Our Ref: HSR/2/1
Head Office Circular: NP/199/18
9th October 2018
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS
Dear Colleague,
NEAR MISS EGMANTON LEVEL CROSSING
RAIB REPORT
This matter has been considered by your National Executive Committee. RAIB have issued a report into a near miss between a train and a group of track workers, the full report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/report-112018-near-miss-with-a-group-of-track-workers-at-egmanton-level-crossing
At around 11:22 hrs on 5 October 2017, a group of track workers narrowly avoided being struck by a train close to Egmanton level crossing, between Newark North Gate and Retford on the East Coast Main Line. A high speed passenger train was approaching the level crossing on the Down Main line at the maximum permitted line speed of 125 mph (201 km/h), when the driver saw a group of track workers in the distance. He sounded the train’s warning horn, but saw no response from the group.
A few seconds later the driver gave a series of short blasts on the train horn as it approached, and passed, the track workers. The track workers became aware of the train about three seconds before it reached them. One of the group shouted a warning to three others who were between the running rails of the Down Main line. These three workers cleared the track about one second before the train passed them. During this time the driver had continued to sound the horn and made an emergency brake application before the train passed the point where the group had been working, thinking his train might strike one or more of them. The train subsequently came to a stand around 0.75 miles (1.2 km) after passing the site of work. The driver believed he had struck at least one of the workers.
RAIB have established that the group had been working under an unofficial system of work set up by the Person in Charge (PiC). Instead of adhering to the correct method of using the Train Operated Warning System (TOWS) by moving his team to, and remaining in, a position of safety while TOWS was warning of an approaching train, the PiC used the audible warning as a cue for the lookout to start looking out for approaching trains in order to maximise the working time of the group on the track.
This unsafe system of work broke down when both the lookout and the PiC became distracted and forgot about the TOWS warning them of the approaching train. Although the PiC was qualified, experienced and was deemed competent by his employer, neither his training nor reassessments had instilled in him an adequate regard for safety and the importance of following the rules and procedures. Additionally, none of the team involved challenged the unsafe system of work that was in place at the time. Even though some were uncomfortable with it, they feared they might lose the work as contractors if they challenged the PiC.
The National Executive Committee have noted and adopted the following report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:
We note the investigation report on file from the RAIB and the three recommendations addressed to Network Rail. The General Secretary is instructed to write to Network Rail seeking information and participation in how these recommendations are to be implemented. General Secretary is further instructed to raise our concerns of contract labour safety. Circular issued in this matter to brief members on the three recommendations.
Branches and Regional Councils be advised.
Please find attached as an addendum to the Circular the recommendations made by RAIB.
I am acting in accordance with these instructions. Please make the contents of this circular available to all appropriate members.
Yours sincerely
Mick Cash
General Secretary