Line Blockage Guidance for Planners & GZAC Operational Close Call

Line Blockage Guidance for Planners & GZAC Operational Close Call Line Blockage Group 24-Mar-14 / 1

Rule Book and Standards Guidance Guidance to Signallers Rule Book TS1 (V01) Guidance to IWA/COSS/PC Handbook 8 (V02) Guidance to Planners NR/L2/OHS/019 (V03) /

Background Following a number of issues of interpretation that of have resulted in confusion between Signallers, Track workers and Planners regarding the “correct” signals to be agreed during the process of taking a line blockage . This subject has been discussed at the National Operational Close Call Line Blockage group. The intention is to produce further guidance for all groups that is acceptable across the three disciplines. Attached are three briefings, one for each group giving guidance on what is expected when planning a line blockage, requesting a line blockage and granting a line blockage Above all, the underlying principle is making sure that the correct protection is given to the track workers and that signallers and planners are supported in the decisions they are making. 24-Mar-14 / 3

Principle of a Line Blockage What does the Planner, Signaller, IWA, COSS or PC need to understand when planning, requesting or granting a line blockage? Where is the work activity taking place? This should include the access to the site of work and any protection requirements. Which lines will be affected during the work activity? How will the activity be protected? What signals will be used to protect the activity? (a protecting signal must be identified for each line that will be affected by the work) e.g. Diagram 1 – Up Main L6 Diagram 2 AB4-AB19 What other signals will be kept at danger to protect any route that leads towards the line blockage? e.g. Diagram 1 – Up Branch L8 Diagram 2 AB6-AB8-AB21 What points need to be set so that trains can be signalled normally on unaffected routes? (away from the line blockage) e.g. Diagram 2 – Up Main AB15 Will the safety of the line be affected and what additional protection would be required? Agreement by all parties what additional protection is going to be used. 24-Mar-14 / 4

Guidance – the Rule Book states: If a request for a line blockage is received by the signaller you must agree with the IWA, COSS or 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 any additional protection needed if the work will affect the safety of the line the arrangements if single line working is taking place the arrangements at any level crossings affected by the line blockage What does this mean to a planner when they receive a request for a line blockage? 24-Mar-14 / 5

Planner Guidance The Planner must prepare a plan that clearly identifies; which running lines are affected by the work the precise location of the work to be undertaken The protecting signals for the work The Planner must make sure that the submitted plan is approved through publication in the WON, Signal Box Instructions or Signallers GZAC Daily List (Status of Accepted or With Changes in SSOWPS2) The Planner must issue the safe system documentation pack to the IWA/COSS/PC at least a shift in advance The Planner must make appropriate amendments to plans in response to valid feedback being received The Planner should refer to other submitted plans for Line Blockages so they avoid independently applying for blockages where others have already applied (consider PC option if appropriate). 20-Mar-14 / 6

GZAC Guidance The GZAC (current title Possession Support Assistant) shall receive and process all line blockage applications received into Green Zone Planner (via SSOWPS2 or Directly input) to check that they; Clearly identify the location of work Clearly identify a valid protecting signal for each line affected by the work Do not clash with WON published items, agreed Signal Box Instructions or other applications in the system Do not cause Signaller work load limits to be exceeded The GZAC should try to facilitate different work groups sharing line blockages under a PC by directing different Planners towards each other 20-Mar-14 / 7

Diagram 1 Simple Line Blockage The COSS rings the signaller and requests a line blockage of the Up Line from signal L6 to L4, the COSS will then request a line blockage of the Down line from signal L3 to L5. SSOW plan will show Signals L6 to L4 & L3 to L5 Up Branch L8 Down Branch L7 L6 L4 Up Main Site of work Down Main L3 L5 L2 The Signaller and COSS will have a safety communication and agree that Signals L8 and L1 will also be held at danger for the protection of the work group Up Branch Down Branch L1 20-Mar-14 / 8

IWA/COSS/PC Guidance The IWA/COSS/PC shall receive a safe system of work pack including an RT9909 and RT3181 that; Clearly identifies the location of work Clearly identifies a protecting signal(s) for each line affected by the work The IWA/COSS/PC should receive the pack for Verification at least a shift in advance The IWA/COSS/PC must check that the protecting signals stated on the pack actually provide protection for the work to be undertaken on the running line (s) affected During the safety conversation with the Signaller record on the RT3181 & repeat back the details of all/any other signals maintained at danger by the Signaller. 20-Mar-14 / 9

Diagram 2: Bi-directional lines & working clear of points AB 6 AB 8 Location of COSS AB 21 AB 4 Bi-Directional Reversible AB 19 Up Main Site of Work Bi-Directional Signals the COSS will quote that protect the site of work Reversible Down Main AB 11 Following safety conversation, agreed signals held at red AB 15 AB 17 Points are set and maintained for the down main signal used as normal for that route. Signaller will expect the IWA/COSS/PC to identify where they are working and what signals on that line are required as protection. (Signals highlighted in Red) The Signaller and IWA/COSS/PC will have a safety conversation that will agree which signals will be kept at danger to protect the activity (Signals highlighted in Blue) Also what Signals can be used as normal, this may include maintaining a set of points in a specific position, for routes that do not affect the site of work. (Signals highlighted in Green) 20-Mar-14 / 10

Guidance - IWA/COSS/PC RT3181 contents The IWA/COSS/PC, have an RT3181 form where the columns in Section 2 – Blocking the Line are currently headed as shown below It is completed to the convention illustrated (Uni directional line) Running Line A Running Line B From Controlled Signal To defined Exit location From C/O Points From Controlled Signal To defined Exit location From Controlled Signal From Controlled Signal To defined Exit location From Controlled BiDi Sig (BI directional line) Running Line C Running Line D From C/O Points To defined Exit location From Controlled BiDi Sig Provided that the actual work mileage area is totally within the limits shown on the RT3181 – the arrangements can be implemented during the safety conversation. The Signaller will determine any other signals to be maintained at danger or routes to be set with appropriate reminder devices fitted during the safety conversation. 20-Mar-14 / 11

Closing Slide 20-Mar-14 / 12