scope:

This guidance note describes how the designated Plant Engineering Lead Reviewer applies the plant product acceptance requirements checklist to assess and recommend an item of plant and equipment for acceptance and use on Network Rail managed infrastructure (NRMI).

NR/L2/RSE/100/05 provides information on the process for product acceptance and change to Network Rail controlled infrastructure. Links to guidance on categories of typically controlled products are included on the NR Product Acceptance web page and also the Product Acceptance application form. This guidance note provides the further information required to enable a Plant Engineering Lead Reviewer to undertake the assessment of an item of plant for product acceptance.

NR/GN/RMVP/27700 provides guidance and information on specifications, relevant standards and controls that projects need to take into account from the beginning of a project. A review of this process should be undertaken by prospective applicants prior to application for plant product acceptance.

This document covers product acceptance requirements for the following plant types used on NRMI:

a) on-track machines (OTM), in working and travelling mode within an engineering possession;

b) on-track plant (OTP) and demountable machines, in working and travelling mode within an engineering possession; and

c) portable and transportable mobile plant (PTMP), both railborne and non-rail borne used on a worksite or within an engineering possession.

Purpose

The implementation of this guidance note helps to:

a) provide a systematic, structured and robust assessment of risks associated with hazards during product acceptance of railborne plant in line with the common safety method on risk evaluation and assessment (CSM-RA) as set out in the Network Rail standard NR/L2/RSE/100/02.

Note: Where an alternative risk assessment approach is employed, this should adopt the principles of CSM.

b) confirm the safety requirements necessary to mitigate risks to an acceptable level i.e. as low as reasonably practicable or so far as is reasonably practicable, have been determined, complied with and safety measures put in place, to reduce the risk of in-service incidents/accidents.