Iarnród Éireann has been issued a safety notice by a railway safety watchdog, following a “near miss” between Ballyhaunis and Castlerea last month.
At the time, two rail workers managed to move out of the path of a fast approaching train, with the vehicle travelling at speeds in excess of 100km/h.
On the 13th of July this year, two staff members accessed the line under Red Zone Working Conditions. Just after 2 o’clock that day, an afternoon passenger service to Dublin Heuston approached the two members of staff at 108km/h.
Red Zone Working means the line is open to trains travelling as usual with no restrictions, while individuals are carrying out work on the ground.
The Railway Accident Investigation Unit, who issued the safety notice, said the pair working on the line moved to a position of safety, reaching it four-to-five seconds before the train passed.
The driver, upon seeing the workers, did apply the emergency brake, with the train coming to a halt. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.
The RAIU said the available sighting distance from the train was insufficient to allow the staff members to reach safety in time, despite the fact the incident occurred on a section of track classified as “medium risk”.
The safety watchdog used their latest safety bulletin to once again state existing recommendations aimed at reducing the risks associated with Red Zone Working, while also stating safer options must be considered before allowing staff to work in the Red Zone.