Railway

Question 1

There are a number of hazards associated with the railway infrastructure. These include what?

PADHEMU

Answer 1

• Access and location. This includes accessing track which may be underground, on embankments or in cuttings.
• Movement of trains. This can be at high speed giving rise to air turbulence and increased stopping distances.
• Electric power supplies.
• Hazardous materials. This includes the contents of goods trains and the presence of
asbestos in some of the rolling stock.
• Uneven surfaces and trip hazards. In addition to the hazard posed by rails and the sleepers on which they sit, the areas adjacent to the track can be littered with equipment and debris.
• Railway points. These are moving rails which allow rail tracks to converge or diverge. They are operated remotely and people can become trapped between the moving rails.
• Detonators. These are small explosive charges which are strapped to the rail and detonated by a train. They are used to warn maintenance crews of an approaching train. A safe distance of 30m should be maintained when a train is passing over a detonator.

Question 2

Incidents in tunnels or subsurface stations present additional hazards. These include what? 8 to name

Answer 2

• The unpredictable and rapid spread of fire and smoke.
• A rapid rise in temperature.
• Undetected fire travel in voids and ducts.
• Communication dif culties.
• Long travel distances.
• Restricted access and working space.
• Large numbers of passengers in an unfamiliar environment.
• Physiological effects on firefighters.