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Line Blockage Guidance for Planners & GZAC

Operational Close Call Line Blockage Group

24-Mar-14

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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)

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BackgroundFollowing 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.

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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.

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Guidance – the Rule Book states:

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

If a request for a line blockage is received by the signaller you must agree with the IWA, COSS or PC:

What does this mean to a planner when they receive a request for a line blockage?

24-Mar-14

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Planner GuidanceThe 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

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GZAC GuidanceThe 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

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Diagram 1 Simple Line Blockage

20-Mar-14

Up Branch

Down Branch

Up Main

Down Main

L1

L3L5

L7

L8

L6 L4

L2

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

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

Site of work

Down Branch

Up Branch

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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.

IWA/COSS/PC Guidance

20-Mar-14

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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)

20-Mar-14

Site of Work

Signals the COSS will quote that protect the site of work

Following safety conversation, agreed signals held at red

Location of COSS

Points are set and maintained for the down main signal used as normal for that route.

Up Main

Down Main

Bi-Directional Reversible

AB 4

AB 6AB 8

AB 21

AB 19

AB 17AB 15

AB 11 Bi-Directional Reversible

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Guidance - IWA/COSS/PC RT3181 contentsThe 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 From Controlled Signal

From Controlled SignalTo defined Exit locationRunning Line A

Running Line B To defined Exit location

20-Mar-14

From Controlled Signal

From C/O Points From Controlled+BiDi Sig

From Controlled+BiDi SigTo defined Exit locationRunning Line C

Running Line D To defined Exit location

(Uni directional line)

(BI directional line)

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Closing Slide

20-Mar-14