scope:

This standard applies to all piling operations adjacent to the operational railway and does not cover on or near the line piling operations.

The contents of the document are applicable to all projects where, in the event of mishandling or failure, any part of the equipment in use, or its load, may fall within 3 metres of the nearest rail of Network Rail's operational infrastructure, notwithstanding whether the works are for the railway infrastructure itself or for structures / developments adjacent to the railway.

This document does not cover Signal sighting, radio signals and OLE implications.

The document specifically considers piling works where the safety of the operational railway may be affected as a consequence of:

a) Plant operator or workforce error.

b) The failure of the ground supporting the piling or support equipment.

c) Equipment or accessory failure.

d) The piling system and its interaction with the existing ground (including vibration, displacement and loosening affects).

e) Collapse radius of the attendant crane(s).

Purpose

This document is mandatory and sets the minimum standards and processes to be applied whenever piling operations are to be carried out on or adjacent to Network Rail's Operational Infrastructure where, in the event of mishandling or failure, any part of the equipment in use or its load may fall within 3m of Network Rail's infrastructure during normal train operations.

This document covers the safe installation of piles and not the effect of piles on the infrastructure.