Project number: RIS-1530-PLT

Revised on-track plant standard improves safety, saves industry £70k

Project 2019-STN-006 produced RIS-1530-PLT issue seven, On-Track Plant, Trolleys and Associated Equipment, which describes the process of engineering assessment, the characteristics of different machine types, design requirements that apply to all machines, and details those requirements which apply to specific types of equipment.

'The improved resources help manufacturers and plant assessment bodies apply the requirements consistently.'

Mark Oakley
Professional Head of Rolling Stock, RSSB, Chair of RST SC

The challenge

RAIB recommendation 1 in report 08/2019 ‘Collision between two road-rail vehicles at Cholmondeston, Cheshire’ identified that RIS-1530-PLT issue six needed updating.

Industry has also raised several other concerns with issue six, through the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (M&EE) Networking Group, and the Rail Plant Association (RPA).

The standard needed to align with the updated EN 15746 series ‘Railway applications - Track - Road rail machines and associated equipment’.

Additionally, RIS-1530-PLT needed to be brought into the latest format for RISs, adding rationale and guidance to support users of the standard.

What we did

The RSSB project team oversaw the technical group for revisions to the European Standard (EN) for on-track plant, and maintained good engagement with the M&EE Networking Group and RPA for review of the proposed changes.

The revised standard, RIS-1530-PLT issue seven, sets out clear requirements for full visibility for the operator when travelling forwards. If this can’t be provided when moving in reverse, the standard requires either an assistant with controls to stop the vehicle, or closed-circuit television equipment for the operator, or ground staff controlling the movement. This successfully addresses RAIB recommendation 1 in report 08/2019.

Benefits delivered

The new RIS helps the user to understand better what they need to do to comply with the engineering requirements for On-Track Plant (OTP), trolleys, and associated equipment for railway infrastructure work. The supplementary rationale and updated guidance helps the user understand the rationale for these requirements.

The updates improve the RIS’s clarity, and hence the ease of complying with legal requirements and reducing the risk of injury. The estimated saving for industry is £70,000 over five years. The updates also help manufacturers in achieving ‘state of the art’ with respect to machine design and maintenance.

The RIS updates also refer to the latest legislative regime, including clarification on UKCA and CE marking, and to the latest issues of the respective ENs.