At 09:58 on 6th October 2021 the driver of a passenger train saw two track workers in the four-foot ahead of their train. The driver sounded the train horn, applied the emergency brake and reported the near miss. He had to be relieved from driving at Kettering station. A Mobile Operations Manager (MOM) attended the site and arranged drugs and alcohol testing.

On Friday 24th September, a scaffolding contractor was tasked with dismantling the tube and fitting scaffold between the south pier and the riverbank on a structure over water in Glasgow.

On Wednesday 8 September 2021, after a possession had been given up, a passenger train struck a hand trolley that had been left on the Up Main line near Twickenham Station.

There has been recent news articles regarding people spreading anti-COVID views. In some cases posters are being used to spread the views to as many people as possible. These posters are being placed in locations such as: door, lamp posts and walls. These posters promote the non-wearing of masks and challenge the existence of COVID-19.

On the 27th August 2021, a portable toilet unit was being collected by a HIAB lorry mounted crane from Oxspring renewal site between Penistone Station and Oxspring Viaduct. As part of the activity, the HIAB driver deployed the outriggers in order to lift the toilet unit. At approximately 08:45hrs a passenger train came into contact with the front left outrigger causing superficial damage to the train.

On the 2nd May 2021 at 07:00, the Machine Operator of a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) suffered life changing injuries when the basket of the MEWP in which they were travelling was struck by the jib of a 360º Crane RRV which had been travelling behind it. The collision occurred whilst both vehicles were travelling to their off-tracking location on the same line within an engineering worksite.

In the early hours of Sunday 8th August, a service scaffold bridge partially collapsed while being installed. It came to rest on the bridge parapet. At the time of the incident, the two scaffolders were adding the scaffold boards, they were both able to exit without injury. An exclusion zone was in place underneath the structure and the work was in a engineering possession.

Edinburgh Waverley Signalling Centre recently suffered an incident where a capacitor in an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) failed. The capacitor emitted smoke into the plant room, which spread to the Operations floor. The fire alarm was activated.

The incident led to the building being evacuated, with attendance by the fire brigade. There was severe disruption on the network, resulting in significant train delays.

On 21st June 2020 at 21:43, a near miss occurred between two passenger trains at London Underground's Chalfont & Latimer station. A southbound Chiltern Railways train travelled towards a stationary northbound Metropolitan line train on the same track, and stopped only about 23 metres away.

Assurance and investigations have found instances where Incident Response Packs (IRPs) have been used rather than Safe Work Packs planned in advance. The examples did not comply with the company standard NR/L2/OHS/019. This bulletin is to clarify when Incident Response Planning can be used.

Changes to terminology in the Hazard Directory re use of Red Zone & Green Zones affecting SWP contents

Planners, COSS's and other trackworkers will already be aware that the term Red and Green Zone working was removed from the Rule Book a number of years ago and any reference to Red & Green Zone terminology was removed from NR/L2/OHS/019 Safety of people at work on or near the line in 2017.

Following the recent safety alert (NRX21-09) which reported on a person coming into contact with live overhead line equipment, an immediate action has been identified.

On 21st June two track workers were patrolling and checking rail temperatures. They were walking in the 4-foot on a curved section of track without adequate sighting when a train approached. They reached a position of safety just three seconds before the train passed them.

It has come to the attention of the Plant Team via the Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) that chainsaw disc attachments have been incorrectly sold for use with Angle Grinders. Due to "kick back" during operation these discs/blades cannot be used safely and can result in serious injury or fatality.

On 26th February 2021 at 01:21hrs, a member of staff was acting as a Machine Controller (MC) for a Road Rail Vehicle with a ballast brush attachment.

On the 4th July 2021 an OLE insulator parted at Harpenden (Chiltern Green on East Midlands Route). OLE Maintenance staff were adjusting the balance weight pulley wheel separation and had applied lifting equipment "a rig" around the compensating plate between the anchor tail wire and the contact/catenary conductors.

On 7th June 2021 at around 03:00am a Network Rail colleague woke to find a fire had broken out in the living room of their house. The Network Rail colleague was asleep in the room where the fire broke out and contained it before the fire brigade arrived. The family escaped the house with no injuries.

On 16th May 2021 at around 03:30am Pod-Trak were on-tracking their Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) for OLE works. While on-tracking the third MEWP, it ran away approximately 600m into Canal Tunnel. The MEWP ran through the worksite marker but remained within the possession limits. The team working with the MEWP were unharmed.

At around 14:00 on the 22nd February during the setup of the Premier Compact 110 Series (a 2.5 metre high, tracked compound soil sampling machine), the carriage and enclosed weight (a 110kg percussive hammer) detached from the guide rails of the mast, swung sideways, and struck the lead driller in the right hand side of his head and face. No injuries were sustained, and the driller was able to resume work the next day.

On the 14 May 2021 at 00:38, a technician working in a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) basket came into contact with live OLE. He suffered serious injuries and is now in hospital. The MEWP operator also sustained a minor injury requiring hospital treatment and has now been discharged.

At 10:57 on 26th March 2020 a train passed a signal at danger at 0.75 miles south of Loughborough South Junction station. The train passed the signal at a speed of about 20mph, and came to a stand around 200m beyond it. The signal was at danger to protect the movement of a passenger service which was just about to leave Loughborough South Junction station.

At 05:29 on 23rd April 2021, a Matissa B41 Tamper suffered a major engine compartment fire causing disruption to train services between Orpington and Sevenoaks. The line was blocked and an Emergency Switch Off (ESO) was implemented to enable the Fire Brigade to attend the scene. Thankfully there were no injuries as a result of this incident.

On 15th January 2021, a CCTV camera platform fell down a mast, narrowly avoiding injury to a signalling technician at Rigton CCTV level crossing.

On 23rd February 2021 an engineering assurance inspection discovered an uninsulated wire had been left in situ for 9 months following internal wire renewals conducted by Network Rail.

On 6th January 2021, an operative was installing temporary lighting in Lords Way Tunnel, near to Marylebone Station and whilst doing so, drilled into asbestos containing material (ACM).

On 14 March 2018 at approximately 20:20, a freight train travelling at approximately 50 mph struck a car at Routs user worked crossing, injuring the car driver.

On 25 February, the 09:40hrs Inverness - London Kings Cross Virgin Trains East Coast service, that was the first train after a possession, struck a length of rail which had been left resting on the head of the cess rail.

Whilst unloading one tonne ballast bags using an RRV and bag lifter the castellated securing nut on the lifting hook worked free and became detached from the coupling ring.

At 06:47 at Loch Eilt near Arisaig the 06:03 Mallaig to Glasgow Queen Street train struck the debris from a landslip and became derailed.

The ground rises sharply away from the railwayfor much of this section on natural mountainside slopes. The ground is a mixture of rock outcrop and shallow soil overburden. In most parts it is relatively free from trees. Naturally formed gullys provide waterpaths down the mountainside.

An overhead line incident occurred at the North end of Crewe station.

The overhead line contact wire parted as an electric train passed causing damage to the
train's pantograph and resulting in the contact wire hanging down.

A Network Rail Mobile Operations Manager and British Transport Police officers were first on site.

Distortion caused by incorrect fitting of a Bussman fuse is likely to have caused the insulation on the holder to fail, creating both localised burning and a fault to its supporting metal plate. This fault could create a touch voltage above 60V on the supporting metal plate.

The technical investigation into the failure of the burnt out Bussman Cam Master fuse holder showed that at some time earlier it had been used to replace a Red Spot fuse holder.

At approximately 04.00 on 17 October 2017 a Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) was travelling between Ladybank and Markinch when it struck a branch which had blown from a third party tree during high winds.

At this stage the assumption is that the train's braking system became disabled due to the branch travelling sufficiently under the solebar of the MPV to cause damage to the air pipes and releasing the brake distributor cord on both the vehicles.

Rail PPS (Rail Plant Performance System) offers many benefits and contains a lot of information surrounding the performance of Plant, including the ability to review machine performance for due diligence purposes etc.

Observed problem

We observed a requirement that Rail PPS didn’t fulfil, especially apparent over weekends and during Director on Duty rotas. When a machine was the cause of disruption a ‘snapshot’ of the machines overall performance and recent/last failures was requested, for forwarding on to the Client.

Following an inspection at various tool stores it was found that non-compliant insulated tools are being routinely used on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure.

Tests undertaken jointly with RAIB on the Permaquip Trolley and Gator involved in the Totley runaway incident

In accordance with NR/L2/RSE/100/05 (How to decide what needs product acceptance) and NR/L3/MTC/EP0152 [ Issue: 5 ] (Working on or adjacent to conductor rail) all IHT are required to go through the Product approval Process and as such be tested to BS8020:2011 (Tools for live working. Specification for insulating hand tools for work on or near conductor rail systems operating at voltages up to 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c.).

At 00:02 on 3 January 2017 a Kubota road rail vehicle was placed on an open goods line during a T3 possession of the adjacent main lines at Rookery Bridge between Crewe and Sandbach.

In the Sectional Appendix the main lines are called the "Wilmslows" and the goods lines are the "Manchester Independents", while nearer to Crewe the main lines are called the "Manchesters".

On the morning of 29 September 2017 red zone working, by use of Lookout Operated Warning System (LOWS), was  n place by to allow survey work for the High Output team to take place.

The work commenced at 0730 that morning and at 0830 advanced LOWS operators were positioned on the Up and Down lines. A site lookout was also in place for the group as per the planned safe system of work.

On the 30 August 2017 at High Wycombe Station, an operative was seriously injured when he, sustained crush injuries from a JCB tele-handler. The operative was working with the machine operator to lay "bog-mats" in preparation for heavy vehicle access.

The operative was working with the machine operator to lay "bog-mats" in preparation for heavy vehicle access.

Following recommendations from electrical safety incidents that have occurred, arc flash PPE has been issued for use by Distribution and Plant staff.

This instruction confirms the mandatory arrangements for staff.

On the morning of 7 August 2017 a staff member, who was part of a team investigating a signalling power supply feeder fault affecting Grahamston feeder, received an electric shock, while working on a Functional Supply Point (FSP).

The isolator within the FSP was switched to the off position. While in the off position the staff member contacted the Section Supervisor, to reenergise the protection device for Grahamston feeder which had again tripped out on fault.

The manufacturers of the Seaward Live Line Tester (LLT) used by staff on the 750V DC electrified network have advised that there are a small number of units in circulation that have a manufacturing defect that can result in the tester being polarity sensitive. The result is that the tester can, depending on which contact is applied to the conductor rail, give a "dead" indication when the rail is in fact still live. As designed, the tester is not polarity sensitive and can be applied either way round.

Advice provided by Seaward is that the Live Line Tester should be proved both ways round on the proving unit to confirm correct operation prior to, and after, use. Not doing so may result in a tester with a fault appearing to indicate correctly when proved, then, if reversed, indicate incorrectly when applied to a conductor rail that is still live.

Rolls of geotextile were being delivered for a forthcoming track renewal on the East Coast Main Line at Reston, Berwickshire, using a flatbed lorry with lorry mounted crane. Two members of contractor staff were present: the lorry driver and a Technical Officer involved with the delivery of the core renewal.

The manufacturers of the Seaward Live Line Tester (LLT) used by staff on the 750V DC electrified network have advised that there are a small number of units in circulation that have a manufacturing defect that can result in the tester being polarity sensitive. The result is that the tester can, depending on which contact is applied to the conductor rail, give a "dead" indication when the rail is in fact still live. As designed, the tester is not polarity sensitive and can be applied either way round.

A close call was raised recently when a member of staff was applying a Vortok conductor rail shield sideways, the shield disturbed the ballast and in doing so forced a stray piece of otherwise hidden wire buried in the ballast into contact with the live conductor rail, resulting in some arcing.

The correct method to apply a conductor rail shield is to fit it from above. However the close call highlighted that staff have been fitting shields from the side.

On 24 July 2017 at 09:27 a COSS with a 7- person vegetation clearance team working for a Works Delivery Principal Contractor was less than two seconds from being struck by a train.

The COSS had taken a line blockage for the up line, but the team were actually working on the down line, which was open to traffic.

The National Health, Safety and Welfare Committee have been informed that staff in Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) response teams are being asked to remove pantographs from the top of traction units that are damaged or entangled in the OLE.

The concern is that staff have not been trained by our train / freight operating colleagues on how to access the train roof area, nor how to work safely in the vicinity of the train's electrical equipment in that area.

On Friday 5 May 2017 an inspection by the EGIP team discovered that the Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) catenary wire within a Bonomi forked collar socket C21/544/001 had slipped from its original installation position.

Whilst the wire remained anchored there is the potential that further slippage would result in an OLE de-wirement. This was the third reported slippage of the black catenary Bonomi Forked collar on EGIP K01 since April 2017.

At 19:36 on the 12 July 2017 Paddington Station was fully evacuated following the fire alarm being activated on multiple detectors.

Inspection identified the smell of electrical burning from Plant Room 29a. Using a heat detection gun the London Fire Brigade determined the source was a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) that was over-heating causing its batteries to fuse together..

At around 06:00 on 19 June 2017 a serious assault occurred outside a Network Rail managed construction site. The incident involved a site manager working for a contractor.

When opening the site in the morning while alone, the site manager was stabbed in the chest after he declined to give his phone to a lone male wanting to rob him.

During a Network Rail LNW North possession on the evening of Saturday 28 May an incident occurred involving a Permaquip Gator Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) and a 'B' type personnel trailer.

On Thursday 1 June at approximately 15:50 an elderly lady was struck and fatally injured by a Cheltenham Spa to Maesteg service at Trenos Footpath crossing near Llanharran.

The driver of a preceding train saw a distressed lady on the crossing, stopped and advised her to leave the railway.

On Friday 5 May 2017 an inspection by the EGIP team discovered that the Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) catenary wire within a Bonomi forked collar socket C21/544/001 (PADs no.091/029042) had slipped from its original installation position.

At 05:25 on 15 May 2017 a tamper, travelling at 15 mph transiting to exit the possession safely stopped short of a 5 metre long pile which was obstructing the Down Main line.

Two Henry Williams temporary rail clamps were fitted as a temporary rail joint at 06:30 on Monday 5 February 2017 following a rail replacement at Acton Central Level Crossing.

On 23 March a four man protection team of three lookouts and a COSS were supporting an Earthworks Examiner undertaking site inspections.

Following the "Test before touch" rule avoided the risk of electric shock as the signalling location cabinet was found during the test to be live at 200 volts.

At around 17:45 on Tuesday 28 February 2017, a section of retaining wall at the top of Liverpool Lime Street cutting collapsed resulting in significant debris falling onto the railway below,

damaging OLE and obstructing all four running

lines.

While carrying out fieldwork for a road fleet maintenance audit at Newcastle Delivery Unit's Raven House an auditor noticed fog signals (detonators) present in the vehicle's cup well.

On 8 December 2016 a member of the public came into contact with the live overhead line equipment after climbing over the parapet of overbridge 033/006 at Whitelees Road in Lanark.

On Monday 16 January 2017 a member of track staff put their Unilite head torch on charge following completion of their nightshift.

On 7 December 2016 a fault current from the Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) near Carstairs was exported through a public telecoms network to the nearby Southholme Farm causing damage to telecoms equipment and the boiler in the property.

TSA Imminent Winter Weather Alert - Time to get properly prepared

On 1 January 2017 at approximately 06:30 a gang of permanent way operatives were working on the Up Electric lines located towards the London end of Shenfield station platform 4.

Christmas 2016- New Year 2017 Health and Safety Overview

At 04:47 on 29 July 2016 a Ford 9-seater minibus left the north bound carriageway of the M5 between Junctions 20 and 19 near Bristol and came to rest on the motorway verge.

On Thursday 1 December temporary lighting that was left lineside in Balcombe tunnel after track renewals four weeks earlier was caught by a train, damaging a track circuit cable and causing significant performance impact. The lighting was moved by vibration or turbulence from passing trains. Investigation found the equipment left in the tunnel included a full petrol can.

In the early hours of Friday 11 November a Liebherr A900 excavator working for Network Rail Maintenance at Kingsbury Junction derailed and overturned in the cess.

During a possession, at 06:48 on Sunday 25 September members of Orpington Track team were injured when a pair of timber nips came into contact with the third rail within their worksite, which they believed to be isolated.

On average 15 people a year report an injury due to missing or ineffective drainage covers. Injuries include cuts, bruises and broken bones. Based on feedback from depots and project teams, the number of injuries attributed to catchpit lids is likely to have been under-estimated.

During a possession, at 06:48 on Sunday 25 September members of Orpington Track team were injured when a pair of timber nips came into contact with the third rail within their worksite, which they believed to be isolated.

In the early hours of Friday 11 November a Liebherr A900 excavator working for Network Rail Maintenance at Kingsbury Junction derailed and overturned in the cess.

A three man track patrolling team consisting of a Network Rail COSS/patroller and contract site and advanced lookouts were conducting a track patrol.

A member of contractor staff supporting electrical testing of the signalling power distribution system received an electric shock from touching a Bussmann CamMaster fuse carrier in a lineside location case / Functional Supply Point (FSP).

On 14 February 2014 during winter storms part of Harbury cutting in Warwickshire failed. The cutting landslide was approximately 30m deep and 100m in length.

Unknowingly, molten metal had burnt through the palm of their leather gauntlet causing them to suffer minor burns to their forearm and wrist. 

Following an accident on 2 July 2016 involving a   metal blade brush cutter where a piece of metal shard pierced the inner right thigh of the operator...

Summary of the accident

A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) ran away down a gradient during fault-finding of the vehicle’s air braking system. The MPV left the East Lancashire Railway’s infrastructure and entered the off-street section of the Manchester Metrolink light rail system, where it derailed on a set of trap points. No-one was injured as a result of the accident. However, the MPV was damaged and came to rest foul of the northbound Metrolink line between Radcliffe and Bury tram stops.

At approximately 21:25 on Saturday 5 March 2016, Oliver Betts, a member of the NSC24:7 Control team collapsed whilst in the courtyard to the rear of The Quadrant:MK.

On the morning of Monday 15 August, a slinger/signaller was working with a 48 tonne excavator to relocate L-shaped precast bridge parapet sections in a compound at Maerdy Bridge near Newport, Wales.

There have been a number of recent accidents resulting in significant hand injuries

On 2 July 2016 an operative working for Works Delivery Off Track sustained a small impact wound to his inner right thigh whilst carrying out de-vegetation works at an access point.

Pokemon Go is a reality smartphone game which encourages players to catch Pokemon characters by exploring their surroundings using their phones.

Whilst carrying out track relaying works, sleepers were being lifted on to a rail wagon utilising a 7 sleeper lifting/spacer beam.

A serious hand injury has occurred on a structures renewals site on 11 June during a lifting operation.

On the evening of 5 June 2016 a 7m x 0.4m x 0.1m thick section of reinforced concrete slab fell from the underside of overbridge 268/004. 

Two near misses in Anglia highlight the risks of not making the safest decisions. On 14 March 2016 two track workers had a near miss with a LOROL train service from Liverpool Street to Chingford at Highams Park.

The train consisted of a Class 60 locomotive and 22 empty, diesel fuel, bogie tank wagons (type TEA). The train was travelling at approximately 48mph approaching 101B points when the driver saw a kink in the left-hand rail.

A Genie Z60 rail mounted MEWP (FR1326) rolled in an uncontrolled movement into a ballast box and RRV trailer.

During an inspection of a Stanley TJ10 lifting jack, cracking was identified approximately 5mm from the elbow at the foot of both sides of the lifting face. [Reference: NIR-Online (8250): NIR 3237 Initial Stanley TJ10 10T Hydraulic Rail Jack Defect]

At approximately 15:30 on Sunday 3 April 2016, a GWR service (the 13:39 Penzance - Exeter St. Davids) collided at approximately 15mph with the rear of a stationary train (GWR 15:42 Plymouth - London Paddington) in platform 6 of Plymouth station.

On 3 April 2016 a report was received regarding a failure to the shaft of a 62.05 Robel orbital hand tamper whilst consolidating ballast at New Barnet.

The staff member had moved to the rear of the vehicle and as they leaned themselves against the rear vehicle hand rail it suddenly gave way resulting in them falling backwards, landing on the tarmac and injuring their head.

A collision and derailment occurred in a worksite at Ivybridge (MLN1 Down Main at 235m 11c) on 27 February 2016. A loaded engineering train of 1119 tonnes gross weight collided with a rake of stationary, loaded Falcon wagons. The worksite was for a planned track relay.

During a possession over Christmas on a North Alliance switch and crossing renewal project, a member of staff raised a tower light which was, located directly under the overhead line equipment (OLE) to provide lighting at the access point.

ORR has issued a Prohibition Notice preventing the Geismar MC3 Turnout Grinder from being lifted and carried by two people.

In order to ensure that the technology and all stakeholders are aligned and fully prepared, Sentinel Site Access will not launch as expected on 31 January 2016. Our new deployment date is 30 June 2016. 

On 6 May 2015 at Didcot, a telecommunications facility gaseous fire suppression system was inadvertently activated during replacement of the fire alarm panel.

Tensorex and Tensorex C+ tensioning devices are used to maintain mechanical tension in the overhead line conductors. There have been three separate incidents relating to working practices with these Tensorex
tensioning devices.

Four new S&C panels were installed at Bickley Junction during October 2015. A subsequent maintenance inspection revealed that the tubular stretcher bars had not been correctly secured to the rails nor had their respective adjustment locking mechanisms (primary and secondary locks) been secured.

On 11 October 2015 at around 09:00 a S&T work bgroup had just finished working on '8535a' points at Didcot. They had handed the points back to the vsignaller's control.

On Wednesday 23 September 2015 a significant near miss occurred involving a team working on the line at Godalming. This is one of a number of near misses that have occurred nationally over recent weeks.

Following a Network Rail review of Operational Close Call data between April and August this year, it has been identified that a significant number of incidents have taken place with Line Blockages involving our Contractors.

Following trippings on the North London Line, OLE staff found that a recently-installed WT Henley cap and pin type insulator had catastrophically failed due to flashover.

Earlier this year, a cyclist’s front wheel fell into a gap in a level crossing surface at an automatic half barrier level crossing in East Midlands Route.

During construction works on the Paisley Canal branch in Scotland, a cantilever top tube became detached from the insulator to which it was connected.

Following a fatal incident in a plant hire yard adjacent to the M25 motorway.

In the last two months there have been two fatalities involving the use of radio remote controls on lorry loaders. In both cases, it is suspected that the Operator failing to isolate the remote control whilst attaching/detaching the load may have been the cause of them being crushed.

This Safety Bulletin is produced following a number of incidents where rail has been brought into use for train running and the track circuit connected to those rails has failed to operate correctly.

There has been an increase in Close Calls and an accident directly attributed to staff using the incorrect access, jumping over boundary fencing and leaving access gates open

On a recent night shift at an LNE worksite a T3 possession was taken for 2 tracks on a 4 track section.

For the attention of: All Network Rail employees, contractors and sub-contractors; a mini dumper was reversed through Heras fencing and fouled a line open to traffic. 

For the attention of: Network Rail employees, Principal Contractors, Contractors and Plant Hire Suppliers.

NR Safery Bulletin 298 - Rule Book Changes for Maximum Speed where ESR’s are Imposed

Whilst working on a high output TRS core site, this trackman was struck in the eyelid by a flying shard of metal.

Core works had been planned for 4 consecutive nights at a location on the ECML. This plan required a mileage change for the booked protection on the 4th night.

In the last two months there have been two fatalities involving the use of radio remote controls on lorry loaders. In both cases, it is suspected that the Operator failing to isolate the remote control whilst attaching/detaching the load may have been the cause of them being crushed.

A recent serious accident in the Renewals Business has raised concerns in respect to the safe operation of Rail Disc Saws and other small plant on site

This information is provided to all sites to share the events and outcomes of serious accidents / incidents. Please consider these events against your site activities and make arrangements, as necessary, to prevent a similar event occurring.

Do you have good lifestyle, exercise and eating habits? Be honest now

For the attention of all signallers, and personnel responsible for entry into service of new or out of use rail

For the attention of OLE Maintenance Delivery Units, Overhead Condition Renewals Team, Construction and Design Contractors.

Risk of Electric Shock from Signalling Power Supplies For the attention of all staff and contractors who access Stations and Lineside

For the Attention of: All Network Rail Employees, Principal Contractors and Contractors who may go lineside.

Make sure you’re ready with our safer driving and winter preparation guide

Constant coughing can stop you in your tracks and make you miserable. During the cold and flu season you're even more at risk of developing a hacking cough that leaves your chest aching.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is arguably the UK’s biggest killer. CHD develops when the blood supply to the muscles and tissues of the heart become obstructed by the build-up of fatty materials inside the walls of the coronary arteries.

During freight movements undertaken by DB Schenker 4 wagons derailed on road 3 causing substantial damage to the tracks and wagons themselves.

At around 5pm on 5th January train 1C87 (15:57 hrs travelling from Paddington to Plymouth) struck an open access gate at Didcot Parkway at line speed causing damage to the power car and the leading three carriages.

The latest edition of McGinley Support Services Safety IN Rail.

At around midday track staff had been laying out equipment for activities to take place later in the day on an area of track ahead of the previous weeks work. The teams had been instructed by their COSS to put a hand trolley on the Up road.

For the attention of: Network Rail employees, Principal Contractors, Contractors and Plant Hire Suppliers. 360 degree Excavator Road Rail Vehicles (RRVs) may be fitted with a range of different Movement Limiting Devices (MLDs) which may be used as part of a safe system to stop an RRV from hitting Trains, and infrastructure such as Overhead Power lines

For the attention of those involved with the planning and delivery of projects involving Engineering Trains

A Welders trolley placed on a line open to traffic was struck by a Passenger Train. The location of incident is approximately 4 miles north north east of Shrewsbury on the Shrewsbury to Crewe line at Braidway user worked crossing 28m 35ch. The Engineers Line Reference for this line is SYC.

Sadly, in the early hours of Sunday morning 2nd March 2014, an employee of Clancy Docwra was killed whilst working on the Docklands Light Railway twin-tracking site near Pudding Mill Lane.

Whilst attempting to deploy the front rail gear of an Iveco 5.5t Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) when on tracking at the start of a shift, it became apparent that the axle would not align with the rails correctly.

This year ‘Smart Glass’ technology is due to go sale in the United Kingdom. ‘Smart Glasses’ have the appearance of a pair of spectacles with a built-in computer and a small display unit over one eye. The wearer can use them to perform a number of functions such as browsing the internet, following instructions/directions, reading e-mails, messaging, gaming and recording images. ‘Smart Glass’ technology is already being used by the public in countries like the United States and Taiwan.

For the attention of OLE Maintenance Delivery Units, Overhead Condition Renewals Team, Construction and Design Contractors.

For the attention of all Network Rail Employees, Principal Contractors and Contractors who may undertake work in Buildings that may have Asbestos Containing Materials. (ACM’s)

Investigation into the reported failure of a Lookout Operated Warning System (LOWS) used by a contractor on the West Coast Mainline on Friday 21 February is making good progress. There are questions about the overall protection arrangements on that site which remain to be explored.

A rail plant haulage contractor collecting rail trailers and other plant from an access point at Lisvane on the Cardiff/Rhymney Line was seriously injured when a lifting accessory failed.

On Monday 3rd March 2014 at approximately 2340hrs a resurfacing operative, working for a subcontractor as part of the Scotland TranServ M8 surface improvement scheme, was fatally injured. It appears he was struck by a reversing 20t tipper vehicle involved in resurfacing works.

For the attention of FOCs and Wagon Maintainers Background: NIRS (numbers 2852 & 2966) were issued when vehicles had been found with wheelset lift brackets detached at the bolted end. After the issue of the NIRs a 100% fleet check was carried out of the bracket integrity on the Network Rail Fleet and all were found to be in place and correctly fastened.

On the 5th March 2014 an incident occurred within a worksite containing High Output Track Renewal Train (TRS 4)

On the 27th February 2014 at Hamilton Square Station, Merseyrail,Liverpool,an employee of NetworkRail received an electric shock whilst working on a telecom customer information system

NIRS (numbers 2852 & 2966) were issued when vehicles had been found with wheelset lift brackets detached at the bolted end. 

Although the Near Miss incident is still under investigation it has clearly shown that there is a need for higher vigilance of LOW’s operation and warning

There have been two incidents of falling, by railway personnel, whilst walking on Trotred. The product has been approved for slip resistance, but there have been incidents where, following removal of the lids to install cables, the side walls of the Trotred have been deflected inwards due to weight from adjacent ballast and preventing the lids from being replaced correctly. This causes the outer edges of the Trotred lids to be unsupported and move unexpectedly under the weight of footfall thus creating a trip hazard.

On Wednesday the 23/04/14 there was a near miss with a train on the HOBC3 worksite at Tollerton

For the attention of all owners, maintainers and users of GOS (Philmor) converted Rexquote/Thwaites Personnel Carriers and Rexquote/Thwaites 5T, 6T and 8T dumper variants.

It is with great sadness that we inform you of a road traffic accident which occurred on Thursday 1 May resulting in the death of one of our colleagues, a 54 year old employee of BAM Nuttall working on the Borders Project.

A serious incident occurred on Saturday 21st June 2014 where a haulage contractor was seriously injured after being attacked by a dog.

For the attention of Network Rail Staff and Contractors delivering and receiving loads from HGVs

During the early hours of the morning on 18th May 2014 an employee working for our Rail business in Germany suffered fatal injuries from an electric shock. At the time the employee was renovating Overhead Catenary near the town of Lichtenfels in Bavaria, Germany.

For the attention of all staff and contractors engaged in the planning and installation of cable troughing units on behalf of Network Rail.

For the attention of all owners and users of GOS (Philmor) converted Rexquote (Thwaites) Personnel Carriers and Rexquote (Thwaites) 5ton, 6ton and 8ton dumper variants.

During works on behalf of Network Rail Infrastructure Projects Scotland North East region at North Berwick on 8th April 2014, a member of contractor staff was seriously injured. A quad bike was being used in conjunction with the related works which involved removing existing fencing and erecting a post and wire boundary fence.

Two recent incidents have highlighted increased risk where temporary traffic management is used near automatic level crossings. On both occasions, collision with a train was narrowly avoided.

It is with great sadness that we inform you of a road traffic accident on the M4 motorway which occurred on the Monday, 9 June 2014, resulting in 3 deaths and one worker left with critical injuries in hospital.

An incident occurred on the 21st April 2014 at the Forres 3 work-site in Scotland whilst operating a Bryce Suma PROF1 Post Driver.

An incident occurred on the 21st April 2014 at the Forres 3 worksite in Scotland whilst operating a Bryce Suma PROF1 Post Driver.

This bulletin supersedes NRS 287 issued on 20th June 2013

A winter catalogue has been developed which brings together all new and existing products to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for winter consumables

DE-ICER 97/633/1 is a fast acting de-icing solution designed for spray application to rapidly remove ice and snow residues from equipment, point switchgear etc in the rail industry. This product complies with the requirements of the 97/633/1 specification.

An incident occurred at Wolverhampton where, Rocksalt was used on and around the track as a de-icer in readiness for this weekend’s S&C works at Crane Street, Wolverhampton.

Operators observed during a safety tour operating unsafely by operating from the side of MFS wagon off the access steps.

Every year, people are killed or seriously injured when working in excavations. Excavation work has to be properly planned, managed, supervised and carried out to prevent accident. This guidance is to provide advice for those involved in planning and delivering excavation work

Following the collapse in high winds of a JOST JTL158.6 luffer crane in Croydon, London on 25 January, 2014, JOST Cranes (JOST) has undertaken an investigation to determine the cause of the failure. Three other failures of JOST crane jibs had been reported in the twelve months previous.

There have been a number of accidents and close calls involving vehicle deliveries and collections near railway lines. These have involved articulated lorries, flat bed lorries (including those with lorry loaders), and vans.

Carillion Rail recognised that there is significant merit in terms of the safety of track workers in the development and use of a physical barrier system to provide segregation from live rail traffic on work sites adjacent to open lines. Deployment of such a system would lessen the risk of the workforce coming into contact with trains or other on track plant.

Following a recent fault on an SRS 18t MEWP it has been identified that an unapproved wiring modification had been carried out to effect a repair. This repair has inadvertently bypassed the emergency stop circuit rendering the emergency stop buttons totally ineffective, with the potential to import serious risk to those working on or around these vehicles.

On 2 October 2014 a serious incident occurred on site during a lifting activity. A slinger/signaller was in the process of attaching lifting accessories to the lifting eye of a 22 tonne tracked 360 excavator. Whilst attaching the lifting accessories to the excavator’s quick hitch, he came into contact with an unintentional movement of the dipper arm of the machine. The slinger/signaller, positioned between the machine’s dipper arm and a stack of sheet piles, sustained serious crush injuries.

During a recent lifting operation involving the use of a Sumner Roust-A-Bout R-250 lifting hoist, a cable failed without warning which caused a section of steelwork to fall within a designated site area. The initial cause is not known. As part of the investigation into how the failure occurred, it was discovered that internal elements of the lift were not accessible for routine inspection.

We have taken up the railway industry's views expressed in the Evaluation Report of ORR's Occupational Health programme 2010-14 about more being needed on strategic direction.

Following weeks of unusually high and persistent rain a number of embankment slips occurred on the Kent route including the part of the Down Hastings Line at Stonegate on 09 February 2014. Both lines were blocked.

As a result of an ongoing investigation the following safety information has been identified that requires immediate communication.

As a result of an ongoing investigation the following safety information has been identified that requires immediate communication.

In the last weekend, several of our colleagues have been injured whilst conducting their normal duties. The extent of their injuries varies from Fractured Bones; Pulled/Strained Muscles to a Serious Eye Injury Until we receive further information from the investigations here are some important points to consider in relation to each event. In essence a number of our colleagues did not go home safe to their family

On the morning of the 28th December a Heathrow Express train struck a trolley on the UP Airport Line at Stockley. The two operatives who were placing the trolley jumped clear of the train just before the impact. This was very close to being a multiple fatality.

In May 2014, Network Rail issued Safety Bulletin 323 which stopped with immediate effect the lifting, carrying and team handling of C143 conventional concrete troughing. Following further analysis it has now been agreed that manual handling of ALL types of concrete troughing present risks to staff safety which require immediate action.

On Monday 26 January 2015 two operatives were involved in the installation of a metal lighting column, which was being lifted into place with an excavator. The 8m column was supported in a vertical position by the excavator whilst one of the operatives guided it into a pre-installed ground spigot.

Last weekend at our Sydenham S&C renewals site, a redundant cross‐track pipe was removed from the ground and the pieces were loaded into wagons with the spent ballast (picture above). Whilst discharging the wagons at the Eastleigh depot, the NSC operators identified the pipes as being asbestos based products. The wagons were quarantined and will be sent to the special facilities at Crewe to be treated as contaminated waste.  

During drainage works on 17 May 2015 at Layton Road Bridge, Market Harborough a machine controller's foot became trapped between the road and rail wheels of the road rail vehicle that he was overseeing.

Following previous incidents and work undertaken by a cross industry Tandem Lifting Working Group it was determined that: "It was not proved possible to demonstrate that any existing road rail excavator cranes in rail mode, could safely tandem lift 60ft concrete sleeper track panels, in order to 'panel-out' or install panels on or from the adjacent line." 

In May 2014, Network Rail issued Safety Bulletin 323 which prohibited with immediate effect the manual lifting, carrying and team handling of C143 conventional concrete troughing.

Whilst changing defective diodes within a rectifier cubicle at High Brooms Substation, a member of staff suffered minor burns to his wrist and lower arm.

On the morning of Thursday 26 March a lineside fire was reported between Weybridge and Walton on Thames.

At approximately 13.00 on 2 April a railway worker was photographed by a member of the public hanging outside of the side door of a vehicle travelling at speed on the M40.

On 20 April 2015 a gantry rail which had been positioned for the plain line renewals works at Derby Road moved due to expansion.

During project works, arrangements were made for the gates and posts at a User Worked Crossing (UWC) to be removed to allow clearance for a combine harvester to cross the line.

On 21 January 2018 an accident occurred whilst Works Delivery were undertaking a steel sleeper track renewal. While manually handling a steel sleeper a contractor colleague trapped a finger on his right hand which resulted in an open fracture and damage to the nail bed.

The colleague was part of a two person operation to lift steel sleepers from stock piles and place them onto the ballast.

Last week a member of staff suffered a significant injury to his fingers as a result of an accident while transporting a Univer-sal Track Access System (UTAS) within its cage. The UTAS is an steel on/off tracking facility for Road/Rail machines and weighs approximately 2 tonnes.

The IP, who was working as a POS, was holding the cage as it struck the wheel of the RRV and the UTAS shifted within the cage, trapping 2 fingers on his right hand.

On Sunday 11 March, colleagues were working at the northern portal of Primrose Hill tunnel.

Initial investigations have shown that there was a discussion between the workers and their COSS, challenging their understanding of the layout in that area.

On 27 March whilst carrying out a routine track inspection at the River Mole Four Arch underbridge a patrolling team of four were crossing a limited clearance structure believed to be under a line blockage when a passenger train
unexpectedly approached their position on the Down line.

The advanced lookout was ahead of the team, saw the train approaching, warned the other members and all reached a position of safety in time for the train to pass their position without further incident.

This Safety Advice is being re-issued following a review by the STE Head of Plant team to confirm the on-going actions that are required for the safe operation of this equipment.

On 1 November 2014 a group of track workers were moving 2 x 52ft pieces of rail for approximately a mile and a quarter on the line between Pantyffynnon Jcn and Gwaun-cae- Gurwen (GCG) in Wales using two pairs of manually propelled rail handlers (MPRH).

In October 2017 during longitudinal timber replacement work on Hopetown Bridge in Darlington, hot bitumen was being used to seal the longitudinal track support beams. The overnight weather was stormy with strong winds and heavy rain.

Hot bitumen was being decanted from a tar boiler into a bucket when the liquid caught alight.

Following lineside neighbour concern about treefelling, the Rail Minister has asked Network Rail to reinforce the instructions about vegetation management, particularly during the bird nesting season (March to August).

At 02:00 on 8 June at Bradford Interchange, a Genie Z60 Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) (Type 9b), ran away for approximately 340 metres whilst in the process of being ontracked, coming to a stand of its own accord in platform 1 at Bradford Interchange station.

During use earlier this year an HVD03/2D Live Line Indicator was used on an electrical section. The indicator was calibrated, in-date and appeared to be in good condition.

The self-check function was performed and completed satisfactorily with indications being shown as expected.

Following a previous accident, ORR issued an Improvement Notice requiring a risk assessment of the tasks involved in moving and fine alignment of steel sleepers. This was communicated in safety bulletin NRB 18/07.

Steel sleepers weigh over 80kg each and the weight is increased when supplied with chairs attached (88kg with fast clip chairs attached).

Over the past 12 months there has been an increase in the number of overhead line equipment safety related events resulting from vegetation encroachment.

Vegetation related overhead line equipment safety related events equate for greater than 10% of all mechanical and electrical safety related reports.

It has been reported that on Tuesday 24 July 2018 at approximately 10:32, a member of staff (a contract lookout) gave a user permission to cross a user worked crossing equipped with a telephone (UWCT) in a vehicle.

Signs are in place to inform users of the correct process for using the crossing.

A serious incident occurred within an Engineering worksite when an engineering train passed over a level crossing with the barriers in the raised position.

As works had been completed with the train, it was being taken from the site of work to the exit marker boards and approached the level crossing.

There have been several recent occurrences where materials or components have been displaced or struck by the passage of trains andhave either caused or had the potential to cause damage.

These include an incident at Barton & Broughton in Lancashire where an AWS unit lid that had been removed for maintenance work had not been safely secured and was dislodged by a passing train, and earlier incidents involving plant and equipment stored in tunnels.

The recent release of the GKD 3RCI planner versions 8.81 & 9.23 contain a software error which miscalculates safe tandem lifting.

The tandem calculation is performing a double de-rate on the load entered where 'tandem lift' is selected.

Following one of the safety stand down briefs held in response to the death of our colleague at Bearsden, S&T colleagues close called the signal shown in the photo.

The ladder is used to access a gantry that work is then performed from, however the palisade fencing is very close to the ladder.

To facilitate a railway tunnelling project an access from an existing A road has created to get equipment on to site.

Part of the design for the access required from the adjacent A road required the Armco barrier to be modified.

On 22 October 2018 at approximately 03:00 on an Infrastructure Projects site near Market Harborough, a Road Rail Vehicle Excavator Crane overturned whilst tandem lifting concrete sleeper track panels.

In the early hours of Tuesday 6th November, a member of the Southeast Route's possession delivery team was fatally struck by a train at Stoats Nest Junction, between Purley and Coulsdon. The colleague was carrying out Possessions Support duties.

On Monday 19th November a road rail vehicle (RRV) and trailers in a possession passed over Llantrisant West level crossing without authority or the crossing being under local control.

On the 15/11/18 at 11:30 hours an electrical contractor received burn injuries due to an
electrical high voltage flash over while working in the depot.

During planned renewal of an OLE wire run, it was discovered that the planned methodology was unable to be applied. Following review by the site management the decision was made to
revert to the contingency plan to manually dewire.

A re-brief of the manual methodology and theassociated hazards and controls was undertaken
and the work re-commenced.

On 28/05/2019 at 17:55, the driver of 1A52 reported that objects had been placed on the Up
Main line. The objects were subsequently identified as two drainage pipes (each 500mm
diameter, 2m long and weighing 68kg).

The train struck the pipes, sustaining minor damage and causing damage to track fixings, axle counters and an overhead line structure.

Along side the important work of the RAIB and agencies like BTP Network Rail has appointed an investigator who has started to gather the facts of this terrible tragedy. The investigation will be extremely thorough in order to learn from the accident and prevent it happening again. Industry partners including Trade Unions will be included in the investigation team.

Nothing is more important than Everyone Home Safe Everyday and we must help each other to make this a reality.

There have been several incidents recently where staff pushing trolleys have fallen and been hit in the face by the Trolley brake handle. This would not happen if the trolley push bars were in position.

Following a serious staff injury in Godinton dc traction substation in December 2018, Network Rail's arc flash PPE requirements have been reviewed and bench marked against our rail industry partners and Distribution Network Operators.

On Sunday 17th November a portion of a Network Rail Track Renewal System, On-Track-Machine (OTM) (P95), ran away and collided with the remaining portion of the consist (D75).

The Health and Safety Executive's Workplace Health Expert Committee endorsed the hazard reclassification of mild steel welding fume as a human carcinogen in February 2019.

Feedback from front line staff has indicated that the lifesaving rule for test before touch on 25kV is not being applied in a consistent manner.

The lifesaving rule: test before touch, for 25kV is a key control for managing the risk of working on or near electrified lines.

Following a serious staff injury in Godinton dc traction substation in December 2018, Network Rail's arc flash PPE requirements have been reviewed and bench marked against our rail industry partners and Distribution Network Operators.

On 25th December 2019 an overhead linesman was seriously injured when he came into contact with the live overhead line equipment (OLE) at Kensal Green. Safety Bulletin NRB19-22 refers.

At 11:01am on 14th February 2020 a Network Rail track worker from Tottenham Delivery Unit had a near miss with a train. The person was part of a track team working on a reported defect on the Down line at Foxton.

On 22/02/2020 two Road Rail Vehicles (RRVs) were being used for work on overhead line equipment. Both machines arrived at structure 06/17, Manor Park East London, at approximately 15:30, five hours into the activity, to operate back to back. The RRVs were less than one metre apart.

On 9th January, ORR Inspectors carried out a joint site visit with Network Rail at Dover Priory to observe the two fixed TOWS (Train Operated Warning System) [Priory Tunnel and Charlton Tunnel] in operation. Following the site visit, the ORR were satisfied with the TOWS system, the provision of places of safety/refuges within the tunnels, the method of operation and staff training/briefing.

Whilst renewing Overhead Lines at around 11am on 25/01/2020 two Skyrailer MEWPs collided. One MEWP was travelling on the Down Road towards a second stationary MEWP also on the Down Road.

The Machine Operator in the travelling MEWP was unable to slow the machine on approach to the stationary MEWP leading to a collision.

An incident occurred at Adswood Junction on 19/01/2020. Whilst an engineering train was being worked on, an road rail vehicle (RRV) propelled on the adjacent road which could have injured an employee. Reviewing previous similar occurrences, there have been several very high-risk safety incidents which have occurred in recent years.

This is due to the incorrect movement of engineering trains, On-Track-Machines (OTMs) and On-Track-Plant (OTPs) when entering, working within, or exiting engineering worksites and possessions. These incidents relate to the movement of trains, OTMs or OTP moving whilst staff are in the vicinity and not aware.

On 26 February 2020 members of the Westbury Track team planned to work in a shared line blockage on the Up Trowbridge in order to undertake lifting and packing works. Whilst working on the Down Trowbridge with Hand Tampers, the team were involved in a near miss with a Colas light loco.

In the early hours of 21st March 2019, two friends left a pub near Hackney Wick station. On the way to a local shop they saw a stationary Freightliner train outside Hackney Wick Station. It was held at a red signal for around 17 minutes.

The two adult males accessed the railway and climbed on top of a container on a freight wagon at the rear of the train, bringing them into close proximity with the live overhead line.

On 30th September during installation of drainage works at Stamford Underbridge a supervisor was struck on the lower back and legs by a lump of earth that became dislodged from the vertical face of a trench.

It is with great sadness that we report the death of a railway worker yesterday at Roade, near Hanslope Junction in North West & Central Region. The worker was a Controller of Site Safety (COSS) employed by a contractor. The work was to reinforce a cutting slope beside the Up Slow line and had started in February.

During the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, a number of changes to the way we work have been implemented to maintain social distancing measures on and whilst travelling to worksites. Over the Easter weekend works, some reports indicate social distancing protocols were breached.

A serious accident occurred over the Christmas period when a worker fell from a mobile scaffold tower on Platform 11 of Paddington Station. He suffered fractured vertebrae, ribs and a collar bone. He is recovering from his injuries.

This activity had originally been planned for the day shift, but had been transferred to the night shift without a formal method of handover between shifts or the arrangements.

On 9th April 2020 at 10:50 two contractor staff were painting Newcastle Station roof columns on Platform 2. A station staff member raised a concern on seeing the mobile elevated scissor lift being in close proximity to the live Overhead Line Equipment (OLE).

The work activity was halted. As the machine was being lowered it made contact with an earthed part of the OLE lower cross span wire on one of the OLE structures.

Several high-risk safety incidents have occurred in recent years from the incorrect movement of engineering trains. These incidents relate to the movements of trains whilst staff are in the vicinity and not aware. An example is at Battersea, South London, in November 2018 when an unplanned movement of out of gauge tilting wagon exposed several operators to life threatening danger.

Several safety investigations over the past few weeks have indicated some people being distracted by the widespread focus on COVID-19, undermining their attention to normal safety arrangements. It is clear that awareness about social distancing is widespread, but in some cases an over-riding focus on the virus has led to safety precautions being compromised.

Unsafe practices include some which have led to serious accidents. Early investigation findings have pointed to people being focussed on complying with social distancing but in doing so, not complying with other vital safety measures. For example, by walking into an unsafe area to keep social distance rather than waiting for colleagues in the safe area to move aside.

A recent incident involved a HVD03/2D Live Line Indicator (LLI) - Cat No 094/007055 - which indicated a section of overhead line equipment (OLE) was de-energised when it was live. The live line indicator was being used for section proving on equipment that was expected to be live. But the indicator displayed a green aspect falsely indicating the equipment was de-energised.

On the 22nd of February 2020 at Manor Park, London a Controller of Site Safety (COSS) and three track staff were redistributing small steel components between two Road Rail Vehicles (RRVs).

A passenger train recently hit a wooden pole that had fallen onto the line. This bulletin contains a brief overview of the incident and provides initial findings and recommendations. 

A recent incident involved a Cotec C31 Live Line Indicator (LLI) - Cat No 091/012337- which was damaged when used on live overhead line equipment (OLE).

Two recent incidents have highlighted the risk of undertaking vegetation clearance near overhead line equipment (OLE).

This bulletin is being issued following a number of incidents and close calls in which staff and contractors have been working in Operational Property and had the potential to inadvertently disturb Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs).

On Sunday 12 July 2020 an incident occurred at Slade Green Depot in Kent, where a live conductor rail was not correctly identified by a Seaward DC Live Line Indicator and a colleague suffered electrical burns to his leg.

A near miss has occurred in the Leighton Buzzard area. A contractor accessed the infrastructure to survey as part of a tender response for some de-vegetation work for Works Delivery.

Since the Covid crisis started, hire vehicle usage across Network Rail is 168% higher than normal. Hired vehicles provide teams with extra capacity and space to travel Covid safely to sites whilst maintaining social distance.

On the 25th November 2019 a Komatsu PC138 Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) derailed whilst lifting a 20ft track panel and travelling over a set of points at Worcester Shrub Hill station sidings.

There have been a number of failures of SADTEM Voltage Transformer (VT) over the past 6 months.

You may be aware of a video circulating on social media of a group of track workers sitting in the cess very close to the running line as a train passes by at speed. 

The HVD03/2D (PADs Number 094/007055) live line indicator shall be withdrawn from use by all Network Rail staff from the 14th August.  

On the afternoon of 24 October 2020 at Grove Ferry, Kent an operative was taking measurements of the track, for aligning sleepers, from the running rail on the adjacent line. There was an engineering train on that line.

COVID-19 is increasing pressure on mental and physical health within the rail industry. Rail Wellbeing Live is a new free industry-wide event designed to help people manage this pressure.

On the 7th September during a routine inspection a mature ash tree showing signs of die back was found in a condition that posed an immediate risk of falling onto the railway line. The team was able to undertake immediate action to safeguard the railway and the tree was made safe.

A significant derailment occurred on Wednesday 26th August at Morlais Junction, Llangennech with a large fire and a CAT 1 Environmental incident ensuing.

A number of recent investigations have raised concerns that post incident drug and alcohol testing is not always taking place when it is required.

On Saturday 19th December at 19:14 hrs a Mobile Operations Manager (MOM) was involved in a near miss with SWR train 1P57 (Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour) within the limits of Rowlands Castle station.

POLYCO 'SuperGlove' electricians' gloves (shown above right) have been used by Network Rail in various sizes for many years, rated for both 500V AC and 1000V AC resistance.

On Tuesday 9th February at 11.38 a.m. a track patroller was struck by 1L29, a Waterloo to Salisbury South Western Railway train, sustaining fatal injuries.

On 15th January 2021, a CCTV camera platform fell down a mast, narrowly avoiding injury to a signalling technician at Rigton CCTV level crossing.

A recent incident occurred at Langley Junction on the 28 January 2021, which is currently being investigated, where a member of staff received an electrical shock when working on Overhead Line Equipment (OLE).

In a recent incident in Scotland Region, significant flooding was discovered in and around a 25kV Track Sectioning Cabin (TSC) at Carstairs.

A potential fatality could have occurred on 22nd February 2021 when an operative was observed inside a Ballast Cleaning System on track machine (OTM) at Crewe Operating Base.

At 02:30hrs on Saturday 20th February a S&T member of staff was conducting fault maintenance on a HW 1000 points machine (E465B) on the BML1 at Eastleigh Railway Station when he sustained a deep laceration to his right index finger.