Failure to Uphold Protection Arrangements

1. 1 February 2019
Failure to Uphold Protection Arrangements
Last September I issued a joint message with Nev Nichols calling for an end
to Worksite Protection incidents. We introduced a requirement for all
Protection Officers (POs) to ask five questions after their worksite protection
briefing to test the arrangements in place and confirm understanding. This
initiative has been strongly supported by the business and I’ve no doubt it is
helping to improve safety in the danger zone.
After this positive step forward, I was greatly disheartened to learn of a near
hit at a station, which has highlighted the serious potential consequences
when a Lookout does not maintain sight of the workgroup being protected.
A work group was conducting track clearance measurements at a station
using Look Out Working. As the work group moved along the platform
taking measurements, the Lookout lost sight of them and the PO positioned
on the Platform. The Lookout then observed a train approaching the work
location and immediately sounded a warning device (horn), but the work
group and the PO on the Platform were only alerted by the sound of the
train whistle sounded by the driver on approach. The work group had to
quickly move to the safe place and the driver of the train applied the
emergency brake.
The Network Rules and Network Procedures clearly state the requirements
for Lookouts to be positioned within sight and hearing distance from the
Workgroup. If the Lookout loses sight of the workgroup at any time, work
must cease and workers must be moved to a safe place until sighting
between the Lookout and work group is re-established.
In this instance it’s clear the protection arrangements failed, and the PO
along with the Lookout failed in their duty to ensure mandatory requirements
of the Network Rules and Procedures are correctly implemented and
maintained throughout the work activity.
Every other form of protection must be considered before Look Out
Working. If Look Out Working is the only available option, the

2. implementation arrangements must be fully reviewed and understood
by all before work begins.
This is a serious incident and I sincerely hope that those involved have
given this due consideration.
The rules are in place to protect you and your team mates, so you must
ensure you adhere to them, at all times.
Regards
Stewart