DEALING WITH BLOCKAGES

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2012 :: RMTnews 26 At last year’s RMT signalling grades conference members had concerns over the safety implications surrounding line blockages and, while there are still a lot of issues to resolve, some progress has been made. From the Irregular Working Group an assessment process has been rolled out across the country to assess every signal box/workstation or panel to work out how many line blockages a signaller can have at any one time and when. Various local working groups have met to examine what we do and attempts to control the workload continue. Better investigations to find root causes are ongoing and so disciplinaries are being reduced. From attending various meetings and discussions with signallers I have collated the follow top 14 line blockage issues: • Line Blockage limits are wrong for the section/ s of track needed blocking, including wrong protecting signals. • Not all protecting signals listed. • Use of auto signals but no signal post replacement key available or not known it is an auto signal. • COSS not familiar with the location or best access points. • Too many individual line blockages and not more combined ones using a PC. Thus lifting / re granting two blocks instead of one and increasing the workload/ telephone calls. • No priority order of Line Blockages so we signalers do not know how important each application is, so done on a first come first served basis. • COSS unaware of how busy train service is and how often the line blockage may need to be lifted / re granted. • The number of line blockages a signaler can have at any one time, ( this is now being resolved) • Line Blockages planned so that they overlap into other line blockages or T3’s, or planned so that they are inside T3’s. • Too much reliance on protection being solely from the signaler and no other protection of the line arranged. • The same line blockage errors repeating themselves week after week. • GZAM paperwork is not always available before block requested so not able to plan. • Signallers being expected to inform COSS of exact protecting limits rather than as per rule book the COSS informing signaler of exactly what is required. • Signallers expected to make alterations / agree new limits with COSS for all of the above. DEALING WITH LINE BLOCKAGES Lead RMT health and safety rep for Network Rail AJ Yates asks signallers to contact the union about issues concerning line blockages to prevent accidents and stop signallers getting disciplined through no fault of their own