What is Network Rail’s new geofencing standard?
On 3rd September 2022, Network Rail introduced its new geofencing standard NR/L2/OHS/501 Module W4. It is a module that, for the first time, specifies how geofencing should be used on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure to help address the loss of track worker situational awareness and improve the safety of trackside working. A copy of it is available from their Standards Portal here.
How is geofencing being used on the railway?
Geofencing is not a new concept. But only in recent years have the benefits of its use on the railway been recognised, being implemented as a driving force for improving track worker safety.
Geofencing can also be used to place and track critical assets, define authorised/safe site access points, and more efficiently plan out worksites.
Examples of where Network Rail and its supply chain are already using geofencing to improve the safety of track workers include:
- Inspection and patrols
- Supporting site wardens
- Maintenance works
- S&T works
- Complex or large-scale possessions
- Troughing works
- ALO and line of route works
- Track renewals
- Vegetation clearance
- Form C working around OLE equipment/earthing
What is outlined in NR/L2/OHS/501 Module W4?
The new standard mandates the use of geofencing on the railway to provide a secondary level of protection to the workforce through the use of a wearable safety device. This sets out precise requirements on how the wearable technology should work, and how a geofencing system should safely be implemented.
Whilst geofencing technology is not yet mandatory on the railway, it is highly recommended by Network Rail as an additional layer of protection, and a means to address the single most significant factor in near misses: the loss of worker situational awareness. Although the technology is currently intended as secondary protection, this first-of-a-kind innovation is personal protection for track workers. It is therefore no surprise that the specifications in the standard are meticulous.
It mandates very specific requirements, particularly with regard to the wearable’s reliability, stating that any geofencing device must achieve accuracy “of no less than 300mm”. Due to the high-risk nature of live rail environments, this high rate of accuracy is paramount. Discrepancies can significantly compromise worker safety by positioning them in a safe area of safety when they are not.
How can Tended help you improve worksite safety with geofencing?
Having tested geofencing technology for many years with Network Rail, and recently completed projects with AmcoGiffen’s trackside teams, we have no doubt that geofencing is set to transform the safety of track workers, as well as improve site operations and planning efficiency.
That said, we understand that digesting and implementing the new geofencing specifications might seem quite a lengthy and daunting process.
Helpfully, the release of the standard has coincided with our geofencing technology receiving official product acceptance from Network Rail to be deployed across their managed infrastructure, following the successful trials with Network Rail’s trackside teams.
That means Tended's system is already fully approved and compliant with the requirements set out in NR/L2/OHS/501 Module W4. Using Tended’s geofencing means that section 8 of the standard - the installation of RTK beacons - is not required, providing the ultimate versatility in deploying the technology in terms of planning, speed, flexibility, etc.
And so, if you’re ready to take your worksite to the next level of safety, we’re here to help guide you through the process of getting started with geofencing.
Want to learn more?
Get started with a demo. No commitment or obligation, just a chance to see how Tended can help you create a safer, more efficient worksite.
