Railway incidents SOP

Question 1

Outline the contents of the railway incidents SOP

Answer 1

Applies to all LNAA staff who a required to enter trackside environments
General principles
Arriving at scene
Hazards
Incidents involving Network Rail
Incidents involving Nottingham Express Transit
PLE

Question 2

Describe the general principles of responding to a railway incident as per the railway incident SOP

Answer 2

• Shared situational awareness
• Ensure comms with HC for safety critical info
• Normally have Operational Commander
• Need HART
• Utilise POWER mnemonic
• Evacuate casualty away from trackside ASAP
• Don’t touch any equipment that belongs to the railway

Question 3

What is the POWER mnemonic in relation to responding to railway incidents?

Answer 3

P - power off and trains stopped
O - off the tracks unless patient appears viable
W - wear PPE
E - entry and egress to HC
R - remove the patient rapidly away from tracks

Question 4

What are the practicalities of arriving at scene when responding to a railway incident?

Answer 4

• No legal exemptions for failing to obey a level crossing
• Stop, turn of blue and twos until line is clear
• If no lights, stop and proceed with caution
• Go to the RVP, usually set by network rail
• High vis and helmets

Question 5

What are the main hazards in the trackside environment?

Answer 5

Trains/trams - might be quiet running slow, long stopping distances
Trips/slips/loose surfaces, don’t walk on rails, don’t walk over cables

Question 6

Who confirms that the power is off and trains stopped?

Answer 6

Rail Incident Officer

Question 7

What happens if a RIO if not on scene?

Answer 7

HEMS desk to liaise with Network rail to confirm power and trains off

Question 8

If patient viability cannot be established from trackside, who goes onto the tracks/under the train to assess the patient

Answer 8

Most clinically qualified - doctor

Question 9

Describe the practicalities of responding to a Network Rail incident

Answer 9

• RIO in charge or HEMS desk to liaise with NR
• Power off, trains stopped
• Assess viability, doctor to do if can’t be done from trackside
• Wear PPE
• HEMS desk for entering and leaving trackside
• Remove the patient to treat somewhere safe

Question 10

Describe the practicalities of responding to a NET incident

Answer 10

• Tram driver can confirm power off, trams stopped
• HR can liaise with NET Control room
• Lower the pantograph
• Close road
• Wear PPE
• HEMS desk for entering and leaving trackside
  Remove the patient to treat somewhere safe

Question 11

Who’s responsibility is the management of the deceased patient in the rail environment?

Answer 11

BTP or home office