With Network Rail allocating £44bn to the maintenance and renewal of the railway in England and Wales as part of their CP7 strategy, it is critical that we continue to provide the best possible levels of safety for those trackside workers conducting these essential upgrades.
One key figure responsible for maintaining safety is the Safe System of Work Planner (SSWP). A SSWP’s role involves meticulously planning and coordinating to prevent trackside accidents and incidents. And with the advent of geofencing technology on the railway, the role of an SSWP can be significantly enhanced, leading to improved safety measures and streamlined operations within the railway system.
Understanding geofencing technology
Geofencing technology is a location-based service that uses geospatial data to create virtual boundaries around real geographic areas. These boundaries, or ‘geofences’ can trigger automatic actions when a device or person enters or exits the defined area. This technology has applications across industries, and its use within the railway sector continues to accelerate.
Geofencing technology can revolutionise the way SSWPs operate within the railway environment.
Improved protection for trackside workers
Geofencing allows SSWPs to plan out their worksite in advance and set up safe working zones (geofences) as well as designated safe site access points. A small wearable device worn by workers onsite then pinpoints their near-exact proximity to the planned geofence boundaries. If they cross a boundary, the wearable alerts its wearer in real-time of their potentially dangerous position, allowing them to move back to safety.
By applying geofencing technology in this way, SSWPs can better protect their teams and help prevent accidents between people and hazards such as moving trains.
Additionally, geofencing can help SSWPs easily plan safe access points for workers, helping them prevent unsafe events that arise from miscommunication or misinterpreted instructions, such as track workers accessing a worksite from the wrong location or before a line has been blocked.
Full control and visibility over assets
As well as defining safe zones, geofencing technology can be used to modernise site operations and allow SSWPs to accurately pinpoint the location of critical assets such as marker boards and possession limit boards. By plotting an exact location in advance and then assigning devices to safety equipment, SSWPs can make sure everything is placed exactly where it needs to be, as well as receive real-time notifications if any equipment or plant leaves the safe work zone.
Again this helps SSWPs to eliminate any risk of miscommunication or human error when placing equipment and reduces the reliance on paper-based plans and radio communications.
Data-driven decision-making and reporting
Whilst geofencing technology does not track specific workers, it can generate data on personnel and equipment movement, hazard exposure, and response times, allowing SSWPs to gain a deeper understanding of site safety.
SSWPs can analyse this data to identify trends, assess risk factors, and make informed decisions to continually enhance safety protocols and planning strategies.
This information can be also invaluable for regulatory compliance and auditing purposes, simplifying reporting and ensuring adherence to safety regulations.
An innovative solution for improving trackside safety
The role of a SSWP in the railway sector is crucial for maintaining safety standards and preventing accidents. Geofencing technology can be used to revolutionise this role by providing a wealth of enhancements to improve and streamline the SSWP’s day-to-day operations.
As the rail industry continues to embrace technological advancements, integrating geofencing technology into the workflow of SSWPs can lead to a safer, more efficient, and resilient railway system.
See how Tended is using geofencing technology to transform safety on the railway here.
