Executive summary
On Thursday, 13 June 1996 at about 1035 hours Train 401, the southbound Geyserland Express passenger service, struck and killed a signal maintainer working alongside the track. The causes were the signal maintainer's lack of awareness of the train's approach and the absence of any warning to the locomotive engineer of the presence of this staff member. A safety issue identified was the need for the wearing of high-visibility clothing by all staff in such situations to be mandatory.
Related Recommendations
Take immediate steps to ensure all staff are made aware that where the wearing of a version of approved high visibility gear when working on or adjacent to any operating line is part of a "Site Safety Plan" the wearing of such gear is mandatory and not elective.
Review the coverage and application of "Site Safety Plans" to ensure they incorporate the wearing of high visibility gear as a mandatory requirement when working on or adjacent to any operating line for Signal Maintainers carrying our regular lineside equipment inspections, and for other staff subjected to similar risk.