Executive summary
On Tuesday 20 July 2004, at 1345, Train 725, a Picton to Christchurch express freight service, was authorised to travel through the Tormore to Scargill section of the Main North Line that was already occupied by a track maintenance gang.
Two track maintenance personnel had just completed their work and were stowing equipment on their vehicle parked trackside when the train travelled through their worksite.
There were no injuries or equipment damage.
Safety issues identified included:
- the certification process for trainee train controllers
- conflicting documentation relating to safety buffer, clearance of occupations and safeguarding of positions when circumstances alter,
Two safety recommendations have been made to the Chief Executive of ONTRACK to address these issues.
Related Recommendations
limit the number of preferential trainers to two, supplemented by others for operational needs in specialist subjects, undertaking OJT of trainee train controllers or retraining train controllers to a subsequent desk.
correct inconsistencies identified in the Foul Time Rule 918 and Rail Operating Code relating to safety buffer, clearance of occupations and safeguarding positions when circumstances alter.