RAIL TRAILERS: MORE STRINGENT SAFETY PROCEDURES INTRODUCED

Friday 20 Feb 2004

RAIL TRAILERS: MORE STRINGENT SAFETY PROCEDURES INTRODUCED

Region & Route:: National

Today the British Transport Police issued a statement regarding the Tebay accident saying 'the brakes fitted to the vehicle, which should have secured it, were not functional'. With this ‘principal’ cause established Network Rail is once again allowing the use of these trailers but only after a number of stringent conditions have been met :- · the brakes on each trailer have been checked and fully tested · all brake test documentation and a compliance certificate must be carried with the vehicle at all times · a full brake test must be undertaken before the trailer is uncoupled, each and every time · as an additional safety measure, special metal wedges (known as “slippers”), which are designed to stop the trailer from running away, must be placed both in front and behind the trailer before uncoupling · all workers using the trailer are fully briefed on these new safety procedures Due to the stringent nature of these new requirements Network Rail expects full reinstatement of these trailers onto the network to take a number of weeks. Network Rail’s first priority is to operate a safe railway and these new safeguards will contribute significantly to that aim. The investigation into the Tebay accident continues to focus on why the brakes were not functioning and whether any other contributory factors may have played a part.

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