Warning lights were utilised at Tempe to overcome sighting hazards and justify the use of Lookout Working (LOW). Warning lights rely on lookouts maintaining continuous observation and their use were not specifically referenced in the LOW Network Rules.
The action taken addresses the requirement. Warning lights cannot be used during Lookout Working.
On 12 November 2017, Sydney Trains made changes to NPR 711 Using Lookouts[1]. Instructions mandated that warning lights must not be used to provide warning of approaching rail traffic when using lookouts. Further, this instruction applied to all tracks in the Sydney Trains Network unless specifically exempted in the Network Local Appendices.
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[1] These changes were advertised on the RailSafe website and cited Safe Notice 1042-2017 (which outlined the specific change to NPR 711 Using Lookouts) and SafeTracks 03 November 2017 (which provided more information about the changes). Refer to www.railsafe.org.au/
