28.10.16
RAIB: Boom crash points to ‘lack of understanding’ of rail maintenance role
An accident in February where a train collided with a conveyor boom raises wider concerns about whether Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECMs) understand their safety responsibilities, the RAIB has said.
The accident occurred at around 10.26am on 14 February, when a conveyor boom from an aggregates wagon collided with an East Midlands Trains passenger train at Barrow-upon-Soar sidings.
The RAIB investigation found that earlier on the day of the accident, two fitters working for Wabtec Rail, which was responsible for maintaining for the wagon, had noticed the switch operating the boom was not working, and replaced it.
However, when a fitter tried to test the switch, it didn’t work, leaving the boom protruding over the track. The fitter raised the alarm and groundstaff contacted the East Midlands Control Centre to tell them to stop the trains, but this was not in time to prevent the accident.
The accident caused damage to the wagon conveyor boom and to two of the coaches of the train, and one of the fitters was injured by a flying piece of debris.
The RAIB said that the switch didn’t work because the box it was contained in had become degraded, exposing it to dust and moisture and causing corrosion.
Wabtec Rail is the certified ECM for the train on behalf of Tarmac Aggregates, which operates the sidings and owns the train. Since 2013, every vehicle on the UK rail network is required to have a certified ECM under EU regulations.
Following the investigation, the RAIB said it was important for every certified ECM to fully recognise the importance of its role and its legal obligation to maintain a vehicle in a safe condition.
In particular, ECMs should have a procedure to manage the removal of vehicles from operation when defects have been identified that make the vehicle potentially unsafe; ensure they have full and accurate records of their assets; have maintenance procedures for all systems fitted to their vehicles, including electrical systems; and ensure that electrical components are not exposed to dust and moisture.
Simon French, chief inspector of rail accidents, said: “Our investigations into the accidents at Washwood Heath and Barrow-upon-Soar have caused me to question the extent to which ECMs have really understood the implications of what is now required of them.
“Of particular concern in both cases was the lack of proper understanding of the activities that were required to keep the wagon in a fit condition to run, and the consequent absence of a suitable system of maintenance.
“ECMs now play an important role in the rail industry’s management of risk. To meet this challenge they need to ensure that they properly understand the characteristics of the wagons for which they are responsible, and their maintenance requirements.”
Furthermore, the RAIB said Tarmac and Wabtec should review their risk assessment procedures, Wabtec should ensure its maintenance and inspection procedures at the Barrow-upon-Soar sidings are clearly understood, and Tarmac should identify why no action was taken to manage the risk of continuing to operate the wagon after the problem with the switch was identified.
A Tarmac spokesperson said: “We have noted the comments and recommendations contained within the RAIB report, and will take time to review and understand how these can be applied to our business. The safety of all our employees, subcontractors, and members of the public, is of the highest importance and is the primary focus of our operations every day. Throughout this process, we have cooperated fully with Network Rail, and the Rail Accident Investigation Board in their enquiries, and will continue to do so.”
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.