Avoiding dangers

Staff and maintenance gangs are exposed to a particular risk in the track area, because rail-bound vehicles have longer braking distances than other means of transport (e.g. cars). Obstacles that can occur in the track area cannot be avoided and, thus, the workers must protect themselves from passing trains by moving to a position of safety. Driving around the work site by car or other vehicles often cannot be done in certain areas for track works. When working in the track area, the announcement of an approaching train (warning by gang warning signals) must be given in a timely manner so that all workers can leave the danger area and move to a position of safety. The warning time must include the time taken to clear away tools and various materials. 

Safety at work includes, in addition to the State laws and regulations in the different countries, various further rules. So, e.g. in Germany the Accident Prevention Regulations UVV [Unfallverhütungsvorschriften] of the statutory occupational accident insurance are included in the binding regulations. These rules include the technical, organisational and personal health protection measures which apply for each worker. In addition, they can contain rules on the obligations of the undertaking, the behaviour of the insured people, the occupational health examinations, first aid and the number of security officers in the premises.