Occupational Health & Safety

Summary:

The principles and guidance contained in this document are concerned with the safety of any person working on or near the line. This includes all people who visit the track in the course of their duties.

In this document, the term ‘railway infrastructure’ means the running line and its immediate surroundings. Places such as block posts are therefore excluded from the definition for the purpose of this document.

Summary:

The aim of these Guidelines is to promote a framework for the management system the UIC recommends all railway companies use to minimise the risks associated with issues related to drug and alcohol use by personnel working within the rail community.

These Guidelines are not intended to be prescriptive, however they recognise that in some countries prescriptive standards have been set by legislation and as a minimum these need to be complied with.

The Guidelines do not attempt to set any minimum requirements or standards for use by railway companies. Instead, they are intended to assist railway companies in the development of policies and standards appropriate to their undertakings.

Summary:

Mobile phones and other communications devices offer many benefits and can be integral to safe methods of working, but they can also introduce risk.

Holding a conversation or using data services such as text messaging, e-mail, internet, video, etc. can distract those carrying out safety critical tasks such as driving or acting as a lookout or working in dangerous environments, potentially endangering themselves and others.

This document is intended to provide guidance on measures to manage and control these risks.

Purpose

To draft a handbook comprising recommendations and best practices for railway undertakings and infrastructure managers on the basis of a strategy for managing potentially traumatic events and preventing post-traumatic stress.

Presentation of the handbook

The handbook is in two parts:

• practical information sheets,
• a more theoretical part.

The management of potentially traumatic
events is centred around five key phases:

• risk assessment,
• preparation and prevention,
• intervention,
• postvention and follow-up,
• reporting.

The practical information sheets are intended for members of staff in the field, managers, support staff and executives. They provide information and awareness-raising and training measures for before, during and after potentially traumatic events.

This guidance has been prepared in order to propose best practice for Infrastructure Managers (IM) and Railway Undertakings (RU) in respect of the issue and use of high visibility clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for personnel working on or near rail infrastructure.

High-visibility clothing and other PPE is provided to these employees so that they can work safely and be seen in good time by the drivers of approaching trains. This guidance recommends that in order to assist drivers to recognise these personnel a standard colour code be used at least for the background material of high-visibility clothing.