This guideline sets out the recommended requirements for the provision of refuges at structures within the rail corridor for authorised staff to stand during the passage of trains.
Refuges should not be used as the primary position of safety; they should be used only where authorised staff cannot get to a location which is clear of the Danger Zone during the passage of trains.
This guideline should be applied by rail infrastructure managers (RIM) for all new and existing structures. Where a rail network has older structures, which do not meet the requirements of this guideline, the RIM must carry out risk assessments to ascertain the requirements at each of those structures.
This guideline covers the recommended requirements for the provision of refuges at wall structures (such as overbridge abutments, dives, tunnels, retaining walls, air space developments, permanent fences and cuttings) and rail bridges, including culverts.
This guideline is not specifically intended to cover urban on-street tramway or light rail networks, cane railways, or heritage railways operating on private reservation, but items from this guideline may be applied to such systems as deemed appropriate by the relevant RIM.
