This Network Rail standard specifies the engineering assurance processes to confirm that ergonomic requirements have been addressed within infrastructure, system and equipment design projects.

This standard defines the minimum organisational responsibilities for the delivery and assurance of ergonomics during infrastructure, system and equipment design projects. These responsibilities differ in some aspects from arrangements that apply to other engineering disciplines as defined in NR/L2/INI/02009.

This standard applies to:

a) the Ergonomics aspects of all projects proposed to be implemented for which Network Rail is the Infrastructure Manager, including feasibility studies and other preliminary designs;

b) the development, installation, use and maintenance of all systems/equipment used in either real-time delivery of railway operations, or for infrastructure maintenance;

c) proposals for temporary works (including stage-works) associated with such projects. These assurance procedures do not apply for the following circumstances:

a) projects on civil infrastructure that have no impact upon operational or maintenance tasks;

b) normal day-to-day Maintenance work;

c) work carried out under emergency conditions;

d) assessments of existing installations, operations and equipment.

Appendix A defines a classification scheme for projects. Category 0 projects are excluded from the scope of this standard.

Where ergonomic issues arise with equipment or activities that are outside the scope of this standard, the Professional Head (Ergonomics) should be contacted to advise on appropriate means of investigation and assurance.

Purpose

The operation and maintenance of the railway infrastructure depends on the effective and reliable performance of front-line operations and maintenance staff.

Human safety, health and performance can be affected by inappropriate design of equipment, work processes, working environments and passenger facilities. This can result in risks to individual staff operating or maintaining the railway infrastructure. It can also result in risks to the safety of passengers, and can impact on the efficient operation and maintenance of the infrastructure.

The discipline of Ergonomics focuses on the application of structured design processes and specialist knowledge to the interaction between humans, technology and work systems. The purpose of this standard is to support the structured application of ergonomics in the development or modification of railway infrastructure and supporting systems.