Tackling the dangers of dangerous goods
What is the Dangerous Goods Working Group, and why does it’s work matter? asks Network Rail’s Martin Bloomfield.
The Dangerous Goods Working Group (DGWG) supports rail experts who meet on a quarterly basis facilitated by RSSB and chaired by Network Rail. Members include Dangerous Good Safety Advisers from Colas Rail, DB Cargo, Freightliner, GB Railfreight, the Office of Rail and Road, and Department for Transport.
DGWG promotes the sharing of good practice in the carriage of dangerous goods, especially where companies are working to exceed what is required by legislation and standards. It’s the forum where companies can share, review and discuss their internal standards to promote mutual understanding and help the industry work more effectively together.
DGWG is supported by the Rail Freight Operations Group on anything technical and the Traffic Operation and Management Standards Committee on anything to do with the Rule Book.
Part of the DGWG agenda includes reviewing events raised through the Rail Notices system. This is vital, as understanding the reason that an event has occurred and any opportunities for shared learning are the very basis of running a safe railway. Regular updates to the Rule Book and standards are also reviewed and endorsed by DGWG.
In addition, it supports Network Rail with updates to the Total Operations Processing System. The was designed to provide real-time information on the location, loading, consignee, and condition of freight rolling stock on its introduction by British Rail in the 1970s. It was amended and expanded to handle locomotive activities and loco-hauled passenger operations via an extension module known as the Passenger Operations Information System.
Recent activities within DGWG have provided support with enhanced guidelines within GB Rail around the use of dangerous goods trains when route clearance activities are required following extreme weather events.
Current DGWG activities include a review of Module TW4, which mandates that when a Rail Notice Safety Event must be reported to operations control and raised within Rail Notices framework. DGWG plays a significant part within our industry approach for the safe transportation of dangerous goods on GB rail based on mutual learning, supporting development and applying continual improvement.
Image credit: Roger Cornfoot