Re: Safeworking Rules.

[mauried@commslab.gov.au (Maurie Daly)]

In article <385DF904.23B7CC24@fastlink.com.au> "The Railway Rasputin." <bob@fastlink.com.au> writes:
>From: "The Railway Rasputin." <bob@fastlink.com.au>
>Subject: Re: Safeworking Rules.
>Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 20:38:12 +1100



>Maurie Daly wrote:
>>
>> No I dont want them all , but a sample might be useful.
>> For example are they worded in vague subjective terminology that means
>> differant things to differant people,or is there a list of defined procedures
>> hung un the wall of the signal box  which says something like
>> 
>> Before a proceed order may be issued to a driver to pass signal XXX at stop
>> the following procedures MUST be followed.
>> 
>> 1/ If it is beleived that signal XXX has failed , a qualified fitter MUST
>> examine the signal, interlocking equipment, motor points if any and
>> provide a written signed report confirming that the signal has failed.
>> 
>> You get the idea.
>> 
>> MD

>Ok, the safe working books tell each employee what to do. Each employee
>is supposed to know what the other is supposed to do.

>The following is from SWU540 electric staff sections to pass a starting
>signal at stop:

>Signaller:              1 Ensure the driver has the token for the section.

>                        2 When contacted by the handsignaller advise the        
>                handsignaler why
>the signal is at stop.
>                        
>                        3 When it is safe for the train to proceed authorise
>                        the handsignaller to display a green handsignal to 
>                        the driver as the authority to pass the signal at stop
>                        and proceed thorugh the section.

>Handsignaller:          1 Display a red handsignal to any train approaching
>                        the signal until instructed otherwise by the signaller.

>                        2 When a train arives at the signal, advise the driver
>                        why the signal is at stop.

>                        3 When authorised by the signaller, display a green
>                        handsignal to the driver as the authority to pass the
>                        signal at stop and to proceed through the section.

>Driver                  1 Stop at the signal.
>                        
>                        2 Find out from the signaller/ hand signaller why       
>        the signal is at
>stop.

>                        3 Ensure you have the token for the section.

>                        4 When you have been authorised to pass the signal
>                        at stop, proceed through the section. 


>Any problems with the above can be directed to the manager of safe
>working standards because this is how it is worded in the good book.

>Hope this helps

>rgds


Yes, the above is a very good set of procedures to follow.
Its very specific about what every employee has to do and does not 
contain subjective phrases like proceed at extreme caution.
What does it say about the circumstance where the signaller is unable to 
withdraw a staff from the instrument,when he beleives he should be able to do 
so.
Is there are procedure that allows the signaller to instruct the driver of the 
train to enter the section ahead without the staff,(I betcha no way.)

The interesting thing about ES working and it also applies to OTS working is 
that there is a well defined dividing line between what we might call the 
safeworking part of the scheme and the train control aspect.
A train can only proceed if two conditions are met and the two conditions are 
totally not related to each other,ie the possession of the staff by the driver 
is required and the concurrance of the Train Controller via the signaller is 
required.
CTC and ATC systems still preserve the distinction , although it may be that 
the Train Controller also now becomes the signaller,but the two conditions 
still exist , ie a Train Controller cant let a train enter a single line 
section unless the interlocking will let him.
With TO all this goes out the window, the Train Controller can now do what he 
likes.

Curious the the NSW Transport Minister has decided to bring in  a British 
Signalling expert to advise him on whats wrong in NSW.
Has Britain got a better record in train prangs than NSW?


cheers
MD