Railway incident

The following guidelines are for incidents invloving trains such as motor vehicle accidents, deaths, and vandalism:

		First at the scene
		Investigating
		Information from train crews

First at the scene (Railway incident)

Follow these guidelines when a train and vehicle collide or when you encounter any railway incident.

1. Safety first.
   • Confirm that the railway has stopped all rail traffic.
   • Confirm whether the train is carrying dangerous goods.
   • Ensure that emergency personnel and vehicles are in a safe place.
2. Give first aid to the injured.
3. Notify the following:
   • emergency response agencies
   • coroner if necessary
   • railway police
   • Transportation Safety Board

See also Dangerous goods

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Investigating (Railway incident)

1. Identify and interview the following people:
   • injured train/vehicle occupants
   • witnesses
   • train crew
2. Record the following if the train does not have a data event recorder:
   • time of the incident
   • speed of the train
   • braking distance
   • brake pipe pressure
   • throttle position
   • independent brake pipe pressure
   • emergency brake application
   • whistle (horn)
   • reset safety control device
3. Mark and record where the lead and last cars stopped.

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Information from train crew (Railway incident)

1. Get the following information from the train crew:
   • their names, addresses, and occupations
   • the location and time of the incident
   • train information:
     • the train ID, controlling unit, and unit numbers of the involved cars
     • the direction of train travel
     • whether the train was stopped or moving at the time of the incident
     • where the train stopped after the incident
   • vehicle information:
     • the travelling direction of the vehicle if known
     • the vehicle movement and position relative to the train at the time of the impact
   • what train equipment was on/working at the time of the incident:
     • engine headlight
     • bell
     • whistle
     • ditch lights
   • where in the train the employees were
   • weather and visibility at the time of the incident
2. Train crew do not give the following information:
   • drivers' licences
   • signed or written statements
   • opinions

See also Fatal or serious MVA

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