COLAS Rail Safety Alert – Line blockage irregularity / potential near miss with a train incident
A CoSS took a line blockage on the UP Badminton line (Bristol area) in order for a team of 2 to undertake a site survey for upcoming works.
Having taken the line block successfully the CoSS proceeded to stand the team in the 4FT on the DN Badminton which was open to traffic, the Line Speed is 120mph.
The group saw an approaching train and so moved to a Position of Safety (POS) in the DN cess, the train also sounded it’s horn as it approached the group at speed.
The purpose of the site survey was to identify where to position plant and materials only and no actual physical works were being undertaken.
The site survey was immediately stopped, all moved to a POS whilst the CoSS contacted the Signaller to report what had occurred whereupon it became apparent that an error had occurred where the CoSS had mistakenly confused the UP & DN lines (as confirmed by recorded telephone conversations between the CoSS & Signaller)
LIFE SAVING RUES: ALWAYS BE SURE THE RIGHT PLANS & PERMITS ARE IN PLACE BEFORE YOU START OR GO ON OR NEAR THE LINE
DO
- Always ensure that you are fully aware of your location when you access the rail infrastructure under line blockage arrangements
- Everyone is Free to be Safe to challenge a safety briefing
- Use the Network Rail Access Point information board displayed at access point locations to confirm your location
- Always follow the Safe System of Work