13/04/23

 

Access control regulations are in place for rail companies to ensure the safety and security of passengers, employees, contractors, property and infrastructure. Strict safety and access procedures must be followed, authorization must be obtained, and appropriate training must be completed before individuals are permitted to access railway lines and assets, which can be dangerous.

 

In the USA, the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) provides guidance to rail companies on managing access control to railway premises, covering risk assessments, security measures, access control technology and processes, and staff training.

 

Railway lines have been designed with several access points, which are intended to provide general staff and contractors with safe and regulated entry to the tracks and facilities. For instance, railway stations, yards, and depots can serve as access points for maintenance workers, contract repairers, and regulators, who must comply with strict safety and access protocols while working on or around trains and/or on rail infrastructure. Other individuals who may require regular access to railway lines and facilities include emergency service workers, construction workers, government officials conducting inspections, and railway enthusiasts.

 

Apart from entry/exit points for personnel accessing railway lines and facilities, rail workers and contractors must also gain access to crucial rail infrastructure such as signal boxes, switch boxes, and electricity boxes. Additionally, other boxes and cabinets inside rail lines that workers need regular access to include telecom cabinets, data cabinets, points heating cabinets, trackside equipment cabinets, signage cabinets, and crossing control cabinets. These infrastructure components must be appropriately secured, and access to them must be controlled to ensure the safe and efficient functioning of train networks. The number of electricity boxes, cabinets or substations required depends on factors such as the electrification of the railway line. Railway networks and land can vary from small local lines to large national networks stretched over thousands of square kilometres, and the number of cabinets and boxes holding infrastructure to operate these networks can be extensive.

 

Regular maintenance and inspection of the equipment inside these cabinets and boxes are necessary to ensure that they are working correctly and in good condition. It's crucial to secure these boxes and cabinets with the best locks and access control systems to prevent unauthorized access, vandalism, or theft whilst at the same time being efficient and convenient. Unauthorized access to these cabinets can not only cause equipment damage, rail operation failures, and stop the trains from running, but can also pose serious safety risks to employees, contractors and passengers.

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