Learning from incidents: Ufton LC Near Miss ES LXA PICOP

Target Audience: ES, PICOP & LXA competence holders Method of delivery: Line Manager or Sponsor to arrange for individuals to briefed Recording Process: Briefing to be added as an event on Sentinel* Timescales: To be completed for all ES, PICOP & LXA competence holders and registered on Sentinel* by the end of September 2013 * For Network Rail staff, the briefing is to be registered as a Competence event in Oracle

Near miss incident at Ufton Automatic Half Barrier Crossing, Berkshire 4 September 2011

Both the Up and Down lines were under possession with a level crossing attendant (LXA) appointed at Ufton LC. Red lamps were placed at the crossing with the attendant working to the instructions of the ES to allow movements over the crossing……. …..when the possession of the Down line was due to be given up, the ES mistakenly instructed the LXA to remove the lamp on the Down line, even though the crossing was to remain under local control.

A error was made by the signaller which meant that the LXA had not been instructed to stop the road traffic and lower the barriers for a train on the Down line. The train was travelling at 75mph…. …a car that was just about to drive over the crossing noticed the oncoming train and managed to stop in time. A collision between the train and car was narrowly avoided.

Learning points -When a level crossing is remaining under local control after a possession is given up, the flags/lamps placed for the level crossing are not to be removed -The flag/lamp is part of the level crossing protection and not part of worksite or possession safety arrangements -Had the red lamp on the Down line been in place at Ufton the driver of the train would have seen it and known that the level crossing was not safe to cross

Want to know more about these duties? GE/RT8000/HB11, Duties of the person in charge of the possession (PICOP) GE/RT8000/HB12, Duties of the Engineering Supervisor (ES) GE/RT8000/HB18, Duties of a Level Crossing Attendant (LXA)

Thank you