scope:

Network Rail uses a wide range of Plant and Traction and Rolling Stock assets to operate, inspect, maintain and renew its infrastructure. These assets may be owned, lease funded, procured through a contracted service, furthermore, they may be operated by NR staff or a third party.

This Standard applies to:

a) assets owned or leased by Network Rail;

b) assets procured indirectly through a contracted service from a third party.

This Standard also applies to all NR staff, including agents acting on behalf of NR, involved in the:

a) maintenance of rail vehicles; or

b) operation of rail vehicles.

This Standard does not apply to:

a) assets supplied under contract from an accredited Freight Operating Company;

b) assets supplied on a short-term (less than four weeks) or spot hire basis;

This standard concentrates on the operation and use of Railbound Vehicles and OTP.

NOTE: Where this standard does not apply, the operator should have their own Safety Management System in place to manage the risk.

Purpose

This Standard defines the minimum requirements for all technical and engineering activities related to the operation and use of Railbound Vehicles and On Track Plant (OTP) assets within the Plant and Traction and Rolling Stock (T&RS) portfolio.

The implementation of this standard helps to mitigate the following risks:

a) dangerous use of Network Rail (NR) owned or hired in vehicles due to  

 • incorrect work planning;  

 • operation by non-competent staff;  

 • poor asset condition;  

 • misuse of equipment

b) operation of rail vehicles without the correct documentation in place; and

c) lack of accident management process in place for rail vehicle accidents.