Are You Safe from Oxygen Depletion?

Bogie drop systems at rail maintenance depots are designed to allow the removal and replacement of complete bogies and wheelsets for trains. The main benefit of a bogie drop is that they operate with the train at track level, lowering the bogie away rather than lifting the vehicle. This means that the train does not need to be lifted to remove one bogie from the set.

The bogie drop and inspection pit is defined as a confined space and therefore sites must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks for all work activities to decide what measures are necessary for safety (The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997) were made under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

A confined space can be defined as: A space large enough for someone to enter and work in but, Has limited restriction of entry / exit, A volume of less than 100 m3, No means of ventilation.

A train maintenance company understood that working in the bogie drop or inspection pit can be dangerous and operations such as welding can diminish oxygen levels. To ensure that their maintenance workers are safe whilst carrying out repairs, they contacted a1-cbiss to provide a gas monitoring solution that would keep workers safe and also satisfy the Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

An engineer from a1-cbiss carried out the site survey with the Health & Safety manager on site to identify potential areas that were at risk.

The a1-cbiss proposal consisted of a proven solution within the rail industry –

To ensure safe working within the inspection bay and bogie drop, fixed oxygen sensors (Oldham OLCT100)were to be installed in each of the confined space areas. These gas detectors were to be linked to the MX43 control panel and configured to communicate with a traffic light system to provide visual warnings.

Each detection zone provides alarm levels at 19.5% with sufficient outputs from the gas detection system to interface with the traffic light system providing internal alarm notification as well as notification at each entrance to the area thus providing a warning to workers.

Traffic light beacons on site will illuminate green when healthy/no alarm, and red when the system is in alarm.

a1-cbiss have also recommended the use of portable gas detectors for workers to wear during their shift.

The Oldham MX43 is an analogue and digital gas control system designed for the continuous measurement and control of toxic and combustible gases present in the atmosphere and for 4-20 mA or digital contact signal

Oldham OLC100/OLCT 100 range of fixed gas detectors can be used for the detection of explosive gases, toxic gases or oxygen. They have an infrared XP version with an SIL2 high reliability and IP66 rating.

a1-cbiss have established their reputable name through understanding customer needs, supplying the best products, and designing bespoke analytical sampling systems.

Our industry-leading engineering team can provide: Equipment Specification, Project Design, System Integration, Installation & Commissioning, Servicing & Calibration

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