Disaster Management PDF

___________________________________________________________________________ DISASTER MANAGEMENT Some important points of disaster management : Disaster Management involves : (1 ) Intelligent and meticulous planning (2) Prompt response to situat...

___________________________________________________________________________ DISASTER MANAGEMENT Some important points of disaster management : Disaster Management involves : (1 ) Intelligent and meticulous planning (2) Prompt response to situation and adequate post disaster measures. Planning and preparation : (3) Relief equipment should be made available at strategic point. (4) Information about nearby medical facility should be available in as much detail as possible. (5) Emergency equipment like ART/ARME should be kept ready with full essentials. Prompt response and post disaster measures : (1) Accident details and assistance required from site to control should be given at the earliest. (2) Medical personnel and volunteers in train should be requested for help, if required (3) Quick redressal to injured should be ensured (4) Preserve clues at site (5) Railway staff on duty or off duty should rise to the occasion. (6) Log book to record all activity including passenger’s names should be maintained. (7) Civil authorities should be requested for help, if required (8) Information centers should be opened at site and other convenient places (9) Restoration time should be informed to the public. (10) Restoration should not start will clearance from police authorities in case of suspected sabotage. (11) Incorrect information should not be given in haste. (12) Rush to the site by the quickest possible means. First one hour is called “Golden Hour”, during which, if medical relief team arrives, many precious lives can be saved, in case of fatal accidents. (13) Arrange for restoration materials and manpower after proper assessment of damage (14) The restoration work should be executed in a planned manner. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 189 ___________________________________________________________________________ 9.2 ACCIDENT INQUIRIES 1.0 RULES 1.01 RULES FOR INQUIRY INTO RAILWAY ACCIDENTS Rules for the guidance of the Commissioner of Railway Safety for holding inquiries into Railway accidents are contained in the ‘Statutory Investigation into Railway Accidents Rules, 1998’ notified by the then Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation in the Gazette vide G.S.R.587 dated q9.04.73 and amended vide notification No. GSR 20 dated 17.18.80 and GSR No. 704 dated 09.07.85 A uniform code for inquiry into Railway accidents on the State Railways was prescribed and issued in the year 1879. These rules were only administrative orders without any statutory backing. This lacuna was removed by the passage of the Indian Railways Act, 1890 which has since been replaced by the Railways Act, 1989. An inquiry is necessary if. 1. The accident is ‘Serious’ within the ambit of section 113 of Railways Act, 1989 or 2. A passenger train is involved or 3. There is a reason to believe that Railway staff are responsible either on prima facie evidence or on police report or 4. The system involved in the Railway working is suspected to be deficient or defective 5. The cause of the accident is not clear or 6. For any special reason an inquiry is considered necessary by the GM, CSO or DRM or 7. The Commissioner of Railway Safety asks the GM to obtain a comprehensive report on a particular accident, provided that such an inquiry can be dispensed with if. a) The inquiry is to be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety under the Statutory investigation into Railway Accidents rules, 1998 or a Commission of Inquiry appointed under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952) or any other authority appointed by the Central Government to which all or b) There is no reasonable doubt as to the cause of the accident or c) Any department of the Railway Administration accepts responsibility for the accident. Before considering various aspects of such inquiries, it is necessary to understand the meaning of the term ‘accident in this context. To facilitate this, the definition given to this term is reproduced below: “For the purpose of Railway working, accident is an occurrence in the course of working of Railway which does or may affect the safety of the Railway, its engines, rolling stock, permanent way does or may cause delay to trains or loss to the railway. For statistical purposes accidents have been classified in categories ‘A’ to ‘R’ excluding ‘I’ and ‘O’. Some of the objectives that are intended to be achieved by conducting accident related inquiries are as follows: OBJECTIVES Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 190 ___________________________________________________________________________ 1. To establish the cause for the accident beyond reasonable doubt; 2. To fix up responsibility for failures / commissions / omissions / violation of extent rules or instructions based on “which the follow up punitive action can be taken against such officials; 3. To assess availability or otherwise or proper system and their adequacy and practicability. 4. To assess exiting preventive measures, adequacy of the extent rules, regulations and instructions and their implementation in order to avoid recurrence of similar accident. 5. To ascertain skills, knowledge and effective functioning. 6. To examine the safety aspects involved in the installation, working and maintenance repairs to the equipment. 7. To review the response of the Railway’s system as a whole in rendering adequate and prompt relief and rescue; 8. To recommend alterations / modifications to the means, layouts, and signalling etc; 9. To be useful ‘as an effective tool to minimize accidents and 10. To help in the compilation of accident related statistics at various levels. The primary objective in conducting and finalizing ‘accident enquiries’ everyone must realize should be to identify the efficiency or weakness in the system, bring about improvement in the system and achieve better safety performance. Awarding punishment to the staff considered responsible should take the next priority. There presently exists a system for ensuring adequate punishment to the staff considered responsible but none to pursue compliance of the accepted recommendations. LEVELS OF INQUIRY Depending upon the seriousness of an accident and the gravity of its percussions, inquiries are ordered and conducted at either of the following levels for in-depth investigation: 1. NON-RAILWAY 1.1 Commission of inquiry 1.2 Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) 1.3 Magisterial of inquiry 1.4 Police investigation. 2. RAILWAY 2.1 Major fault inquiry 2.2 Minor joint inquiry 2.3 Departmental inquiry Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 191 ___________________________________________________________________________ 1. NON-RAILWAY 1.1 Commission of inquiry 1.1.1 A Commission of inquiry can be ordered by the Central Government if in its consideration; the situation so demands or justifies, under the Commission of inquiries Act, 1952’ either on the direction of the Government or a mandate from the parliament. The Commission is presided over by a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court or high Court, with the rank of union Cabinet Minister. He is assisted by one legislator and a retired senior Railway officer. A senior railway officer functions as the secretary to the Commission. 1.1.2 The terms of reference of a Commission of inquiry are normally to inquire into one or more serious accidents or review the accident inquiries conducted earlier at lower levels. In addition, the Commission can also be asked to study the prevailing safety scenario obtaining on the Indian Railway and propose suggestions for improvement. 1.1.3 The procedure adopted is like that of a court. The Commission exercises the power of a civil court, such as issuing summons to witnesses, taking evidence under oath, requisitioning records and inspection of sites and work units etc. Counsels are permitted to represent individuals before the Commission. Once a Commission of inquiry is ordered all other inquiries into that incident should cease. However, the findings of an Inquiry commission are only recommendatory and hence, subject to acceptance by the Government. 1.2 COMMISSION OF RAILWAY SAFETY a) Brief history i) To exercise effective control over the construction and operation of the first railways in Indian subcontinent, which were entrusted to private companies, Consulting Engineers were appointed under the then government of India. Later, when the Government undertook the expansion of the railway network, the Consulting Engineers were re- designated as Government Inspectors. In 1883 their position was statutorily recognized. Later the railway Inspectorate as placed under the Railway Board, which was established in 1905. ii) Under the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 and notification No. 801 dated 24th March 1905 of the Department of Commence and Industry, the railway Board was vested with powers and functions of the Central Government under various sections of the Railway Act and was authorized to make General Rules for the operation of the Railways. The Railway Board is thus the Safety Controlling Authority for the working and operation of Government and Company managed railways. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 192 ___________________________________________________________________________ iii) Section 181(3) of the Government of India Act, 1935 provide that functions for securing safety, both of the reveling public and of persons operating the railways, including the holding of inquiries into the causes of accidents, should be performed by an authority of the Federal enclosed in 1940 by the Central Legislature who recommended that Senior Government inspectors of Railways should be placed under the Administrative control of some authority of the Government of India other than the Railway Board”. Accordingly, the Inspectorate was placed under the administrative control of the Department of Posts and Air in May 1941 and continuously thereafter under whichever Ministry that the portfolio of Civil Aviation. The erstwhile Railway Inspectorate was re-designated as the Commissioners of Railway Safety on 01.11.1961. b) Organizational Structure: The Commission is headed by a Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) at Lucknow, who also acts as principal Technical Advisor to the Central Government in all matters pertaining to Railway Safety, working under the Administrative control of CCRS are 9 Commissioners of Railway Safety (CRSs), each one exercising jurisdiction is known as ‘Circle’(Old Nine Zones of Railway). In addition, the jurisdiction of some of them covers Metro Railways, Port Trust Railways and Konkan Railway. There are 5 Deputy Commissioners of Railway Safety posted in the Headquarters at Lucknow to assist the CCRS. There are 2 Deputy Commissioners of Railway Safety in the field, one each at Mumbai and Kolkata, to assist, to those CRSs in matters concerning the Signaling and Telecommunication disciplines. C ) Functions:- i) The commission of Railways Safety, Working under the administrative control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the Government of India, deals with matters pertaining to safety of rail travel and train operation and is charged with certain statutory functions as laid down in the Railways Act, 1989 and executive instructions issued from time to time, which are of regulatory, inspectorial, investigatory and advisory nature. ii) The principal functions of the Commission of Railways Safety, as spelt out in Chapter iii of the Railways Act, 1989 are : Inspection of new Railway lines prior to authorization for passenger traffic Periodical inspection of open lines. Approval of new works and renewals affecting passenger carrying lines Investigation into accidents, including inquiries into such accidents to passenger trains as are considered to be of serious nature, and General advice on matters concerning safety of the train operation. iii) The important functions relating to investigation and inquiry into Railway accidents is government by Statutory investigation into Railway Accidents Rules, 1998 and Railway (notices of and inquiries into accidents) Rules, 1998. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 193 ___________________________________________________________________________ c) Inquiries i) When should a statutory inquiry be held. A statutory inquiry by a Commissioner of Railway Safety is obligatory in every accident to a passenger-carrying train which is attended with loss of human life or grievous hurt as defined in section 320 of the Indian penal Code or with serious damages to Railway property of the value exceeding Rs. 25 Lakhs. ii) As defined in Section 320 of the Indian Penal Code, following are the various injuries that should be considered as grievous. 1) Emasculation / permanent privation of sight, 2) Permanent privation of hearing, 3) Privation of a member or joint, 4) Permanent disfiguration of head or face, 5) Fracture or dislocation of bone or tooth, 6) Unable to follow ordinary pursuits for > 20 days (hospitalization). iii) Commissioner of Railway safety may also inquire into any accident which, in the opinion of the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety or the Commissioner of Railway Safety, requires the holding of an injury at that level. The Chief Commissioner of Railways safety to do so. iv) The inquiry shall be obligatory only in those cases where the passengers killed or grievously hurt were traveling in the train. If a person traveling on the footboard / roof of passenger train is killed or grievously hurt or a person in run over at a level crossing or elsewhere on the railway rack, such an inquiry in not obligatory. v) Workman’s train or ballast trains carrying workmen shall also be treated as passenger trains and in the event of a workmen getting killed or grievously injured as a result of an accident to the train. CRS’ inquiry shall be obligatory. d) Procedure when CRS in unable to hold an inquiry : When a CRS is unable to hold an injury, he may inform the CCRS of the reasons as to why the injury cannot be held by him. In such a case, the CCRS may himself hold the injury or may direct another CCRS to inquire into the accident. Or else the inquiry can be en trusted to the Railway itself, who will then appoint a committee of Railway officers to hold the inquiry. The Railway committee’s inquiry report will be submitted to the CRS who scrutinizes it and in case he agrees with the findings, forwards it to the CCRS along with his views on the finding and the recommendations made. If, on the other hand the CRS considers that the inquiry should be held by him, he may proceed to do so. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 194 ___________________________________________________________________________ f) Stoppage or discontinuance of CRS inquiry : Whenever the Central Government appoints a Commission of Inquiry under the Commission of Inquires Act, 1952 the CRS shall discontinue his inquiry. g) Scope : 1) CRS hold inquiries into accidents with a view to ascertain the cause and fix responsibility there of on the individuals concerned. 2) Investigation are also carried out into the question whether prompt and adequate steps were taken by the Railway administration for relief measures such as provision of first and medical treatment and refreshments to passengers, evacuation of injured passengers and other facilities like arrangement for transshipment, completion of their journey to destination, running of duplicate trains etc. 3) As a result of the inquiry CRS may also make recommendations to prevent recurrence of similar accidents and may suggest laying down new rules or modifying existing rules and improved standard of signaling, installation and maintenance of track bridges etc. He also comments on matters observed by him during the inquiry, which may not have any direct bearing on the cause of the accident but which may, in some cases affect the safe working of the Railway and may lead to accidents. h) Powers: 1) For the purpose of conducting an inquiry into the cause of any accident on the Railway, CRS has the power as are vested in civil court while trying a suit under the code of Civil Procedure 1908 (5 of 1908) in respect of the following matters. i) To summoning and enforcing the attendance of person and examining them on oath, ii) Requiring the discovery and production of documents. iii) Receiving evidence of affidavits. iv) Requisitioning any public record or copies there of from any court or office, v) Any other matter, which may be prescribed. 2) The Commissioner while conducting an inquiry shall be deemed to be a Civil Court for the purpose of Section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974). i) Procedure for conducting a statutory inquiry: 1. Where the Commissioner of Railway Safety receives notice under section 113 of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989) of the occurrence of an accident which he considers of a sufficiently serious nature to justify such a course, he shall as soon as may be, notify the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, the Railway Board and the Head of the Railway Administration concerned of his integration to hold an inquiry and shall, at the same time, fix and communicate the date and place for the inquiry. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 195 ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. As soon as CRS receives intimation about the occurrence of a serious accident, he proceeds to the site, conducts inspection of the accident site and collects all particulars relevant to the accident. He then fix’s date time and place for the injury, which is given publicity, in the medical Officers of the local Magistracy and police are separately advised of the inquiry. Members of public are invited to give evidence in the inquiry in person or to write to him. 3. The concerned DRM will make available necessary office accommodation, secretarial assistance etc, to facilitate the inquiry. ADRM and concerned branch officers, like Sr. DSO, SR. DSTE, SR. DEE, SR. DME will render suitable administrative and technical assistance to the CRS in conducting the inquiry including ensuring availability of subordinated with relevant records, examination of evidence etc. 4. After completing the recording of evidences and collecting the material and data, the CRS will return to his headquarters and compiles the preliminary report. The copies of the preliminary inquiry report will be furnished to the CCRS, Railway Board and the concerned GM. If the CRS finds that the accident was caused by sabotage or train wrecking, he shall submit this confidential report to the Director, intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Government of India. 5. CCRS, after considering the preliminary report, will convey his approval and comments. The concerned HODs will study the preliminary report and offer comments indicating whether the report is acceptable or any part thereof requires review. The chief Safety Officer will coordinate in getting the comments from different HODs and obtaining the approval of the GM before forwarding them to the CRS, CCRS and Railway Board. The Chief Safety Officer should also convey to the CRS the departmental action taken and the punishments awarded to the staff considered responsible. After receiving comments from the CCRS and the GM, the CRS will review the preliminary report and draw up his final report. In case the Railway Board has reservations on the recommendations of the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, the matter shall be finally decided by the Central Government (Ministry of Civil Aviation). The final report will then be tabled in the parliament, after which it will be published. Through out this process, the document will be considered as confidential. j) Follow up action 1. Disciplinary action against the staff considered responsible for the accident and other irregularities pointed out there in can be initiated on the CRs’ preliminary inquiry report. 2. If the Head of the Railway administration concerned considers the prosecution of any person or person desirable, he shall immediately forward a copy of the report, together with statement/s, to the District Magistrate of the district in which the Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 196 ___________________________________________________________________________ accident occurred or to such other officers as the State Government may appoint in this behalf and to the concerned police authorities. 3. On receipt of the finding of the CRS, the police authorities shall as soon as possible, intimate the head of the Railways Administration concerned about this decision regarding launching of any prosecutions. k) Format of CRS’ accident inquiry report: CRS accident inquiry report consists of the following information. 1. Summary giving details like date, time and place of the accident, brief description of the site, type of accident, cost of damages, adequacy of relief arrangements and medical attention, cause and persons responsible. 2. Abbreviations used. 3. Chapters - Chapter – I:Preamble, inspection & inquiry, description of accident, casualties. Chapter – II : Relief measures Chapter – III : Composition of the train/s and damage Chapter – IV : Local features Chapter – V : Summary of evidence Chapter – VI : Tests and observations Chapter – VII : Discussion Chapter – VIII: Conclusion Chapter – IX : Remarks and recommendations 4. Appendices. 1.3 MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY 1.3.1 Whenever an accident, falling Section 113 of the Railway Act, 1989, has occurred in the course of working of a Railway, the District Magistrate who may be appointed in this behalf by the local Government, may either: a) himself make an inquiry into the causes of the accident, or b) depute a Subordinate Magistrate, who if possible, should be a Magistrate of the First Class, to make such an inquiry, or c) direct an investigation into the causes of the accident to be made by the police. 1.3.2 The Direct Magistrate or the Magistrate as the case may be, will advise the GM of the Railway and the concerned CRS intimating the date, time and place of the inquiry so that the Railway administration can summon the required evidence and expert assistance. After examining the scene of the accident, he will conduct the inquiry. 1.3.3 Since law and order is the function of the State Government, District Magistrates have been given the powers to inquiry into Railway accidents which apparently impinge on law and order such as accidents at level Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 197 ___________________________________________________________________________ crossings, sabotage etc. These accidents are intended to establish whether it involves criminal offence. 1.3.4 The Magistrate can summon a Railway servant or any other person for the inquiry. After the inquiry he shall decide whether there are sufficient grounds for a judicial inquiry and then bring to trial any person whom he considers criminally responsible for the accident. 1.3.5 He shall furnish a copy of his inquiry findings to the concerned GM and CRS. 1.4 POLICE INVESTIGATION Police inquiry is conducted into serious Railway accidents and is governed by the following. 1.4.1 Railway Police may investigate these causes of a Railway accident occurring the course of working of a Railway when. i) The accident is attended with loss of human life or grievous injury or serious damage to railway property or is prima facie caused due to criminal act of commission or ii) The District Magistrate or Magistrate directs to do so. 1.4.2 No Police investigation is made when a Magistrate inquiry has been ordered. 1.4.3 The Government Railway Police of the area shall primarily be responsible for carrying on the investigation within limit of the Railway premises. But if occasion arises, the GRP shall carry out the investigation beyond such limits. 1.4.4 The Police officer conducting the inquiry shall advise the concerned GM and DRM who may depute a Railway official to be present in the inquiry as an observer and to provide technical assistance. The investigation however, can continue even in the absence of the Railway official. 1.4.5 In place of the Railway Police, the State Police can conduct such an investigation. 2. Railways inquiries i) In case of accidents in course of working a Railway, the Railway inquiries are conducted by inquiry committees at appropriate levels, which are known as Major Joint inquiry, Minor joint inquiry and Departmental inquiry. The joint inquiry committee normally consists of one official each from Operating, Civil engineering and Mechanical Engineering departments. If any other department, like S&T, Electrical Engineering etc, is also involved, then an official of such department will also be represented in the Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 198 ___________________________________________________________________________ joint inquiry committee. Non railway officials, like State Police, Defense etc, may be allowed to sit in the inquiry only as an observer. ii) Among the various officials in a joint inquiry committee, the senior most will be the president of the committee and the remaining officials the members. The Safety Operating official will function as its secretary. iii) The level at which accident have to be injured into is laid down in column No. 4 of the ‘Classification’ chapter of the Accident Manual. Otherwise, the Chief Safety Officer at the Zonal headquarters or the DRM of the Division, as the case may be, will decide and nominate the appropriate level of and the individual officers to constitute the joint inquiry committee. 2.1 The joint inquiry reports are made out in 6 copies including the evidences recorded. MAJOR JOINT INQUIRY (MJI) 2.1.1 Major joint inquiries can be either at Senior Administrative Grade, Junior Administrative Grade, Senior Scale or junior scale depending on the nature of the accident and seriousness of the consequences. 2.1.2 GM orders an MJI at SAG level in cases of collisions involving train carrying passengers resulting in loss of human life and / or grievous injury and other serious consequences, which are not to be inquired into by CRS. These inquiry reports will be the Chief Safety Officer and accepted by the AGM. 2.1.3 The JA Grade, Senior Scale and Junior Scale joint inquiry committees are ordered by the DRM. The Sr. DSO / DSO process these inquiry reports, which are accepted by the DRM. Copies of the accepted inquiry reports will be submitted to CSO. After acceptance, extracts of the relevant portions of the inquiry report will be forwarded by the Sr. DSO/DSO to the concerned branch officers to take necessary administrative action as well as initiate disciplinary action again the staff considered responsible. The Chief Safety officer at HQ level and Sr. DSO/DSO at Divisional level are required to ensure adequacy of punishments awarded to the staff by various branch officers. In case they find the punishment to by inadequate or not in keeping with the extent instructions of the Railway Board laying down the minimum punishments for different accidents and failures, the case will be put up to AGM or DRM as the case may be, for review. 2.2 MINOR JOINT INQUIRY Minor joint inquiries are ordered and conducted onto rest of the minor accident case on the same lines as for major joint inquiry. The Minor joint inquiry committees are formed by Senior Subordinates of various departments nominated by St. DOS/DOS or consolation with the concerned branch officer. Minor joint Injury reports will be accepted by Sr. DSO / DSO or AMO(G) according to the comparative gravity of the accident. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 199 ___________________________________________________________________________ 2.3 DEPARTMENTAL INQUIRY a) Normally joint inquiries are ordered when the cause could not be ascertained beyond doubt and no individual department accepts the responsibility. This however, does not prevent the DRM from ordering a joint inquiry even if the responsibility is accepted by a department, particularly if it is felt that the accident involves irregularities on the part of departments other than the one which owns the responsibility for the occurrence. b) The departmental inquiry will be at an appropriate level as decided by the concerned HOD or branch officer it is conducted by a single official of that department and the report will be considered by that department’s HOD or branch officer, depending on the level at which the inquiry has been made. 3. CONDUCTING RAILWAY INQUIRIES : 3.1 The Safety / Operating official, in consultation with the president and various members of the joint inquiry committee, issues a message fixed the date, time and place of the first sitting of the inquiry. In this message the concerned senior subordinates will also be advised to make availed the staff to be interrogated along other necessary records and data. As the secretary to the committee the Safety / Operating official will also ensure secretarial assistance and other logistics to facilitate the inquiry. If any members of the message will also be addressed to the GRP and RPF. 3.2 The first sitting of the inquiry must held at a convenient place as near as possible to the site of accident, since inspection of the site to accident before commencing the inquiry is imperative. The site inspection provides better perception and appraisal of various aspects like the topography, alignment, view, curves, gradients, track and soil condition etc., which enable the officials to form a mental picture of the whole scene of the accident site. 3.3 At least two of the members of the joint inquiry committee should be present to conduct any sitting of the inquiry. But, in the last sitting when the findings will be drawn up, the president and all the members must be present. 3.4 To commence with, the inquiry committee must thoroughly go through the evidence collected, the joint observations recorded, the sketch of the site and the preliminary statements recorded at the site to the accident. On the basis of these documents, a list of all probable causes must be drawn up. Obtaining the statements from the witnesses should be with an aim to eliminate one probable cause after another and establish a cause beyond reasonable doubt. 3.5 Proving the most probable cause beyond reasonable doubt impartially should override the departmental interest / bias. 3.6 Before commencing recording the evidences of Railway employees, they must be duly warned that, in case of any deviation from their preliminary Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 200 ___________________________________________________________________________ statements which they cannot substantiate convincingly, they will be liable for disciplinary action. 3.7 In case of incompatibility of statements of different witnesses, a confronted examination will be done to ascertain the actual fact and rule out aberrations. 3.8 If a witness is hospitalized, the statement of such a person can be recorded in the hospital after duly obtaining necessary permission from the doctor under whose charge the person is being treated. 3.9 After completing the recording of evidences and perusal of relevant records, the president of the committee will discuss the detail with the members all the aspects of the proceedings, draw up his draft findings and hand over the same to the other members. All efforts should be made to make a consensus decision about the findings. 3.10 However, in case any of the member/s is/are in disagreement with the draft findings as a whole or part/s thereof, he/they shall submit a ‘Dissent note’ to the president. After due consideration of the dissent note the president will furnish his “Rejoinder” to the member/s. After further discussion, if the committee does not come to a single consensus decision, then majority findings will be finalized, which will be signed by the dissenting member/s with remarks to the effect ‘Dissent note submitted’. In such cases, the dissent note and the rejoinder would from part of the inquiry report and the accepting authority will consider the inquiry report as well as the dissent note and the rejoinder before giving his verdict. According to the extent instructions, in such cases the dissenting official will be examined by the appropriate authority, like AGM or DRM. If the dissenting official cannot convincingly prove his point, he will be liable for necessary action. 3.11 The accepting authority should consider and accept the accident inquiry report, the recommendations and the report on the effectiveness of the relief and rescue measures separately. 3.12 If the accepting authority does not agree with the inquiry report either in full or in part, the committee will be asked to review the report. If necessary, the committee may assemble again to re-examine any to the witnesses. 3.13 In the ‘Findings’ the responsibility should be fixed in the three following stages: Primary responsibility Secondary responsibility Blameworthy Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 201 ___________________________________________________________________________ ‘Blameworthy’ includes any irregularity / commission / omission / violation of rules or regulations etc which may or may not be related to the cause of the accident. 3.14 A separate report should be prepared on the effectiveness and promptness of the relief and rescue measures undertaken following the accident, which should be enclosed with the accident inquiry report. 3.15 In order to ensure effectiveness as a tool to enhance safety and promptness, accident inquiries must be dealt with strictly as per the following time schedule. SAG LEVEL JAG AND BELOW Day of accident D D Commencement of inquiry D+4 D+3 Submission of inquiry report for D+8 D+8 acceptant Submission of accepted findings D+10 D+10 to competent authority 3.16 The disciplinary action against the employees considered responsible should be completed within 60 days in case of minor penalty and 90 days in case of major penalty 3.17 The safety cell both at the Division and at the Zonal HQ shall maintain necessary statistical record of all the accident inquiries and keep a regular watch on the timely completion and finalization of pending cases. 3.18 The Safety Directorate of the Railway Board compiles annually the accident statistics primarily based on the finalized accident inquiries. This compilation is done for each Zonal Railway and for each type of accident cause-wise, responsibility-wise, equipment-failure-wise etc. The number of casualties, injuries, loss towards damage to Railway property and detention / disruption to traffic are also compiled. 3.19 The details of each finalized inquiry must be conveyed to the concerned station / work place which will be posted in the “Accidents Register”. This register should be perused by the inspecting officials to ascertain the trend of accidents and identify-prone employees for taking necessary remedial action. 3.20 A sample format of accident inquiry report is enclosed at annexure ‘A’. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 202 ___________________________________________________________________________ OFFICER’S DUTY ON ACCIDENT SITE : A. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FIRST OFFICIALS REACHING AT SITE: DOs 1) Ensure proper protection of the adjacent track and preserving clue / evidence of accident. 2) Ensure that the load is protected against rolling down, by putting hand brakes and wedges. 3) Check whether Medical van and Break Down train are required and order accordingly. 4) Provide first aid to victims and transport injured passengers to nearest hospital. 5) Collect following particulars and inform the higher officials and controllers from the site of accident a) Time and date of accident. b) Train No. and description of train / Trains. c) Block section / station location, Kilometer age of accident site. d) Brief description of accident and site. e) Casualty / injury particulars if any. f) Condition of derailed coaches / wagons if any and speed restrictions to be imposed. g) Damaged condition of Track, OHE, Rolling stocks, S&T fitting etc. h) In case of level crossing accident – the type of road vehicle, casualty and obstruction on track. i) Prima facie cause of the accident, if known. j) In case of fire, the Coach / wagon No., material involved in fire, additional fire extinguishers required, if any. k) Any other relevant information. 6) Collect Railway men and volunteers at the site. 7) Allot duties to each as best as possible under the prevailing circumstances. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 203 ___________________________________________________________________________ 8) Organize relief with the assistance of volunteers. 9) Help passengers in a cordial manner. 10) Maintain communication with control office. 11) Seize relevant records and seal conceded signal levers and equipments. 12) Record evidences and statements of staff and public. 13) Proper preservation of dead bodies. 14) Security of luggage and protection of Railway property. DON’Ts 1) Don’t panic and get irritated. 2) Don’t disturb the debris in case of suspected sabotage until the Police give permission except to extricate human beings trapped under the debris. Record evidences and statements of staff and public. 3) Don’t allow anybody to interfere at the sport of accident, as there is a chance to alter the cause of accident due to ignorance’s or dot of curiosity. 4) Don’t report the cause of accident to public or press till the cause is investigated b y an expert team and allowed by a Responsible Railway official. 5) Don’t leave the site until the charge is handed over to a responsible Railway official. B. DUTIES OF SENIOR MOST OFFICER / SITE MANAGER AT SITE. The DRM or ADRM and in their absence, the senior most Officer at the site of the accident shall be the Officer-in-charge at site (Site manager). On arrival at the site he shall immediately. DOs 1) Make an immediate assessment of:- a) The number of passengers killed, grievously injured and simple injured. b) Catering requirement such as food, drinking water etc. to passengers, injured or otherwise. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 204 ___________________________________________________________________________ c) Extent of damage & assistance required. d) Prima-facie cause of accident and relay this information to the Officer-in- charge of the control office. e) Probable detention to traffic. 2) Depute officers and / or staff for specific duties in :- a) Assisting in rescue operation. b) Noting down particulars of persons sent to hospitals / given first aid. c) Assisting in preservation of clues, materials, sealing of documents & equipments and preparing sketches. d) Arrange photographers for taking colored photos of dead / injured. e) Maintaining a log at site. f) Assisting in transshipment work. g) Assisting in Railway security work. 3) Arrange for ex-gratis payment, it warranted, as per instruction given. 4) Arrange to operate Mobile Control Office with all facilities at the accident site dully manned to log the events and progress of restoration in the register and also give the latest information to Division / HQ Control. 5) Ensure information centre / booths are opened at important stations enroute for giving up-to-date information to public. 6) Security of luggage of the involved passengers and protection of the area around. 7) Arrangement for clearing the stranded passengers and their luggage free of cost by road. Care shall be taking to see that the suitable accommodation is provided in the connected trains for the through passengers. A relief train can also be arranged if required. 8) Efficient communications including STD phones for passengers at adjoining stations, walkie-talkie sets at site etc. 9) Arrange information counters / booths and depute somebody to inform to public regarding the accident and train / passenger particulars. 10) Incase of suspected sabotage make arrangement for joint investigation by civil and railway police and coordinate the injury process. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 205 ___________________________________________________________________________ DON’Ts 1) Don’t panic and get irritated. 2) Don’t disturb the debris in case of suspected sabotage until the Police give permission except to extricate human beings trapped under the debris. 3) Arrangement for clearing the stranded passengers and their luggage free of cost by road. Care shall be taking to see that the suitable accommodation is provided in the connected trains for the through passengers. A relief train can also be arranged if required. 4) Efficient communications including STD phones for passengers at adjoining stations, walkie-talkie sets at site etc. 5) Arrange information counters / booths and depute somebody to inform to public regarding the accident and train / passenger particulars. 6) Incase of suspected sabotage make arrangement for joint investigation by civil and railway police and coordinate the injury process. DON’Ts 1) Don’t panic and get irritated. 2) Don’t disturb the debris in case of suspected sabotage until the Police give permission except to extricate human beings trapped under the debris. 3) Don’t allow any outsider to interfere in the rescue work. 4) Prevent theft and any antisocial acuity at accident site and make arrangement against such effort. Don’t allow any Outsider to interfere in the rescue work. 5) Don’t give press report till authorized to do so. B. DUTIES OF STATION MASTER / MANAGER: DOs 1) Note down the date & time and details of first information also note down the name of person giving the information. 2) Lock the operating handle of the block instrument controlling the affected section in Train on Line Position. 3) Report the accident to controllers, and in case of suspected sabotage, inform civil and Railway Police also. Advice the Controller about the nature of medical and other assistance required. 4) Take action to protect and safeguard Railway and public property. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 206 ___________________________________________________________________________ 5) Arrange medical aid, if required, locally from the nearest hospitals, dispensaries and doctors and transport injured passengers to nearest hospital. 6) Call all the off-duty staff and allot them specific duties for relief and rescue. 7) Arrange to provide all sort of assistance to the affected passengers such as catering, drinking water, issue of complimentary passes for onward journey free messages to relatives etc. 8) Open information counters and booths for giving information. 9) Be polite with stranded passengers. 10) Maintain communication with controller and report the situation and if any assistance required from Division / Head Quarter. DON’Ts 1) Don’t panic. 2) Don’t allow any train to enter the affected section. 3) Don’t allow any passing run through train on opposite line without issuing a caution order. 4) Don’t LEAVE the place of duty till the accident is cleared or relieved by a competent railway servant. 5) Don’t allow anybody to interfere or damage the clues and cause of accident. C. DUTIES OF CONTROLLERS : DOs 1) Note the time of first information received and also the name of the person giving the information. 2) Information operating and mechanical officers and order ART / ARMV / ARME in consultation with Sr. DME. 3) Alert the adjoining station to stop entry of any train in the affected section. 4) Arrange civil and medical aid. 5) Advise the SM / TI of the nearest important station of the accident and instruct him to proceed by first means to the site of accident. 6) Inform Officers and officials in the priority as mentioned in the extent instructions as required also inform concerned railway officers as per existing instructions. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 207 ___________________________________________________________________________ 7) Regulate Mail/Express and Passenger trains at such stations where adequate and communication arrangements are available and cancel unimportant trains. 8) Divert the important trains through alternate routes if necessary and inform the changed timings at important stations and adjacent Division / Zones. 9) Maintain a chronological log of the information received and action taken and maintain a continuous communication with accident site and officers. 10) Ensured the list of injured and dead are obtained as quickly as possible from the site and relayed to the Zonal HQ / Railway Board, concerned station, officer-in-charge of publicity etc. DON’Ts 1) Don’t panic 2) Don’t detain ART / ARME while proceeding to accident site. 3) Don’t permit the running of unimportant trains and avoid congestion of the section. 4) Don’t forget to inform civil and Railway Police in case of suspended sabotage. 5) Don’t leave duty till the charge handed over to a responsible competent railway servant. ------------------------------ Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 208