Network Rail Rules - anyone familiar?

[texaxile]

Hi,
I know there a few guys here who work on the Railway, myself being one, but I need a link or source to the Network Rail rules, dealing specifically with hearing protection whilst carrying out shunting and trackside duties (NOT maintenance / repairs / to track or plant on the PWAY).

I am under the impression that while carrying out (specifically) shunting duties (remarshalling / arrival / departures) in contact with a Pilot or other staff by radio , hand or verbally, hearing protection is prohibited because a certain amount of awareness is required.

Would local rules (privately owned sidings) override such an instruction?.

[tight5]

Don't think they can be over ruled, Office of Road and Rail (or HMRI) wouldn't allow it.
For all NR rules Google "group standards"
for online publications.

As you said, you need to hear any approaching trains. Hearing protection can be worn when the air train pipe is being destroyed ( in my company, anyway)

[texaxile]

Thanks for the reply, agree that a CBT, or splitting a loco / wagons and draining the air, protection is recommended (possibly mandatory). Totally agree as well concerning actual marshalling operations, but I need something in black and white pertaining to NW rules. There's stuff for engineers, but nothing for shunting operations or shunters actively doing the job.

Bloody minefield.

[tight5]

I'll have a proper look tomorrow.

[Front bottom]

I work on the railway, and I think NR are just the same as the contractors. They pretty much make it up as they go along.

[texaxile]

thanks guys, I'd buy a round but you know the Railway, zero tolerance and all...lol.

[legzr1]

It wasn’t long ago the Rule Book covered everything you needed to know, all in one publication and in sections easily searched and indexed.

This modern railway and its associated publications is becoming a joke imho.

Company specific handbooks and glossaries are replacing whole sections of the Rule Book and it’s getting no better.

15 years ago your answer could be found in one large book.
Now?
You need to remember if it’s in the Rule Book, in a company handout, an A4 laminated sheet, on an app on a tablet or the most recent changes are in a company email.

As to the specific question - the thought of using ear protection/defenders on or about a running line is madness, private sidings or not.

[SmoothCriminal]

Just had a quick look through the ss2 shunting module of the rulebook and only thing it mentions is you must come to a clear understanding between person controlling movement/shunter and driver.

[texaxile]

Yep it does, but I think that hearing protection might fall under the PPE rules. Clear understanding is pertaining to any moves or instructions given to the driver prior to and during a movement.
On a running line I agree that it is bonkers, I might have to call the rssb direct for an answer.

[EXMX5]

No hearing protection used yesterday... Mixture of hand signals and back to back radios used to control the movements.

In my yard hearing protection is offered to all what ever work they are doing. The PPE requirements are shown on a big display in various locations around the depot and do not change depending on the task (Except bump hats must be worn when working below the sole bar).

I don't recall the rule book saying anything about it. You can now get an app for the rule book, mine is on my work tablet which is in my office. Otherwise I would have a look.

[tight5]

Not sure what you are looking for exactly, are you TOC/FOC groundstaff/shunter ?

I've found -

Rule Book - Train Operations Staff Manual
Module G1
7 Going on the operational railway
7.3 While Walking

Rule Book - Master Manual
Module G1
7 Going on the operational railway
7.3 While Walking

Rule Book - Trackworkers Manual
Handbook 1
4.3 While Walking Alone



They all state "Do not wear anything that makes you less able to see or hear approaching trains."

I've got a meeting with some of our managers on Thursday, if that isn't what you were looking for and can wait, i can ask them.

[texaxile]

Thanks Tight5, that's pretty much exactly what I was looking for. It transpires that I was too busy searching "hearing protection" to actually look in a more obvious place!.

I would interpret that as pretty much prohibiting the use of ear defenders / plugs, as a shunter or groundstaff (I am one) has to walk and actively work within a working sidings during the course of my duties. Wearing a set of earmuffs while doing so is pretty bloody stupid if you ask me.

Thanks again for all your help chaps, If we ever meet the first few beers are on me.

[tight5]

No probs mate.

Just curious, what's been the problem ?

[texaxile]

tight5 said:

No probs mate.

Just curious, what's been the problem ?

I'll drop you an email mate, if thats ok.

[tight5]

I've got a different email and have tried, unsuccessfully, to change it to a current one.
If you'd rather not say on here, don't worry about it.

[texaxile]

Ahhh...bugger. just sent one lol!.

I'd rather keep schtum for a bit until it all gets sorted out, if you have an email and want the sordid details, just drop me one!

Thanks again for your help on this, as mentioned it's too easy to get mired down and looking in too much detail, when in fact the answer was quite literally in front of me.

[foxbody-87]

On the maintenance side if you are doing anything on an open line that impairs your hearing then you have to use a touch lookout.
I realise procedures are different for shunters but I wouldn't be too happy working in a yard with things moving about and no hearing!

If you do find out the rules and your employer ignores it then you have the work safe procedure and report it to CIRAS!

[Nik da Greek]

Don't forget that individual companies can make the Rule Book more restrictive through local instructions, professional driving policies, etc. They cannot make it less restrictive

Seems to me in a case like this where the wording is vague if not downright ambiguous, it could be argued that a) wearing hearing protection is contravening PTS by downgrading your ability to recognise the approach of traffic and reach position of safety and b) the company could, if they wish, write that into whatever PDP they operate as it would not lessen the stringency of the Rules

But with that said, it's not exactly cut and dried, is it?

[texaxile]

Interesting points.

I confronted the person who issued the "rule" and he argued that the hearing protection was "state of the art" and "enhanced" sounds while drowning out the harmful ones.

My response was "is that an opinion or fact? - if fact forward me the relevant NR approval and paperwork, if opinion, forward me the relevant NR approval and paperwork pertaining to that".

Currently awaiting the relveant paperwork.

As with all management who are working against the people who do the job rather than with them to meet a mutually satisfactory outcome, the rule stands. Might be interesting to see what the RSSB think about it.

[tight5]

What's your H&S rep say about this ?

Get your manager to put something in writing with his/her name on it ( for culpability purposes ) and make it know if anything happens to you someone will forward it onto HSE/HMRI/ORR.