NSY 518 Suspending a system of Safeworking

Purpose

To prescribe the rules for suspending a system of Safeworking in the Network.

Principle

A system of Safeworking may be suspended only if the methods of special working will not allow train services.

A system of Safeworking may be suspended only on the authority of the Sydney Trains:

• Director Network Standards, Systems and Quality, or
• Senior Manager Network Rules.

The suspension may be implemented or ended by an authorised officer.

Officers implementing the suspension must be assured that:

• workers can carry out their duties safely, and
• rail traffic travelling under the suspension of the system of Safeworking can do so safely.

During suspension of a system of Safeworking, the method of working introduced in its place must use as much as possible of:

• the principles of the suspended system of Safeworking, and
• the normal procedures of the suspended system of Safeworking.

Suspending the system of Safeworking

Before suspending the system of Safeworking, the implementing officer must:

• determine that a method of special working will not allow train services, and
• issue instructions about the method of working to be used, and
• direct that movements be safe, and that conflicting movements be prevented.

The implementing officer must arrange for copies of the instructions to be given to:

• Network Controllers for the affected areas, and
• affected Signallers at attended locations, and
• affected Train Crews and Track Vehicle Crews, and
• other affected workers.

Ensuring safety

The implementing officer must make sure that the instructions:

• specify the limits for the authorised movements, and
• do not permit conflicting routes to be set, and
• specify how signals at STOP are to be passed.

The implementing officer must be assured that:

• effective communication will be established between affected Qualified Workers, and
• previously issued Proceed Authorities in affected portions of track have been cancelled or fulfilled, and
• unless authorised in the instructions, intermediate signal boxes and local control panels in affected areas will not be switched in or out, and
• if necessary, rail traffic in the affected areas has been restrained, and
• before it is authorised to do so, other rail traffic will not enter affected portions of track.

The implementing officer must make sure that the instructions require that:

• level crossings, worksites and obstructions are protected, and
• facing points for movements are secured, and
• if available, fixed signals are cleared.

Ending the suspension

The Director Network Standards, Systems and Quality or the Senior Manager Network Rules, must arrange for an authorised officer to:

• give Network Controllers for the affected areas instructions to end the suspension of a system of Safeworking, and
• make sure that Network Controllers advise affected workers.