Safe notice 017

F O R T H E I N F O R M A T I O N O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D N O T F O R P U B L I C A T I O N
TRIAL OF SIGNAL KEY SWITCHES
From Sunday, 3 September 2017 until Friday, 2 March 2018, this Permanent Safe Notice cancels and replaces
Permanent Safe Notice 008 – 2017 due to expiry.
Safe Notice No. 017 – 2017 Page 1
2017SAFE Notice
Permanent
017

Trial of Signal Key Switches
Signal Key Switches have been installed on various automatic signals in the network and may be used for
worksite protection by persons holding Protection Officer level 3 qualification that have successfully completed
the appropriate training.
During the trial period, the Signal Key Switch boxes will be secured with a unique lock that will only be
accessible to Qualified staff that have successfully completed training and nominated signals maintenance
representatives.
Signal Key Switches must be operated in accordance with the instructions contained in this Safe Notice.

Track Work Authority using Signal Key Switcheswork on track
To prescribe the rules for authorising, issuing and using a Track Work Authority
(TWA) in conjunction with a Signal Key Switch.
A Signal Key Switch must only be used if the commencement point of the worksite
is located within the limits inscribed on the Worksite Protection Key.
A TWA using a Signal Key Switch is issued to the Protection Officer.
Drivers and track vehicle operators must follow instructions given by Handsignallers.
Only Train Controllers may authorise the use of a Signal Key Switch for a TWA for
track under their control.
Joint occupancy with a Track Occupancy Authority (TOA)
The Train Controller may authorise the use of a Signal Key Switch for a TWA where
a TOA is current.
Before the Network Control Officer issues the TWA:
• the Protection Officers must consult with each other about arrangements, and
• the Protection Officer holding the TOA must agree to the issue of the second
Authority.
If the TOA has been issued for a track vehicle journey that will travel in the wrong
running-direction, detonator protection must be placed at least 500m in the wrong
running-direction approach to the worksite.
Signallers may issue a TWA only on the authority of the Train Controller.
A TWA is a spoken Authority. It does not need to be compiled on a form.
Network Control Officers must record, in permanent form, the issue of a TWA.
Protection Officers must manage rail traffic approach to and passage through the
portion of track within the TWA limits.
At all times there must be a nominated Protection Officer for a TWA.
The Protection Officer must:
• get the Authority, and
• be responsible for the protection of all workers from rail traffic, and
• make sure that worksites are protected against unauthorised entry or exit by
rail traffic.
The Protection Officer must tell workers about the kinds and limits of protection in
place:
• before work begins, and
• if the worksite protection arrangements change.
Purpose
General
Authorisation
Issue of authority
Rail traffic
Protection Officer

Protection Officer
cont.
Protecting worksites
Keeping records
The Protection Officer must keep written records about:
• the Authority, and
• protection arrangements during the Authority, and
• communications with the Network Control Officer about Train Running
Information, and changes in the worksite protection arrangements.
Other duties
A Protection Officer’s primary duty is to keep the worksite and workers safe.
A Protection Officer must be satisfied that other work will not interfere with
protection duties.
Communication
Effective communication must be maintained between the Protection Officer and:
• the Handsignaller at the protecting signal, and
• if provided, clearance Handsignallers.
Worksite Protection Key
The worksite must be protected by removing the Worksite Protection Key from the
Signal Key Switch causing the protecting signal on the approach side of the worksite
to display STOP.
Handsignallers must be placed at:
• the signal fitted with the Signal Key switch, and
• any other signals affected by work on track.
NOTE
The Danger Zone must not be occupied until the Protection Officer gets an assurance
from the Handsignaller that the Worksite Protection Key has been removed, the
protecting signal is displaying STOP and Railway Track Signals are in place.
Affected signals
If signals display STOP because they are affected by work on track, the Protection
Officer must:
• tell Signallers about the affected signals before starting work, and
• place Handsignallers at the affected signals.

cont.
The Protection Officer must place a clearance Handsignaller at the first running
signal beyond the worksite that can show STOP if:
• the protecting signal cannot be cleared, and
• the Protection Officer cannot be sure that the line is clear of rail traffic as far as
the first running signal that can display a STOP indication, beyond the worksite in
the direction of travel.
The clearance Handsignaller must tell the Protection Officer when the line is clear
for rail traffic to approach the signal.
Passing affected signals at STOP
If affected signals cannot be cleared when the Worksite Protection Key has been
restored, the Protection Officer must ensure the line is unoccupied to the next
signal that can display STOP before telling the Handsignaller to authorise the driver
to pass the signal.
Approaching worksites
Before authorising the inner Handsignaller to restore the Worksite Protection Key to
allow rail traffic to approach the worksite, Protection Officers must make sure that:
• workers are in safe places, and
• the track is unobstructed and safe for the passage of rail traffic.
Only Protection Officers may tell the Handsignaller whether to allow rail traffic to
proceed, and at what speed.
Handsignallers must only restore the Worksite Protection Key on the direction of
the Protection Officer and immediately remove the Worksite Protection Key when
the leading vehicle of the train has completely passed the protecting signal.
NOTE
Work must not recommence or the Danger Zone be occupied until the Protection
Officer gets an assurance from the Handsignaller that the Worksite Protection Key
has been removed, the protecting signal is displaying STOP and Railway Track
Signals have been replaced.
Multiple worksites
Worksites more than 3000m apart must be managed under separate TWAs.
Worksites less than 1000m apart must be treated as one worksite.
If an additional worksite is located between 1000m and 3000m from the first
worksite, the additional worksites may be located outside the limits inscribed on the
Worksite Protection Key.
If the protection arrangements of adjoining worksites overlap, the worksites must
be managed as multiple worksites under a single TWA. A designated Protection
Officer must coordinate the passage of rail traffic through the worksites.

Liaison
Fulfilling the Authority
The Handsignaller at the protecting signal must give Drivers and track vehicle
operators, in writing, the locations of further Handsignallers and worksites.
Handsignallers and three Railway Track Signals must be placed at least 500m,
and not more than 1000m, from the second and each subsequent worksite in the
direction of approaching rail traffic.
A CLEARANCE sign must be placed 50m after the last worksite in the direction of
travel.
Adjacent lines
If rail traffic can travel on adjacent lines, the Protection Officer must arrange for
safety measures to be taken to reduce the risk from rail traffic on the adjacent lines.
The Protection Officer may arrange for the speed of rail traffic on adjacent lines to
be restricted.
Network Control
The only point of contact between Network Control and work parties for matters of
worksite protection must be the Protection Officer.
The Protection Officer must:
• tell the Network Control Officer about protection applied to lines adjacent to the
Authority, and
• tell the Network Control Officer about work progress, and
• if necessary, seek an extension of time.
Change of Protection Officer
The outgoing Protection Officer must tell an incoming Protection Officer about the
worksite protection arrangements.
The incoming Protection Officer must tell Network Control Officers about the
changed contact arrangements.
A TWA is fulfilled when the Protection Officer tells the Network Control Officer that
the portion of track included in the Authority is clear and available for use, and the
Worksite Protection Key has been restored.
The Protection Officer must tell the Network Control Officer about operating
restrictions that have been placed or removed.
cont.

Using a Worksite Protection keynetwork procedures
Protecting
signal
Limit of worksite
Handsignaller
Introduction
Some Automatic Signals in the Network are fitted with a Signal Key Switch. A Worksite
Protection Key is located in a special box fitted to the signal. The Worksite Protection Key is
inscribed with the identifying number of the signal, the line and the limits to which it applies.
The Worksite Protection Key must only be used to protect a worksite that is situated within the
limits specified on the key.
Removal of the key from the lock will:
• return and maintain the signal at STOP, and
• lock the door of the box in the open position causing an instruction sign to be displayed
M26.2 Up Main 41.74km to 40.6km
WORKSITE
DO NOT PASS AT
STOP WITHOUT
AUTHORITY

NOTE
Removal of the Worksite Protection Key may affect the aspect displayed on signals approaching
the protecting signal.
Removing a worksite protection key to implement TWA working
Protection Officer
After obtaining the Track Work Authority (TWA) from the Network Control Officer:
1. Ask the Handsignaller to remove the Worksite Protection Key from its lock and place 3 Railway
Track Signals on the worksite side of the signal.
2. Confirm with the Handsignaller that the signal has returned to STOP.
NOTE
Do not allow work to commence or workers to enter the Danger Zone until the Handsignaller
has given an assurance that the Worksite Protection Key has been removed and the
protecting signal is at STOP and Railway Track Signal protection in place.
Handsignaller
When told by the Protection Officer to remove the Worksite Protection Key:
1. Contact the Network Control Officer and obtain permission to remove the Worksite Protection
Key
2. Unlock and open the Signal Key Switch box.
3. Remove the Worksite Protection Key.
4. Place 3 Railway Track Signals on the worksite side of the signal.
5. Confirm with the Protection Officer that the Worksite Protection Key has been removed, the
signal is displaying STOP and protection is in place.
NOTE
Do not restore the Worksite Protection Key to its lock until told to do so by the Protection
Officer.

Signaller
When asked by the Handsignaller for permission to remove the Worksite Protection Key:
1. Ensure there is no rail traffic between the first signal that is not affected by the removal of
Worksite Protection Key and the worksite.
2. Give the Handsignaller permission to remove the Worksite Protection Key.
Managing rail traffic approaches to worksites.
Protection Officer
1. Before authorising the Handsignaller to restore the Worksite Protection Key, make sure that:
• workers have gone to the designated safe places, and
• the line is clear of workers and equipment between the worksite and the protecting signal,
and
• the line is clear and safe for the passage of rail traffic through the worksite.
2. If it is safe for rail traffic to pass through the worksite, tell the Handsignaller:
• what speed the rail traffic is to approach the worksite, and
• to restore the Worksite Protection Key.
NOTE
If the protecting signal cannot be cleared, make sure that the line is clear to the first signal on
the departure side of the worksite before authorising the Handsignaller to allow rail traffic to
proceed.
Handsignaller
3. When told by the Protection Officer that it is safe for rail traffic to proceed,
Movement Allowed Handsignaller Action
rail traffic to proceed at
normal speed
• remove the Railway Track Signals from the line
• restore the Worksite Protection Key
• signal PROCEED to the driver
rail traffic is to proceed at
caution
• signal PROCEED AT CAUTION to the driver
rail traffic is to proceed
under special conditions
• after rail traffic has stopped, tell the driver:
− the maximum speed allowed, and
− about further Handsignallers ahead, and
− in writing, about multiple worksites

Movement Allowed Handsignaller Action
rail traffic to proceed at
caution passed a signal at
STOP that cannot be cleared
• after rail traffic has stopped, get an assurance from the Protection
Officer that the line is clear to the first fixed signal that can display
STOP beyond the worksite
• if any special conditions exist, tell the driver:
− the maximum speed allowed, and
− about further Handsignallers ahead, and
− in writing, about multiple worksites ahead
• remove Railway Track Signals from the line
4. When the leading vehicle of the train has completely passed the signal, remove the Worksite
Protection Key.
5. When the whole train has completely passed the signal replace the Railway Track Signals.
Protection Officer
6. When rail traffic is clear of the worksite, confirm with the Handsignaller that the Worksite
Protection Key has been removed and Railway Track Signals have been replaced.
7. Allow work to recommence.
Restoring a worksite protection key to fulfil a TWA
Protection Officer
When all workers and equipment are clear of the line and the TWA is no longer required,
ask the Handsignaller to:
1. Remove Railway Track Signal protection.
2. Restore the Worksite Protection Key to its lock.
3. Confirm the signal is showing a PROCEED indication.
Handsignaller
When told by the Protection Officer to restore the Worksite Protection Key:
1. Remove Railway Track Signal protection.
2. Restore the Worksite Protection Key to its lock.
3. Close the Signal Key Switch box and lock it.
4. Confirm with the Protection Officer that the signal is showing a PROCEED indication.
Protection officer
Tell the Network Control Officer the TWA has been fulfilled.
Related Sydney Trains Network Procedures
NPR 702 Using a Track Work Authority


SYDNEY, 24 AUGUST 2017 DIRECTOR SAFETY AND STANDARDS SYDNEY TRAINS
Returned to Controlling Manager: Date: .................................... Signed: ................................................................
(Cut along this line and forward the detached receipt to your Controlling Manager)
To Controlling Manager: ...................................................................................................................................................
Received SAFE Notice No. 017 – 2017 Date: ................................ Signed: .............................................................
Name (print): .................................................................. Location: .............................................................................
(Controlling Manager to retain this Acknowledgment of Receipt of the SAFE Notice for record purposes for 3 months.)

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