Colleague traps fingers in points
Issued to: All Network Rail line managers and Achilles registered contractors
Ref: NRB 15/15
Date of issue: 27/10/2015
Location: Didcot
Contact: Matt Lane, Route Workforce HSE Adviser
Overview
On 11 October 2015 at around 09:00 a S&T work group had just finished working on '8535a' points at Didcot. They had handed the points back to the signaller's control. The COSS was on the phone to the signaller to request that the points were moved to check that everything was working correctly. As the signaller moved the points it became clear that a member of the workgroup had trapped his fingers in the points. Fortunately he did not sustain serious injuries and he was able to return to work the following day.
Discussion Points
- While we are investigating the causes of this incident please discuss the following with your teams:
- What are the potential consequences of trapping hands and feet in moving points?
- What tasks do you perform where body parts or clothing could become trapped in moving points?
- Are there circumstances that would prevent you from contacting the signaller first to obtain manual control of the points?
- Where this is not possible how can you best gain assurance that the points will be maintained in the required position, with a reminder appliance applied for the duration of the work?
- Is there anything that prevents you from scotching the open end of the points before starting work?
- When points need to be tested following repair works how should the COSS or SWL ensure everyone is clear of all moving parts before the signaller is requested to move them?
Copies of Safety Bulletins are available on Safety Central.