scope:

This Procedure defines the process, roles and responsibilities in the management of occasional short term dispensations for the exceedence of maximum allowable timescales for the removal of discrete rail defects, as described above.

The process and the template Temporary Dispensation Application Form, Appendix A, supported by the templated risk assessment forms, Appendices B & C must be used. On these sites, the SM[T] must propose risk controls, appropriate to the site, for review by the Track Maintenance Engineer.

This Procedure must not be used to provide dispensation to the requirements defined in Network Rail Standards for the imposition of ESRs or TSRs.

For sites with Rolling Contact Fatigue, the minimum actions and timescales prescribed in NR/L2/TRK/001/B01 shall be achieved, these sites are not covered by this Procedure,

Purpose

The minimum actions for the removal of rail defects, including timescales and, where appropriate, risk controls, are defined in Network Rail Standards :-

• NR/L2/TRK/001/B01, Inspection and Maintenance of Permanent Way - Rail Management.
• NR/L2/TRK/0032, Joining Of Rails By Aluminothermic Welding
• NR/L2/TRK/053, Inspection and Repair Procedures to Reduce the Risk of Derailment at Switches.
• NR/L2/TRK/054, Inspection of Cast Crossings and Cast Vees in The Track
• NR/L2/TRK/0132, Weld Repair of Rails

This procedure does not cover the Temporary non-compliance process as covered by NR/L2/EBM/STP/001 Network Rail Standards Management - Process Requirements.

Where there is a justifiable reason for inability to comply with the specified maximum timescales for the removal of discrete defects, a TME (or nominated deputy authorised by the RAM (Track) in their absence) is authorised to approve a temporary dispensation to extend the removal timescales. This approval must be supported by a risk assessment supplied by the Section Manager [Track] (SM[T]), which includes the imposition of any additional risk controls, as appropriate.