RRV Safety Improvement Programme
DECT Duplex
RRV communications System:Contractors’ Brief
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Contents
• Plant Manual
• Equipment Overview
• Implementation
• Communications Protocols
• Contacts
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RRV Safety Improvement Programme
Network Rail’s Plant Manual Issue 5 published 2 3 2013
NR/Plant/0200/Infrastructure Plant Manual
Mandates use of Duplex Communications System for all RRV operations
Section number to go here
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Network Rail’s Plant Manual Issue 5
The use of Duplex Communication is mandated, and is included in
Network Rail’s Plant Manual Issue 5 published 2nd March 2013. In
Section 4 Communication equipment, this states:
• “Where personnel are required to undertake activities involving
on-track machines or on-track plant on or about Network Rail
managed infrastructure, mobile voice communication systems
shall be provided for the Machine Controller and Machine
Operator.
• Any such system shall be a full digital duplex communication
system and as a minimum provide instant simultaneous
communications, voice clarity, durability, and enhanced
weatherproofing of the equipment.
• The communication system shall meet applicable EMC and other
environmental requirements of Network Rail standards and other
applicable mandatory or statutory requirements as appropriate.”
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Network Rail’s Plant Manual Issue 5
Approved equipment which meets these requirements is the 3M
manufactured Peltor DECT Com and Peltor Dect-Com II.
In addition dBD Communications bluetooth Athena product is
approved, providing two headsets. This maybe appropriate in
some circumstances but does not offer the flexibility of DECT-com
II, including for tandem lifts.
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Network Rail’s Plant Manual Issue 5
How will Contractors comply with this?
• Principal Contractors are expected to manage the implementation
of this requirement.
• Principal Contractors are expected to purchase, lease or hire
sufficient Duplex communications equipment to comply with the
Plant Manual.
• Following issue of OJEU notices Network Rail has awarded an
Employers Facilitated Contract to:
• All of NR’s Contractors and Suppliers are able to purchase
equipment direct from Cromwell at the agreed preferential rates.
• PC’s need to determine how best to deploy Duplex Comms on
their sites e.g. controlled from Site Access Control or Personal
Issue etc {NB: Do not ask your RRV Supplier to provide!}
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RRV Safety Improvement Programme
DECT COM ii Duplex Communications
Equipment overview
Section number to go here
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DECT-Com II
• DECT – Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telephone
• 3M Peltor DECT-Com II is a wireless duplex intercom system, operating on the 1.8
GHz DECT-frequencies, which is license free in most countries.
• The products in the Peltor DECT-Com II family offer simple and efficient wireless
duplex communication with up to 9 active users talking in full conference.
• Due to low power output and high frequency, it is a short range communication
system. The nominal working range is approximately 150 metres outdoors in line of
sight from the base. The working range may be shorter due to actual environmental
conditions.
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New DECT-Com II
Up to 9 simultaneous
portable units in a
conference logged on to a
base unit,
which can also accept a
headset making a total of
10.
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Main unit
There are basically two versions of the
DECT-Com II main unit
- Portable
- Base/Portable
There is also an Extension Base/Portable (for
link to external communications devices)
Black ring). This is rarely used.
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Dect Com II
Portable
Unit
Portable
Unit
Portable
Unit
Portable
Unit
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Throat mic
• Throat mics provide hygiene, noise
reduction and the wearing of
protective glasses advantages.
• As the microphones are tight against
the user’s neck, only their voice is
heard and outside noise is virtually
eliminated.
• As there is no boom mic’, the hygiene
issue with the boom mic’ is eliminated.
The invisi tube earpieces should be
personal issue.
• For Network Rail, these are available
from High Motive through iprocurement
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3M™ Peltor™ Headsets
Available as a non-attenuation,
medium , high attenuation and level
dependant headset
The same J11 connector connects
any of these headsets to the Dect
Com II Portables/Base or Base
Extension units.
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Typical Single RRV Kit Contents
1 x DC2812 Dect Com II Base unit without external input (Red Ring Unit)
1 x DC2068 Dect Com II Base power supply holder (For Base Unit)
1 x 12 volt power cable (For Base Unit)
1 x DC2811 Dect Com II Portable handset (Green Ring Unit)
1 x DC2064 Dect Com II Charging holder
2 x J-TTM03/NP2/NB Throat mics
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RRV Safety Improvement Programme
Implementation
Section number to go here
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Implementation:- SuperUsers
Super Users
• Consider nominating DECT Super Users who will become expert
in use and setting up of the equipment. (This will probably be someone
who regularly carries out the MC/CC role for you)
Brief MC/CC/Operators
• The Super User can support briefing of all MCs, CCs and RRV
Operators.
• Use of this equipment is incorporated into NR OTP Training
material.
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Implementation: Things to Consider
Charging facilities
• Green Ring Portable Units have a battery life of 40 Hours.
• The Charging chassis’ can be fixed to a wall.
• You should establish a charging point and nominate someone to
look after it.
• Batteries will last for 500 re-charges and can be replaced.
• Black & Red Ring Base Units have a 5 hour battery life. They
should be plugged into the cigar lighter socket on the RRV when
in use. (They can also be charged via the mains).
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Implementation: Things to Consider
Maintenance of Kit
•
Periodic software and firmware upgrades may be required.
•
For best results, certain functions should be locked out or
applied, such as Auto talk, eliminating the need to double click
PTT1 to join a conference.
•
Batteries will need replacing after 500 charges. Installation is
simple. (Replacements will be available on the system to buy).
•
Marking of each kit is highly recommended. Units should go to
site already paired (paired units to be marked KIT1 1A/1B,
KIT2 2A2/B,KIT3 3A/3B etc).TANDEMS to be marked KIT1
1/A1/B/1C (clearly marked and not scratched in).
•
Consider PAT testing for mains chargers
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Implementation: Things to Consider
Hygiene
• Microphones can be protected by ‘Mic Tape’. This should be
changed by each User prior to use.
• Headset Hygiene Kits are also available from Cromwell.
• Consider what arrangements you need to establish to make
Hygiene Kits and Mic tape available to your staff.
• Cool Pads – self adhesive pads which stick to the earmuff
cushions to aid absorption of perspiration.
• Periodically wipe with an anti bacterial wipe as used for cleaning
a telephone.
• Throat mics and Lightweight Headsets are fairly cheap. You may
wish to personally issue these to your regular CCs and
Operators
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Implementation: Things to Consider
Throat mics
NOTE: When a throat mic’ is used, there are hygiene, noise
reduction and the wearing of protective glasses advantages.
As the microphones are tight against the user’s neck, only their
voice is heard and outside noise is virtually eliminated. As there
is no boom mic’, the hygiene issue with the boom mic’ is
eliminated. The invisi tube earpieces should be personal issue.
Security
• Consider the Security arrangements for the kit. How are you
going to ensure it is kept together and in good condition?
• It is strongly recommended that DECT kit is not left on RRVs.
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Implementation: Planning
Works Planning
• Battery life of Green Ring Portable Units is approximately 40
hours.
• In the event of jobs being 52 hours, or longer such as for long
weekend working, or blockades, exchanging handsets every 24
hours eliminates battery issues on the long shift.
– This means ordering additional handsets from your supplier
with the kit labeled e.g. KIT 1(1A,1B.1C) where handset A/B are
used for the first 24 hours and then handset C/B are used for
the remainder of the shift.
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Black Ring Base Units
• Black Ring Base Units can be
connected to Motorola GP30 back
to back radios via the lead
provided. These are rarely used.
Black
Band
Connected
DC2-5030
GP30 Motorola
Cable
Extension
Lead
Socket
• This allows someone else with
another back to back radio to
speak into the DECT conference.
(and conference members to
speak out)
• This external person might be the
Engineering Supervisor or
another Machine Controller
waiting to receive an RRV from a
‘send and receive’ movement.
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Black Ring Base Units
Send & Receive Movement
Machine Controller 2
Machine Controller 1
Able to contact with the
DECT Conference
throughout movement
Onboard RRV
Connected
Black Ring
Base Unit
Ready to join DECT
conference when RRV
comes within range. Or
sent with the RRV from
MC1
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RRV Safety Improvement Programme
Duplex-RRV Comms
Communications Protocols
Mark Prescott
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Radio Communications - Protocols
• DECT DUPLEX Radios operate in an ‘Open’ Channel conference.
• This means that your microphone is always live/active.
• Every time you speak it will be heard by those connected to your open
channel conference.
• It is not reasonable to expect you to remain silent for the length of the
shift.
• It is important to know when you are giving and receiving safety critical
information and/or instructions.
• Using Open channel communications requires some discipline and
some simple rules to know when safety critical info/instructions are
being transmitted.
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RRV Comms – Protocols, Basic Rules
• The Machine/Crane Controller is responsible for establishing
the rules for communications and confirming what
communications ‘phrases’ and ‘call signs’ are to be used.
• Remember using radios with RRVs will be new to many
MC/CCs and Operators.
• Remember when Tandem Lifting each Machine will need an
easily understandable name or call sign to ensure each
Operator knows when he is being addressed.
• Before RRV operations commence the MC/CC must brief the
Operator(s) and come to a clear understanding on the names
and protocols that are going to be used.
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RRV Comms – Protocols:Commencing Operations
• When the RRV is required to commence an operation (movement or lift etc)
the Machine or Crane Controller must alert the Operator(s) that he is about
to give safety critical information or an instruction. This will stop any
background conversation that may be taking place and the Operator(s)
must pay attention. The following phrase should be used:“Machine/Crane Controller speaking. Standby for Instruction.”
The Operator must respond with the phrase:- “Standing by”
• When the task has been completed and the RRV can be stood down to wait
for the next task the Machine/Crane controller should inform the Operator
and state:“Operation complete stand down.”
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RRV Comms – Protocols:- Emergency
Commands
• In the event of an Emergency the command is:-
“Emergency! Stop! Stop! Stop!”
Operators must cease or freeze
all wheel and jib movement immediately.
Crane Controllers can then give further instructions to bring the machine
and or jib/load to a position of safety in a controlled manner.
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RRV Comms :– Actions in the event of
Radio Equipment Failure
•
In the event of Radio equipment failure and the MC/CC and Operator are
unable to resolve then the following actions must be instigated by the
MC/CC:1. The MC/CC must attempt to source replacement equipment.
2. If the time required to source alternative equipment imports risk to
successfully completing the task, within the given possession working
time then traditional Hand Signals may be used.
3. The MC/CC MUST record on his RRV Work Plan why Hand signals are
being used and the type/reason of failure of the Radio equipment and
report the defect to the Site or Line Manager.
NB Hand Signals will remain in MC/CC and Operator training and
competence standards.
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A Step Change in RRV Safety!
Implementation
• The use of this equipment has been mandated for all RRV
operations since 31st March 2012.
• Using this equipment represents a step change in RRV Safety.
• This will only work if you effectively manage the robust
implementation of its use.
• Please engage with your MCs, CCs and RRV Operators and take
an interest in how they are getting on with the kit.
• Get involved with your Super User.
• Ask your Supervisors to undertake site visits when Duplex Comms
are in use.
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RRV Safety Improvement Programme
Contacts
Mark Prescott
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RRV Safety Improvement Programme
• Contacts:-
• Project Manager:- John Sidebotham
– John.Sidebotham@networkrail.co.uk
– Mobile:- 07711 602057
• Programme Manager: Gerald Forward
– Gerald.Forward@networkrail.co.uk
– Mobile:- 07711601899
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