scope:

This standard details the arrangements for monitoring and assessment of spoken safety critical communications in Infrastructure Maintenance.

The standard specifies the frequencies for assessments, arrangements for recording assessment outputs and the process for the following types of monitoring:

• Voice recordings extracted from current electronic systems in use - pro-actively targeted at known times when staff will be in communication with Signal Boxes and/or Control Centres.

• Outputs from O&CS lead Route Communications Review Group (CRG) joint safety critical communications monitoring session.

• Voice recordings assessed as a result of a post-incident investigation.

• Work place observation and assessments whilst staff are engaged in safety critical communication - these may be undertaken in conjunction with Planned General Inspections (PGSI) or similar.

• As part of simulated conversations conducted in conjunction with the Assessment in the Line (AiTL) competency review.

Purpose

This procedure supports the Network Rail level 2 standard on the Management of Spoken Safety Communications and defines the process within Network Rail Infrastructure Maintenance for monitoring and assessment of spoken safety critical communications by staff possessing current Sentinel competencies of a level above basic Personal Track Safety (PTS).