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GERT8000-HB7 Iss 9

General duties of a controller of site safety (COSS)

Synopsis

This handbook is for those personnel who have the general duties of a controller of site safety (COSS).

Summary Of Changes

The requirements concerning walking on or near the line were generic and took no account of the varying levels of competency among the intended audience. There were differing interpretations as to what was intended to be permitted.

To address this, new sections two and five have been added to: 

  • provide a clear definition within the Rule Book of when walking on or near the line is permitted and for what reasons
  • define the extent to which walking can be permitted
  • define the permitted arrangements for crossing lines open to traffic when walking.

Section four (formerly section three in issue eight) and section six (formerly section four in issue eight) have been revised to remove obsolete references to safe work leader (SWL). 
In section 3.2, the wording ‘must not rely on these arrangements’ has been amended to ‘must not use these arrangements’ as this conveys the meaning in a more easily understandable way.

Noise from work that is being carried out can prevent any member of a group from hearing any warning that is given when the safe system of work in use is either equipment or lookout warning. New instructions have been included in sections 6.7 and 6.8 to say that the COSS must not use equipment or lookout warning if this would be the case.

The changes to this handbook contribute to reducing safety risks in a critical and high-profile area. In doing so, there are expected to be benefits to reliability of operations and efficiency of engineering activity. 

Optional reading and resources:

Standards quarterly webinar - September 2024


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Rule Book Handbook
Issued:
07/09/2024
Published:
07/09/2024
In Force:
07/12/2024
Next Review:
07/12/2025

Details

Consultation Status Open
Consultation due 14/04/2025
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Consultation Link Consultation link
Vehicle Assessment No
Supersedes GERT8000-HB7 Iss 8
Associated Standard GERT8000-RBBL Iss 40, GERT8000 Issue HB Iss 18
Lead Committee Traffic Operation and Management - TOM
Supporting Committee Plant - PLT; Control Command and Signalling - CCS
Impact Assessments
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24 IA13; 24 IA14
Deviations
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23-040-DEV Revised 17-02-2025

Possession Optimisation - enabling clearer safety communications in possessions through web-enabled devices

24-022-DEV Revised 03-12-2024

The use of T3-A as a process for the protection of T3 possessions on Network Rail managed infrastructure

22-101-DEV Revised 05-12-2024

The use of signal disconnection as secondary protection for T3 possessions - National Deviation