Safeworking - Adverse Weather Risks Flashcards
What weather conditions can affect the safe operation of the railway?
- Low temperature
- Storms and Wind
- High temperature
- Fog
What damage and disruption can be caused to trains and rail infrastructure during weather events?
- Obstruction on the tracks
- Water over the rail
- Obstruction in the Overhead and Fouling tracks
- Broken rail
- Buckled rail
What can COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS cause?
- Broken rails
- Low adhesion when braking and powering
- Excessive arcing from the Pantograph
What can HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS cause?
- Buckled rails
- Damaged or Sagging Overhead wires
- Trackside fires
Who are BUCKLED RAILS reported to?
Train Control
What can THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG WINDS cause?
- Bring down trees
- Create flash flooding
- Lose Overhead power
- Entangled debris in Overhead wires
- Reduced Visibility
- Affect Signalling systems
Can you operate trains through flood water?
No
What can drivers do to mitigate the risk of fog?
- Reduce the speed of the train
- Approach signals with caution and assume the signal is at stop if it can’t be seen
- Make frequent use of the whistle
What are some things drivers can do to reduce the risk of damage and mistakes during weather events?
- Reduce speed
- Use high beam lights (except in fog)
- Be vigilant to changes of conditions
- Use the whistle frequently
- Approach fixed signals
- Monitor train performance and driving style
- Don’t drive through heavy smoke
- Adhere to any speed restrictions implemented
- Be prepared to stop short of any obstructions
Who must BROKEN RAILS be reported to?
Train Control
What are tell-take signs of a broken rail?
- A thud or twang sound
- Rough ride due to misaligned rails
- Obvious gaps between the rail that can be viewed
- A break or gap that can be felt as the train passes
Who inspects broken rails?
Track Maintenance Representative
What can be implemented when the is a broken rail?
CAN notices
If the TRACK MAINTENANCE REPRESENTATIVE deems it safe to pass a section with WATER OVER THE RAIL HEAD, what is the maximum speed?
5km/h
If the TRACK MAINTENANCE REPRESENTATIVE deems it unsafe to pass a section with WATER OVER THE RAIL HEAD, what is the reason?
- The water level is above the rail head 75mm
- The water is FLOWING which may cause the ballast to be dislodged