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CYCLONIC STORMS FORECASTING OF CYCLONE, HEAVY STORM/RAIN-PRECAUTIONS THEREOF : (SR 2.11.04 & 05 and Optg. Manual para 4.43) (Ref – Safety circular No. 123/SFY/OP/Engg/98 Dt. 3.4.98)
In the eventually of cyclonic weather, enunciated in SR 2.11.04 & 05 and provisions made in Operating Manual Para 4.43 should be followed to save not only the human life but also Railway property. The stipulations made vide SR 2.11.04, 2.11.05 & Operating Manual Para 4.43 are cited below :-
Action to be taken by Control Office
On receipt of weather warning message from the meteorological centre and/or there is reason to believe that cyclone, heavy storm brake out, the message must immediately be conveyed on telephone by the Chief Controller/Dy.Chief Controller to the concerned Station Masters of the stations falling within the vicinity of suspected cyclone hit areas, that apart, the message should also be conveyed to Engineering, traction departments and all concerned.
Action by SM/ASM
On receipt of the weather warning messages the SM/ASM should immediately convey it to the sectional PWI/AEN if posted at that station or to the station concerned.
The SM/ASM on duty in consultation with the driver and the guard of the train will not allow to leave the station and will also stop granting line clear for train from the adjacent station until storm abates and is considered safe for movement of trains.
Should a train be caught on the run in a cyclone, the train driver will stop his train avoiding stoppage at curves, high embankments, bridges or bridge approaches.
Doors/windows should be kept open of passenger coaches for free passage of wind.
Precautions in the event of anemometer indicating wind velocity higher than the danger level -
(i) Anemometers generally are installed at Station adjacent to the long bridges. (ii)In the event of wind velocity showing critical limit of 39 knots (72 KMPH) Station Master shall not allow nor grant line clear for a train to the adjacent station till such time the wind velocity comes down.
The above instructions should be given wide circulation particularly amongst train passing and running staff to observe the precautionary measures stated above to save life and properly.
FIRE ACCIDENTS ON PASSENGER CARRYING TRAINS ( Ref – Sanraksha, April – July, 2003 )
In case fire is reported on a passenger carrying train the nearest fire station (State Fire Service or otherwise) should immediately be called for extinguishing the fire to the site in addition to ordering the Relief Train. The responsibility of calling of fire services lies with the nearest station and that of Control (Officer in-charge at Control).
7.1 CAUSE OF FIRE : The presence of Oxygen, combustible substances and heat together causes Fire. 
7.2 METHODS OF EXTINGUISHING FIRE :
a. STARVATION – means removing records, furniture and other combustible substances away from the fire b. SMOTHERING – means prevention of Oxygen, access of fresh air into fire, using sand, foam etc., to cover fire. c. COOLING – means reducing the degree of temperature.
7.3 GENERAL CAUSES OF FIRE IN RAILWAYS:
(i) Carrying stoves, sigris, gas cylinders, kerosene oil, petrol fire works etc. in passenger's compartment. (ii) Making fire/using fire near paper, wood, petrol or such inflammable articles (ii) Lighted match sticks, cigarette ends carelessly thrown. (iii) Short circuits in electrical wirings. (iv) using naked light during authority token delivery, to the driver, shunting of inflammable loads, sealing of inflammable wagons. (v) Use of open fire, smoking near gas/petrol tank. (vi) Non-removal of garbage from pantry car/coaches.
Every one should take all possible precautions to keep away from doing the above mistakes so that possibility of breakage out of fire can be minimized.
7.4 FIRE – DO's & DON'T's AVOID
i) Smoking or lighting a flame where it is prohibited; ii) Throwing of oil soaked jute/cloth carelessly; iii) Throwing of burning match-stick bidi/cigarettes carelessly; iv) Do not overload electric circuits in a wagon; v) Do not allow running of hot axle wagon; vi) Do not keep explosive materials along with combustible materials; vii) Carrying of gas stoves, kerosene oil, gas cylinders, kerosene jars, petrol or other inflammable articles in passenger carrying trains, should be restricted.
OBEY
i) Be speedy but do not get nervous. ii) Locate the fire extinguishing substances viz. water bucket with water/sand, fire extinguishers etc. iii) Raise alarm. iv) Inform all concerned to assist in extinguishing the fire. v) Segregate/remove all valuable properties. vi) Keep fire extinguisher/water buckets in readiness. vii) Arrange to isolate the source of fire if possible. viii) Ascertain the type of fire viz. – dry, oil, gaseous, electric and use the right type of extinguishers. ix) In case of the fire from electricity, switch "OFF" the source. x) Do not stand against the wind.
IMPORTANT
i) Driver, guard passing a section if notices fire of serious nature in a village endangering life, may stop his train out of course to the next station and shall inform station master about the fact with KM/Location. ii) In case of total interruption of communication or as the case may be a train can be stopped out of course to communicate information asking assistance. iii) Driver, guard passing through or entering a station if notices fire, need not stop out of course. Stopping trains where fire may cause damage to train/passenger/goods, shall control their train suitably so that fire can not harm vehicle/wagon and shall take protection required as per GR 6.03. iv) But if they notice fire on approaching/passing train on adjacent line shall switch on flasher light, whistle continuously and exhibit red hand signal till the affected train is passing. They shall stop their train immediately to the spot where field telephone socket is provided or to the station whichever comes first to communicate first fire information to control. v) When the fire is of serious nature, nearby municipal, private or Railway fire brigade may be called without delay. vi)The occurrence of a fire shall be informed to the nearest station by most expeditious means and the Station Master on receipt of such information shall relay control, IOW, Divisional Security Officer and other agencies.
FIRE – WHAT TO DO WHEN
In the event of a vehicle on a train being on fire
i) The train shall be stopped. ii)The burning vehicle to be isolated, a distance of not less than 45 meters being left between it and the other vehicles of the train. iii)The train shall be protected in accordance with GR 6.03, if not protected by fixed signals. iv) Every effort shall be made to extinguish the fire and to save the wagon labels, seals and the contents of the vehicle. v) Earth or sand, if available shall also be used. vi)In case of fire is discovered when the train is near a tank or a watering station, the guard and driver shall use discretion to proceed there, but no such attempt shall be made until the portion of the train in rear of burning vehicle has been detached.
In event of fire on a electric engine/EMU SR 6.10.04 and SR 6.10.05.
i) The driver shall immediately switch off the circuit breaker and lower the pantograph. The train shall then be brought to a stand at once. ii) After disconnecting the electric supply to the affected circuits, the driver shall take necessary action to put out the fire. iii) If fire can not be extinguished by the above means the driver shall advise the traction power controller through the emergency telephone to arrange for the affected section of the over-head equipment to be made dead. iv) The Guard and any other staff available shall render all possible assistance to the driver in putting out the fire. v) Fire extinguishers of an approved type for use on electrical fire shall be provided on each electrical engine/train and the driver shall make himself familiar with the location and use of these extinguishers. During the periodical inspection of a locomotive the extinguisher shall be examined by the locomotive inspecting staff. vi)Ordinary fire extinguishers or water from a hose pipe shall on no account be used to extinguish fire on live wire or electrical equipment. If the services of the fire brigade are required, the brigade shall not be allowed to commence operation until all electrical equipments in the vicinity of the fire have been made dead. vii) Fire extinguishers which have been used shall be replaced or recharged with least delay.
In the event of a fire on a DMU stock
i) The motorman shall immediately switch off the circuit breaker and shut down the engine. The train shall be brought to stop at once. ii) The Guard shall give all possible assistance to the driver in putting out the fire. iii)The fire extinguishers of approved type shall be provided on each motor coach of DMU when a DMU rake if turned out from the car shed. The CWS in charge of the shed shall inspect the fire extinguishers and ensure that these are in good working condition.
When a person's clothing catches fire
i) Approach him holding with the nearest available wrap in front of you. ii) Wrap it round him. iii) Lay him flat on the floor, smothering the flames. iv) On no account should be rush into the open air. v) Call for assistance.
Fire caused by petrol or any other inflammable liquids, acids or gases
i) Segregate the affected wagon, coach or area involved. ii) On opening a wagon do not enter immediately. You would, thus, avoid fumes which may be dangerous. iii) Use D C P T fire extinguishers and sand and not water or soda acid type fire extinguishers. iv) Do not bring naked lights near the site of fire. v) Inform the nearest Railway or civil fire stations intimating that the fire has been caused by petrol or any other inflammable liquids or gasses or acids.
General Rules for the Treatment for the Burns and Scalds.
i) Avoid handing the affected areas more than is necessary. See that your hands are as clean as possible by washing them. ii) Do not apply lotions of any kind. iii) Do not remove burned clothing & do not break blisters. iv) Cover the are (including burnt clothing) with a prepared dry sterile Dressing if possible, otherwise clean lint, freshly laundered linen or some similar material may be used. v) Bandage firmly except when blisters are present or suspected, in which case bandage lightly. vi) Immobilise the affected are by suitable means. vii) Treat for shock. viii)In major case, remove the patient to hospital as quickly as possible. The casualty will probably require an anesthetic, so that ordinarily nothing should be given by the mouth. If medical aid is delayed for at least four hours, give drinks of water to which salt has been added in the proportion of half teaspoon to two numbers, with the addition of approximately half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (if available). ix) In a minor case, give large quantities of warm fluids, preferably weak tea sweetened with sugar.
ACCIDENTS AT UNMANNED LEVEL CROSSINGS
DUTY OF THE DRIVER TO TAKE CERTAIN PRECAUTIONS AT UNGUARDED RAILWAY LEVEL CROSSINGS. ( Ref – Motor vehicle Act. 1988 – S 131 )
Every driver of a motor vehicle at the approach of any unguarded Railway level crossing shall cause the vehicle to stop and the driver of the vehicle shall cause the conductor or cleaner or attendant or any other person in the vehicle to walk up to the level crossing and ensure that no train or trolley is approaching from either side and then pilot the motor vehicle across such level crossing, and where no conductor or cleaner or attendant or any other person is available in the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle shall get down from the vehicle himself to ensure that no train or trolley is approaching from either side before the Railway track is crossed.
PREFERING OF CLAIMS AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANIES ON ACCOUNT OF DAMAGES TO RAILWAY PROPERTY IN LEVEL CROSSING ACCIDENT. ( Ref – Motor vehicle Act. 1988 – S 131 )
For preferring a claim on account of damages to the Railway property the following procedure to be adopted.
i) The cost of damage to the Railway property will be assessed by the concerned department officers like Engineering, S&T, OHE, Mechanical etc. with details and supported by documentary proofs. ii) Whenever a motor vehicle causes damages to the Railway property FIR is to be lodged invariably by the Railway Administration. The FIR to be lodged by PWI in case of Engineering LC gate, SM in case of Operating LC gate, in the local police station under whose jurisdiction, the place of occurrence falls, indicating details of the culprit motor vehicle. iii) For preferring a claim against insurance companies an empanelled lawyer of the administration to be engaged under the power of DRM of the concerned Division who has been delegated with the power vide Dy.GM(G)/GRC's 0.07 Nos. LS/Sub-court/91/6939 dated 20.12.91. The ADRM, Sr.DSO/DSO shall act as the coordinating agency. iv) The Railway property being owned by UOI the claim has to be preferred for and on behalf of the President of India who will be represented by duly authorized Railway Officers of the concerned jurisdiction. The list of authorized Railway Officers prescribed by the Railway Board vide circular No. E(G) 82 LL2 dated 21.2.93.
As per motor vehicle act. 1988, motor vehicles are required to be insured against third party risk. The purpose of this insurance is that in case of damage to person or property of third party due to the use of the motor vehicle, the insurance company which is the second party pays the claims which are preferred against the owner of the motor vehicle, the first party.
In view of this provision, it is open to the Railways to claim damages whenever motor vehicles cause damage to Railway properly at manned/unmanned level crossings or at any other site due to the negligence of the owner/driver of the motor vehicle. These could be due to dashing of motor vehicles/buses/trucks against gates/lifting booms at manned level crossings or on account of an accident at level crossings to rolling stock of the Railway or to person of Railway employees (gateman, driver, assistant driver, guard, conductor etc.)/passengers or loss on account of disruption of traffic of damage to goods. Relevant extracts from the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act 1986, Sections 145, 146, 147 & 165 to 176 are enclosed for your information and reference.
In the case of road vehicles which ply for carrying passengers, the passengers are also insured. Any damage to person of a passenger of such a road vehicle is to be compensated against this insurance. Therefore, reimbursement crossing accidents can be claimed from the negligent owner of motor vehicle/Insurance company.
The claims have to be lodged before the motor accident claims tribunal specially setup for such purpose and having jurisdiction at the place of accident.
In the division, ADRM and Sr.DSO/DSO should made responsible for lodging the claims for losses and monitoring the progress.
All officers to ensure that staff down the line are made aware of these provisions and claims are lodged as per the requirements of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 in all case.
The legal department should suitably educate the concerned staff and officers in divisions.
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