Rail corridor hazards toolbox talk
Read it out at the pre-start or a toolbox meeting, talk through the questions, and have everyone sign on. It's built from our rail corridor hazards page and the 16 SafetyDocs templates that cover it.
- Site
- Date
- Presented by
What it is
Working in or next to a railway, where trains, rail traffic and overhead wiring can strike or electrocute workers.
Controls to check, most effective first
- Plan work to keep out of the rail corridor, and do it from outside the danger zone wherever possible.
- Get the rail operator's permission and track access, and follow their safe working rules and protection arrangements.
- Have workers hold the rail safety induction and competencies the rail operator requires.
- Use a protection officer or lookout to warn of approaching trains, and agree a place of safety and warning signals before starting.
- Keep tools, plant and long items clear of the rail corridor and overhead wiring, and treat all overhead wires as live.
- Stop work and clear the corridor at once when a warning is given, and do not return until the all clear is given.
Questions for the crew
- Where could rail corridor hazards come up on this job today?
- The most effective control is: “Plan work to keep out of the rail corridor, and do it from outside the danger zone wherever possible”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
- Which controls for rail corridor hazards are missing or not working on this site?
- When would you stop work because of rail corridor hazards, and who would you tell?
- How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?
Sign-on record
Everyone who attended signs below. Keep it with your toolbox talk records.
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
A starting point for a talk, not a SWMS or a risk assessment. Add what's particular to your site and crew.