Coleman Rail has recently provided railway safety critical resource for partner Osborne Rail at a key site in Aylesham. These works form part of Coleman Rail’s framework, covering the supply of safety critical resources across Kent and Sussex.

The purpose of this particular project was to ensure a safe worksite was set up to deliver the required handrail replacement works. Coleman Rail’s works included:

Supply and Setup

• 2 x ES/PIC/COSS were supplied to Aylesham Station – the first shift was used to set up the worksite.
• 2 x Level B 3^rd R Strapping teams were supplied as the Aylesham area is powered by DC electric.
• Worksite limits were set up by NWR PICOP using Possession Limit Boards and Detonators. The power was then turned off by the local ECO.
• Authorisation was then given to ES for the application of short Circuit Straps at the required mileage.
• Both Level B Strapping teams then tested and applied necessary straps to the running rail and live rail.
• Confirmation was then relayed to the ES that all mileages had been safely strapped out and work could then proceed.

Handrail Replacement to Footbridge

• ES/PIC/COSS briefed all contractors on site on the SWP and Task Briefing.
• Contractors engaged in handrail replacement.
• Second ES/PIC/COSS arrived to relieve the first ES of his duties.
• A morning report was then compiled by the first ES for update on the works.
• The Second ES stood down the workforce while all necessary arrangements were completed with the PICOP for a change of shift.
• Workforce was then briefed and work continued.

Final Shift – completion

• After a 12 hour rest the first ES arrived to carry out the completion of the task.
• The second ES produced a report for an update.
• During the final shift works 3 handrails were installed.
• The worksite was then stood down for the lifting and handing back to Network Rail.
• The ES contacted all Level B Strapping teams to lift their protection and ensured they were in a position of safety once complete.
• Once all the protection was lifted the ES contacted the PICOP to hand back the worksite and confirmed all wass safe for the passage of trains.

All works were completed safely, using staff that were familiar with the local area, helping us to understand access arrangements. This knowledge also supports a greater collaboration with Signal Boxes, PICOP’s and local contractors, providing Coleman Rail with an advantage over other suppliers.

Morning reports were produced by our in-house safety staff after each shift, providing consistency, continuity and real time updates for the project.