1/12 General Engineering and Operational Systems Railway Track Signals - Detonators Revision Date Comments 1 January 2007 Initial Document 2 May 2007 Review and Update to incorporate associated forms 3 June 2012 Reviewed as part of continuous improvement 4 December 2012 Reviewed in line with legislative changes and company responsibilities 5 October 2014 Reviewed as part of continuous improvement program 6 August 2016 Revised to include legislative changes and WorkSafe Fact Sheet
2/12 1. Introduction Laing O Rourke is required as part of its accreditation criteria to have procedures and standards in place for each aspect of the asset lifecycle specified in its Notice of Accreditation which includes the following: Commissioning Repair Maintenance Modification Operation Decommissioning Laing O Rourke has numerous items of rolling stock which operate on track and whilst many may be limited to operating solely with possessions or protected worksites other items travel on the railway under the required authority. The Rail Infrastructure Manager has network rules and procedures that need to be applied when obtaining the required authority to protect those involved in railway operations, some of which relate to the deployment of railway track signals (aka Detonators) as a means of worksite protection. Railway Track Signals (Detonators) are used to warn train drivers and track vehicle operators. The number of detonations (explosions) indicates what a train driver or track vehicle operator must do. Except in emergencies, detonators must only be used by workers trained in their use. 2. Purpose The purpose of this Procedure is to advise Laing O Rourke personnel involved in worksite protection what they need to apply to ensure the safe and controlled handling, use, storage, carriage and disposal of Railway Track Signals at Laing O Rourke railway worksites. 3. Scope This Procedure covers handling, use, storage, carriage and disposal of railway track signals at all site and project offices, work locations for the stopping of trains and other items of rolling stock and the protection of the worksites by qualified safeworking personnel. 4. Definition Infrastructure of a Railway SDS Possession Those facilities that are necessary to enable a railway to operate safely and includes, but is not limited to, railway track, associated track structures, tunnels, bridges, stations, platforms, signalling systems, train control systems, communication systems, overhead electrical power supply systems, buildings (including buildings used for administrative purposes), workshops and associated plant, machinery and equipment. Safety data sheet (formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheet as is the case for these railway track signals) detailing the products classification for its use, chemical or physical hazard information, safe storage and handling, UN number, Class, Subsidiary risk and packaging group, date of review, and emergency contact details of the manufacture. The implementation of Worksite Protection Systems to allow maintenance, major and minor works to be undertaken by the exclusion of normal rail traffic.
3/12 Qualified Worker Rail Safety Work A rail safety worker certified as competent to carry out the relevant task by implementation of the Network Rules and Procedures or their equivalent. The following activities are by definition of the rail safety Act deemed to be rail safety work: (a) driving or despatching rolling stock or any other activity which is capable of controlling or affecting the movement of rolling stock; (b) signalling (and signalling operations), receiving or relaying communications or any other activity which is capable of controlling or affecting the movement of rolling stock; (c) coupling or uncoupling rolling stock; (d) maintaining, repairing, modifying, monitoring, inspecting or testing (i)rolling stock, including checking that the rolling stock is working properly before being used; or (ii) rail infrastructure; (e) installation of components in relation to rolling stock; (f) work on or about rail infrastructure relating to the design, construction, repair, modification, maintenance, monitoring, upgrading, inspection or testing of the rail infrastructure or associated works or equipment, including checking that the rail infrastructure is working properly before being used; (g) installation or maintenance of (i)a telecommunications system relating to rail infrastructure or used in connection with rail infrastructure; or (ii)the means of supplying electricity directly to rail infrastructure, any rolling stock using rail infrastructure or a telecommunications system; (h) work involving certification as to the safety of rail infrastructure or rolling stock or any part or component of rail infrastructure or rolling stock; (i) work involving the decommissioning of rail infrastructure or rolling stock or any part or component of rail infrastructure or rolling stock; (j) work involving the development, management or monitoring of safe working systems for railways; (k) work involving the management or monitoring of passenger safety on, in or at any railway; (l) any other work that is prescribed by the national regulations to be rail safety work. Railway Track Signal Storage Railway track signal which previously was referred to as a detonator is a dangerous goods and needs to be managed accordingly A safe and secure facility which is lockable and displays the correct classification of signage, warning other personnel of the nature of the contents. 5. Responsibilities 5.1 Project Leader The Project Leader must assign responsibility to a nominated representative who will be responsible for the procurement, distribution, use, storage and disposal of railway track signals and in particular for ensuring such devices are locked away when the storage area is unattended.
4/12 The Project Leader must ensure that the Depot Store person, and Qualified Worker have been appropriately trained and are competent in the use, transportation and storage of railway track signals. 5.2 Depot Store Person The Depot Store Person is responsible for ordering railway track signals from a nominated authorized manufacturer / supplier in consultation with a person with purchasing authority. The SDS must be issued to the Qualified Worker for their reference. Security boxes must be provided to the relevant person responsible for the transportation of railway track signals and these boxes must be secured to prevent theft. The Depot Store Person must ensure all railway track signals are locked in secure areas at all times, particularly when the Depot Store Person is not in attendance. 5.3 Qualified Worker The Qualified Worker is responsible for ensuring that railway track signals are stored safely in a lockable facility; record the deployment and location of use, time and date, and any details where they have been activated as part of the safeworking system being applied at the worksite. The Qualified will sign form E-T-8-1917K acknowledging receipt and use of railway track signals. 5.4 Hand Signallers The Hand Signaller must sign form E-T-8-1917K when issued with railway track signals for use in worksite protection. Railway track signals are to be used strictly in accordance with the Rail Infrastructure Manager s Network Rules and Procedures. On return to the Qualified Worker the amount returned must be recorded on form E-T-8-1917K.
5/12 6. Flowchart overview Element 17K General Engineering & Operational Systems Railway Track Signals- Detonators Documentation Process Responsibility Railway Track Signals E-P-8-1917K Determine the need for Railway Track Signals Project Leader Assign responsibility to nominated Laing O Rourke person for procurement distribution, storage and disposal of railway track signals Project Leader Purchase Railway Track Signals from authorised supplier e.g. Howard & Sons Sydney Nominated Laing O Rourke Representative SDS Railway Track Signals Receive, store and distribute railway track signals in accordance with SDS. Limit on number available without licence = 10kg Depot Store Person Store in sealed labelled lockable box with orange hazard diamond 1.4 Explosives E-P-8-1917K Form E-T-8-1917K for receipt of Railway Track Signals to be signed Qualified Worker Track Signals to remain in original packaging until used and not left loose or in direct sunlight. Qualified Worker Affix to rail by Qualified Worker as per Network Rules and Procedures Qualified Worker Handsignaller Check regularly for condition and within 5 years of manufacture Depot Store Person Qualified Worker Railway Track Signals E-P-8-1917K Dispose of out of date and out of condition railway track signals Depot Store Person
6/12 7. Procedure 7.1 Handling Railway track signals are an explosive device and must be handled with care. Placing Railway Track Signals (Detonators)- WARNING Except in emergencies, do not place detonators on lines that are: underground, or in tunnels, or in steep-sided cuttings, or within 75m of workers, or a passenger platform. Qualified Worker a) Place detonators on the right-hand rail in the expected running direction at least 75m before the Hand Signaller's position. b) If detonators are to be placed at a fixed signal, place the first detonator at the signal and the other detonators on the departure side of the signal. c) If using more than one detonator, space detonators 20m apart. d) Place detonators centrally on the rail head. Face the detonator clasps towards the expected direction of rail traffic approach. e) Bend the clasps around the rail head. Wash hands after handling railway track signals especially before eating, drinking or smoking, or wear disposable plastic gloves during handling. 7.2 Use Railway track signals should be used in the following circumstances only: When a train or track vehicle has to be stopped as a result of an incident, failure, obstruction or other exceptional cause When a line is under possession or protection of worksites within a possession area To give a warning to train or track vehicle operators of temporary restrictions due to work in progress As quoted in the Rail Infrastructure Manager s Network Rules and Procedures Number of Explosions Drivers and track vehicle operators One Two Sound one long whistle. Reduce speed. Look for any warning signals Sound one long whistle. Reduce speed to 25km/h. Be prepared to stop short of obstructions.
7/12 Three 7.3 Dealing with failed detonators Sound one long whistle. Stop immediately If detonators do not explode when run over by a train: leave failed detonators on the rail, and report the failure immediately to a supervising officer, and if necessary, fix new detonators on the rail head. 7.4 Examination All railway track signals must be examined regularly to ensure they are in a safe condition and within 5 years from date of manufacture. All railway track signals are embossed with the month and year of manufacture and are coloured red with a non-abrasive pad which is affixed to the rail. During examination any railway track signals found to be out of date or showing damage or decay must be returned to the Qualified Worker immediately for disposal. 7.5 Stock Holding and Issue Stock holding of railway track signals is limited as follows: There shall be no more than 10kg of railway track signals stored in any one facility. Laing O Rourke does not hold a dangerous goods license for amounts in excess of 10kg. The Project Leader will only arrange for sufficient quantities to be ordered when requested by the Safeworking Supervisor. Railway track signals will be delivered direct from the manufacturer or supplier to the intended facility for distribution and acknowledgement of such deliveries will be conveyed to the supplier. The storage area must be labelled with an Orange Hazard Diamond not less than 200mm x 200mm square (see figure 1). Railway track signals will be stored in sealed lockable boxes while at the main Project or Site office prior to distribution. The Qualified Worker will sign to acknowledge receipt of the railway track signals on form E-T-8-1917K. Railway track signals are classified as an explosive of Class 1.4S, but only if they are supplied, stored and handled in original packaging from the supplier.
8/12 Figure 1 7.6 Storage and Security Qualified Worker is responsible to: 1. Return unused detonators to their plastic containers. 2. Keep packed detonators in one of the secured locations. 3. Keep the door of the storage location locked when the location is unattended. 4. Do not use detonators after their expiry date. Note: Under no circumstances must railway track signals be left unsecured in either the carrying cylinder or elsewhere. 7.7 Transportation by Users Railway track signals are classified under the Transport of Dangerous Goods as: Articles of Class 1, Division 1.4, Compatibility Group S Railway track signals are classified as an explosive under relevant legislation such as the NSW the Explosives Regulations 2005. Classification code 1.4 S 1. Carriage of railway track signals must be under the following conditions: Railway track signals must be retained within their existing packaging (i.e. in plastic tubes) until they are used. Non-friction material, such as paper, may be used to pack excess space in containers. Under no circumstances must railway track signals be allowed to move within tubes/boxes whilst in transit. Railway track signals are to be kept in their packaging and stowed for carriage in a lockable steel box. Depending on the type of vehicle, the lockable box may require to be mounted (fixed). Railway track signals conveyed in private vehicles must be carried in approved containers and the total number of railway track signals must not exceed 10Kg. Railway track signals must not be left loose and on no account be left on vehicle seats or in glove compartments or in direct access to sunlight.
9/12 Railway track signals may be left in the vehicle provided they are left secured and that the vehicle is regularly checked. Where railway track signals need to be retained on track vehicles where the machine is left unattended, the railway track signals must be kept in a secure box within the driving cab and the cab must be secured when unattended. Emergency Procedures for the transportation of railway track signals are contained in Appendix A to this Procedure. 7.8 Transportation for Disposal The Qualified Worker is responsible for ensuring that all out of date, damaged or surplus railway track signals are transported safely to an arranged storage facility, until a suitable amount of railway track signals are ready for disposal. The railway track signals must be transported in non-friction lined steel boxes and marked clearly with the Orange diamond 1.4S EXPLOSIVE label. The total number of railway track signals must not exceed 10kg. The total number of railway track signals in each box must not exceed 550. 7.9 Disposal A secure holding point will be provided at the Project or Site office for all railway track signals awaiting disposal. The safe disposal of railway track signals will be arranged via the Qualified Worker, by transfer back to the manufacturer, using a transmittal notice. The Qualified Worker is responsible for ensuring the Railway Track Signal issue Form E-T-8-1917K is completed. 8. Records Details of disposals will be retained for a period of not less than five years. Records of railway track signals issue, use and receipts shall be maintained by Laing O Rourke. 9. References Rail Safety legislation to which the railway operations are to be undertaken. Explosives Act 2003 & Explosives Regulation 2005 (Example NSW) Rail Infrastructure Managers Network Rules and Procedures 10. Forms E-T-8-1917K Railway Track Signals Issue and Return Form
10/12 EXPLOSIVES FACT SHEET 12 11. RAILWAY TRACK SIGNALS This fact sheet provides information on the storage, transport and use of railway track signals. It will assist employers, workers, controllers of premises or workplaces, and all those who handle or manage the handling of railway track signals. This fact sheet should be read in conjunction with the requirements in the Explosives Act 2003, the Explosives Regulation 2013 AS 2187.1-1998, Explosives-Storage, transport and use, Part 1: Storage, and the Australian Explosives Code (AEC). Railway track signals are classified as an explosive of Class 1.4S, but only if they are handled and stored in their original packaging from the supplier. Original packaging means the packaging designed to contain the railway track signals in a manner that, if the packaging is involved in an incident such as fire engulfment, the signals will behave as if they were an explosive of Class 1.4S. The supplier or manufacturer of the signals will have tested the design of the packaging to achieve the classification of 1.4S. The packaging will also be dangerous goods packaging approved by a competent authority. Railway track signals are sometimes referred to as railway detonators. This is a misnomer because railway track signals are not detonators and cannot be used as detonators. STORAGE AND HANDLING Railway track signals must be securely stored (locked) in an internal magazine that is constructed and marked in accordance with AS 2187.1 and kept in a secured building. You must also comply with any other safety requirement of the Explosives Regulation 2013 AS2187.1, any applicable licensing conditions and any other condition that may be imposed by SafeWork NSW The quantity of railway track signals that can be supplied, used or transported without requiring a licence, is 10 kg. Unused railway track signals that are returned from service, whether they are within their use-by date or not, must be placed in their original packaging and stored in a magazine. Failure to do so will change the
11/12 classification from Class 1.4S to Class 1.1G, a potentially dangerous situation e.g. accumulating them in a bin or drum for later disposal. TRANSPORT Railway track signals issued to rail personnel must be kept in a locked portable magazine, or locked in the glove box of a vehicle, or in a locked compartment of a locomotive. When transporting railway track signals on a road vehicle, signage for the vehicle is not required, however, transporting by rail requires a mixed-class label. When distributing railway track signals for use, they should be transported, as far as is practicable, sealed in their original packaging so that the classification of Class 1.4S is not altered. USE To use railway track signals safely and effectively, always follow the supplier s or manufacturer s instructions. Do not use railway track signals for any purpose other than that for which they are designed. When not required, return the signals to the packaging in which they came and place them in a portable magazine (if out in the field), or return them to the locomotive compartment or to a licensed storage magazine, and ensure that the magazine or compartment is locked. A Blasting Explosive User Licence (BEUL) is not required for persons using Railway Track Signals. DISPOSAL. Persons in possession of the devices must have a legitimate reason. Contact your supplier for pick-up and disposal of unwanted or out of date railway track signals. It is illegal and dangerous to dispose of railway track signals by burning, disassembling, burying and the like unless you are specifically set up and your licence endorsed by SafeWork NSW to do so.
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