3.1 On or Near the Line, the Lineside & Going onto the Railway

3.1 On or Near the Line, the Lineside & Going onto the Railway

The track safety rules apply according to where you are. Rule Book Handbook 1, General duties and track safety for track workers (GERT8000-HB1), defines the areas of the railway and the rules for each. Issue 9 has been in force since 6 December 2025; Issue 10 was published on 5 September 2026 and comes into force on 5 December 2026. HB1 is issued to everyone who goes on the operational railway except train drivers, guards, shunters, signallers, crossing keepers and designated persons, who receive module G1 instead. Everyone else is a track worker for the purpose of the Rule Book.

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Key Definitions in Handbook 1

On or Near the Line

You are on or near the line if you are:

• within 3 metres (10 feet) of a line and there is no permanent fence or structure between you and the line, or
• on the line itself.

Two clarifications matter in the assessment:

• You are not on or near the line if you are on a station platform, unless you are carrying out engineering or technical work within 1.25 metres (4 feet) of the platform edge.
• You are not on or near the line if you are crossing the line at a level crossing.

The Lineside

You are on the lineside if you are between the railway boundary and the area called on or near the line. HB1 Issue 9 changed the wording from "boundary fence" to "boundary", because there is not always a fence. The PTS handbook adds that you are on the lineside when you are within the railway boundary, not on or near the line, and can be seen by the driver of an approaching train. You are not on the lineside if you are on a station platform.

Other Terms

• Operational railway: the lineside plus the area on or near the line.
• Maximum speed: the highest speed at which trains are allowed to travel over a line, shown in the Sectional Appendix.
• Safety barrier: a permanent fence or barrier, or a temporary fence of rigid or tensioned material, plastic netting or barricade tape.
• Position of safety: see section 3.2.

   RAILWAY BOUNDARY
   |
   |   LINESIDE (inside the boundary, not on or near the line)
   |
   |   - - - - - - - 3 metres (10 feet) from the line - - - - - - -
   |
   |   ON OR NEAR THE LINE (within 3 m, no permanent fence or structure)
   |
   |   ====== running rail ======= LINE ======= running rail ======

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Going on the Lineside (HB1 Section 3)

When you go on the lineside you must:

• wear the correct high-visibility clothing issued by your employer;
• use an authorised access point, if provided, to get onto the operational railway;
• use authorised walking routes if they are provided;
• raise one arm above your head to acknowledge the driver of any approaching train who sounds the warning horn.

Any work done on the lineside must not affect, or go within, the area called on or near the line unless a COSS is present and has given permission.

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Controlling Access

The railway is a dangerous place, designed for trains rather than people. The PTS handbook tells you to keep off the railway unless you absolutely have to be there. Even if you have a right to go onto the line, trespassers do not, and they are a danger to themselves and the railway.

• Keep access gates closed and locked, even if your work will only take a few minutes.
• Make sure user-worked crossing gates are shut and barriers lowered.
• If you find a damaged boundary fence, secure it if you can and report it to the signaller or Operations Control.
• Report anyone you believe to be trespassing to the person in charge, the signaller or Operations Control.

The National Hazard Directory (NHD) lists authorised access points, authorised walking routes and known hazards, and the Sectional Appendix lists the lines, their speeds and directions. Both can be obtained from your manager or supervisor, and your COSS uses them when planning your safe system of work.

Authorised Walking Routes

An authorised walking route provides safe access to or from a place of work. They are often found near depots, stations and signal boxes and vary in construction: some are built walkways, others are simply made-up paths. Details are given in the NHD. Use them whenever they are provided.

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Using Road Vehicles Near the Line

Road vehicles can be a serious danger to trains if they are used near the line without proper care. HB1 says you must not allow a road vehicle to enter the area on or near the line unless:

• you are the driver and you are either a COSS or an IWA, or
• a COSS is present and has given you permission.

The PTS handbook adds that you must understand the instructions before making any movement. If you are the driver:

• do not allow any part of the vehicle to come within 2 metres (6 feet 6 inches) of any line on which a train might approach;
• switch the hazard warning lights on and, in darkness or poor visibility, use dipped headlights;
• only turn the vehicle at a suitable turning point, and keep the back of the vehicle furthest from the line;
• make sure all red lights are off when the vehicle is parked, so that a driver cannot mistake them for a signal.

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Going on or Near the Line with a COSS

You will normally go on or near the line as part of a work group, under the instructions of the Controller of Site Safety (COSS). HB1 section 5 says:

• you must have with you a valid certificate of competence in personal track safety (your Sentinel card) and wear the correct HV clothing;
• you must not go into the area on or near the line with another person unless you are with a COSS, and the COSS must stay with you while you are there;
• you can identify the COSS by the armband on the left arm or the badge on the chest;
• the COSS must brief you on the safe system of work, and if you do not understand the briefing you must ask the COSS to explain it;
• you must sign the safe-work briefing form (RT9909) to show you understand the safe system of work (the PTS handbook notes that you may instead scan your Sentinel card to give a digital signature in the Sentinel app);
• you must follow all instructions given by the COSS.

According to the PTS handbook, the COSS will tell you the approved access point, the authorised walking route or route to the site, the line speed and normal direction of trains on each line, the hazards of the access, route and site, any areas of limited clearance or locations you must not go while trains are running, where the positions of safety are, and why you are going on or near the line. Do not go on or near the line unless you are absolutely clear about the arrangements.

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General Duties in Handbook 1

• Rules apply to the task and to whoever carries it out, whatever their grade or job title. Unless you are under instruction from a competent person, you must be competent to apply the rules to the tasks you are authorised to do.
• Safety must always be your first concern. If no rule covers something you believe must be done, do it in the safest way you know, taking into account your training and experience.
• Do not operate mechanical or electrical plant or other equipment unless you have been trained and authorised to do so.
• Do not get off a moving rail vehicle, except a vehicle designed for continuous slow-speed movement such as a high-output ballast cleaner. Do not get on a moving rail vehicle unless it is absolutely necessary and you can do so safely, and never ride on the steps of a locomotive or vehicle.
• Only travel in a driving cab in connection with your duties or with authority; with a cab pass you must show it to the driver and must not distract the driver.