scope:

This standard describes the process for assessing and recommending an item of plant 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. The standard provides the further information required to undertake the assessment of an item of plant for Product Acceptance.

NR/GN/RMVP/27700 provides requirements and information on specifications, relevant standards and controls that projects need to take into account from the beginning of a project. A review of the process in NR/GN/RMVP/2770 should be undertaken by prospective applicants prior to application for plant Product Acceptance.

This standard 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) used on a worksite or within an engineering possession. 

NOTE: Other items of plant may be subject to Product Acceptance, this is at the discretion of the Technical Head of Plant and in accordance with NR/L2/RSE/100/05.

Purpose 

a) This standard provides a systematic, structured and robust assessment of risks associated with hazards during Product Acceptance of rail borne plant, portable and transportable mobile plant and non-rail borne plant used within an engineering possession or as directed by the Technical Head of 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) This standard confirms 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 incidents/accidents. 

c) This standard provides the process to confirm performance, output and reliability requirements when undertaking product acceptance activities; this process includes Design For Reliability (DFR) where applicable.