Implement and monitor safe working systems for signal maintenance or renewal activities

This standard is about implementing and monitoring safe working systems for signal maintenance or renewal activities and covers methods to establish safe systems of work using technical knowledge and experience of renewal and maintenance activities. This includes the use of necessary documentation to establish safe systems of work. The signalling equipment in this standard can be for overground or underground rail transportation systems and can apply to newer systems, such as the European Train Control System (ETCS).

You will be required to implement and monitor safe working systems during aspects of the maintenance or renewal of signalling assets and systems. This involves protecting other people from the effects of the engineering work and from the movement of rail vehicles. You will understand the complexities of the signalling and railway environments in which you will operate.

You will know and understand the level and extent of your responsibility and authority, which includes your safety and that of your colleagues. Prior authorisation is necessary before undertaking any work, and adherence to organisational procedures is mandatory. Consideration of worksite operational requirements and safe practices is paramount. Your foundational knowledge will facilitate problem-solving for safe maintenance.

Compliance with organisational and regulatory requirements for safe working during maintenance or renewal of signals is essential. This standard is for those overseeing signalling renewal and maintenance activities.

P1 maintain safe working practices and comply with all relevant health and safety regulations, directives, and guidelines
P2 identify any necessary changes to safety requirements upon site arrival and report to the relevant person(s) without delay
P3 source and follow the appropriate schedules, diagrams, and related specifications for the work being carried out as approved by your organisation
P4 source and interpret approved safe working systems procedures and information relating to the work area/site
P5 identify and set access controls to meet agreed and approved system of working procedures
P6 check that the requirements for safe access meet your organisation's requirements
P7 take action to ensure the requirements for safe access to work are implemented
P8 ensure that safe working system records are accurate, up-to-date, and complete and are stored in line with your organisation's procedures
P9 communicate safe working system requirements and the responsibilities of individuals to the appropriate person(s)
P10 review safe working system operations as per your organisation's procedures and forward suggestions for improvement to the appropriate person(s)
P11 advise other person(s) as required of the requirements for safe access
P12 prepare appropriate documentation to update on progress and report completion of activities in line with your organisation's procedures
P13 address problems within your control and report unresolved issues

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 your responsibilities in respect of health, safety, and environment. This should include the limits of your personal responsibility, your legal responsibility for your own health and safety and the health and safety of others
K3 the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate types of safety equipment (PPE) and where to obtain it from
K4 how to locate and access the site
K5 the hazards associated with working on signalling systems and within the railway environment
K6 environmental and safety risks associated with working with hazardous substances and materials
K7 how to source and follow schedules, diagrams, and specifications relevant to your role, as approved by your organisation
K8 the type and complexity of the signalling environment
K9 how to source and interpret your organisation's approved safe system of working procedures and information relating to the activity and work area
K10 your organisation's methods and techniques for conducting safety assessments
K11 your organisation's procedures for setting access controls and how to monitor these are in place
K12 how to monitor safe working systems during maintenance or renewal activities
K13 the implications of not implementing and monitoring a safe working system
K14 how to present relevant information using set proformas and templates
K15 planning arrangements and mitigation to minimise disruptive effect on normal operations and neighbours
K16 the relevant data management processes and technologies for recording information
K17 the relevant reporting lines, timeframes, and procedures as approved by your organisation
K18 the interfaces and impact of the work that you are undertaking on others
K19 the limits of your own authority and responsibility and those of others involved

1. Types of health and safety legislation, regulations and safe working practices and procedures, as applicable to the work location and activities, could include:

   • 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

2. Schedules, diagrams, and specifications could include:

   • organisational work schedules
   • technical diagrams and schematics
   • maintenance and installation specifications
   • project timelines and deadlines

3. Types of signalling equipment for which safe working systems may need to be implemented and monitored during signal maintenance or renewal activities could include:

   • points
   • train control (such as signals, balises or other method of authorising train movements)
   • train detection (such as track circuits or axle counters)
   • power supplies
   • ETCS
   • other industry specific signalling equipment

4. Considerations when working in a signalling environment include:

   • maintenance or renewals activities
   • requirements for depots, sidings, and the mainline including bi-directional operations
   • lines open/closed to operational traffic
   • day/night working
   • noise
   • weather
   • lighting and power
   • specified or planned works by others in the same area

5. Types of documentation to prepare and report could include:

   • access logs
   • progress reports
   • work completion records
   • handover documentation