Application service providers

Tender description

Network Rail wishes to engage the supply market and request for information relating to the availability of potential technologies in the market that have the capability to aid in safety hazard detection within defined exclusion zones of work. This will assist Network Rail in developing its business requirements to approach the market with for a tender process potentially in October 2020. Network Rail seeks to protect its teams in areas where safety risks are increased due to the hazards they are working alongside. Network Rail wishes to engage the supply market and request for information relating to the availability of potential technologies in the market that have the capability to aid in safety hazard detection within defined exclusion zones of work. This will assist Network Rail in developing its business requirements to approach the market with for a tender process potentially in October 2020. Network Rail seeks to protect its teams in areas where safety risks are increased due to the hazards they are working alongside. These can be defined as: Ballast cleaning system (4 off): — cutting bar area, — tamping bank area, — dynamic ballast stabiliser. Track Relaying System (2 off): — cutter bar area, — scrap rail area, — new rail area. These machines are designed to remove material from the ground and replace with new rail assets. The intent is to have a solution with the capability to provide a visual and audio alert at an individual level to make sure the risks are known in the site. As well as the mechanical risks around the machines, there is also a risk of dust which can be inhaled. This zone is considerably larger and requires the individual to wear personal protective equipment. In addition to specific machine based exclusion areas, there are also geographic exclusions to be considered such as: • Proximity to open lines – staff working in planned possessions need to be prevented from entering lines open to traffic. • Possession and isolation management – marker boards and earths need to be applied to the planned locations. Geographic location to help enable accurate location and also alert for those areas outside of this. • Live overhead line equipment – In the event staff enter an area not covered by the planned isolation indication to be provided as a warning to staff and supervisor as the overhead line on an adjacent line or in the next sector may be live. The exclusion zones will be in a noisy environment where people generally wear helmet with force air fed technologies and so the equipment must not be detrimental or become a nuisance in use. Immediate notification should be provided to individual and supervisor in the event of staff moving outside of the worksite or isolation limits. If any wearable technology is proposed, it must be comfortable when worn. Network Rail will welcome innovative ideas and best practice suggestions from interested parties who can request a request for information (RFI) questionnaire from Shemunatsi.Madziba@networkrail.co.uk not later than 21 August 2020.