Performing rescues near rail power systems

Performing rescues near rail power systems will always require the assistance of either the responsible person for the rail company involved, or the appropriate rail control room. Fire and rescue services should make themselves acquainted with all the rail control rooms in their area, such as:

• Network Rail Route Control (for England, Scotland and Wales)
• Northern Ireland Railways Control Room
• London Underground Control Centre
• Tyne and Wear Metro Control Centre
• Glasgow Subway Control Room
• Merseyrail Electrics Control Centre
• Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Control Centre

The safe working distance from overhead line equipment (OLE) or conductor rail equipment (CRE) is considered to be 3m. A risk assessment must be carried out before commencing any rescue activity. The presence of water from rain or flooding will increase the hazards of working in this environment.

It should never be assumed that the rail power system is switched off unless positive assurance has been received from either the responsible person for the rail company involved or the rail control room.

Switching off rail power systems will affect trains over a very wide area, leaving them without on-board air conditioning, lighting or heating, potentially putting passengers at risk.

Further information is provided in the control measure: Establish proportionate control over the railway.

Overhead line equipment

• If the power is ON, do not approach live overhead line equipment closer than 3m; high voltage electricity can jump a gap
• If the power is OFF, the overhead line system is safe to approach, but should not be touched as it has a residual charge
• If the overhead line system is ISOLATED (switched off and earthed), it is safe to approach and touch, but this should only be done if absolutely necessary

Conductor rail equipment

• If the power is ON, do not touch the conductor rail equipment, anything laying across it or a train standing on it; the rail can be stepped over with care
• If the power is OFF, it is safe to touch the conductor rail equipment, but this should only be done if absolutely necessary

Responsible person for the railway company

The responsible person for the railway company involved should help emergency services personnel to set up a safe system of work for performing rescues near rail power systems. The responsible person should be assigned to an incident and may be on-site to co-ordinate the railway response. For further information refer to the control measure, Responsible person: Rail incidents.

Permission and confirmation

Permission should be sought before commencing the rescue of a person near to a rail power system.

If a responsible person for the railway company is at the scene of the incident, they can give permission for the rescue activity to commence. This permission should be recorded by the incident commander and the fire control room advised.

If  there is not a responsible person for the railway company at the scene of the incident, and there are exceptional circumstances such as there being an immediate threat to life, the rail control room can grant permission for the rescue activity to commence. This needs to be jointly agreed by the rail control room and the fire control room before any fire and rescue service personnel enter the rail network.

In either case it is vital to confirm with either the responsible person for the rail company at the scene of the incident or the rail control room that trains have been stopped before fire and rescue service personnel enter the railway.

Attempting a rescue near rail power systems, should only be considered providing:

• Confirmation has been received that trains have been stopped
• Confirmation has been received that there has been an emergency electrical switch off to the overhead line equipment (OLE) or conductor rail equipment (CRE)
• Personnel can remain at least 1m from the rail power system
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including electrical gloves, is available
• Personnel can use dry, non-conductive equipment to stand on

When considering safe working distances it is important to consider the following factors that may affect them:

• Conductive equipment being carried by personnel
• Objects that are in contact with the OLE or CRE
• Damage to the rail power system
• Movement of the OLE or CRE, for example due to damage incurred or weather conditions