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Point release published on 19/11/2022 supersedes GERT8000-G1 Iss 9

and comes into force on 03/12/2022

GERT8000-G1
Rule Book

General safety responsibilities

and personal track safety for
non-track workers

Issue 9.1

Module G1

November 2022
Comes into force 03 December 2022
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Point release published on 19/11/2022 supersedes GERT8000-G1 Iss 9
and comes into force on 03/12/2022

Conventions used in the Rule Book

Example
A black line in the margin indicates a change to that rule when
published for the first time, and will then appear until the module is
reissued.
Green text in the margin indicates who is responsible for carrying
out the rule.
A white i in a blue box indicates that there is information provided at
the bottom of the page.
A rule printed inside a red box is considered to be critical and is
therefore emphasised in this way.

Published by:
RSSB
The authoritative version of this document is available at [Link]

Contents approved by Traffic Operation and Management Standards Committee.

For information regarding the Rule Book, contact:

[Link]

First issued June 2003

Issue 9.1, November 2022
Comes into force 03 December 2022

©Copyright 2022
Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited
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Point release published on 19/11/2022 supersedes GERT8000-G1 Iss 9
and comes into force on 03/12/2022

You will need this module if you carry

out the duties of:
• a train driver
• a guard
• a shunter
• a designated person (DP)
• a signaller
• a crossing keeper
• platform staff.

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Contents

Section

1 General instructions

1.1 Rules, regulations and instructions

1.2 Getting on and off rail vehicles
1.3 Mechanical and electrical plant or other equipment
1.4 Travelling in driving cabs
1.5 User-worked level crossings, other gates and lineside
fences
1.6 Reporting lineside fires
1.7 Reporting trespassers
1.8 Flowing or pooling water that might affect structures or
earthworks
1.9 Defective rail vehicles
1.10 Overhead power lines belonging to an electricity
company collapsing
1.11 Detonators

2 Danger to trains

3 Stopping a train in an emergency

4 Accidents

4.1 Reporting an accident

4.2 Calling the emergency services
4.3 Preserving evidence at a serious accident
4.4 Reporting a dangerous goods incident

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Section

5 Communications procedure

5.1 Communicating clearly

5.2 Using communications equipment
5.3 Lead responsibility
5.4 Using phrases
5.5 Using the phonetic alphabet
5.6 Signaller instructing a driver

6 Trackside definitions

7 Going on the operational railway

7.1 General
7.2 Local knowledge
7.3 While walking

8 Limited clearances and related warning signs

8.1 Limited clearance signs

8.2 Limited clearance at telephones

Fundamental operating principles

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General safety responsibilities and
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track safety for non-track workers

1 General instructions
The people responsible: all concerned

1.1 Rules, regulations and instructions

all Rules, regulations and instructions apply to the task being carried
concerned out and to those carrying out the task, no matter what grade or job
title they have.

Unless you are being instructed by a competent person, you must

be competent to correctly apply the rules, regulations and
instructions to the tasks you are authorised to carry out.

Safety must always be your first concern. If there is no rule that

allows or prevents you doing something you believe must be done,
you must do it in the safest way you know taking into account your
training and experience.

1.2 Getting on and off rail vehicles

all You must not:
concerned
• get off a moving rail vehicle unless it is designed for continuous
slow-speed movement such as the high-output ballast cleaner
• get on a moving rail vehicle unless it is absolutely necessary,
and then only if you can do so safely
• ride on the steps of a locomotive or vehicle
• ride on a hand trolley or any other vehicle not designed for this
purpose.

1.3 Mechanical and electrical plant or

other equipment
all You must not operate mechanical or electrical plant or any other
concerned equipment unless you have been trained and are authorised to do
so. If necessary, you must also hold a certificate of competency in
operating the plant or equipment.

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1.4 Travelling in driving cabs

You must only travel in the driving cab of a train if this is in all
connection with your duties shown in the Rule Book or you have concerned
authority to do so.

If you are in possession of a cab pass, you must:

• show your cab pass to the driver before entering the cab
• show the driver any necessary permission issued by the train
operator when asking for access to the cab of a train carrying
high consequence dangerous goods
• tell the driver the reason for travelling in the cab and where you
plan to travel to
• arrange for the train to be stopped specially if necessary
• check you have any personal protective equipment your
company policy requires if you plan to leave the train somewhere
other than a station platform
• check with the driver if any mobile electronic devices are to be
switched off before entering the cab.

When travelling in the driving cab, you must not distract the driver.

1.5 User-worked level crossings, other

gates and lineside fences
a) User-worked level crossings

You must lower or close barriers or gates at user-worked level all

crossings and report to the signaller or Operations Control if you see concerned
any barriers or gates that have been left open or not lowered
properly.

b) Other gates and lineside fences

You must keep closed any other gates giving access to the railway
and if you can, lock them to prevent people from trespassing and
causing vandalism.

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If you come across a damaged fence, you must secure it if you can,
and report any defects to the signaller or Operations Control.

1.6 Reporting lineside fires

all You must immediately report a lineside fire to the signaller or
concerned Operations Control.

1.7 Reporting trespassers

all You must report anyone you believe to be trespassing to the
concerned signaller or Operations Control.

1.8 Flowing or pooling water that might

affect structures or earthworks
all You must immediately tell the signaller or Operations Control if any
concerned flowing or pooling water might affect structures or earthworks.
Examples of such water include:
• water rising up from the track or the cess
• unusual amounts of water pooling next to the track or in the cess
• water flowing down or pouring out of the sides of embankments
or cuttings.

You must tell the signaller or Operations Control if the water appears
to be displacing any material.

1.9 Defective rail vehicles

all You must not remove or obscure a NOT TO GO or other repair label
concerned on a defective rail vehicle unless you are authorised to do so.

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1.10 Overhead power lines belonging to an

electricity company collapsing
If an overhead electric power line belonging to an electricity all
company falls onto or near the railway line, all affected lines must be concerned
protected. If necessary, you must carry out the instructions shown in
section 3 of this module.

You must not go closer than 5 metres (approximately 5 yards) to the

fallen power line or anything in contact with it, until it has been
confirmed by the electricity company that it is safe to do so.

1.11 Detonators
If you have placed detonators on the line and you expect a train to all
pass over them, you must: concerned
• stand at least 30 metres (approximately 30 yards) away from the
detonators
• tell anyone else standing close by to also keep this distance
away
• as the train passes over them, turn away.

If you have placed detonators on the line and you do not expect a
train to pass over them, you can stay at the detonators if the rules
require this.

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2 Danger to trains
The people responsible: all concerned

all Whenever you can, you must check a moving train for anything that
concerned looks unsafe such as:
• a door not closed properly
• an insecure load
• a vehicle on fire
• a hot axle box
• the headlight not lit
• the tail lamp missing or not lit
• the driver sounding the train in distress warning (which is a
continuous series of long blasts on the high/loud tone of the
horn)
• the driver or guard displaying a red handsignal
• the hazard warning indicator (flashing headlights).

If you become aware of any of these hazards or warnings or other

dangers, you must immediately tell the signaller, or if this is not
possible, the person in charge.

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3 Stopping a train in an emergency

The people responsible: all concerned

The following hazards might put approaching trains in danger. all

concerned
• A track defect.
• A flood.
• An obstruction.
• A fire.
• Damage to structures or earthworks above or below the line.
• Any light which is out at an emergency indicator.
• A cow, bull or other large animal within the boundary fence (even
if it is not an immediate danger to trains).
• Any other animals on or near the line.

If you become aware of any of these hazards or other dangers, you

must immediately tell the signaller. If this is not possible, you must
tell the person in charge (who must tell the signaller).

As well as reporting the hazard, you must take any other necessary
action, such as:
• stopping trains
• calling the emergency services.

If you have to stop a train in an emergency, you must show a hand

danger signal clearly to the driver using one of the following
methods.

During daylight

You must show a red flag. If you do not have a red flag, raise both
arms above your head. If you are riding on a vehicle, raise one arm
held out horizontally.

During darkness or in poor visibility

You must show a red light to the driver or wave any light violently.

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4 Accidents
The people responsible: all concerned

4.1 Reporting an accident

all You must report an accident as quickly as possible to the signaller
concerned or Operations Control.

When reporting an accident, you must first say ‘This is an

emergency call’. This is important, as you will get the immediate
attention of the person you are speaking to. You must then state:
• your name
• your job title
• your employer
• where you are speaking from
• your telephone or radio call number.

You must give the exact location and details of the accident
including which lines:
• are definitely blocked, and
• those lines you think could be blocked.

You must also say which emergency services are needed.

You must report all accidents, including near misses, to your

supervisor or manager.

A rail incident officer (if appointed) will take charge at a scene of an

accident.

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4.2 Calling the emergency services

You must make sure you know how to call the emergency services all
from your usual place of work. From most railway locations you concerned
should call 999.

You must use a fixed railway telephone if one is available (this helps
the emergency services to locate where you are calling from).

If no fixed railway telephone is available, you may use a mobile or

non-railway telephone.

In all cases, when calling the emergency services, you must:

• give the exact location of the accident
• give details of the accident.

4.3 Preserving evidence at a serious

accident
Accident investigators will need to examine the site for evidence of all
the cause of the accident. You must not interfere with, disturb or concerned
remove any evidence of the possible cause of the accident except to
help the injured or to prevent further injury or damage. This applies
to equipment such as:
• driving controls
• signalling equipment
• rolling stock
• lineside equipment.

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4.4 Reporting a dangerous goods incident

all If there are dangerous goods on a train, you must tell the signaller,
concerned Operations Control or the local manager ‘This is a rail dangerous
goods emergency’ and give the following information (as well as
the information set out in section 4.1).

United Nations number - this is displayed on the hazard warning

panel on the side of a vehicle (or container).

A hazard warning panel will look like one of these:

You must:
• keep well clear
• keep the wind behind you as you face any affected vehicles or
packages
• avoid low-lying places where gas may gather
• keep unauthorised people well clear
• try to put out any fire, without putting yourself or anyone else at
risk
• keep naked lights and lamps well clear
• not smoke, use matches or pocket lighters
• not use a mobile phone near any vehicle carrying flammable
loads.

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If you are contaminated by dangerous goods you must: all

• if your eyes are affected, wash them with plenty of cold water concerned
• take off all contaminated clothing, trying to avoid further
contamination while doing so
• wash any affected parts of your body with plenty of cold water
• get medical help quickly
• give the United Nations number of the substance
• get advice from the specialist assistance contact. If this is not
known Operations Control can provide it.

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You can tell if there are dangerous goods in a vehicle or in a

package because it will carry a hazard warning label like one of
these.

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5 Communications procedure
The people responsible: all concerned, driver, signaller

5.1 Communicating clearly

You must make sure you properly understand the meaning of all all
messages whether they are communicated by phone, radio or concerned
face-to-face.

You must:
• make sure you are talking to the right person
• give your exact location, if you are using a phone or a radio
• give your name and that of your employer
• state what task you are carrying out
• if necessary, let the person know how you can be contacted
• use the phonetic alphabet to make sure names and locations
that are difficult to pronounce are fully understood, and
• never use the words ‘not clear’ to describe a line that is
obstructed, always use ‘line blocked’.

You must say numbers one at a time. You should say 8107 as
‘eight, one, zero, seven’. There are exceptions to this such as when
giving the time or when referring to a rule book module or handbook.

If you are receiving a message, make sure you fully understand it.
You must repeat the message back so that the other person knows
you correctly understand it.

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all To help make sure your message is fully understood when using a
concerned telephone or radio:
• speak with the mouthpiece close to your mouth and speak
directly into the mouthpiece
• talk slightly slower than normal using a natural rhythm
• use your normal level of volume when speaking
• avoid using hesitation sounds for example ‘um’ and ‘er’
• use clear sentences, and
• get the person to repeat your message back to you.

5.2 Using communications equipment

all You must not use communications equipment if it may cause a
concerned distraction or affect safety.

If you are on or near the line, make sure you are in a position of
safety before using mobile communications equipment.

Unless it is an emergency, you must not use the group call, general
call or conference-call facility for passing instructions to do with:
• passing signals at danger
• passing an end of authority (EoA) without a movement authority
(MA)
• protecting trains
• wrong-direction movements
• unsignalled movements.

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5.3 Lead responsibility

During any conversation, one person must always take lead all
responsibility. The person who must take lead responsibility concerned
depends on the task being carried out. Examples are shown below.

Lead responsibility When communicating with

Electrical control operator (ECO) anyone
Signaller anyone except the ECO
PICOP (person in charge of the anyone except the ECO or
possession signaller
Route-setting agent points operator
Shunter driver
Pilot driver
Handsignaller driver
Person conducting assisting driver of assisting train
train
Conductor driver driver of train or machine being
conducted
Designated person (DP) members of the work group

If it is not clear who has lead responsibility, or if two people carrying

out the same task are communicating with each other, the person
who starts the conversation must always take lead responsibility.

5.4 Using phrases

all
a) Phrases to use when using a radio or telephone concerned

Phrase Meaning
This is an emergency call This message provides
information which needs
immediate action to prevent
death, serious injury or damage.
Repeat back Repeat all of the message back
to me

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Correction I have made a mistake and will

now correct the word or phrase
just said.

b) Other phrases to use when using a radio and only

one person can be heard at a time

Phrase Meaning
Over I have finished my message and
am expecting a reply.
Out I have finished my message no
reply is expected.

5.5 Using the phonetic alphabet

all You must use the phonetic alphabet:
concerned
• to identify letters of the alphabet
• to spell words and place names that are difficult to say, or may
be misunderstood
• if there is interference on the radio or phone
• when quoting the identity of signals or points
• when quoting train descriptions.

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all
concerned
This is the phonetic alphabet.

A - alpha N - november
B – bravo O - oscar
C - charlie P - papa
D - delta Q - quebec
E – echo R - romeo
F - foxtrot S - sierra
G – golf T - tango
H - hotel U - uniform
I - india V - victor
J - juliet W - whisky
K – kilo X - x-ray
L – lima Y - yankee
M – mike Z - zulu

5.6 Signaller instructing a driver

You must give all instructions to a driver in one of the following signaller
ways:
• direct (face to face)
• direct (via telephone or radio)
• through the guard, shunter, pilot, handsignaller
• through any other person who is competent in the relevant rules.
You will receive all instructions from a signaller in one of the driver
following ways:
• direct (face to face)
• direct (via telephone or radio)
• through the guard, shunter, pilot, handsignaller
• through any other person who is competent in the relevant rules.

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6 Trackside definitions
The people responsible: all concerned

Operational railway

all The term operational railway includes the area called on the lineside
concerned and the area called on or near the line.

The lineside

You are on the lineside (shown green in diagram G1.1) if you are
between the railway boundary fence and the area called 'on or near
the line'.

You are not on the lineside if you are on a station platform.

On or near the line

You are on or near the line (shown orange in diagram G1.1) if you
are:
• within 3 metres (10 feet) of a line and there is no permanent
fence or structure between you and the line
• on the line itself.

You are not on or near the line if you are on a station platform
unless you are carrying out engineering or technical work within

1.25 metres (4 feet) of the platform edge.

You are not on or near the line if you are crossing the line at a level
crossing.

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Positions on or near the line

The following terms are used to describe the different positions on or

near the line.

The terms shown are not exact measurements.

The cess is the space alongside the line or lines on the outside
edge of the running rail.

The four-foot is the space between the rails of one line.

The six-foot is the space between one line and another (where the
rails are the normal distance apart),

The ten-foot is the space between one line and another where
there is a wide space between a pair of lines and there are three
lines or more. This distance may be less than 10 feet.

A position of safety

If the maximum speed is 100 mph (160 km/h) or less, you are in a
position of safety if you are at least 1.25 metres (4 feet) from the
nearest line on which a train can approach.

If the maximum speed is over 100 mph (160 km/h), the distance
increases to 2 metres (6 feet 6 inches).

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Diagram G1.1

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7 Going on the operational railway

The people responsible: all concerned

7.1 General
You do not need to carry a certificate showing that you are all
competent in the track-safety rules shown in this module as long as concerned
your regular assessment contains track-safety rules.

You must wear clean high-visibility clothing of an approved type in

the correct way whenever you are on the operational railway.

You may carry small items with you. Any items you do carry with you
must not affect your ability to walk safely or to see or hear and
acknowledge approaching trains.

Make sure you have a suitable hand lamp with you during poor
visibility, darkness, or if you are to enter a tunnel.

7.2 Local knowledge

Before you go on or near the line, you must know about all of the all
following for each line: concerned
• the maximum speed
• the direction from which trains normally approach
• the location of any area where you must not go while trains are
running
• any location with limited clearances.

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7.3 While walking

all You must use authorised walking routes if they are provided.
concerned
If you have to cross the line, you must not step on rails or sleepers
or between movable parts of points.

If you have to use a mobile phone, first move to a position of safety

and then stand still until you have finished using the phone.

Do not wear anything that makes you less able to see or hear
approaching trains.

Do not allow yourself to be distracted by anyone or anything.

Keep a good lookout for approaching trains.

Make sure you look up at least every 5 seconds so that you can
reach a position of safety and be in it no less than 10 seconds
before an approaching train arrives.

When a train approaches

When a train approaches you must immediately move to a position

of safety or, if already in a position of safety, stay there.

If the driver sounds the warning horn, raise one arm above your
head to show you have heard the warning.

You must stay in your position of safety until the train has passed
clear or you are certain you will not be put in danger by that train or
any other train.

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8 Limited clearances and related

warning signs
The people responsible: all concerned

8.1 Limited clearance signs

Limited clearance warning sign

all
concerned
There is no position of safety on
this side of the railway for the
length of the structure. You must
not enter or stand at that
location when a train is
approaching.

No refuges warning sign

There is no position of safety on

this side of the railway for the
length of the structure. However,
there are positions of safety, or
refuges, on the opposite side of
the railway line.

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Prohibition sign

You must not pass beyond this

sign while trains are running
unless you are carrying out
emergency protection. This is
because you would not be able
to reach a position of safety or
refuge safely. If you are carrying
out emergency protection, you
must take extreme care.

8.2 Limited clearance at telephones

all Some telephones are positioned where there is limited clearance
concerned between the telephone and the adjacent lines. You may use these
telephones only in an emergency and then only if no other form of
communication is available.

One or more of the following signs identifies these telephones.

Note: A driver of a train at a signal with any of the signs shown

above is allowed to use the signal post telephone under specific
arrangements.

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Fundamental operating principles

Core operational aim
The core aim of the fundamental operational principles is to enable
the safe and timely delivery of people and goods to their
destination.
Fundamental operational principles
1 The method of signalling must maintain a space interval
between trains that is safe.
2 Before a train is allowed to start or continue moving, it must
have an authority to move that clearly indicates the limit of that
authority.
3 Trains proceeding over any portion of line must not be
obstructed in a way that threatens their safety.
4 Trains must be prevented from proceeding onto a portion of
line if it is known or suspected that it would not be safe for them
to pass.
5 Trains must not be allowed to begin or continue their journeys
until it is clear it is safe for them to do so.
6 Trains must only be allowed to operate over any portion of line
as long as the rolling stock is compatible with the infrastructure
on that portion of line.
7 Trains must not continue to operate after they have been found
to be unsafe in any respect, until measures have been taken to
allow them to continue safely.
8 People must be kept a safe distance from moving trains.
9 The workforce must be protected from the particular hazards
associated with electrified railways.

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Contact [Link]
[Link]/
Tel +44 (0) 20 3142 5300
Twitter @RSSB_rail
Web [Link]

Rail Safety and Standards Board

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The Helicon
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