Rail Accident Report Discussion: Whitehall West Junction 2009
This is a relatively simple and short report. The accident happened when a train hit a lookout, during a trackwork operation in a red zone (meaning people doing work on tracks, while trains are still running on them). The lookout moved from his position and got too close and into the path of the train.
The cause was attributed to this; the lookout moved from his position. Again it’s a relatively simple explanation. But why did he moved from his position? 5-whys don’t work here because the why ends when the lookout passed away due to the collision. Toxicology shows no influence of alcohol or drug, and records show 25+ years of working on railway with great reviews. Clearly he is an experienced worker. The report suggests that he might moved because of being cold and wanted to do some activity, and mistakenly moved into the path of trains, but surely he could have moved back and forth within his position, away from the train’s moving envelope? As said before, we’ll never know.
One of the report’s recommendation suggests Network Rail adding or marking limits on the ground. In MRT Putrajaya Line (and I assume other metros too), the parapet walkway is painted yellow (Fig.1). I doubt though in years time when the paints are faded incongruently, would the asset owner maintain by painting it again. Similarly I don’t see Network Rail marking limits along all its track. Markings can be added at certain work areas, maybe, but then there will be needs for staff to access the site to paint, which brings a similar (and maybe slightly lower) risk of collision. Adding physical barriers have similar conundrums, I would argue.
There are digital solutions, with wearables warning track workers when they moved out of their safe locations. These seem viable but when will the adoption catch up, is everybody’s guess. I can see it being useful and provide higher level of confidence, and even avoid accidents, but would it be so with the one at Whitehall Junction? Would the lookout be warned and moved away from the train?
As before, we would never know.
Thank you for reading.
