Rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has released guidance that will help minor and heritage railways to interpret and apply the specific requirements of the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 (ROGS).
All railways need to comply with ROGS and have a safety management system (SMS) in place, even though some of the other requirements that have to be met by main line railways do not apply to minor and heritage operations.
The ORR’s latest guidance provides a summary of the ROGS requirements for SMS and suggests how minor and heritage railways may apply these to their own operations. Most minor and heritage railways operate solely on their own infrastructure at speeds up to 25mph (40km/h) and they need a safety certificate or an exemption.
A few, however, operate at higher speeds and they need a safety authorisation or an exemption.
For example, if a minor or heritage railway runs parallel to other railway infrastructure where no boundary fence exists, or alternatively connects with or crosses on the level other railway infrastructure, the SMS will need to identify the risks arising from these interfaces. The ROGS guidance covers these details.
The regulator therefore encourages all minor and heritage railway operators to consider the contents of the guidance and take appropriate action. The ORR has also asked for feedback on the new guidance to assist it with future revisions.
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