Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
Tranz Rail
Text
For safety barriers in train gangways, ensure, if not already done, that: they can not be disconnected unintentionally or as a result of tampering and, the spacing and layout and strength of the barriers complies with or exceeds the standards specified in New Zealand Standard NZS/AS 1657-92 "Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, and ladders - Design, construction, and installation".
[This safety recommendation replaced safety recommendation 059/94 from the original investigation]
[This safety recommendation replaced safety recommendation 059/94 from the original investigation]
Reply Text
The current safety barriers cannot be disconnected unintentionally. The only means of ensuring the safety barriers cannot be disconnected as a result of tampering (if this is even possible) is to design and construct them so that they cannot be disconnected at all. This would prevent the decoupling of carriages and render shunting and yard operations impossible. Please review this recommendation. It is impracticable.
It is Tranz Rail's responsibility, under the TSL Act to set standards, not the TAIC's. In a number of respects the current safety barrier arrangements meet or exceed the NZS Standard but for reasons expressed earlier (our letters 29 September 1994 and 24 February 1995) the standard in full is not appropriate. You have never commented on these letters. We note you have conducted no study of the applicability of NZS Standard to the rail environment and failed to justify the view that it should be used by Tranz Rail Ltd.
The recommendation is inappropriate.
It is Tranz Rail's responsibility, under the TSL Act to set standards, not the TAIC's. In a number of respects the current safety barrier arrangements meet or exceed the NZS Standard but for reasons expressed earlier (our letters 29 September 1994 and 24 February 1995) the standard in full is not appropriate. You have never commented on these letters. We note you have conducted no study of the applicability of NZS Standard to the rail environment and failed to justify the view that it should be used by Tranz Rail Ltd.
The recommendation is inappropriate.
Related Investigation(s)