CHAPTER X : Permanent Way and Works

CHAPTER X
PERMANENT WAY AND WORKS

66. General – (1) All running tracks shall be inspected as per the schedule defined in Special Instructions.
(2) All Metro Railway employees whose duties require them to go on the tracks shall be properly trained and certified as Authorised Employee for the purpose of sub rule (1).
(3) All Metro Railway employees who go on the tracks shall wear appropriate high visibility clothing, helmet and boots.
67. Track work and track side work in non traffic hours – (1) No maintenance staff shall enter onto the track of any running line without the permission of the Traffic Controller.
(2) Non traffic hours are defined as the hours between the passage of the last train, including any work train, and a published time before start of traffic again in the morning and the normal time shall be published in the relevant handbooks which may be varied from time to time by the Metro Railway.
(3) The maintenance staff requiring to carry out inspection or repair of equipment which does not affect the integrity of the track nor require the use of ladders or scaffolding and not involving danger to trains or traffic, may enter on the track under the following conditions, namely:-
(a) the Traffic Controller shall give permission, specifying the location and area for which permission is given and the time by which staff shall have to leave the track;
(b) the Traffic Controller shall log the time, location and the name of the person to whom permission under clause (a) has been given;
(c) on completion of the work, the person to whom permission has been given under clause (a) shall report to the Traffic Controller, identify himself and affirm that he and his equipment are clear of the track and that it is
safe for service to resume;
(d) if the work cannot be completed within the allotted time, the person to whom permission has been given under clause (a) shall inform the Traffic Controller before the expiry of the time he has been allotted and agree with the Traffic Controller for an extension of time and the institution of an Engineer’s Possession; and
(e) the Traffic Controller shall not permit the start of normal service until all permissions to work have been properly given up and rescinded.
(4) All other works carried on in non traffic hours shall be protected by an Engineer’s Possession.
68. Track work and track side work which extends into traffic hours – (1) All works which are planned to extend beyond non traffic hours into the hours when train services normally operate shall be notified at least a fortnight in advance.
(2) All such works shall take place within an Engineer’s Possession.
(3) Works which are planned to be carried out within non traffic hours without an Engineer’s Possession but which are delayed by unforeseen circumstances shall be protected by an Engineer’s Possession.
(4) The train services on adjacent sections of the line shall be operated with appropriate caution order or other precautions as prescribed in special instructions.
69. Emergency track work or track side work in traffic hours – (1) No routine maintenance shall be undertaken during the hours in which train services normally run except as provided for in sub-rule (2).
(2) If emergency repair work is required to be carried out to prevent accidents or to maintain or restore train services, such emergency work shall be done under the Engineer’s Possession which shall be granted by the Traffic Controller without delay taking the exigencies of trains services into account and making adjustments in train schedules.
70. Engineer’s Possession – (1) Engineer’s Possession on running lines is granted by the traffic controller who has final responsibility on whether or not the Engineers may take possession.
(2) All works on tracks in depot shall be undertaken within an Engineer’s Possession which shall be granted by the Depot Controller but in other matters the provisions hereinafter provided shall apply.
(3) An area under the Engineer’s Possession is the sole responsibility of engineering official in charge and all issues of safe working within that area including the movement of trains is his responsibility.
(4) The person in charge of Engineer’s Possession shall be trained in the duties and responsibility of the role and certified so by the Authorised Official or institution of metro railway.
(5) If more than one maintenance unit is working within the same possession, one person shall be nominated by the Traffic Controller as the person responsible for the coordination for the work of all the units, as per special instructions.
(6) When possession is granted under sub rules (1) and (2), the engineering official in charges shall protect the area of the possession from access by trains in one of the following ways, namely:-
(a) securing a vehicle at the limit of the possessing;
(b) securing points for a route which diverts trains away from the area of possession;
(c) using visual warning means for protection; and
(d) any other means as per special instructions.
(7) For running line signalled for operation in either direction, protection shall be implemented at all points of potential access and different methods may be used at each location in accordance with the sub-rule(6) .
(8) If a work train or self propelled maintenance vehicle is to be used within the possession area, it shall arrive at site before possession is taken and lamps displaying red aspects restricting movement towards the possession area shall be placed at the limits of the possession or on the secured vehicles where these are used to protect the possession area.
(9) Where work on one track is likely to affect the passage of trains on an adjacent track, possession shall be taken of all tracks likely to be affected.
(10) If trains are required to pass on an adjacent track, the person in charges of the possession shall be responsible for ensuring that the track is safe to use before giving permission by hand signal.
(11) Unless essential for the movement of trains, traction power shall be switched off from the area of the possession by the Traction Power Controller and shall only be re-energised on receipt of clearance.
(12) All switching ON or switching OFF operations of traction power required for maintenance work or Engineer’s Possession or for any other purpose shall be approved by Traction Power Controller.
(13) The person in charge shall be responsible for confirming to the Traffic Controller on completion of the work that the track is safe for traction power to be switched on, all protection measures have been removed and the track is safe for trains to run.
(14) All Engineer’s Possession shall normally be authorised only under staff protection keys, where provided.
71. Works at Stations – (1) No maintenance work, affecting safety of train operation, shall be carried out at any station without Engineer’s Possession and until permission has been granted by the Station Controller.
(2) All works in public areas shall be securely fenced to prevent access by the public.
(3) The maintenance staff, as per special instructions, shall report to the Station Controller before starting work and again before leaving the station and the Station Controller shall record the time and location of their work so that they be warned of any emergency arising on the station.
(4) Any maintenance work on a station which requires fire alarm or fire suppression equipment to be isolated shall be done only with the permission of the Station Controller.
(5) The maintenance staff shall be responsible for their own protection and for raising the alarm in case of fire in the area which has been isolated and shall also be responsible for restoring normal function to the isolated equipment informing the Station Controller on completion of their work.
(6) No maintenance work which requires the complete shut down of the fire alarm or fire suppression systems of public areas shall take place during the hours in which the station is open to the public.
(7) No maintenance work, which requires the use of ladders or scaffolding, shall take place within the fixed structure dimensions laid down in the schedule of dimensions from the platform edge during traffic hours.