Determine requirements for the safe access to work locations for signal engineering
Overview
This standard identifies the competencies you need to determine the requirements for safe access to work locations before undertaking a signal engineering activity. These activities could involve the maintenance, fault finding, installation or testing of signalling equipment. The type of work locations that the activities will take place in could be from a range of different sites such as trackside, internal and public, each requiring different access requirements. The signalling equipment in this standard can be for overground or underground rail transportation systems and can apply to the European Train Control System (ETCS).
The level and extent of responsibility includes your safety and that of others who you may accompany. You will be expected to refer to others for authorisation when required, be responsible for the implementation of instructions, and work within set procedures and processes. Your actions shall not compromise the safety of others.
You will be able to identify and agree on the necessary safety requirements. You will ensure the implementation of the necessary safety requirements, protection and disconnection arrangements and that they remain in place throughout the duration of the signal engineering activity.
Safety is a key theme throughout this standard. You will be able to take all relevant action to ensure the safety of yourself, others and railway operations.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 maintain safe working practices and comply with all relevant health and safety regulations, directives, and guidelines
P2 confirm the location of the activity and determine the access requirements
P3 check that the requirements for safe access meet your organisation's procedures
P4 advise other people as required of the requirements for safe access
P5 take action to ensure the requirements for safe access to work are implemented and remain in place for the duration of the activity
P6 establish and maintain communication with relevant person(s)
P7 address problems within your control and report unresolved issues
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 the relevant health and safety regulations, directives, guidelines, and safe working practices and procedures defined by your organisation, as appropriate to the activity and your working area
K2 the methods and techniques for conducting safety assessments, including assessment of risk
K3 how to locate and access the work area/site
K4 how to source and interpret information and document systems relating to the work area/site and activity
K5 the relevant railway possession and protection arrangements for the work site and equipment to provide a safe system of work and how to check these have been implemented
K6 how to secure the work area/site/system for maintenance/fault finding/installation/testing purposes
K7 how to identify, agree and implement safe access
K8 the relevant reporting lines and procedures that are approved by your organisation
K9 the limits of your own authority and responsibility and those of others involved
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Types of health and safety legislation, regulations and safe working practices and procedures, as applicable to the work location and activities, could include:
- your organisation's safety management system
- control of substances hazardous to health
- safe work plans
- track access restrictions
- track work instructions
- track possession
- task risk control sheets
- current rule book
- regulations for working under OLE and in the vicinity of DC lines (where appropriate)
- equipment disconnections
- manual handling
- reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences
- safety signage legal requirements
- PPE
Types of site access documentation to be completed, as applicable to the work location, could include:
- signing in and off site register
- site briefing attendance
- site access authorisation card
- personal track safety certificate
Site locations could include:
- trackside
- internal (such as signal box, equipment room)
- areas to which the public have access
- confined spaces
- elevated structures
Safety requirements that are necessary to ensure safe access, as applicable to the activity, could include:
- protection and possession
- isolation
- traction supply OLE and DC
- establishment of a communication system