Individual Working Alone Learning Information Booklet

Transport for London London Underground Access London Underground - Individual Working Alone Learning information booklet Issue 2 Effective 1st March 2015 MAYOR OF LONDON Contents Section page 1 Introduction 4 2 Personal responsibilities 5 3 Roles and responsibilities 6 4 Protecting yourself on the track 9 5 What you need to protect yourself on the track 10 6 Documentation 13 7 Sighting time 16 8 Using the cess as a place of safety 18 9 Unauthorised areas 24 10 Network Rail 25 11 Going on the track in Traffic Hours 32 12 Depots and stabling sidings 35 13 Possessions 44 14 Communications 45 15 Emergency actions 46 16 References 48 Introduction Personal responsibilitiesIntroduction section 1 1 Introduction On completion of this course you will be able to access the track and provide protection for yourself: • during Traffic Hours • within depots • within stabling sidings where traction current in on 24 hours. Individuals must comply with current legislation and London Underground (LU) rules. The required standard in the theory and practical assessment must be achieved in order to be awarded a certificate endorsed London Underground - Individual Working Alone (LU-IWA). 4 Personal responsibilitiesIntroduction 2 section 2 Personal responsibilities You must not go on or near the track on the main running line, in a depot or remote stabling sidings unless it is absolutely necessary and your duties require you to do so. If your duties require you to be on or near the track on the main running line, in a depot or stabling siding, you must be authorised and: • carry your track safety certificate at all times • take reasonable care of your own health and safety, and the health and safety of others • be aware of any expected hazards • not interfere with or misuse any safety equipment • pass safety critical messages using the phonetic alphabet • carry out local instructions relating to specific locations • use authorised walk ways and walk boards where possible • report incidents and hazards. 5 Roles and responsibilities Roles and responsibilities section 3 3 Roles and responsibilities 3.1 Protection Master A person certificated by LU to provide protection for themselves and others. A Protection Master can be identified with a ‘Protection Master’ armband worn on the right arm above the elbow. There are two categories of Protection Master on Traffic Hours, depots and stabling sidings: • Protection Master Traffic Hours (PMTH) - when trains are moving and traction current is on • Depot Protection Master (DPM) - in a depot or stabling sidings. 3.2 Lookout A person certificated by LU to warn staff who might be exposed to danger from moving trains or vehicles. A lookout can be identified with a ‘lookout’ armband worn on the left arm above the elbow. The lookout must: • carry the correct equipment • warn personnel according to the correct procedures • stay in position as indicated by the PMTH until protection is no longer required or until relieved by another lookout. You must not talk to or distract the lookout. 6 Roles and responsibilities 3 section 3.3 Handsignaller (engineering) A person certificated by LU to control the speed of trains by handsignal, flag or handlamp, if required by engineering works. A handsignaller (engineering) can be identified with a ‘handsignaller ’armband worn on the left arm above the elbow. The handsignaller (engineering) must: • carry the correct equipment • control the speed of trains according to the correct procedures • stay in the position as indicated by the PMTH until protection is no longer required or until relieved by another handsignaller (engineering). 3.4 Possession Master A person certificated by LU to take control of a possession. A Possession Master can be identified with a ‘Possession Master’ (POM) armband worn on the left arm above the elbow. 7 Roles and responsibilities ProtectingRoles yourself and responsibilities on the track section 3 3.5 Maintenance Manager Operations / Duty Depot Manager A person who controls and manages the day to day running of the depot. 3.6 Controller A suitably competent person, in overall control of the train service on a line, normally acting from the line’s control room. 8 ProtectingRoles yourself and responsibilities on the track 4 section 4 Protecting yourself on the track 4.1 Protection “Procedures to ensure personnel on or near the track are not endangered by moving trains or mechanised vehicles.” 4.2 Providing your own protection When accessing the track alone personnel will be providing their own protection and will be entirely responsible for their own safety on the track. To be able to go on the track alone and provide your own protection, you must: • be certificated LU-IWA as a minimum • be familiar with local conditions, including the scheduled train frequency tables • have permission from the manager accountable for the location • only access the track if it is daylight and Traffic Hours • always have adequate illumination if in a depot • only access the track within an open (Line Safe) area • walk facing traffic where possible • not be distracted from looking out for trains • remain visible to train operators • always have an adequate place of safety • have at least 25 seconds continuous sighting time • on sighting a train immediately move to the place of safety and acknowledge the train operators warning by raising one arm above your head • be aware of changing conditions • inform the controller and your manager or supervisor that you are accessing the track. 9 What you need to protect yourself on the track What you need to protect yourself on the track section 5 5 What you need to protect yourself on the track 5.1 Personal Protective Equipment When personnel access the track they must wear LU approved Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including: • high visibility clothing correctly fastened • trousers • no loose clothing that could get snagged on a passing train • no long coats that can drag across the traction current rails • footwear with adequate support for walking on rough ground. Additional PPE may be required as per the method statement. 10 What you need to protect yourself on the track 5 section 5.2 Site familiar If you are accessing a section of track on your own you must be familiar with the area. If you are not familiar then you should refer to the site familiar information document on the LU Network Improvement site. 5.3 Basic areas These areas are defined as single or double tracks with some points and crossings but no major junctions or restrictive features such as a long viaduct or fly under. An LU-IWA certificated person can make themselves familiar with a basic area by: • taking a cab ride in a train • studying ‘places of safety’ maps • studying the controllers’ diagrams • utilising other sources of available information • walking the site. Platform grounds are treated as basic areas except where there are: • multi-tracks • locations which have other restrictive features. 11 What you need to protect yourself on the track What you need to protect yourselfDocumentation on the track section 5 5.4 Complex areas These areas are defined as multi-track sites, major junctions and locations with restrictive features. The risks are greater due to the physical conditions on the ground. Staff providing their own protection who are not familiar with areas that are classified as complex, must make a site familiarisation visit accompanied by protection staff who are familiar with the area, prior to any work taking place. It could take a number of visits before the person becomes fully familiar with a complex area. Conditions encountered at individual locations might include: • bi-directional working • multi-track areas • parallel running or joining end-on to Network Rail or other organisations’ lines • weedkilling train • obstructions • limited clearance areas • access routes and walkways • depots and sidings • traction current arrangements • traction current sections. 12 What you need to protect yourselfDocumentation on the track 6 section 6 Documentation 6.1 Traffic Circular The Traffic Circular is the publication that is used to publish details about the operational railway, such as: • track, signalling and equipment alterations • restrictions • trains and stations • status reports and amendments to instructions • communications, vacancies and training courses. This information can be found on the Network Improvement website. You must: • look at the Traffic Circular every week to see if there is anything affecting the proposed work • always make sure you have the latest publication. The Traffic Circular also publishes the detailed operation of the weedkilling train on a weekly basis. 13 Documentation Documentation section 6 6.2 The weedkilling train The weedkilling train can create another type of hazard, and special precautions may be necessary if entering a treated area within 24 hours of application. If working in a treated area within 24 hours of application, personnel must: • make sure that approved disposable clothing and gloves are worn • ensure contaminated disposable clothing is sealed into plastic bags and disposed of in the correct bin • wash their boots • wash their hands before eating or smoking. If you are just passing through a treated area, within 24 hours of application, without carrying out work, then you do not require disposable clothing and gloves. 14 Documentation 6 section 6.3 Scheduled train frequency tables You must be aware of train frequencies when accessing the track. In particular: • inspections can be carried out irrespective of train frequencies • work must not be carried out where there are train frequencies of 16 trains per hour or more and you cannot remain continuously in a place of safety • if you wish to carry out work where there are train frequencies between 12 and 15 trains per hour, and you cannot remain continuously in a place of safety, you must arrange for a job specific and location specific risk assessment to be undertaken.

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