Network Rail Case Study New Overhead Line Equipment

Published 20 Jan 2021

Network Rail Case Study

The Successful Trial of the New Overhead Line Equipment (OLE)

Network Rail Training colleagues shine a spotlight on electrical safety after successfully trialling new overhead line equipment (OLE). The alternative socket and adapter combination was tested by workforce development specialists at Walsall training centre looking to improve safety for colleagues carrying out overhead line maintenance and, by extension, passengers and freight users.

A successful trial

Following an incident at the centre during an Authorised Person training course where a delegate was struck by a falling clamp that had come loose in its socket, the supplier, PBwel, was contacted and challenged to provide an engineering solution to reduce the risk of repeat incidents.

Gavin Brandrick, Workforce Development Specialist (Team Leader), listened to the supplier’s advice and immediately set up a trial of a different socket and adapter more suited to the task of attaching specific earthing wires (Long Blue Earths) to overhead lines.

Interlocked Long Blue Earth: specially enhanced to address the potentially fatal procedure of removing the equipment in the incorrect order of use

The trial was conducted by a team of workforce development specialists and OLE Authorised Persons, under guidance from PBwel and a representative from Safety, Technical and Engineering (STE), all of whom deemed it a success.

Gavin Brandrick said, “All feedback was positive with the staff saying they felt more confident that the earth would not fall due to the improved design of the socket. All staff applied and removed the earth without any problems after a quick brief and demonstration”.

The alternative equipment is now being further trialled by STE and, if successful, will be considered for national rollout – a prime example of how the safety of the training environment can be used to develop solutions and new ways of working for the live railway.

Professional curiosity and a passionate commitment

John Partington, SHE specialist and accident investigator, said: “The response to the accident, investigation and prospective solution has revealed a safety culture among the training team at Walsall training centre which is a credit to them and an asset to Network Rail.

“When faced with the challenge of an alternative way of working, the workforce development specialists did not offer barriers to change based on their years of using the existing kit; they showed professional curiosity and a passionate commitment to Network Rail’s drive for ‘better every day’ by not only accepting the possibility of change, but by running with the idea and owning the initiative. This is the type of safety culture to be celebrated in Network Rail.

To our workforce development specialists Robert Brandrick and Steven Urie, who conducted the trial – thank you. There is a real possibility of Network Rail seeing a significant safety improvement due to your attitude – and that is clearly an example of ‘Putting Passengers First’!”

PB Weir

PB WEIR – DISTRIBUTORS, STOCKISTS & SUPPLIERS

PB Weir Substation Earthing and Transmission Line Earthing Equipment include line end clamps, earth end clamps, portable earthing leads and operating poles for high voltage substations, overhead power line and transmission line applications – voltages include 11kV, 33kV, 66kV, 132kV up to 400kV.

Thorne & Derrick provide competitive prices and fast delivery from stock for the complete range of PB Weir substation earthing and transmission line earthing equipment.

In 2018 In 2018 PB Weir joined the Novarc group and re-branded as PBwel and now, through the ESP group of companies, we are able to supply, support and maintain a comprehensive range of Electrical Safety Equipment which includes: Earthing, Insulated Tools, Arc Flash Protection, Personal Voltage Detection Helmets, Insulating Gloves, Voltage Detection, Operating Poles & Lock-Out Tag-out.

ALADIN | Improved electrical safety levels for workers operating near live equipment

Product Spotlight | see Live Line Indicators designed for use upon overhead a.c. rail electrification systems operating at 25kV nominal voltage to indicate the presence of extra high voltages to aid safe working practices.

LV, MV & HV JOINTING, EARTHING, SUBSTATION & ELECTRICAL EQPT

Thorne & Derrick International are specialist distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

Thorne & Derrick International