Executive summary
On Sunday 6 May 2001, at about 0838, a collision occurred between express passenger Train 600, Bay Express, and an excavator and front end loader working on the up main line at Muri, 31.4 km North Island Main Trunk. The maintenance plant was operating under Conditional Stop Protection when the collision occurred. Train 600 had been given authority to pass through the protected site at a time when one of the four work groups operating within an 11.9 km protected length understood they were clear to work.
There were no injuries.
Safety issues identified included the suitability of the procedures in place to control the safety of multiple work groups working over an extended protected length.
Three safety recommendations were made to the operator.
Related Recommendations
implement procedures to ensure that the length of a protected site under Conditional Stop Protection, and the number of separate work groups within the protection, are adequately supported by the communication resources available, the procedures in place, and the known communication reception history of the area.
issue instructions to reinforce to all operating, maintenance and protection staff that the safe operation of any protected worksite must take precedence over any operational delays arising from complications on the day, including communication difficulties associated with E band or cellphone use
revise Engineering Rules and supporting procedures and training to: 1. include requirements for multiple work groups within Conditional Stop Board Protection 2. define procedures to be followed when protecting multiple work groups, such procedures to include repeat-back requirements similar to those used in issuing track warrants, and an auditable Site Control Sheet to be held by the person in charge covering all approved work groups within the protection 3. structure the Site Control Sheet to allow such key information as: