I often hear people say what is a Track Protection Officer, what is a Track Protection Coordinator, and then I hear people say there those people who sit in cars all day. Unfortunately, there is Track Protection Officers who do just that, therefore give the rest of us a bad name. Then I often hear ....... bloody POs he wants another f****n partial So I thought it was time to put forward some useful information for you all who may interested to know what the roles and resposibilities of a Track Protection Officer or Track Protection Coordinator. Firstly, I should direct this straight to the Rail Corridor. The Rail Corridor is defined 10 metres from centre of track either side or fence line to fence line. In areas where you have more than 1 track the Rail Corridor is defined from the furtherest track 10 metres or fence line. The Danger Zone is 3 metres from centre of track either side. Basically this is an area where works can only occur if the correct track protection is in place. For example, Personal Continual Vigilance (PCV), Lookout Protection, Blocking Protection, Train Occupancy Authority (TOA), Track Work Authority (TWA) and Local Possession Authority (LPA). I will expand on these levels of protection as we make our way thru the 5 Trackside Lifesaving Rules. Position of Safety is basically a place that is not in the Danger Zone. Track Protection Officer is a person in charge of the Track Protection at a Worksite, that has the responsibility of liasing with Network Control to obtain the appropriate authority for work being performed and arranging for the necessary track protection in relation to that authority. Track Protection Coordinator is a person in charge of a Track Closure with Multiple Worksites with Train and On Track Vehicle Movements moving thru from one Worksite to another. Planning for safety in the Rail Corridor is imperative thats where the 5 Trackside Lifesaving Rules come into play. Rule No 1 - Track Protection Officers - No one can enter the Rail Corridor without being accredited as a Track Protection Officer (TPO) or being supervised by a TPO. - TPOs must have adequate knowledge to be able to assess the appropriate level of protection required at a variety of worksites. - Establish and maintain track protection for all workers and visitors while under their supervision in the Rail Corridor. - Use a Corridor Induction Checklist (SW62) to brief workers and visitors that have not been previously been inducted. - Constantly oversees the approved works in the Danger Zone. Rule No 2 - Corridor Access Safety Form (SW61) - All planned work within the Rail Corridor requires a Corridor Safety Access Safety Form (SW61) written and approved by the Track Protection Officer, Worksite Supervisor and Manager prior to entering the Rail Corridor. Information on this form includes date of planned works, starting time and finishing time of planned works, Track Protection Officers name and mobile number, location of works, wether planned works will be in the Danger Zone, method of protection for planned works and if there are any special instructions. The Worksite Supervisor can also be the Track Protection Officer and in most cases he / she is.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 11:10:18 +0000