1. Safety Technical & Engineering
December 2017 Rule Book Amendment Briefing for ES/SWL, PICOP, COSS, MC, OTM operator and loco hauled train driver working in T3 Possessions
Safety Technical & Engineering
STE Possession speeds Rule Change Brief – Final – Dated July 2017

2. Rule Book Module T3 and Handbooks 9, 11, 12 & 15
Reduction of maximum permitted speed from 40 mph to 25 mph in possessions
Rule changes
Maximum speed in possessions reduced from 40mph to 25mph with additional requirement for ES/SWL & PICOP to instruct drivers/OTM operators or MC/Operators to proceed at caution, without specifying an upper speed limit
Benefits
Collision avoidance - Consistent instructions given to drivers/operators/MC to allow them to control their vehicles safely, maintaining control, using their expertise to travel at a speed to stop safely within the distance the line ahead can be seen to be clear

3. Why the change?
There has been a number of high profile collisions in possessions in recent years. These rules changes have been designed to reduce the risk of further collisions. Two recurring significant factors in the causes of these incidents has been sub-standard communications and inappropriate speed control of the train. Sub-standard instructions contributed to drivers assuming the line ahead was clear to a point where it wasn’t, and that up to 40mph would be a safe speed to travel. Obviously; these collisions would not have occurred had the driver controlled the speed of the train to be able to stop within the distance the line ahead could be seen to be clear.

4. Why the change?
The industry agreed as a temporary arrangement the adoption of a 5mph limit in worksites and a 15mph limit in PICOP controlled areas. This interim arrangement widely became known as the 5/15 rule. To clarify - 5/15 was a temporary arrangement for all train movements. All train movements are to be made “at caution” governed by industry agreed Codes of Practice (CoP) already in place. These rules changes will compliment rather than replace the CoP requirements.
The freight operating companies have put in place an ACoP which sets speeds lower speeds than the maximum 25mph. The On-Track Machine companies have also got an agreed code of practice in place that has different speed restrictions to the freight operators. Rail Mounted Maintenance Machines are permitted to continue to operate at a maximum potential speed of 40mph (although in reality this is not achievable) until the Rule Book changes come in to force December 2nd 2017, when the new limit of 25mph will become mandatory.
However, the ACoP speeds are not and will not be quoted in the Rule Book and could change at anytime. The speeds have not been published in the rule book as they comply, albeit more restrictively with the new ceiling speed of 25mph.
It is extremely important that you do not assume that a particular type rail vehicle will approach you at a lower speed. All rail vehicles could potentially be travelling at 40mph until the new speed of 25mph is mandated in December.
The same principle will apply from December in that any SSoW must be based on 25mph as this is the maximum potential speed that a rail vehicle could approach a site of work.
Remember - These codes of practice are currently in place and being applied. Until December 2nd 2017 a rail vehicle could still comply with the Rule Book arrangements, approaching your site of work at 40mph. From 02 December 2017 the maximum potential speed will change to 25mph

5. How will the changes be published?
The material in the following slides contain the amendments to rules and regulations that will be published in the September Rule Book update for implementation from 02 December 2017
Note:-
Any reference to ES in this briefing applies to SWL2 and above.
Any reference to COSS includes SWL1.

6. Before change From 02 December 17
Rule Book Module T3
Before change From 02 December 17

7. Recap of the changes in RB Module T3
After the changes come in What is the revised maximum potential speed in a possession? How will the movements be controlled?
The reference to 40mph (65km/h) being the maximum permitted speed in possessions is to be replaced with a revised speed limit of 25mph (40km/h).
As described in the following slides; the emphasis is that all movements will be made at caution. Caution being a speed that the person controlling the vehicle/train, regardless of type can stop their vehicle/train in the distance they can see the line ahead to be clear of any obstruction.
The emphasis that the default speed in worksites is 5mph is reinforced. An ES/SWL is permitted to authorise movements greater than 5mph; these movements must still be driven at caution.

8. Before change From 02 December 17
Hand Book 9 – IWA or COSS setting up SSoW within possessions 3.7
Before change From 02 December 17

9. Before change From 02 December 17
Hand Book 9 – IWA or COSS setting up SSoW within possessions 4.2
Before change From 02 December 17

10. Recap of the changes in HB 9
What speed can you use to set up your SSoW in a worksite from 2nd December?
What speed can you use to set up your SSoW with the authority of the PICOP from 2nd December?
What speed do you use to set up your SSoW before the Rule Book change comes in to effect?
25mph is the new 40mph – no other rule has been affected by these changes

11. Before change From 02 December 17
Hand Book 11 - Duties of PICOP - Clause 7
Before change From 02 December 17

12. Before change From 02 December 17
Hand Book 11 - Duties of PICOP - Clause 8
Before change From 02 December 17

13. Recap the changes to clauses 7 & 8 in HB 11
After the changes come in
Clause 7 – As a PICOP, what speed can a COSS or IWA use to set up their SSoW using your protection arrangements?
Clause 8 – How do you instruct a driver or MC to proceed when you’ve completed your instructions?
Clause 7 – The criteria for when this rule can be applied has not changed; the only difference is the SSoW can now be based on 25mph
Clause 8 – As a PICOP, you must not quote a maximum speed to a driver/MC/OTP operator to travel at. It is important that you do not imply or encourage anything other than to travel at caution to the location you’ve specified, as this could mislead a driver/MC/OTP operator that its safe to travel at the speed you’ve quoted. It is their responsibility to avoid colliding with any potential object ahead of them. Ask yourself; could I be implicated in the cause of a collision if I specified a speed to travel at? Keep it simple, tell them clearly where they need to travel to and any other necessary arrangements at caution.

14. Before change From 02 December 17
Hand Book 12 - Duties of ES/SWL - Clause 6.1
Before change From 02 December 17
The following hierarchy must be adopted when giving instructions for train movements:
First option is face to face between you and the driver/MC
Second option is directly via a mobile communications device handed to the driver/MC
Last option, and only when the first two options are not available is via a competent person of equivalent competence.

15. Recap on the changes in HB 12
After the changes come in
As an ES/SWL, what is the maximum default speed for all movements within your worksite?
How do you tell a driver they can proceed when you’ve completed your instructions?
Based on this brief, name the two speeds you could quote as a speed restriction?
How will you instruct a movement such as a measuring above 5 mph to be controlled?
As an ES/SWL, you must not quote an upper speed to a driver/MC/OTP operator to travel at. It is important that you do not imply or encourage anything other than to travel at caution to the location you’ve specified, as this may mislead a driver/MC/OTP operator that its safe to travel at the speed you’ve quoted. It is their responsibility to avoid colliding with any potential object ahead of them. Ask yourself; could I be implicated in the cause of a collision if I specified a speed to travel at? Keep it simple, tell them clearly where they need to travel to and any other necessary arrangements at caution.
The default speed in your worksite is 5mph. You may authorise movements greater than 5mph. However, the instruction must be that you are authorised to travel above 5mph at caution.
The only time you must quote a speed is when you have agreed a speed restriction of either 5mph or 20mph past a site where staff are working when you have agreed this with an IWA or COSS. E.g. “driver, you are authorised to travel at caution to Whitby level crossing at 127 miles 34 chains above 5 mph at caution; additionally you must not exceed 20mph 200 yards on the approach to and through Teal tunnel, where staff are working.

16. Before change From 02 December 17
Hand Book 15 – MC & OTP Operator - Clause 7.4
Before change From 02 December 17

17. Recap on the changes in HB 15
Three questions on HB 15
The Rule Book definition of “movement at caution” hasn’t changed, but what does the term mean to you?
Subject to the limits of your machine or other rule, what is the maximum potential speed you could travel at in a worksite?
What two speeds could an ES/SWL instruct you not to exceed passed a site when staff are working?
You will receive along with all the other necessary instructions, instructions to make all movements “at caution.” Caution being defined as a speed up to 25mph (40km/h) that the machine can be stopped within the distance the line ahead can be seen to be clear. You must still comply with any more restrictive speed as required in other parts of the regulations as well as the maximum speed of the vehicle.
A PICOP is instructed to give you instructions to travel at caution only. Any staff working using the PICOPs protection arrangements will have a SSoW in place based on a maximum potential approach speed of 25mph (40km/h)
An ES/SWL will also instruct you to make any movement at caution. They may however give you specific instructions relating to a restriction at a location where there are staff working, to pass a site of work at no more than 5mph (10km/h) or 20mph (30km/h)

18. Record of receiving this brief
Anyone holding either ES/SWL or PICOP competence must record having received this brief as a competence management event in Sentinel
Title – T3 Possession Speeds Briefing
Short code - T3PS B
Your line manager will arrange for this to be recorded
This must be recorded before 15th January 2018; failure to do so will result in the temporary suspension of ES/SWL or PICOP competence
This brief will not be visible when a Sentinel card is swiped.
Completion of the brief will automatically restore any temporarily suspended competence after 15th Jan

19. Questions and Feedback
Please direct any questions or feedback to either:
Simon Wilkinson, Train Operations & Dangerous Goods Specialist
Tel:
Ian Muffett, Operations & Freight Safety Specialist
Tel: