CRS/CCRS,
based on the above documents are sacrosanct
 GENERAL
• Latest General Rules are of 1976 (Last revision in
1929)
• General Rules (GR) are applicable to all Zonal
Railways and Zonal Railways are not authorized to
alter GR
• Subsidiary rules (SR) are framed by Zonal
Railways, which must be in conformity with
General Rules
• Only COM is authorized to alter SR
 CHAPTERS IN G&SR
1. Definitions, Classification of stations
2. Rules applicable to Railway servants
3. Signals
4. Working of trains generally
5. Control and working of stations
6. Accidents and unusual occurrences
7. Systems of working
8. Absolute block system
9. Automatic block system
 CHAPTERS IN G&SR
10. Following train system
11. Pilot guard system
12. Train staff and ticket system
13. One train only system
14. Block working
15. Permanent way and works
16. Level Crossings
17. Working of trains on Electrified sections
18. Misc.
 DEFINITIONS
• “Act” means the Railway Act 1989
• Adequate Distance- sufficient to ensure safety.
• Block Section- between two block stations – no entry without line
clear.
• Fouling Mark- at which the infringement of fixed standard dimensions
occur.
• Intermediate Block Signalling- long block section is split into two on
double line.
• Isolation- protection to line by setting of points or by other approved
means from other connected lines.
• “Interlocking” means an arrangement of signals, points and other
appliances, operated from a panel or lever frame, so interconnected
by mechanical locking or electrical locking or both that their
operation must take place in proper sequence to ensure safety
• “Track Circuit”- electrical circuit provided to detect presence of a
vehicle on a portion of track.
• “Material train” means a departmental train intended solely or mainly
for carriage of railway material when picked up or put down or for
execution of works, either between stations or within station limits;
• “Multiple-aspect signaling” means a signaling arrangement in which
signals display at any one time any one of the three or more aspects
and in which the aspect of every signal is pre-warned by the aspect
of the previous signal or signals;
• “Running line” means the line governed by one or more signals and
includes connections, if any, used by a train when entering or leaving
a station or when passing through a station or between stations;
‘Gangman’ means a railway servant employed on permanent way or work
connected therewith;
‘Gangmate’ means the person in charge of a gang of workmen employed
on permanent way or work connected therewith;
‘Gateman’ means a competent railway servant posted at a level crossing
for working the gates;
‘Inspector of Way or Works’ means any Inspector or Assistant Inspector
responsible for the construction or maintenance of permanent way, points
and signals, bridges or other works
connected therewith;
‘material train’ means, a departmental train intended solely or mainly for
carriage of railway material when picked up or put down or for execution
of works, either between stations or within station limits;
2.01 SUPPLY OF COPIES OF RULES – The Railway Administration
shall supply a copy of these Rules to each railway servant on whom
any definite responsibility is placed by the said rules, a copy of the
rules, or of such portions thereof as relate to his duties

2.02 UPKEEP OF THE COPY OF RULES

2.03. KNOWLEDGE OF RULES – Every railway servant shall--

(a) be conversant with the rules relating to his duties whether supplied
or not with a copy or translation of the rules relating to his duties and
the Railway Administration shall ensure that he does so,
(b) pass the prescribed examinations, if any,
(c) satisfy himself that the staff working under him have complied with
clauses (a) and (b), and
(d) if necessary, explain to the staff working under him, the rules so far
as these apply to them.
2.11 DUTY FOR SECURING SAFETY.—
(1) Every railway servant shall see that every exertion is made for
ensuring the safety of the public, promptly report to his superior, any
occurrence affecting the safe or proper working of the railway which
may come to his notice and render on demand all possible assistance
in the case of an accident or obstruction.

(2) Every railway servant who observes any obstruction, failure or

threatened failure of any part of the way or works or any thing wrong with
a train, or any unusual circumstances likely to interfere with the safe
running of trains, or the safety of the public, shall take immediate steps,
such as the circumstances of the case may demand, to prevent accident ;
and where necessary, advise the nearest Station Master by the quickest
possible means;

Provided that in the case of a train having parted, he shall not show a
Stop hand signal but shall endeavour to attract the attention of the Loco
Pilot or Guard by shouting, gesticulating or other means.
• 2.11: Driver Experiencing Lurch
• Stop at next station
• Hand over memo to SM and also suggest speed. On single
line
• SM to advice SM of adjoining station, PWI, Section
controller. SMs to stop all trains and issue caution order
specifying KM and SR
• Trains to pass at 15 kmph or such less speed as specified
by driver
• Flasher light on double line
 Signals
• Fixed, Hand, Detonating and Flare
• Significance of each signal:
• Red: Stop
• Yellow: caution : Proceed and be
prepared to stop at next stop signal
• Double yellow: Attention : Proceed and
be prepared to pass next signal at
restricted speed as prescribed by special
instructions
• Green : Proceed
• Hand Signals: Includes hand signs, flag, light, whistle
• 3.64 KNOWLEDGE AND POSSESSION OF DETONATORS
All Station Master, Guards, Loco Pilots, Gangmates, Gatemen and
all other railway servants on whom this duty is laid by the Railway
Administration, shall keep a stock of detonators.

• Banner flag is temporary fixed danger signal

• Banner flags shall not be less than 150 centimetres long and 45
centimetres wide. They shall be stretched across the track on poles
not less than 1.5 metres high at an adequate distance from the spot,
which they are intended to protect.
4.07 SUPPLY OF WORKING TIME TABLE AND SCHEDULE OF
STANDARD DIMENSIONS.-
(1) A copy of the Working Time Table for the time being in force shall be
supplied to each station, Guard, Loco Pilot, Inspector of Way or Works and
any other railway servant requiring the use of the Working Time Table
during the course of his duties.
(2) A copy of the Working Time Table shall, on issue, be supplied to the
Commissioner of Railway Safety.
(3) A copy of the Schedule of Standard Dimensions for the time being in
force shall be supplied to each Inspector of Way or Works and Section
Engineer (C&W).
 4.08 LIMITS OF SPEED GENERALLY.—
(1) (a) Every train shall be run on each section of the railway within the
limits of speed sanctioned for that section by approved special
instructions.
(b) The sectional speed sanctioned and permanent speed restrictions
shall be shown in the Working Time Table.
(c) The Loco Pilot shall observe the sanctioned speed except when either
one speedometers in case of electric loco or two speedometers in case of
other locomotives are defective.
In such cases of defective speedometers both the maximum permissible
speed and booked speed of coaching trains shall be reduced by ten
percent from the speed otherwise permissible.
 4.09 Caution Order
• When engineering works or repairs are undertaken.
• When lurch is reported by the driver.
• When any patrolman does not report within 15 minutes of
his schedule arrival at station.
• When unsafe condition of bund or river.
• When water level rises over the DL marked on bridge.
• When gate signals outside station limits are reported to be
defective.
• Trolly/ Lorry working in the section, as required under the
rules.
• ……………
• Any other condition necessitating issuing of caution order.
4.62 WORKING OF A MATERIAL TRAIN IN A BLOCK SECTION:
A material train shall be worked only with the permission of
Station Masters on each side and in accordance with special
instructions.
4.65 WORKING OF TRACK MAINTENANCE MACHINES: Track
laying or on track tamping or maintenance machines shall be
worked only with the permission of the Station Master and in
accordance with special instructions.
6.10 FIRE: A railway servant noticing a fire, likely to result in
loss of life or cause damage to property, shall take all possible
steps to save life and property, to prevent it from spreading
and to extinguish it.
 15. Permanent Way and Works
15.02-Maintenance of Line:
Each Inspector of Way or Works shall –
(a) see that his length of line or works in his charge are efficiently
maintained, and
(b) promptly report to the Engineer-in-charge all accidents to, or
defects in the way or works, which he considers likely to
interfere with the safe running of trains, at the same time taking
such action as may be necessary to prevent accidents.
15.03. Keeping of material - Each Inspector of Way or Works
shall see to the security of all rails, chairs, sleepers, and other
material in his charge, and ensure that such of the said articles
as are not actually in use are properly stacked clear of the line
so as not to interfere with the safe running of trains.
15.07. Work in thick, foggy weather impairing visibility:
• In thick, foggy or tempestuous weather impairing visibility,
no rail shall be displaced and no other work which is likely
to cause obstruction to the passage of trains shall be
performed, except in case of emergency.
15.09. Showing of signals -
Work of Short duration – Stop Dead & Go
15.09. Showing of signals -
Work of Short duration – Stop Dead & Go
Work of Short duration – Reduced Speed
Work of Short duration – Reduced Speed
Engineering Indicators
Work of long duration - With Stop dead and proceed
Work of long duration - With reduced speed
 15.12. Knowledge of signals and equipment of gang -
Each Inspector of Way or Works shall see -
(a) that every Gangman and Gangmate employed under him has a correct
knowledge of hand signals and detonating signals; and
(b) that every gang employed in his length of line is supplied with a
permanent way gauge, two sets of flag signals, two hand signals lamps
and twelve detonators, in addition to such other tools or implements as
may be prescribed by special instructions.
15.14. Responsibility of Gangmate - Each Gangmate shall -
(a) see that his length of line is kept safe for the passage of trains;
(b) that the signals supplied to him are kept in proper order & ready for use;
(c) that the men in his gang each have a correct knowledge of hand signals
and detonating signals;
(d) trespassing……
(e) when repairing, lifting or lowering the line or when performing any other
operation which shall make it necessary for a train to proceed cautiously,
himself be present at the spot and be responsible that the caution signals
prescribed in Rules are shown.
 The Working of Lorries, Trollies and Motor Trollies
15.18. Distinction between trolly, lorry and motor trolly -
(1) A vehicle which can be lifted bodily off the line by four men
shall be deemed to be a trolly and any similar but heavier
vehicle shall be deemed to be a lorry.
(2) Any trolly which is self-propelled, by means of a motor is a
motor trolly.
(3) A trolly shall not, except in cases of emergency, be used for the
carriage of permanent way or other heavy material; and when a
trolly is so loaded, it shall be deemed ,for the purposes of these
rules, to be a lorry.
Trolly / Lorry Working
• Max. 10 persons on trolly, On electrified section, Min 5
trollyman for trolly
• Max. 7 on MT of 4 HP and 10 on 6 HP motor trolly
• Min. 8 on lorry excluding flagman
• Trolly / lorries to be kept parallel to track on platform
• Working of Moped trollies
• Requires permit to be issued by minimum JAG
• Max. passengers 5
• In block at night
• In block if speed is more than 15 KMPH
• Rail dolly
• Min 3 on each dolly
• Carrying single rail >> 2 rail dollies
• Carrying 3 rail panel >> 6 rail dollies
15.26 Protection of trolly on the line - The qualified person in charge of a trolly shall
ascertain the whereabouts of all approaching trains,
and shall , when a clear view is not obtainable for an adequate distance.-
(a) on a single line, in both directions, or
(b) on a double line, in the direction from which trains may approach, take such
precautions for the protection of his trolly.

15.27 Protection of lorry on the line -

(1) Whenever it is proposed to place a lorry, whether loaded or empty on the line,
the line shall, if it is possible to do so, without interference with the working of
trains, be blocked under the rules for working of trains.
(2) When the line has not been so blocked and a lorry whether loaded or empty is
placed on the line, the lorry shall be protected - similar to protection of workspot
in Work of Short duration – Stop Dead & Go

15.28. Lorries and trollies out of use - A lorry or trolly when not in use, shall be
placed clear of the line, and the wheels thereof be secured with a chain and padlock
Working of material train
• Examination of rake >> duty of engineering supervisor
Working of track machines
• Worked as a Signalled Train under system of working
• Max 5 machines allowed in a block section for working. In such
cases, the leading and the last vehicle in the Convoy shall be
intimated to Station master.
• Where Section shall be cleared shall also be informed in writing
to decide Work & Proceed / Work & Return
• When moving from station to station, only one at a time
• Competency certificate issued by Competent Authority
• Initial course at ZTC and refresher after 3 years reqd
• Medical category A3
Care to be taken to ensure
1. Adjoining lines are not fouled / protection equipment
2. Safety of Working staff is ensured
3. Additional lookout men may be required
4. C/O on adjoining lines for SR / Whistling etc., is to be
considered.
5. Pre / During / Post tamping activities to be ensured
6. Lighting arrangements for night working to be ensured
 16. Level Crossing
• Equipment at gate
• Detailed working instructions
• Position of gateman during passage of train
• 913(2) of IRPWM; ---Stand facing track on gate lodge
side. He should observe train-----
• 16.04-1 G S&R; --- stand facing track on gate lodge
side with furled red and green flag during day in right
and left hands respectively----
 17 Working of trains in Electrified Sections
Danger zone: 2 m for 25 KVA and 1m for 1500 V DC

17.06 ALTERATIONS TO TRACK - Before any alteration to

alignment or level of electrified tracks is commenced, due notice
shall be given to those responsible for the overhead equipment so
that the overhead equipment may be adjusted to conform to the new
conditions.
THANK YOU