Rail Analysis India Dec Edition 2017 Digital Magazine | Page 62

Article | 61
62 | Article
2.2
Identifying The Macro Activities Inputs, Outputs and Controls
The following macro Yard Operational activities are listed:
• Admitting of a train into the yard
• Staging of the train in the yard
• Shunting in the yard (coupling and uncoupling of rail vehicles)
• Building of trains in the yard
• Despatching of trains from the yard
Due to article length constrains, the author decided to only focus on the micro activities of the coupling of rail vehicles
pertaining in the shunting in the yard as a macro activity. Refer to figure one.
Image Credit: ferroviarie.com
FIGURE 1
MACRO OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY OF SHUNTING IN THE YARD : MAPING THE MICRO ACTIVITY PROCESSES
OF THE COUPLING OF RAIL VEHICLES
SAFE MOVEMENT ON RAIL : HAZARDOUS AND RISK
IDENTIFICATION AT MICRO LEVEL OPERATIONAL
ACTIVITIES: PRINCIPALS AND GUIDE LINES
Author: Mr. Schalk Bradbeer started its journey in railways as a, Project Manager (Mainline Passenger
Coaches and Blue Train Sets Heavy Repairs) at Spoornet. He worked 3 years & 5 Months at Spoornet and
then he joined Transnet Freight Rail as a Contractor Regional Safety Manager. Currently, he is working at
Traning, Development and Compliance Management (TDCM) Consultancy, as a Rail Incident Expert Con-
sultant
1.
INTRODUCTION
During the authors research on the above topic it became
clear that both the international and local Rail Transport
Operatorshave their own perception, understanding and
formulation of what do “Safe Movement OnRail”really implies
and/or echoing onto their Rail Transport Business Risk
Profile. When asked to list their perception of the governance
and elements of “Safe Movement On Rail” it were interesting
to note that the comparison results indicated that there were
very little synergy amongst Rail Operators.
The bulk of the responses suggested that Train Working
Rules, General Appendix, Operational Training, Movement
Control Systems and Maintenance Programs etc. Should be
cardinal when formulating the governance, principles and
guidelines.
It is however disconcerting to note that a small percentage
of the Rail Operators considered Hazardous and Risk
Identification as a corner stone to ensure Safe Movement On
Rail.
This article tempts to explain the absolute importance of the
principals and guidelines when performing hazardous and
risk identification in the Rail Transport Industry.
2. PRINCIPALS and GUIDELINES
2.1 Micro Level Process Design and Mapping
The Freight Rail Transport Industry is a process driven and
a labour intensive industry. This demands that a process
design and mapping exercise should be executed on all rail
operational and non-rail operational micro activities that will
enhance a successful “Safe Movement On Rail” philosophy.
The author will however only focus and use as an example
the yard rail operational activities to demonstrate and explain
the essence of the managing of the micro activities to ensure
the “Safe Movement On Rail”.
RESOURCES
Man Power Traction Communication
Input from previous
activity

1. Prepare both end profiles of the wagons to receive a
coupling.
2. Secure the wagon that will receive the coupling.
3. Communicate continually to the Driver with regards
to the coupling movement.
4. After a successful coupling inform the driver to
insure no further movement.
5. Move into the end profile are (between wagons) and
complete the coupling activities.
6. After completion of the coupling activities the
employee must stand free of the end profile working
area before he/she authorise further movement.
Operating Rules

Output to next
activity
Certification
Appendix
CONTROLS
2.3 Identifying the Hazard and Associated Risks
Figure 1 reflects 6 micro associated risks pertaining to the
coupling of rail vehicles macro activity hazard.The analysing of
the associated risks.When utilizing the “What If” methodology
to analyse the risks, the elements reflected as resources and
controls should guide the assessor.
Safe Working Procedures
2.4 Analysing the Associated Risks – Risk
Assessment
The analysesof the risks exercise is to establish
(1) Whatcan go wrong andwhy?
(2) What may be the contributing factors?
(3) What arethe possible resolutions?
(4) How will theimplementation plan be formulated to manage
the risks?.