NR NR/L2/ENV/124 ISSUE 1 PDF

This business process applies to all duty holders involved in the operational management of Network Rail managed stations and Network Rail managed depots in relation to the evaluation and control of work activity risks to all Network Rail employees and commuters. Train and Freight operating companies may adopt this standard, or create their own standard and guidance for managing DEEEs within their own operated assets.

NOTE: This standard only applies to stations and depots because they have been identified as potentially high-risk locations due to their more enclosed nature. This is because many stations and depots are enclosed and prevent adequate dispersion of emissions when diesel engines reside and in particular, idle within enclosed station platforms.

This business process sets out how Network Rail will measure, monitor, manage and improve the air quality, health and wellbeing of its staff, passengers and the environment where it is identified that improvement is required.

Although this standard’s focus is DEEE within stations and depots, there are other sources of air pollution such as diesel and petrol fumes from taxi ranks and car parks, although many will be in an external environment where COSHH Regulations might not apply. Other sources of air pollution within stations include brake dust releasing Particulate Matter (PM), although monitoring results show NO and NO2 levels are the main challenges within stations and depots.

Appendix A provides guidance and suggestions for control measures to improve air quality and Appendix B breaks down potential mitigation measures into short, mediumand long-term measures.

Purpose

This business process mitigates these risks:

a) diesel rolling stock entering, leaving, and in particular, idling within Network Rail facilities with the potential to expose staff and passengers to short periods of high pollution levels;

b) improper management of diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEEs) that puts operational platform staff, maintenance staff and passengers at risk.

It sets out how:

a) Regions and train and freight operators can identify, measure, mitigate, and reduce the effects of DEEEs within Network Rail managed stations;

b) Regions comply with relevant legislation and reduce the risk of long-term ill health effects that can occur as a result of uncontrolled exposure to DEEE;

NOTE: These are complex and range in severity of impact.

c) Network Rail duty holders along with train and freight operators comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (as amended) to manage DEEEs in stations and depots.