1. Line Blockage Guidance for IWA,COSS or PC
Operational Close Call Line Blockage Group 1
24-Mar-14

2. Guidance to Signallers Rule Book TS1 (V01)
Guidance to IWA/COSS/PC Handbook (V02)
Guidance to Planners NR/L2/OHS/ (V03) 2
24-Mar-14

3. Background
Following a number of issues of interpretation that 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. 3
24-Mar-14

4. Principle of a Line Blockage
What does the Planner, Signaller, PC, COSS or IWA 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. 4
24-Mar-14

5. Agreeing the arrangements
Handbook 8 states:
Agreeing the arrangements
You must agree all of the following with the signaller.
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 signal will be kept at danger to protect the activity
any additional protection needed
If work will take place beyond points that need to be used for train movements
The arrangements if single line working is taking place
the arrangements to apply at each level crossings
What does this mean to a PC, COSS or IWA when they are making a request for a line blockage? 5
24-Mar-14

6. Guidance - Protection arrangements
The signaller and the COSS will have a safety conversation that clearly establishes:
Where the work is taking place on the ground
Where the work is on the Signallers panel
Which running line (s) are affected by the work
What are the protecting Signals (Single, Bi-Di or Rev)
The safety conversation will then establish which protecting signals will be maintained at danger with reminder devices fitted to protect the work
The Signaller will during the safety conversation further establish any other converging routes where signals will also be maintained at danger OR routes with points set and reminders fitted to protect the work (see diagram 1)
The objective being to prevent any train entering the area where work is taking place and endangering staff or the safe passage of trains 6
24-Mar-14

7. Diagram 1 Simple Line Blockage7
24-Mar-14

8. Guidance - Protection arrangements
The Signaller will expect the IWA/COSS/PC to identify the line (s), specific location & nature of the work to be undertaken.
In regard to signal protection on a BI-Directional running lines
What are the protecting signals for each end of the section they are working on (see diagram 2)
The Signaller & the IWA/COSS/PC will then discuss if any other signals are require to be maintained at danger to protect the staff (see diagrams 1&2)
The Signaller WILL record details of all Signals maintained at danger on the RT The IWA/COSS/PC should record & repeat the details on their RT3181 8
20-Mar-14

9. Diagram 2: Bi-directional lines & working clear of points
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) 9
24-Mar-14

10. Summary of guidance for PC/COSS/IWA
Which position the points will be kept in to enable signals to be cleared for any unaffected routes
The time required to complete the work
The nature of the work and any additional protection that is required
If Patrolling what direction they are walking towards.
The IWA/COSS/PC will identify the location of work and where he is with the signaller
The IWA/COSS/PC will request signal protection for the line they are planning to working on
The IWA/COSS/PC and Signaller will agree which signals will be kept at danger to protect the activity
The signaller and COSS/IWA/PC as part of the safety conversation must also discuss and agree any additional working arrangements for Level Crossings or other degraded working arrangements that may be affected by the work activity 10
24-Mar-14

11. Guidance - Pre-planned arrangements
The IWA/COSS/PC, under normal circumstances, should have a documented safe system of work arrangements pack including the RT9909 and RT3181 forms.
The pre-planned arrangements will be published, as appropriate, in either the;
Weekly Operating Notices (WON)
Signal Box Instructions or formal Signal Box agreements
Signallers Daily list issued by the GZAC process
The RT9909 and RT3181 forms will contain details required by TS1 and Handbook 8 regarding line (s) affected, location and nature of work and the protecting signal for each line that work is on
The IWA/COSS/PC will not have a document that defines each signal that will be maintained at danger or route that will be set by the Signaller to protect the work area. 11
20-Mar-14

12. 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
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.
From Controlled Signal
From C/O Points
To defined Exit location
Running Line A
Running Line B
(Uni directional line)
From Controlled Signal
From C/O Points
From Controlled+BiDi Sig
To defined Exit location
Running Line C
Running Line D
(BI directional line) 12
20-Mar-14

13. Closing Slide 13
20-Mar-14