Railway Accidents & Enquiries PDF

___________________________________________________________________________ 9. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS & ENQUIRIES 9.1 Railway Accidents:- Railway transport is considered to be among the safest modern modes of transports. Yet there are occurrences which do or may affect the safet...

___________________________________________________________________________ 9. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS & ENQUIRIES 9.1 Railway Accidents:- Railway transport is considered to be among the safest modern modes of transports. Yet there are occurrences which do or may affect the safety. Each of such occurrences in the working of Indian Railways is thoroughly investigated and suitable measures are taken so that their recurrences are avoided. Accident :Any occurrences which does or may affect the safety of the Railway, its engines, rolling stock, permanent way, works, passengers or servants or which affects the safety of others OR which does or may cause delays to trains or loss to the Railways is termed as accident. Definition and Re-classification of Accidents on Indian Railways as per Railway Board’s letter No. 2000/Safety (A&R)/19/20 dated 31.10.2000 In supersession of instruction contained in Board’s Letter No. 88/Safety(A&R)/29/8 dated 18.4.1980 and letters of even number dated 10.8.2000 and 17.10.2000 regarding classification of accidents, Board has reexamined the matter and has decided to re-defined, accidents as follows : (1) Definition : (i) Train : A train is a set of vehicles, empty or loaded, worked by locomotive, or any other self propelled unit including light engine/engines or rail-motor vehicles or a single rail-motor vehicles, empty or conveying passengers, livestock, parcels or goods, which cannot be readily lifted off the track and running under a particular number or a distinct name from fixed point of departure to a fixed destination. Part of a train shall also be treated as train for the purpose of these definition, classification and statistics. The train engine or any other vehicles once put on the train continues to be a part of the train until the station is reached beyond which it is not required to go on the same train. At such stations, the moment the train engine or any other vehicles is cut off the load, it ceases to be a part of the train. (ii) Passenger Train : A train intended solely or partly for the carriage of passengers shall be treated as a passengers train. A workman’s train or a ballast train or a material or an Accident Relief Train or a Tower Wagon or such other train carrying workmen, or Cattle special/Military special carrying authorized escorts or similar such train shall be treated as a passenger train. (iii) Other Train : All trains not covered under (i) and (ii) shall be termed as ‘Other Train”. (2) Accident : 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 engine, rolling stock, permanent way and works, fixed installations, passengers or servant or which affect the safety of others or which does or may cause delay to train or loss to the Railway. For Statistical purpose accidents have been classified in categories from “A” to “R” excluding “I” and “O”. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 171 ___________________________________________________________________________ (3) Injuries : Injuries are classified as (a) Grievous (b) Simple (a) ‘Grievous’ injuries for purpose of these statistics should be taken an injuries as defined in Section 320 of Indian Penal Code reproduced below for ready reference. (Section 320, Indian Penal Code 45 of 1860) Following kinds of hurt only are designated as ‘Grievous’ : (A) Emasculation (B) Permanent privation of the sight of either eye. (C) Permanent privation of hearing of either ear. (D) Privation of any member or joint. (E) Destruction of permanent impairing of the powers of any member or joint. (F) Fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth. (G) Any hurt which endangers life, or which causes the sufferer to be, during the space of twenty days, or in severe bodily pain or unable to follow his ordinary pursuits. (H) Simple Injuries : (i) A person will be considered to have incurred simple injuries if these injuries incapacitate the injured person to follow his customary vocation during 48 hours after the occurrence of the accident. (ii) A Railway servant is considered to have been injured if he/she is prevented fro returning to work as a result of injuries for a period of 48 hours after the occurrence of the accident. (4) Threshold Value : For the purpose of accident, threshold value is the minimum value beyond which the accident will be treated as having serious repercussion on the basis of loss to railway property or interruption to communication. It shall constitute two portions: (a) Threshold Value of Railway Property, loss of which is fixed at One Lakh Rupees: OR (b) Threshold Value of interruption to communication either partial or total where duration or interruption is equal to or more than Number of hours specified against each cell. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 172 ___________________________________________________________________________ Interruption BG-A,B,C or D BG- D, E Spl or BG – E, MG- S or Spl. (in hours) MG-Q. R (in Ng route (in hours) hours) Total 3 4 6 OR OR OR OR Total + Partial 6 8 12 Duration of interruption is defined as duration from the time of accident till starting of first train on line clear from adjacent station for movement over the affected line in that section. (5) Classification of Accidents : Accidents are classified under the following heads : (i) Train Accidents, (ii) Yard Accidents, (iii) Indicative Accidents, (iv) Equipment Failures, (v) Unusual Incidents. (i) Train Accidents : Train accidents is an accident that involves a train. Train accidents are further divided in to two : (a) Consequential train accidents; and (b) Other train accidents. (a) Consequential Train Accidents includes train accidents having serious repercussion in terms of loss of human life, human injury, loss of Railway property or interruption to Rail traffic. Train accident under following classification will be termed as consequential train accidents: Collision: All Cases under categories A-1 to A-4 Fire: All Cases under categories B-1 to B-4 Level Crossing: All Cases under categories C-1 to C-4. Derailment: All Cases under categories D-1 to D-4 Miscellaneous: All Cases under categories E-1 (b) Other Train accidents: All other accidents which are not covered under the definition of consequential train accident are to be treated as ‘Other train accidents”. These include accidents under categories B-5, B-6, C-5 to C-8, D-5 and E-2. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 173 ___________________________________________________________________________ (ii) Yard Accidents : All accidents that take place in a yard and does not involve a train are termed as Yard Accidents. These includes accidents falling under categories A-5, B-7 and D-6. (iii) Indicative Accidents : In real term they are not accidents but are serious potential hazards and include all cases of train passing signal at danger, averted collision, breach of block rule coming under classification F. g and H. (iv) Equipment Failures : These include all failure of railway equipment i.e. failure of locomotive rolling stock, permanent way, overhead wire, signaling and telecommunication equipment and include cases falling under classification J,K. L and M. (v) Unusual Incidents: These include cases related to law and order but not resulting in train accidents and other incidents under classification N, P, Q, and R. (2) Reportable Train Accidents : All accidents falling under the purview of Section 113 ot the Railway Act 1989 are termed as reportable train accidents and include following : (a) Any accident attended with loss of any human life or with grievous hurt. (b) Any collision between trains of which one is a train carrying passengers; or (c) The derailment of any train carrying passengers, or any part of such train; or (d) Accidents which are attended with loss of human life in passenger train involving train wrecking, or attempted train wrecking, cases of running over obstructions placed on the line, of passengers falling out of train or of fires in trains, or grievous hurt as defined in the Indian Penal Code, or serious damage to railway property of the value exceeding rupees twenty five lacks which have not actually occurred but which by the nature of the accident might reasonably have been expected to occur and also cases of land slides or of breach by train or flood which cause interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours. 7. Serious Accident : Accident to a train carrying passengers which is attended with loss of life or with grievous hurt to a passenger or passengers in the train, or with serious damage to railway property of the value exceeding Rs. 25, 00,000 and any other accident which in the opinion of the chief Commissioner of Railway Safety of Commissioner of Railway Safety requires the holding of an inquiry by the commissioner of Railway Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 174 ___________________________________________________________________________ Safety shall also be deemed to be a serious accident. However, the following shall be excluded : (a) cases of trespassers run over and injured or killed through their own carelessness or of passengers injured or killed through their own carelessness; (b) cases involving person being Railway servant or holding valid passes/tickets or otherwise who are killed or grievously injured while traveling outside the rolling stock of a passenger train such as on foot board or roof or buffer but excluding the inside of vestibules between coaches, or run over at a Level Crossing or elsewhere on the Railway track by a train; and (c) Level crossing accident where no passengers or Railway Servant is killed or grievously hurt unless the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety or Commissioner of Railway Safety is of the opinion that the accident requires the holding of an inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety. (8) Reporting of Accident : (a) To Railway Board : A telephone advice should be relayed to nominated officer in Railway Board’s Office immediately after the accident in case of following categories of accidents : (i) All consequential train accidents. (ii) Any yard accident having serious repercussion on movement of traffic of through/main line resulting in dislocation of traffic more than the threshold value as indicated above. (iii) Land slides, breaches, OHE breakdown etc. which result in dislocation of traffic more tan the threshold value as indicated above. In addition to this, periodic (monthly) statement of Accidents in all categories shall be submitted to Railway Board in prescribed Performa. (b) To zonal Railway : A telephone advice should be relayed to nominated to officer in Zonal HQ immediately after the accident in case of the following categories of accidents : (i) All trains accidents, (ii) Any yard accidents having serious repercussion on movement of traffic pm through line resulting in dislocation of traffic more than the threshold value as indicated above. (iii) Land slides, breaches, OHE breakdown etc. which results in dislocation of traffic more than the threshold value as indicated above. In addition to this, periodic (monthly) statement of Accidents in all categories shall be submitted to Zonal Headquarter in prescribed Performa. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 175 ___________________________________________________________________________ (9) Level of Enquiry: (i) All serious accident shall be inquired into by the Commissioner of Railway Safety. (ii) In case Commissioner of Railway Safety or Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety is not in a position to inquire into serious accident cases the inquiry shall be done by JA Grade Inquiry Committee. (iii) All other consequential train accidents except Unmanned Level Crossing Accidents shall be inquired into by a committee of JA grade officers and in its absence by Brach officers. Consequential Unmanned Level Crossing Accidents shall be inquired into by a Committee or Junior Scale Officers. (iv) All other train accidents shall be inquired into by a committee of Senior Scale or Junior Scale Officers as decided by respective DRMs. (v) All yard accidents shall be inquired into by a Committee of Senior Supervisors. (vi) Safety Officers shall be one of the members of all Departmental Accident Inquiry Committee. In case Safety Officer in same grade as of the inquiry committee is not available in the Division, Safety Officer of one grade below may be nominated for the Inquiry Committee. (vii) All cases of indicative Accidents shall be inquired into by a Committee of Junior Scale Officers. (viii) All cases of equipment failure shall be inquired into by senior Supervisors/Supervisors of respective departments. (10) Rules for the preparation of accident returns: (i) Accidents to trains shall be accounted for by the Railway which exercises jurisdiction over the site of accident. Engine failures shall be accounted for by the Railway owing the engines. (ii) A train intended solely or partly for the carriage of passengers shall be treated as a passenger train. All other trains will come under the category of other trains. (iii) Statistical returns in the prescribed Performa showing cumulative data till the end of the month should be submitted so as to reach Board’s Office not later than 7th day of the next month. (iv) Only those accidents which have occurred during the period to which the returns relate shall be included I the relevant returns. With regard to accidents where detailed are not available at the time of forwarding the returns for any reason, such accidents are to be included in the statement with a clear indication that further details would follow. (v) Each accident must be shown only once and in the event of an accident falling in more than one category, it should be treated as an accident in the higher category. (vi) Derailments or bumping during reversing or shunting operations etc. on an incoming, outgoing or any other load, including a sectional carriage, etc shall be deemed to be a ‘train accident’ only when the train engine Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 176 ___________________________________________________________________________ or a vehicle still forming part of the train derails or as result of bumping casualty (including injuries) or loss to Railway property takes place, irrespective of whether the shunting was being done by the train engine or by a shunting engine. (viii) Interruption is defined as duration from the time of accident till staring of first train on line clear from adjacent station for movement over the affected line in that section. (ix) Statistics of fire should included all cases of physical fire or smoke emission resulting in death or injury or damage to property amount to Rupees 5000 and above. (x) Details and Statistics for accident cases falling under Unusual incident categories “N”, “P” and “Q” shall be maintained and provided by Security (RPF) Branch. (xi) DRM at the Divisional level and the General Manager at the Zonal Headquarters level will ensure correct reporting of accidents to Zonal Headquarters and Railway Board respectively. (11) Collection , Compilation and Monthly statement of Accident Statistics : (a) Information about train accidents, yard accidents and indicative accidents falling under classification A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H will be compiled by the Safety Branch at Divisional and Zonal railways. (b) Equipment failures falling under classification J, K, L and M will be Compiled by the Divisional control on daily basis and shall be handed over to Safety Branch. Every equipment failure shall be classified under the category of avoidable and unavoidable by the Branch Officers concerned and summary shall be handed over to Safety Branch. Every equipment failure shall be classified under the category of avoidable and unavoidable by the Branch Officers concerned and summary shall be handed over to the Safety Department of the Division. It is further clarified that all equipments failures should be taken into account irrespective of the date of last schedule or examination and shall be subsequently classified under avoidable or unavoidable category as the case may be. The Safety Branch shall forward the monthly summary to Chief Safety Officer of respective Zonal Railways. Chief Safety Officer after compilation of statement shall be forward monthly statement to the Safety Directorate of Railway Board. (c ) Unusual incidents falling under classification N,P and Q shall be collected and complied by the Security (RPF) Branch at Divisional level and they shall take subsequently follow up action. Daily position will be given to the Safety Branch of the Division who after compilation of statistics shall forward monthly statement to Chief Safety Officer of Zonal Railways concerned. Chief Safety Officers after compilation of statement shall forward monthly statement to the Safety Directorate of Railway Board. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 177 ___________________________________________________________________________ (12) Following system will be followed for reporting of accident to Railway Board: (a) Information regarding consequential train accident and any yard accident leading to serious repercussion shall be reported by Divisional Control to Headquarters Central Control of Zonal Railway Headquarters. Central Control shall in turn inform all concerned at Headquarters office including GM, PHODs etc. (b) In case of accidents as in para (a) above, chief Safety Officer/Dy COM (safety) should thereafter inform nominated officer of Safety Directorate of Railway Board. At Board level Safety Directorate shall issue the message and take follow up action. (c ) In case of land slide, breaches, OHE break down etc which result in dislocation of more than threshold value and also case due to public agitation shall be reported by Headquarters Control Office to Punctuality Cell of Railway Board and dealt with by the Coaching Directorate. (d) Cases falling under N, P and Q except Q-6 i.e. blockade of train service due to public agitation; shall be dealt with by security Directorate. Above instruction are in super cession of all pervious instruction on the subject, and have the approval of the competent authority. These may be incorporated in Accident Manual of respective Railways. Detailed classification of Accidents : Class ‘A’- collisions A-1 Collision involving a train carrying passengers, resulting in (i) loss of human life and /or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property of the value exceeding Rs. 25,00,000 and/or (iii) interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours. A-2 Collision involving a train NOT carrying passengers resulting in (i) loss of human life and /or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property of the value exceeding Rs. 25,00,000 and/or (iii) interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours. A-3 Collision involving a train carrying passengers, not falling under A-1 above. A-4 Collision involving a train NOT carrying passengers not falling under A-2 above. A-5 Other collision, i.e. collision occurring in shunting, marshalling yards, loco yards and siding etc. but not involving a train. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 178 ___________________________________________________________________________ Class ‘B’ – Fire or Explosion in trains B-1 Fire or Explosion in train carrying passengers resulting in (i) loss of human life and / or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property of the value exceeding 25, 00, 000 and / or (iii) interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours. B-2 Fire or Explosion in train NOT carrying passengers resulting in (i) loss of human life and / or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property of the value exceeding 25, 00, 000 and / or (iii) interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours. B-3 Fire or Explosion in a train carrying passengers not falling under B-1 above but (i) loss to Railway property and/or (ii) interruption of traffic is more than the threshold value and/or (iii) resulting into derailment of rolling stock/stocks from the train and/or (iv) requiring relief engine/s. B-4 Fire or Explosion in a train NOT carrying passengers not falling under B-2 above but (i) loss to Railway property and/or (ii) interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value and/or (iii) resulting into detachment of rolling / stock from the train and/or (iv) requiring relief engines. B-5 Fire or Explosion in a train carrying passengers not falling under B-2 or B-4 above. B-6 Fire or Explosion in a train NOT carrying passengers and not falling under B-2 or B-4 above. B-7 Fire or Explosion occurring in shunting, marshalling yards, loco yards and siding etc. involving rolling stock but not involving a train. Note : In case of an inquiry by a committee into a fire accident in Railway Premises or in a train leading to damage to Railway property and/or booked consignments, a representative of the Railway Protection Force should also be included as a member of the Committee. Class ‘C’ – Train running into road traffic, and/or traffic running into train, at level crossing. C-1 Train carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or road traffic running into such trains at manned level crossing resulting in (i) loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property and/or (iii) interruption to traffic in more than the threshold value. C-2 Train NOT carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or road traffic running into such trains at manned level crossing resulting in (i) loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property and/or (iii) interruption to traffic in more than the threshold value. C-3 Trains carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or road traffic running into such trains at unmanned level crossings resulting in (i) loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property and/or (iii) interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 179 ___________________________________________________________________________ C-4 Trains NOT carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or road traffic running into such trains at unmanned level crossings resulting in (i) loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property or/and (iii) interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value. C-5 Trains carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or road traffic running into such trains at manned level crossings but not falling under C-1 C-6 Trains NOT carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or road traffic running into such trains at manned level crossing but not falling under C-2. C-7 Trains carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or road traffic running such trains at unmanned level crossing but not falling under C-3. C-8 Trains NOT carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or road traffic running into such trains at unmanned level crossings but not falling under C-4. C-9 Shunting engine with or without vehicles running into road traffic and/or road traffic running into such shunting engine with or without, vehicles or loose vehicles, at level crossings. NOTE : If a road vehicle is not capable of bring physically cleared off the track promptly by single person operating it, it should be termed as road traffic for the purpose of classifying such an accident as a train accident, irrespective of its mode of traction. Class ‘D’ – Derailments D-1 Derailment of a train carrying passengers resulting in (i) loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage of Railway property of the value exceeding Rs. 25, 00, 000 and/or (iii) interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours. D-2 Derailment of a train NOT carrying passengers resulting in (i) loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage of Railway property of the value exceeding Rs. 25, 00,000 and/or (iii) interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours. D-3 Derailment of a train carrying passengers , not falling under D-1 above. D-4 Derailment of a train NOT carrying passengers not falling under D-2 above but loss to Railway property and/or interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value. D-5 Derailment of a train NOT carrying passengers not falling either D-2 or D-4 above. D-6 Other derailments, i.e. derailments occurring in shunting, marshalling yards, loco yards and siding etc. but not involving train. Class ‘E’ – Other Train Accident E-1 Train running over or against any obstruction including fixed structure other than included under class “C” resulting in (i) loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property and/or (iii) interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 180 ___________________________________________________________________________ E-2 Trains running into any obstruction including fixed structure but not covered up under class ‘C’ or ‘E-1’. INDICATIVE ACCIDENTS Class ‘F’ – Averted Collisions F-1 Averted collision between trains at least one of which is carrying passengers. F-2 Averted collision between a train carrying passengers and an obstruction. F-3 Averted collision between trains NOT carrying passengers. F-4 Averted collision between trains NOT carrying passengers and an obstruction. Class ‘G’ – Breach of Block Rules G-1 Trains carrying passengers, entering a block section without any authority or without a proper “Authority to Proceed”. G-2 Trains NOT carrying passengers, entering a block section without any authority or without a proper “Authority to Proceed”. G-3 Train received on a blocked line, not constituting an averted collision. G-4 Train received on or entering a wrong line at a station or Catch Siding or Slip Sliding or Sand Hump etc. Class ‘H’ – Train passing signal at danger. H-1 Train carrying passengers running past a “stop” signal at danger without proper authority. H-2 Train NOT carrying passengers running past a “stop” signal at danger without proper authority. EQUIPMENT FAILURES Class ‘J’ – Failure of Engine and Rolling Stock J-1 Failure of engine hauling a train carrying passengers. J-2 Failure of engine hauling a train NOT carrying passengers or light engine. J-3 Parting of train carrying passengers. J-4 Parting of a train not carrying passengers. J-5 Failure of Rolling Stock such as Failure of tyres, wheels, axels, or braking apparatus etc. on a passenger carrying train leading to detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train. J-6 Failure of Rolling Stock such as Failure of tyres, wheels, axels, or braking apparatus etc. on train NOT carrying passenger leading to detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train. J-7 Failure of Rolling Stock such as Failure of tyres, wheels, axels, or braking apparatus etc. on passenger carrying trains, not leading to detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 181 ___________________________________________________________________________ J-8 Failure of Rolling Stock such as Failure of tyres, wheels, axels, or braking apparatus etc. on train not carrying passengers, not leading to detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train. J-9 A train or a portion of a train running away, out of control. J-10 Poor brake power in a train but not covered in class J-9. Class ‘K’ – Failure of Permanent Way. K-1 Buckling of track K-2 Weld failure. K-3 Rail fracture. K-4 An unusually slack or rough running or heavy lurch experienced by drivers of running trains while passing over any length of permanent way leading to blockage of communication. K-5 Failure of Railway tunnel, bridge, viaduct/formation/cutting and culvert etc. K-6 Damage to track of such a nature as to render it temporarily unsafe for the passage of trains or likely to cause delays to traffic for period above threshold value. K-7 Damage to track of such a nature as to render is temporarily unsafe for the passage of trains or likely to cause delays to traffic not covered up under classes – ‘K-1’ to ‘K-6’ NOTE : In above classification those cases detected during regular maintenance and not affecting trains movement will not be counted. Class L – Failure of Electric Equipment L-1 Snapping off or any damage to OHE wire requiring switching off of OHE for more than three minutes. L-2 Not tension in OHE for more than three minutes. L-3 Pantograph entanglement not covered under J-1 and J-2. L-4 Defect in AC or other electrical equipment leading to detachment of a rolling stock/stocks from a train. Class ‘M’ – Failure of Signaling and Telecommunication M-1 Failure of part or complete panel / RRI. M-2 Failure of interlocking/track circuit of axel counter. M-3 Failure of block Instrument. M-4 Failure of point machine and equipment. M-5 Failure of signal/point. M-6 Failure of control/station communication for more than fifteen minutes. M-7 Failure of station to station or station to level crossing gate for communication for more than fifteen minutes. NOTE : Signal/Point and Tele Failure which were not informed to S&T department will not be taken into account for Failure. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 182 ___________________________________________________________________________ UNUSUAL INCIDENTS Class ‘N’ – Train Wrecking N-1 Attempted wrecking of or sabotage to a train carrying passengers. N-2 Attempted wrecking of or sabotage to train NOT carrying passengers. N-3 Attempted sabotage or tampering with track not involving any train. Class ‘P’ – Casualties P-1 Person or persons falling out of a running train resulting in loss of human life or grievous hurt. P-2 Person or persons run over or knocked down by a train resulting in loss of human life or grievous hurt. P-3 Person or persons falling out of a running train or knocked down by a train or engine or railway vehicle, not resulting in loss of human life or grievous hurt. Class ‘Q’ – Other Incidents Q-1 Accidental or natural death or grievous hurt to any person whether passenger, railway employee or tress passer (or any other person), within railway premises (excluding railway quarters). Q-2 Murder or Suicide in a train or within railway premises. Q-3 Robbery, attempted robbery, theft or attempted theft in Railway premises, including trains. Q-4 Fire or explosion within Railway premises but not involving trains. Q-5 Fire or explosion resulting in damage to Railway bridge and viaduct etc. Q-6 Blockade to train services due to agitation. Class ‘R’ – Miscllaneous R-1 Vehicle or vehicles running away. R-2 Train running over cattle. R-3 Flood, Breaches and land sliding etc. resulting in interruption of an important through line of communication more than the threshold value. R-4 Other cases of Floods, Breaches, Land Sliding etc. resulting in interruption to traffic. R-5 Any accident not inclided in the foregoing classifications. NOTE : (1) The term ‘cattle’ does not include sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, donkeys, rams, ewe and lambs. (2) A train includes a trolly, lorry, motor, motor trolly when worked under the rules for working trains. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 183 ___________________________________________________________________________ Objectives to be achieved in dealing with the accident : (1) Save life and alleviate suffering (2) Protect property including mails (3) Provide help to other passengers (4) Ascertain the cause of accident (5) Restore through communication To achieve this objective: (a) Resources of man and material of all departments should be promptly made available (b) Each official receiving advice of an accident must do all that is within his power to render assistance. Duty of Railway servants towards safety vides GR 2.11: Every Railway servant shall: (a) See that every exertion is made for ensuring the safety of the public (b) Promptly report to his superior any occurrence affection the safe and proper working of the railway which may come to his notice. (c) Render on demand all possible assistance in the case of an accident or obstruction. Action to be taken on getting information of an accident: (1) The concerned AEN and inspector should rush to the site of accident by the quickest available means. On their way they should collect further information of damage and arrange for man and material and their movement as required for restoration. (2) The DEN shall collect the information and check for the adequacy of the arrangement made by AEN. If necessary he will supplement the arrangement and proceed to the site. (3) Some responsible officer will be deputed in control for monitoring the movement of man and material and to provide further assistance to sire as req2uired. He will also coordinate between the accident sire and higher officers at Hqs. (4) As per the gravity of accident ART and ARME will be ordered to proceed to accident site. ARME should be dispatched within 30/15 minutes of ordering during night/day time. ART should be dispatch with 45/30 minutes of ordering during night /day time. ALARM SIGNAL CODE : (1) Two long hooters 45” -5”-45” – accident in loco/traffic yard at homing station (2) Three long hooters 45” -5”-45”- 5”-45” – accident outside homing station (3) Four long hooters 45” -5”-45”- 5”-45” -5” 45” ARME required (4) One long hooter of 90” – cancellation of ART/ARME Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 184 ___________________________________________________________________________ Action at site : The first official (which is mostly an engineering official) reaching site should take following actions: (1) Protect train if not done by guard/ driver of train involved. (2) Arrange for rescue and medical relief to the passengers involved (3) Carry out a rapid survey of site and inform to the control/nearest station master regarding the damage and assistance required. (4) Check for the line clear, caution order, train register, etc. (5) Preserve clues and take up the preliminary clearing operation. In case of suspected sabotage, clearance from police officials must be taken before commencing restoration. A factual note of the conditions obtaining at site should be prepared and signed jointly by senior most police and railway officials at the site. However, it should not be allowed to interfere with rendering of medical relief to passengers. In case CRS wants to inspect the site, commencement of restoration may be delayed accordingly. (6) The preliminary statements of staff concerned should be taken at the site itself as any delay in doing so might lead to some facts being suppressed or some evidence being fabricated in due course of time. (7) Continuous contact should be maintained with the higher officials through fields telephone. After through assessment of the situation, prima-facie cause and probable restoration time should be intimated to the control. (8) Photographs showing the details of damage to permanent way, rolling stock etc should be taken wherever necessary. (9) AEN should ensure above actions being taken and he should coordinate with control for providing assistance as required. He should also plan for expeditious restoration of through traffic. (10) DEN should examine the adequacy of measures taken for fast execution of work. (11) A preliminary report should be prepared at site including the sketch and sent to the higher officials. The report should contain : (a) Nature of accident (b) Prima facie cause (c) Loss of life, injuries etc. (d) Extent of damage (e) Tract reading---- X-level, gauge, versine, super elevation for a distance of 45 m on either side if cause of derailment is indisputable known, otherwise for 90 m on rear side and 45 m ahead of zero station (point of mount). (f) Particulars of rainfall, patrolling, if any (g) Plan of restoration (h) Assistance(Man and material) required and probable restoration time. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 185 ___________________________________________________________________________ (i) Any special feature (j) Sketch of accident, site showing the details of the position of permanent way, rolling stock, any marks on rails, drag etc. (12) The senior most officer at site will take the overall charge and ensure expedition execution of the work by proper coordination among the various departments. He will monitor for all works at sire and check for the adequacy of measure taken. Procedure of dealing with cases of sabotage or train wrecking : The guard along with Engine crew and other railway staff if traveling by the train involved, after reporting the accident, protecting the train and rendering first aid to the injured must : (i) carefully examine the track jointly with responsible passengers, and record the results of the examination and have the record signed by them. (ii) See that the track, rails, fish plates, bolts etc. appearing to have been tampered with are not disturbed by any persons, and that these are closely watched till arrival of the Civil and Police Authorities. The Station Master adjacent to the site of the accident must inform the local Civil Police/RPF authorities by the quickest means available and give them all possible assistance to reach the site as early as possible. Engineering officials going to the site should take following precautions : (i) the gang should not carry any tools with them while going in the first instance (ii) their tool boxes are not opened until they have been checked by the police (iii) instruct them not to disturb the track etc. till the time inspected by police authority. Other officials should take care to protect the clues and collect evidence that may throw light on the cause of accident. They should also make arrangement for photographing etc. On getting the information, RPF personnel will rush to the site after contacting the local GRP/Civil Police. Whenever there is delay in arrival of police officials, the senior most railway officials at site may jack up and portion of a coach or shift any property to the minimum extent necessary, after noting its original position by sketch, to extricate human beings trapped under it in the shortest possible time to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering. Normal traffic should however not be permitted without consulting the police. A join inspection by railway official and police officials should be carried out and jointly signed report should be prepared. After getting clearance from police officials only restoration work should be taken up. Accident inquiries : The objective of an accident inquiry is to : (1) ascertain the cause of the accident. (2) to formulate proposal for preventing its recurrence. Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 186 ___________________________________________________________________________ (3) to fix up responsibility and also to determine whether there was general laxity in working. Classification (1) CRS inquiry (2) Major joint inquiry (3) Minor joint inquiry (4) Departmental inquiry Central Government may also order a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into very serious accidents under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952. (1) CRS Inquiry : CRS is appointed under Section 4 of Indian Railway Act as Inspector of Railways. He may order and personally conduct an inquiry into an accident, which he considered to be serious. He shall inform to the GM for the same and all assistance should be given to him for conducting inquiry. (2) Major Joint Inquiry : Such inquiries will be held in case of all accidents falling within the purview of Section 83 of Indian Railway Act. The inquiry committee will consist of the officers of all the departments involved in the accident. Normally Engineering, Mechanical and Traffic Departments are associated in almost all the cases. Depending on the gravity of the accident, the officers of inquiry committee may be (i) SAG Officers (to be ordered by GM) (ii) Divisional Officers or (to be ordered by DRM) (iii) Assistant Officers (to be ordered by DRM) (3) Minor Joint Inquiry : Such inquiries are held in case of minor accidents. The inquiry committee consists of senior subordinates of all the departments involved in the accident. Such inquiries are ordered by DRM. (4) Departmental Inquiry : Such inquires are held by the officials of the particular department, which is indisputably responsible for the accident and accepts the same. Proceedings of inquiry : It should consist of the following documents : (4) a brief description of the accident (5) detailed statement of the evidence taken (6) findings of the committee together with dissent note, if any (7) reasons for conclusion arrived at (8) an appendix stating nature and extent of damage to railway property (9) a list giving particulars of persons injured or killed (10) recommendation and observations, if any Findings : The findings should consists of : (1) the cause of the accident mentioning the persons responsible, if any, and the rules violated (2) dissent note, if any, with reasons Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 187 ___________________________________________________________________________ (3) reasons for arriving at the findings (4) recommendations for avoiding the recurrence of such accidents Time schedule for inquiry proceedings : D+2 Preliminary report in serious accidents by DRM to GM D+3 holding of inquiry D+5 detailed report by DRM to GM for Rly. Bd. D+10 inquiry proceedings to be forwarded by DRM to GM D+27 finalization of inquiry report and submission to the accepting authority ------------------------------ Traction Rolling Stock : OPERATION. 188