Railway Policing Awareness - Track Safety Flashcards
Define railway infrastructure.
Anything and anywhere other than where the general public are permitted to access as part of a routine train journey.
Police Scotland says DO NO ENTER THE RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE.
How far is the line side and platform from the railway line?
Lineside 3 m
Platform 1.5 m
You must not go in the railway infrastructure in pursuit of a suspect or for any other reason unless….
A) where a network rail “rail incident officer” is immediately available and present at the scene, and they have confirmed that, within a defined area, there is a “stop” in place and, if necessary, overhead line equipment (OLE) has been discharged and isolated (switched off and earthed).
B) where police personnel at the scene have personally been advised that, within a defined area
I) there is a stop in place and if necessary, overhead line equipment has been isolated.
ii) This confirmation has come via the ACR who must be provided with a Scotland number (SC) by network rail.
C) police personally are working under the direct supervision and protection of a network rail “Rail incident office”.
D) where police personnel at the scene reasonably believe that it is immediately necessary to prevent imminent serious injury or danger to life, and every effort has been been to follow a), b) and c).
Define CAUTION AND STOP
Caution - train drivers are warned that emergency services personnel are on the track and that they should proceed with caution. They must drive at such a speed, depending on circumstances, that they can stop short or clear of any person who may be on the track and does not move clear.
Stop- trains will not move on an identified section of the track.
If you need to go line side request a stop.
Do not go on the lines of the railway track until:
• you have confirmed that a caution or stop is in place
• you put on high viz jacket or vest
Identify the different area names on the railway.
Cess - Safe area for authorised workers.
4ft - The area between the running rails.
6ft - The area between adjacent running lines of a 2 track railway.
10ft - The area between two sets of lines of a 4 track railway.
How often should you look up when walking on the railway.
Every 5 seconds. Also look out for the red flag.
Where should you walk on the railway?
The cess, facing oncoming traffic.
How should you cross the railway line?
Only at right angles, and only where you have a good view of both directions.
NB never cross in front of an approaching train, at railway points or within 15.25m (50ft) of a stationary wagon.
NB don’t rely on timetables. Freight, mail and coal trains are not on timetable and can run any time.
Define position of safety.
A position the minimum distance away from the nearest rail when a train passes.
The are dependant on line speed and the max speed of network rail is 125mph, therefore guidance says minimum 2 metres.
Must be there min 10 seconds before train passing.
How do you stop a train in an emergency
Asking ACR to contact Network rail control
Raising both arms above your head
Displaying red flag or red light
Waving any coloured light violently during the hours of darkness
Using detonators if trained
Always contact ACR first, going onto railway is a last resort.
Key info bro
If emergency services need immediate access on rail network (to preserve life) Network Rails Route Operations Control has capacity to allow this without Rail incidents officer.
Electricity
Have 25,000 volts of electricity going through them all the time
Can in certain atmospheric conditions arc through the air and hit nearby objects, maybe me yay.
If likelihood of danger consideration should be given to having a power cut on the section of railway you’re on.
You must keep 2.75(9 feet) of safe distance from the overhead rail.
How get power switched off in emergencies you must carry out the following procedure.
Contact network rail via ACR
Give exact location
Do not approach until operation confirms that power is off
Do not touch, everything treated as live
When a request for “emergency switch off to traction power” has been completed, this does not mean it has been isolated and deemed safe
When the message “traction power switched off and isolated” is heard , this is confirmation that the power has been isolated.
