scope:

This procedure applies to all Network Rail employees, or suppliers, undertaking work of a safety critical nature, on Network Rail controlled infrastructure, and particularly to Line Managers who:-

• have responsibility for the rostering and/or management of staff in safety critical work posts, and/or
• are responsible for arranging, placing, controlling and monitoring of contracts which involve undertaking work of a safety critical nature on Network Rail controlled infrastructure.

It also applies where Road Rail Vehicles (RRVs) and Rail Mounted Maintenance Machines (RMMMs) are operated under Network Rail's Railway Safety Case and the operators are Network Rail employees.

Functional Heads should note that, although this procedure focuses on staff carrying out work of a safety critical nature, the Working Time Regulations 1998 govern working hours for all employees, safety critical or otherwise, within the rail industry and additional processes are in place within Network Rail for addressing these requirements.

Purpose

This procedure mandates the requirements within Network Rail for the monitoring and controlling of excessive working hours by Network Rail employees, or those employed under contract by Network Rail, who undertake work of a safety critical nature, to ensure that employees do not work such hours as would be liable to cause fatigue which could endanger safety.

This is to ensure compliance with the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 Regulation 4 (to be known as the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations from April 2006), the associated Guidance issued by HSE, and GH/RT4004 Changes in Working Hours - Safety Critical Work.