Safety of Personnel- Line Blockage.

IWA

Individual working alone

COSS

Controller of Site Safety (in charge of a group of people)

PC

Protection Controller (in charge of a group of groups)

Before a line blockages may be taken the signaller must agree the following with the COSS/ IWA/ PC

The line to be blocked.

The nature of the work.

The locations between which the work will take place.

The amount of time needed to do the work.

The time after which permission can be given for the line blockage to start.

Which signals will be kept at danger to protect the activity (including those in both directions on single and bidirectional lines)

Any additional protection if the work affects the safety of the line.

The arrangements if single line working is in operation.

The arrangement is at any level crossing affected by the line blockage.

WASOL 200

If Work will Affect the Safety Of the Line and will take place within 200m of the protecting signal what must you do as well as using additional protection?

You must also keep the previous signal (or signals) at danger.

The NR3180 Line Blockage Form

The signaller and the COSS should complete the NR3180 form at the same time.

When it is complete the COSS must read the form back to the signaller.

The signaller must then place signals at danger and make sure all the points are in position necessary to protect the line blockage.

The signaller should then contact the COSS to complete the final section of the form.

You can only agree a line blockages if one of the following applies:

Signal protecting the activity is within your area of control.

A signal protecting the activity is within the area of control of another signaller, and you have explained to that signaller the arrangements you have agreed.

Trains within the line blockage limits- You must make sure that the line to be blocked is clear of a trains unless:

The Signal Box Special Instructions SBSI allow a linebto be blocked with a train in the section and you and the COSS are sure that all trains have passed the location where the activity is to take place, or

A train that is within the limits of the portion of line to be blocked has become disabled or the driver of the train has confirmed that the train is at a stand and will make no further movements without your permission.

Before granting a line blockage, what must you do?

Tell the COSS when the protecting signals have been placed to danger and give them an authority number.

If additional protection is needed you must not give the authority number until the additional protection has been provided.

Completing or Suspending the line blockage- when the work needing the line blockage has been completed or suspended, the COSS will tell the signaller their authority number and that the line blockage is no longer needed. What must you do:

Record the details on the NR3180 form.

Tell any other signaller or crossing keeper involved.

When must A COSS use additional protection?

When the work they are doing will affect the safety of the line.

What means of additional protection can the COSS use?

A signalling technician disconnecting signalling equipment.

The COSS operating a lock-out device.

The COSS placing one or more track circuit operating devices. (T-COD)

The COSS activating one or more remotely activated track circuit operating devices.

The COSS using a device that remotely disconnects signalling equipment.

The COSS providing detanator protection.

Applying engineering possession reminders (EPRs)

Where are the detanators placed?

The detantors go AT the signal but beyond/clear of points.

When can a signal be passed at danger during line blockages?

If you have told the COSS you can allow the signal to be passed at danger so that a train can reach a station, siding or crossover being used for single line working.