Investment Projects - Health Safety & Environment Good Practice Guide

Transcription

1 Introduction In the absence of a Network Rail standard covering remedial work to existing cable routes, this document is to provide guidance on the standard of refurbishment required when undertaking the following tasks. 1) Lift and re lay of existing route. 2) Installation of ballast boards, (track side and bank side ) 3) Ballast clearance, (Usually shown as Bill of Quantities items as Light Medium and Heavy ballast). 4) Vegetation clearance This Picture shows a good example of a recently refurbished trough route. Note the vegetation has been stripped and the route has been lifted and re-laid. Issued: November 2011 Version: 01 Page 1 of 5 Next Review: Nov

2 Lifting and Relaying Routes Remove any debris, ballast or vegetation from the route before lifting. Remove the trough lids and place to one side. Carefully remove the cables from the route and lay alongside, but outside the route. Remove the troughs from the ground and clear out any soil, ballast or debris so that it is totally clear inside. Create a level surface using spoil from the bankside (not from the ballast shoulder) Lay the troughs on the levelled area in a straight and level line and bring the spoil at each side to pack the route so that it is solidly contained in its position, this should be approximately 100mm from the top of the trough. Any deviation in ground level will affect this measurement as the route should be kept level. For any deviations over a longer distance should be followed gradually over lengths of about 10m as per the standard for new route installation. Installation of ballast boards bank side of route. Once the area to be dug has been scanned and permits completed, remove spoil to at least 25mm below the lip of the trough for the length of the boards to be installed. Dig a hole (depth to be determined by the amount of boards to be installed and length of posts) Insert post and post mix concrete, and ensure the post is level vertically. Ensure there is a minimum of 50mm gap between the board and the trough route and that the post is not touching the trough or lid. This is to allow ease of access to the route. When post is solidly fixed backfill the remainder of the hole with spoil to the same level as the previously levelled ground. Place board in place at the bank side of the posts. The bottom of the board should be 25mm below the lip of the trough. Backfill behind the board and compact the spoil to prevent the board from falling back. The top of the post should be no higher than the top of the board, ideally 25mm below board top. Issued: November 2011 Version: 01 Page 2 of 5 Next Review: Nov

3 This picture shows boards installed, not only too low to protect the route from falling debris but also has the pegs on the wrong side of the boards, allowing the boards to jam the route. Issued: November 2011 Version: 01 Page 3 of 5 Next Review: Nov

4 The picture below shows the correct installation of the boards. This time they are trackside of the route. Installation of Ballast boards trackside of route. The same process will be followed as for bank side except for instances where the route is so close to the track that digging would affect the stability of the ballast shoulder, risk assessments will be done and permission will be sought to hammer spikes in. The same distances and depth of boards will be acknowledged. (See Photo above) Clearance of ballast from troughing routes Regardless of whether this item is classed as light, medium or heavy the finished outcome would still be the same. The ballast and adjacent ground should be level to 20mm below the lip of the trough for at least 300mm both sides. If the ballast shoulder on the trackside of the route will be affected by this action it may be necessary to install ballast boards as shown above. Issued: November 2011 Version: 01 Page 4 of 5 Next Review: Nov

5 Clearance of vegetation from trough routes Regardless of whether this item is classed as heavy, medium or light the objectives should be to clear the vegetation for a minimum of 1m both sides of the trough route to allow a clear working area for route works or cable pulling activities. Legal Disclaimer: The content of this good practice guide does not absolve those using its material from their obligations to comply with legislation and any other mandated processes or standards. At the time of this guide being produced, the author made all reasonable effort to validate the accuracy of the information referenced. Content of the photographs The primary content of the photographs is intended to support the comments in the. Any errors noted within the photographs are not actively supported by the authors of the. Issued: November 2011 Version: 01 Page 5 of 5 Next Review: Nov