Synopsis
You will need this handbook if you carry out the duties of the machine controller (MC) and on-track plant operator.
Summary Of Changes
A new section has been added at 10.4 describing the actions necessary when a machine controller requests line protection for work to be carried out on a rail vehicle.
10.4 When work is to be carried out on OTP
If work is to take place on OTP, the designated person (DP) will ask you to arrange for line protection to be provided, as described below.
You must not tell the DP that any work can be allowed to start until you have been told that line protection has been provided.
Line protection on the running line that the vehicle is standing on
If the line is under possession, but the vehicle is not within a work site, you must ask the PICOP.
If the line is under possession, and the vehicle is within a work site, you must ask:
- The COSS if the COSS is using the protection of the work site and agreed a safe system of work with the ES or SWL
- The ES or SWL if the COSS has not ‘signed in’ with the ES or SWL.
Line protection on a siding that the vehicle is standing on
If the siding is under possession, you must ask the PICOS.
Line protection on an adjacent running line You must make sure any adjacent running line or siding is blocked to train movements if:
- The distance between the outside rail of the line the vehicle is on and the nearest rail of the adjacent running line is less than 3 metres (approximately 10 feet), and
- Work needs to be carried out on the side of the vehicle nearest to the adjacent running line.
If the adjacent line is under possession, you must ask:
- The PICOP of that possession, if the portion of the adjacent line is not within a work site
- The ES or SWL from that possession, if the portion of an adjacent line is within a work site
- The PICOS, if the vehicle is within a siding possession.
If the adjacent line is not under possession, you must ask:
- The PICOP, if the line on which the vehicle is standing is under possession
- The PICOS, if the vehicle is standing on a siding under possession.
Line protection on an adjacent siding
If an adjacent siding is under possession, you must ask the PICOS.
Suspending or completing the work
When the work is suspended or is completed, you must:
- Make sure everyone is in a safe position, and
- Then tell the person who arranged the line protection that you no longer need the line or siding to be blocked.
