Duties of Patrolman / Stationary Watchman during Different types of Patrolling

 

Duties of Patrolman / Stationary Watchman during Different types of Patrolling

 

It is of paramount importance that patrolmen and watchmen thoroughly understand what they have to do in the event of emergency. Every effort should be made to instruct and drill the persons for their duties. In the event of an emergency the patrolmen should devote their whole time and energy to the protection of the line and summoning of assistance. Having protected the line and summoned assistance, they should resume their patrolling.

(1) Monsoon Patrolman:

The duties of a Patrolman undertaking monsoon patrolling are as follows –

(a) Walk to and fro over the beat in accordance with the chart pertaining to the “patrol section” looking out for subsidence, slips, signs of erosion, trees blown across the track during storms or any other causes likely to endanger the safety of line. The bridges and their approaches should especially be watched.

(b) Apprehend damage to line when-

(i) the flood exceeds danger level at any of the bridges, or

(ii) when there is damage to the protection work on bridges or on their approaches even before danger level is reached, or

(iii) the water on one side of the embankment is at a much higher level than on the other side, or

(iv) When any obstruction such as a fallen tree is blocking the waterway of a bridge.

(c) If the track shows signs of a settlement; take immediate steps in accordance with Para 1004 (8) of IRPWM 2020 to stop trains when any portion of the line is likely to be rendered unsafe due to abnormal rain or flood or any other cause.

(d) When no danger is apprehended, stand on the cess on the left hand side facing the train and exhibit his number plate, turning the light of his lamp on to it, so that the number can be seen from the passing train. The Patrolman should also blow the whistle, when the engine and the brake-van of the train passes.

(e) Obtain the signature of the Station Master/Block Hut-in-charge on duty at the Station/ Block Hut concerned for arrival and departure and exchange patrol books with adjacent patrolmen.

(f) Exchange the reports as to the conditions on their beats with adjacent patrolmen and stationary watchmen on the way.

(g) Heed instructions from drivers, who may report a condition of danger at any location, and proceed to the place indicated, and take necessary measures.

(2) Hot Weather Patrolman:

The duties of a Patrolman undertaking hot weather patrolling are as follows –

(a) Patrol the track during the hottest part of the day, to look for prominent kinks, incipient buckles or tendency towards buckling.

(b) Protect the track at the site of the prominent kinks, incipient or actual buckles and report the same to nearest Station Master and JE/SSE/ P. Way immediately.

(c) Walk over his beat slowly over one rail in one direction and on the other rail in the return direction. On double lines, repeat this procedure alternately on UP and DN tracks.

(d) Be vigilant and look out for kinks in the rail especially during the hottest part of the days. When a kink is observed, immediately examine at least 100 sleepers ahead and in the rear of the kink for any floating/misaligned condition of track.

(e) Should the track reveal a floating/misaligned condition, under which a buckle may be anticipated or the patrolman has detected actual buckling of track, the patrolman will take immediate steps to protect the affected portion by display of hand signals as per rules in force. After protecting the track, the patrolman will arrange to advise the Gang Mate, JE/SSE/P. Way of his apprehension of a

buckle/actual buckle.

(3) Cold Weather Patrolman:

The duties of a Patrolman undertaking cold weather patrolling are as follows –

(a) Patrol the track during the coldest part of the night and lookout for weld/rail fractures and excessive gaps at SEJ.

(b) Protect the track at the site of weld/rail fractures, or excessive gaps at SEJ, or shearing/snapping of bolts; and report to nearest Station Master, JE/SSE/P.Way.

(c) On single line; walk over the beat slowly along one rail in one direction and on the other rail in the return direction. On double line; repeat this procedure alternately on UP and DN tracks.

(d) Be vigilant and look out for rail/weld failure, or excessive gaps at SEJ, or shearing/snapping of bolts etc.

(e) In case it is noticed that a rail/weld failure has occurred or gap at SEJ becomes more than the designed maximum gap, the patrolman will take immediate action to suspend the traffic and protect the line. After protecting the track, the patrolman will arrange to report to Keyman/Gang Mate, JE/SSE/ P. Way, and Station Master of adjacent station.

(4) Mobile Watchman:

The duties of a Mobile Watchman are as follows –

(a) A Mobile Watchman is posted, till period of consolidation is over, on stretches where after maintenance operation, rail temperature has exceeded td+ 20°C during the period of consolidation as given in Para 337 (5) of IRPWM 2020

(b) Number of Mobile watchmen required to be posted would depend upon the length of track attended by manual methods or by tampers.

(c) The mobile watchman would patrol such section/beat to look for prominent kinks,

incipient buckles or tendency towards buckling, rail/ weld fracture, excessive gaps at SEJs and shearing/snapping of bolts.

(d) Mobile watchman will be provided with all equipment as per Para 1005 as the case may be, shall protect the track at site if any of the situations as given in Para 1004(8) of IRPWM occurs and report the same to nearest Station Master/ JE/SSE/P.Way.

(e) Mobile watchman posted on these sites would patrol the section and perform the duties of Hot/Cold Weather patrolman as the case may be.

Engineering (Pway / Works)