Safe Working Authorities

Question 1

What is a Safe Working Authority (SWA)?

Answer 1

A Safe Working Authority may be used to authorise rail movements not otherwise permitted under the normal system of safe working.

Question 2

When can a Safe Working Authority be used?

Answer 2

When the Automatic Signalling System fails, or is otherwise compromised.

Question 3

What is an example of a situation requiring a Safe Working Authority?

Answer 3

A disabled train due to a failure in the Automatic Signalling System.

Example: When the Automatic Signalling System fails, or is otherwise compromised – disabled train.

Question 4

What are the three categories of Safe Working Authority?

Answer 4

SWA-01:Used in all situations except disabled train situations.

SWA 02: Used solely to manage disabled train situations.

SWA 03: Used solely to manage all MTMV and Work Train situations into and within Protected Work Areas.

Question 5

What is an imperfectly displayed signal?

Answer 5

Signals displaying any aspect not described in the rules or signals, not showing an authorised aspect.

Question 6

What is an MTMV?

Answer 6

Mobile Track Maintenance vehicle.
Rail-bound maintenance vehicles / machines. For example, tampers, regulators, track stabilisers, ballast cleaners etc. Generally operate track circuits so must comply with signals. May operate singularly or as a group.

Question 7

What is a RIC?

Answer 7

Rail Incident Coordinator
A competent person appointed, or performing, as designated by the Access Provider / Operator the duties of the RIC at the site of an incident. In charge of all rail personnel on site as per NRSS / 5.

Question 8

What is an RPO?

Answer 8

Rail Protection Officer
The person with overall responsibility for providing rail protection for the protected work area.

Question 9

What is a Switch Locked Siding?

Answer 9

A siding within an interlocked station or block section fitted with points that can only be reversed for the siding after an electric lock has been released.

Question 10

What are the three levels of Authority?

Answer 10

Self-authorisation
Verbal authorisation
Written authorisation

Question 11

What Authority is required to pass an absolute starting signal when failed or displaying an imperfectly displayed aspect?

Answer 11

Verbal from Signaller.

Question 12

What Authority is required to pass an absolute starting signal when when failed or displaying an imperfectly displayed aspect with a Restricted Speed aspect?

Answer 12

R aspect illuminated, Proceed (must ascertain the reason for ‘R’ light).

Question 13

What Authority is required to pass an absolute starting signal when when entering the wrong line.

Answer 13

SWA-01 from the Train Controller.

Question 14

What Authority is required to pass a signal when when MTMV / Work Train to enter a Protected Work Area using:
* Mis.60
* Blocking
* Lockout Zones

Answer 14

SWA-01 or SWA-03 from the Train Controller, followed by verbal authority from the Rail Protection Officer.

Question 15

What Authority is required to pass an absolute starting/departure signal when when an MTMV / Work Train needs to pass a signal within a Protected Work Area that has failed or displaying an imperfectly displayed signal, or cannot be cleared using:
* Mis.60
* Blocking
* Lockout Zones

Answer 15

SWA-01 or SWA-03 from the Train Controller, followed by verbal authority from the Rail Protection Officer.

Question 16

What Authority is required to pass an absolute starting signal when when a Shunting movement and cannot set back within the signal.

Answer 16

Verbal from the Signaller to depart.

Question 17

To pass a departure signal:
* when failed, or
* displaying an imperfectly displayed aspect

Answer 17

SWA-01 from the Train Controller.

Question 18

To pass a failed, or displaying an imperfectly displayed departure signal with a Restricted Speed aspect

Answer 18

R aspect illuminated, Proceed (must ascertain the reason for ‘R’ light)
R aspect not illuminated, SWA-01 from the Train Controller.

Question 19

What is the Authority to pass a Block entry board?

Answer 19

SWA-01 from Train Controller.

Question 20

Train Controller, Before issuing an authority for a following movement into a block section, you must ensure the rail vehicle ahead has:

Answer 20

• Cleared the intermediate signal in advance, or
• Called clear and complete of the signal / board for entry into the Protected Work Area to allow authorisation of a following infrastructure movement.

Question 21

Train controller
You must receive verbal authority from the RPO when allowing entry into a protected work area. You must ensure the ‘RPO authority also required’ is included in the following sections when issuing the following:
* Clause 8 of SWA-01, or
* Clause 7 of SWA-03

Question 22

Setting Back
When proceeding through the block section and completely clear of station limits,

Answer 22

Movement Authority:
SWA-01 from the Train Controller.

Question 23

Setting Back
Setting back is required after entering station limits if the movement has not cleared the block section for repositioning movement.

Answer 23

Movement Authority:
SWA-01 from the Train Controller.

Question 24

Train Controller, when more than one setting back movement is required, you must arrange for:

Answer 24

The trains to be coupled together, where practicable for the setting back movements, or

Individual trains to set back on separate authorities.

You must only issue another SWA-01 when the previously authorised movement is clear and complete of the block section.

Question 25

Relief Rail Vehicle, what authority is required to pass a departure signal displaying a block entry Restricted Speed aspect to recover a disabled rail vehicle

Answer 25

‘R’ aspect illuminated – Proceed. If not illuminated, SWA-02 from the Train Controller

Question 26

Relief Rail Vehicle, what authority is required to pass a starting signal or block entry board to run on the ‘wrong line’ to recover a disabled rail vehicle

Answer 26

SWA-02 from the Train Controller.

Question 27

Relief Rail Vehicle, what authority is required to pass a permissive Intermediate signal at stop to recover a disabled rail vehicle

Answer 27

Self-authorisation by the Operator provided the movement is stopped at the signal for 10 seconds

Question 28

Relief Rail Vehicle, what authority is required to set back in a block section when recovering a disabled rail vehicle

Answer 28

SWA-02 from the Train Controller.

Question 28

In an interlocked Station, what is the most common movement authority?

Answer 28

Verbal Authority, (from signaller when applicable.)

Question 29

When using a SWA-03 for an MTMV or a Work Train to enter and / or work within a protected work area and must pass absolute signals at stop, you must:

Answer 29

* Tell the Rail Protection Officer * Obtain safety assurances from the signaller for the area concerned, and * Set the route * Apply signal blocking * Issue a SWA-03

Question 30

Operator (Exceedance of Authority) If any signal is exceeded, you must:

Answer 30

 Stop the rail vehicle  Broadcast an emergency radio call on radio channel 1  Tell the Train Controller and where applicable, the signaller, immediately.  Prevent a collision with other vehicles.  Act on instructions provided.

Question 31

Train Controller, If you have been informed that a rail vehicle has exceeded a limit of authority, you must immediately:

Answer 31

o Arrange to stop the rail vehicle if not already stopped. o Arrange to stop any other rail movements that are at risk. o Tell o The NCM immediately. o RPO’s at affected work sites. o Affected operators to wait for further instructions. o Other affected Train Controllers or Signallers.

Question 31

When is a SWA-01 used?

Answer 31

Used in all situations except a disabled train situation.

Question 32

How many clauses does a SWA-01 have?

Answer 32

11.

Question 33

What is a SWA-01 required for?

Answer 33

 Pass a failed or imperfectly displayed departure signal, and/or including. o Failure of ‘R’ light illumination. o Travelling to a Switch-lock siding and immediately returning to the station in the rear. o Travelling to a Switch-lock siding and continuing onto the next station in advance. o Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD)  Pass a Departure Signal at Stop for a following movement into a Block Section when the train ahead has cleared the intermediate section.  Pass a Signal or Block Entry Board to enter a Protected Work Area using Blocking or a Mis60.  Pass a Starting Signal or Block Entry Board to enter the Wrong Line (includes SPAD).  Set back within a Block Section after the movement has: o Cleared station limits to proceed to the next station, o Entered station limits but has not cleared the block section, o Setting back short distances within the block section.  Authorise a train to work in either direction in a section.

Question 34

What is the difference between clause 3 & 4 when issuing a SWA-01?

Answer 34

Clause 3 - Single-line area Clause 4 - Multi-line area.

Question 35

What is an example of when Clause 8 (other instructions) is used in a SWA-01?

Answer 35

RPO authority required before entering the protected work area. Call clear and complete of signal number XXX (entering or within a protected work area).

Question 36

What are Clauses 9a & 9b used for?

Answer 36

Clause 9a must be used to enter details of the last train movement to clear the section/block section. Clause 9b must be used to enter details of the last track occupancy to clear the section/block section where this occupancy occurred after the last train movement.

Question 37

What are three SWA-01 precautions and checks? (Card 1)

Answer 37

1. Verify that the Section is clear and that the authority is safe to issue. 2. Observe the Block open arrows if provided to ascertain the last train direction and identify and locate, a. Any opposing trains. b. Any following trains. c. The previous train to enter the affected section. d. Train movements on adjacent lines. 3. Confirm with the operator that the rail vehicles concerned are, a. Complete and clear of any intermediate signal to allow a following movement (only) or, b. Clear the block section to enable a following / opposing movement.

Question 38

What are the remaining four SWA-01 precautions and checks? (Card 2)

Answer 38

4. Confirm that any track occupancies are authorised to enter the Block section after a train is clear. 5. If a train crossing occurs at the station in advance, tell the operator of the opposing train that a SWA-01 is about to be issued. 6. Confirm with any signaller that controls entry to, or exit from the section that the last train has been correctly identified and no other movements have been signalled or authorised. 7. In multi-line areas that allow rail vehicle movements in both directions, confirm that no opposing trains have been wrongly routed to conflict on the affected section and line.