GERT8000-HB9 Iss 10

You will need this handbook if you carry out the duties of an IWA or COSS setting up safe systems of work within possessions.

Section 3.1, ‘Agreeing the site of work with the ES’ has been changed to remove the requirement to sign the RT3199 certificate. The ability of an IWA or COSS to receive a work-site briefing and to ‘sign in’ with the ES helps to avoid unnecessary road journeys and exposure to the associated risks. A reduction in the extent of such risks can be anticipated.

Previous rules changes to reduce the use of unassisted lookouts as a safe system of work led to issues when work was to be carried out between work sites because, when this had been done with the permission of the PICOP, lookouts were used. Following trials, new rules have been introduced at section 4 describing the arrangements for ‘transient work sites’ (a portion of line between two established work sites). These are now the only method by which work can take place outside a work site. As a result, section 3.6 which allowed the use of equipment warning has been withdrawn.

For completeness, a definition of an engineering train has been added at section 1.