Executive summary
On Monday, 10 May 1999, at approximately 1825 hours, Train 211, a southbound express freight, pulled out of the Auckland Freight Centre and stopped to have a defective tail end monitor replaced. While it was stopped, a DSG shunt locomotive that was operating on a converging road ran into the rear of the train. The remote control operator who was operating the shunt from the rear refuge of the locomotive was thrown off by the impact. Safety issues identified included the suitability of the procedures, and compliance monitoring in place to ensure safe operation of remote control locomotives, and the suitability of procedures to control conflicting movements in the Auckland Freight Centre. Three safety recommendations were made to the operator.
Related Recommendations
Amend existing code instructions and training procedures for the operation of remote control locomotives to ensure they include: • a definition of what constitutes "adequate" when describing "range of vision" with particular regard to speed and the need to stop in a distance related to the clear distance seen ahead. • unambiguous guidelines as to the best position for operators on the leading vehicle, taking account of curved track and limitations imposed by positioning themselves on the trailing end.
Reinforce the training and increase the compliance monitoring of remote control operators to ensure they are positioned and operate in such a manner that a combination of: range of vision normal operating distractions and shunting speed maintain an acceptable factor of safety with respect to possible collision.
Consolidate and clarify procedures to avoid conflicting movements in the Auckland Freight Centre and include procedures for the dispatch of trains.