The UK-based depot safety specialist Zonegreen continues to develop highly sophisticated systems that protect rail industry personnel, without impeding depot operations or productivity.
According to Zonegreen head of engineering Christian Fletcher, whilst it is common knowledge that yards and depots are dangerous places, it is possible to more accurately evaluate their safety requirements.
“Reliability assessments are statistical processes for applying historical failure data to the proposed design and configuration of safety systems,” he said.
The result is known as the Safety Integrity Level (SIL) and is defined as the relative risk reduction provided by the technology. In simple terms, SIL is a measurement of the performance required for a safety instrumented function to be appropriate.
“In order to demonstrate compliance, the protection system needs to be assessed in full, and both hardware and software must be developed in line with recommended techniques and measures from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC),” Fletcher said.
“Zonegreen’s flagship Depot Personnel Protection System has been SIL 2-certified. Its hardware and software has been independently assessed as satisfying the clauses of IEC61508 to the rigour and content required by a SIL2 integrity requirement.”
DPPS is accompanied by Zonegreen’s advanced Depot Manager software, offering an overview of the entire protection system and complete traceability.
It provides key information to make operations easier and quicker to implement: for example, identifying peak movement times, so additional focus can be placed on safety during these highest risk periods.
SEE IT IN ACTION
DPPS is protecting workers at some of Australia’s most advanced rail depots, including Wulkuraka in Queensland, Packenham East in Victoria and Auburn, New South Wales.
Zonegreen partners with Melbourne-based Andrew Engineering, which completes all Australasian DPPS installations, provides local support and integrated interlocking systems.
The firms will be combining forces to exhibit the depot protection system at AusRAIL PLUS.
Visitors to stand 116 will be able to see how staff are protected and movements are controlled via the RFID-operated road end panel and powered derailers, while also learning more about the benefits of the Depot Manager software.
For more information, contact Andrew Engineering on +61 394 570 700, or visit www.zonegreen.co.uk
