RAI/Track Safety/TBT-RAI-016

Tunnel Working (Rail)

Rail Works › Track Safety › Tunnel Working (Rail)

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Rail tunnel working combines confined space hazards with the risk of being struck by trains.
All personnel must hold valid PTS (Personal Track Safety) certification before entering rail tunnels.
Rail tunnels have limited ventilation, creating risk of diesel fume build-up and oxygen depletion.
Safe refuges or positions of safety must be identified and briefed before entering any tunnel.
Noise levels inside tunnels are significantly higher, making warning signals harder to hear.
Electrification hazards from overhead line equipment (OLE) or third rail may be present in tunnels.
Emergency evacuation routes must be established, briefed, and signed before work commences.
Work in rail tunnels typically takes place during engineering possessions with strict time limits.
Lighting, dust, smoke, and restricted sightlines all reduce visibility inside rail tunnels.
Network Rail standard NR/L2/OHS/019 sets specific requirements for safe working in tunnels.

Prevent fatalities	Workers have been killed in rail tunnels by trains, electrocution, and toxic atmospheres. Strict controls are essential.
Legal compliance	Railway-specific regulations and Network Rail standards impose strict duties for tunnel working activities.
Rescue capability	Limited access and long evacuation distances in tunnels mean on-site rescue plans must be rehearsed.
Health protection	Diesel fumes, dust, and poor ventilation in tunnels cause respiratory harm without proper controls.

Don't

Ensure all personnel hold valid PTS and tunnel-specific safety briefing certification
Identify and brief all workers on positions of safety and refuge locations before entry
Confirm the possession is in place and track isolation verified before entering the tunnel
Carry personal gas monitors to detect oxygen depletion and toxic gas build-up
Maintain continuous communication between tunnel teams and the COSS at all times
Carry a personal torch and check emergency lighting is operational before entry
Wear appropriate RPE where diesel fume or dust exposure cannot be eliminated
Follow the agreed evacuation plan immediately if an emergency alarm is raised
Check ventilation fans are operational before and throughout the working period
Confirm OLE isolation or third rail discharge before working near electrified track

See also: Rail Safety Awareness | Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) Safety

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