Duties of Key man, Mate, PWS

Duties of Key man -

(1) While walking over his length, he should look for defects, such as loose fish bolts, SEJ fittings in switches and crossings, fittings on girder bridges and open top culverts, broken or burnt sleepers, broken plates or tie bars, attend to them as

necessary. If he finds that fittings are consistently working loose even after repeated attention, he should report the matter to the Mate, PWM and Permanent

Way Inspector. If the defects are serious, he should at once inform the Mate of the gang protecting the line in the meantime, if necessary, according to rules.

(2) He shall keep a special watch on the rails and welds marked for observation by the USFD team.

(3) If he should notice any condition of danger, such as broken rail, broken weld or  wash away of ballast, theft of fittings in large numbers etc., he shall at once

protect the line as per rules, take such action as is possible and report the matter

to the Mate, the nearest Station Master and Permanent Way Inspector. 

(4) At unmanned level crossings, he shall maintain the flange ways between the

check and the running rails clear of obstructions.

(5) In track other than with elastic fastenings, the keyman in addition to his normal round of the whole beat and inspection and tightening of loose fittings, should attend one telegraph post (TP) on one line thoroughly on every day. This thorough attention should consist of tightening of each bolt and fittings in these TPs of the beat during that particular day. Missing keys and other missing fittings

will be recouped by him. He shall also ensure correct driving of fittings in this stretch.

(6) (a) Where the beat of Keyman consists of PRC sleepers - The Keyman should

ensure that, in addition to his normal duty of inspection and tightening of fittings,

he should also carry out in a systematic manner from one end, greasing of the ERC and eyes of inserts at the rate of 20 sleepers per day. Greasing shall be done

as per the procedure.

(b) Where the beat of Keyman consists of PRC as well as other types of sleepers, SE (P. way) should make roster of keyman on monhly basis in the proportion of the beat,

(7) Keyman with the assistance of one gangman will also carry out rail end examination,lubrication of fish plated joints as per direction of PWI/PWM.

(8) For imposing of caution after stopping the train or otherwise wherever required for safety, Keyman will be provided cyclostyled slips by PWI. Keyman after filling location and speed will hand over the same to Driver or ASM and obtain acknowledgement.

(9) The following are the special duties and responsibilities of the keyman in LWR/CWR territories:-

(i) Periodical (fortnightly) oiling and greasing of SEJ, checking and retightening of fastenings at SEJ and other sleepers.

(ii) Replacement of missing fastenings not requiring lifting or slewing of track.

(iii) To ensure that all creep anchors where provided butt against the sleepers and in case of large scale displacement of anchors, he shall report the matter to Mate /PWM/ PWI (Subsection)/PWI (in-charge).

(iv) To watch for sun kinks, loose or missing fastening which may result in buckling or any damage to LWR/ CWR and SEJ. On noticing any buckling or damage to track, he shall take necessary action to protect the track and report the same immediately to PWI (Sub-section)/ PWI (in-charge), Station Master. However, he will continue to perform his Keyman’s duties of daily inspection.

(v) To keep a sharp look out in cold mornings, especially during winters to detect any fractures which may occur, in case of rail/weld fracture, he shall take prompt action to protect the track and carry out emergency repairs to permit the restoration of traffic promptly and report to PWI (Subsection)/ PWI (In charge)/ nearest Station Master. 

(10) The Kayman shall promptly report to Mate/PWI any encroachment or unauthorized structures as and when they take place in the Railway land in his beat.

(11) After completing inspection of the beat, the Keyman should assist the Mate in the day’s work being done.

(12) When materials, such as dynamo-belts, engine tools and personal articles of

passengers, are found on line, the Keyman should collect them and arrange for handing them over to the nearest Station Master.

(13) The Keyman will remain in-charge of the gang in absence of the Mate once a week. On that day, the Mate is required to carry out the work and duties of Keyman.

(14) Whenever directed he will supervise rail dolly working. However, he must have competency certificate for the same.

(15) Key man shall watch height gauges for any damage. In case of any such damage, he shall also look for any damage / shifting of girder, infringement to track or damage to overhead electrified installations and shall report the matter to

the Mate, the nearest Station Master and Permanent Way Inspector. He shall also

protect the line as the situation warrants. (as per cs no. 123 dated 27/01/11)

Duties of Mate

1. Knowledge of Rules and Signals

2. Safety of the line

3. Equipment at site of work

4. Musters and Gang Charts/Diary

5. Observance of sleeper packing during passage of Train Books

6. Precautions when view is obstructed

7. Tidiness of Section

8. Safe Custody of Tools

9. Action when line is unsafe or in the event of Accident

10. Patrolling during Abnormal Rainfall

11. Commencing work Affecting Safety of trains

12. Weekly Inspection of Gang Length by Mate

13. Preventing Trespass and Theft of P. way Fittings

14. Relief arrangement in Emergencies

15. Assistance to S. & T. Staff

16. Assistance in protection of Trains

17. Assistance in placing Fog Signals

18. Responsibilities of the Mate in L.W.R. Track

General Responsibilities of PWS –

They are normally in-charge of items of works which require a higher level of supervision that can be exercised by Gang Mate. They will carry out the following specific works, or such other works pertaining to track maintenance, as

may be allotted to them by the Permanent Way Inspector :

(i) Attention to bad spots,

(ii) Directed track maintenance,

(iii) Maintenance LWR track, if he has been issued with a competency

certificate(responsibilities have been listed out.

(iv) Isolated renewal of sleepers,

(v) Lubrication of rail joints,

(vi) Lorrying out of material, if issued with competency certificate. They will be responsible for ensuring safety for the works being supervised by them. 

( vii)Assist in supervision of pre and post machine attention, when machine is deployed in his gang beat. ( as per cs no. 118 dated 30/07/09)

Knowledge of Rules and Signals –

Every Permanent Way Mistry shall have a correct knowledge of hand and detonating signals and shall be conversant with the following rules:

(i) Protecting line in an emergency and during work affecting track.

(ii) Method of fixing and safety range of detonators.

(iii) Action to be taken when train is noticed to have parted .

(iv) “Safety first” rules.

(v) Action to be taken when sabotage is suspected.

(vi) Patrolling in emergencies .

(vii) Rules for working of a trolly and lorry if he is authorized to operate the same.