018/22

Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
KiwiRail
Text
On 7 December 2022 the Commission recommended that KiwiRail review its permit-to-enter process by working with road-controlling authorities, and those requiring permits to enter, to ensure that provision is made for the practicable requirements of non-static or short-term work at multiple locations within the rail corridor.
Reply Text
On 29 September 2022 KiwiRail replied to the draft recommendation in part:
KiwiRail is working with the industry to get the message out. With regard to provisions being made for the practicable requirements of non-static or short term work locations, the annual permit for road markings could cover this. It is worth noting that this is not something new. The annual/global permits have been available for several years. The applying company would need to satisfy KiwiRail’s safety requirements and have a safety guide which documents the process when working under the annual permit regarding the activity agreed upon.
We can place more information on our webpage around annual permits for repetitive low risk type works such as pothole repairs, line marking, etc. We are also working with Road Controlling Authorities to change the standard. WorkSafe have just published guidance on their website, Civil Contractors NZ have published the KiwiRail safety alert on their website and we are finalising the KiwiRail practice note for the New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management. We are raising awareness and will continue to do so until the standards have changed.
Related Investigation(s)