40997 Emergency phones at stations

August 2010 in Network Rail and Suppliers

Rules and procedures Equipment Method of working South East

A reporter raises concerns about emergency situations requiring a Track Worker, Station Staff or member of public to get in touch with a Signaller immediately.

Whilst recently working at a station, the reporter was searching for the nearest emergency telephone in case it needed to be used. However, the reporter could not find one easily and when the phone was found, it was a regular BT phone. This would be of no use in an emergency as the local Signaller cannot be contacted using this phone. The reporter notes that there were no information boards at the station stating on how a Signaller could be reached in an emergency of the line situation.

The reporter seeks clarification on:

• whether all stations should have available emergency telephones; and
• how a Signaller can be contacted in such situations.

Also, is it possible for information boards or signs to be provided with instructions on how a Signaller could be contacted from the available phone?

Response from Network Rail

Network Rail would like to thank the reporter for bringing to light a very valid question and obviously one that the reporter has given serious thought too.
When working on a station part of the briefing carried out by the person in charge of the work should include what communications to use in the event of an emergency and to where the nearest phone is located. The information briefed, should also include the contact number of the appropriate people that may need to be contacted should an emergency arise. Although not inclusive, this should be the controlling signal box if there is potential to impact on the operational railway, the electrical control if the over head line equipment or DC rail may be
involved and the emergency services (999).

There is no requirement to have emergency phones on stations and we do not publish contact numbers of signal boxes in public areas so that we avoid hoax and unnecessary phone calls to signallers. Network Rail publishes a list of all signal box phone numbers, by route in the Weekly Operating Notice (WON) so that they are readily available for anyone working on or near the infrastructure. The details listed in the WON include an internal and external (BT) number for each signal box. Additionally, if work is being carried out at one of the Network Rail managed stations, anyone intending to carry out any work must sign in at the station reception. They would then receive a brief from the Shift Station Manager that
would include details of how to react and report an emergency.