Railway Accidents and Precautions

Action During Accidents Including Breaches

• An occurrence that affects the safety of the Railways, its engines, rolling stock, permanent way, works, passengers, or Railway servants, or causes unusual delays to trains or physical and financial loss to the Railway, is termed an accident.
• Rules for reporting and joint enquiries into accidents are contained in the Accident Manual issued by Railways and in the Railway (Notices of and Enquiries into Accident) Rules, 1998.
• Every Railway Servant shall:
  • Ensure the safety of the public.
  • Promptly report to their superior any occurrence affecting the safe or proper working of the railway.
  • Render on demand all possible assistance in the case of an accident or obstruction.
• If a Railway Servant observes any signal defects, obstructions, failures, or threatened failures of any part of the way or works, or anything wrong with a train, they shall:
  • Take immediate steps to prevent an accident.
  • Advise the nearest Station Master by the quickest possible means.

Report of Accident to the Station Master/Railway Servant In-charge of Block Hut

• Following an accident, the Engineering official shall report the accident to the nearest Station Master through the quickest possible means, including electronic communication, covering:
  • Name of the station at or stations between which the accident has occurred.
  • Kilometer of the accident.
  • Number and description of the train or trains involved.
  • Date and time of the accident.
  • Particulars of loss of life and injuries to passengers and staff.
  • Nature and cause, if known, of the accident.

Records of Accidents

• All important accidents, breaches, washouts, and subsidence of track should be recorded with complete particulars in the Section Register by SSE/P.Way.
• Records of all accidents should be maintained systematically in the offices of SSE/P.Way (In-charge), ADEN, and DEN.
• Accident statements to the Railway Board should be compiled by the Operating Departments for submission to the Railway Board.

Pre-Monsoon Precautionary Measures

• General precautions to be taken before monsoon:
  • Clear catch water drains and side drains of silt, vegetation, and other obstructions.
  • Clear waterways of bridges of vegetation and other obstructions.
  • Maintain and repair protective and River Training Works.
  • Fill scour holes with boulders.
  • Paint High Flood Level (HFL), Full Supply Level (FSL), and Danger Level (DL) on bridges.
  • Ensure flood gauges are painted on important bridges.
  • Prevent water from stagnating on the track by providing cross drains at regular intervals.
  • Clean and provide longitudinal drains in yards to proper grades.
  • Survey and locate loose boulders in hilly areas and drop them in a systematic manner.
  • Select and train Patrolmen and Watchmen according to Para 1004(6).
  • Keep spare trollies in readiness at the headquarters of the JE/SSE/P.Way and at other stations in the proximity of vulnerable locations.
  • Overhaul and maintain motor trollies in fit condition.

Note: These notes are meant to provide a concise summary of the key points and are not intended to be a comprehensive or exhaustive treatment of the subject.