Classification of Accidents in railwayss

classification of accidents

1. CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENTS AJAY S. R JE/P.WAY/QLD PGT DIVISION

2. ACCIDENT Any occurrence in the course of working of railway which does or may affect the safety of the Railway, its engine, rolling stock, permanent way and works, fixed installations, passengers or servants or which affects the safety of others or which does or may cause delay to a train or loss to the Railways is termed an Accident.

3. Significance of Accident Classification A scientific approach to study of accidents Different approach for different types of accidents

4. Classification of Accidents The Railway Accidents Committee, 1962, (Kunzru Committee ) broadly classified accidents into consequential and indicative accidents Consequential Accidents are the accidents that normally results in loss of life, limb or damage to property. Collisions Derailments including those caused by train wrecking Fires in trains Trains running into road traffic at level crossing.

5. Consequential & Non Consequential Accidents Indicative Accidents are the mishaps , generally not resulting in causalities, but which are indicative of unsafe acts or unsafe conditions or work, or defective railway equipment. Averted Collision Breach of Block Rules

6. Consequential & Non Consequential Accidents The Railway Accidents Enquiry Committee, 1978, (Sikri Committee ) classified accidents in the following manner Collisions, derailments, accidents at level crossings, fires in trains, and other accidents have been grouped into three groups :

7. Consequential & Non Consequential Accidents Group-I: Failure of railway equipment Group-II: Miscellaneous accidents, such as trains running over obstructions , collisions, involving light engines, trollies, derailments of light engines, fires at stations, etc. Group-III: Technical accidents such as breach of block rules, disregard of signals by drivers, averted collisions, and train parting.

8. Classification of Accidents Train accidents Yard accidents Indicative accidents Equipment failures Unusual incidents Accidents are classified in categories from A to R excluding I and O.

9. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class ‘A’ – Collisions A-1 : Collision involving a train carrying passengers, resulting in (i) loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property of the value exceeding Rs.25,00,000 and/or (iii) interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours

10. Detailed Classification of Accidents A-2 : Collision involving a train not carrying passengers, resulting in (i) loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property of the value exceeding Rs.25,00,000 and/or (iii) interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours A-3 : Collision involving a train carrying passengers, not falling under A-1 above

11. Detailed Classification of Accidents A-4 : Collision involving a train not carrying passengers not falling under A-2 A-5 : Other collisions, i.e. collisions occurring in shunting, marshalling yards, loco yards and siding etc. but not involving a train.

12. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class ‘B’ - Fire or Explosion in trains B-1: Fire or Explosion in a train carrying passengers resulting (i) in loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or (ii) damage to Railway property of the value exceeding Rs.25,00,000 and/or (iii) interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours .

13. Detailed Classification of Accidents B-2: Fire or Explosion in a train not carrying passengers resulting (i) in loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or ( ii) damage to Railway property of the value exceeding Rs.25,00,000 and/or (iii) interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours .

14. Detailed Classification of Accidents B-3 : Fire or Explosion in a train carrying passengers not falling under B-1 above but loss to Railway property and/or interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value and/or resulting into detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train and/or requiring relief engine/s . B-4 : Fire or Explosion in a train not carrying passengers not falling under B-2 above but loss to Railway property and/or interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value and/or resulting into detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train and/or requiring relief engines.

15. Detailed Classification of Accidents B-5 : Fire or Explosion in a train carrying passengers not falling under B-1 or B-3 above B-6 : Fire or Explosion in a train not carrying passengers and not falling under B-2 or B-4 above . B-7 : Fire or explosion occurring in shunting, marshalling yards, loco yards and siding etc. involving rolling stock but not involving a train.

16. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class ‘C’ - Trains running into road traffic, and/or traffic running into trains, at level crossings. C-1 : Trains carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or traffic running into such trains at manned level crossings resulting into loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or damage to Railway property and/or interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value.

17. Detailed Classification of Accidents C-2: Trains not carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or traffic running into such trains at manned level crossings resulting into loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or damage to Railway property and/or interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value . C-3: Trains carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or traffic running into such trains at unmanned level crossings resulting into loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or damage to Railway property and/or interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value.

18. Detailed Classification of Accidents C-4: Trains not carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or traffic running into such trains at unmanned level crossings resulting into loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or damage to Railway property and/or interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value. C-5: Trains carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or traffic running into such trains at manned level crossings but not falling under C-1 . C-6: Trains not carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or traffic running into such trains at manned level crossings but not falling under C- 2 .

19. Detailed Classification of Accidents C-7 : Trains carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or traffic running into such trains at unmanned level crossings but not falling under C-3 . C-8: Trains not carrying passengers running into road traffic and/or traffic running into such trains at unmanned level crossings but not falling under C-4. C-9 : Shunting engine with or without vehicles or loose vehicles running into road traffic and/or traffic running into shunting engine with or without vehicles or loose vehicles, at level crossings .

20. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class ‘D’ – Derailments D-1 : Derailment of a train carrying passengers resulting in loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or damage to Railway property of the value exceeding Rs.25,00,000 and/or interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours . D-2: Derailment of a train not carrying passengers resulting in loss of human life and/or damage to Railway property of the value exceeding Rs.25,00,000 and/or interruption of any important through line of communication for at least 24 hours.

21. Detailed Classification of Accidents D-3: Derailment of a train carrying passengers, not falling under D-1 above . D-4: Derailment of a train not carrying passengers not falling under D-2 above but loss to Railway property and/or interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value . D-5: Derailment of a train not carrying passengers not falling either under D- 2 or D-4 above . D-6 : Other derailments, i.e. derailments occurring in shunting, marshalling yards , loco yards and siding etc. but not involving a train.

22. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class 'E'- Other Train Accidents E-1 : Train running over or against any obstruction including fixed structure other than included under class "C" resulting into loss of human life and/or grievous hurt and/or damage to Railway property and/or interruption to traffic is more than the threshold value . E-2 : Trains running into any obstruction including fixed structure but not covered up under Class 'C' or 'E-1'.

23. Detailed Classification of Accidents INDICATIVE ACCIDENTS Class ‘F’ - Averted Collisions F-1 : Averted collision between trains at least one of which is carrying passengers. F-2 : Averted collision between a train carrying passengers and an obstruction . F-3: Averted collision between trains NOT carrying passengers F-4 : Averted collision between trains NOT carrying passengers and an obstruction .

24. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class ‘G’ - Breach of Block Rules . G-1 : Train carrying passengers, entering a block section without any authority or without a proper ‘Authority to Proceed ’. G-2 : Train Not carrying passengers entering a block section without any authority or without proper ‘Authority to Proceed ’.

25. Detailed Classification of Accidents G-3: Train received on a blocked line, not constituting an averted collision. G-4: Train received on or entering a wrong line at a station or catch or Slip Siding or Sand Hump etc. Class ‘H’ - Train passing signal at danger . H-1 : Train carrying passengers running past a ‘Stop’ signal at danger without proper authority . H-2 : Train not carrying passengers running past a ‘Stop’ signal at danger, without proper authority.

26. Detailed Classification of Accidents EQUIPMENT FAILURE Class ‘J’ - Failure of Engine and Rolling Stock J-1: Failure of engine hauling a train carrying passengers . J-2: Failure of engine hauling a train not carrying passengers or light engine . J-3 : Parting of train carrying passengers J-4: Parting of a train not carrying passengers J-5: Failure of Rolling stock such as failure of tyres , wheels, axles or braking apparatus etc on a passenger carrying train leading to detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train.

27. Detailed Classification of Accidents J-5: Failure of Rolling stock such as failure of tires, wheels, axles or braking apparatus etc. on a passenger carrying train leading to detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train. J-6 : Failure of Rolling stock such as failure of tires, wheels, axles or braking apparatus etc. on train not carrying passenger leading to detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train . J-7 : Failure of Rolling stock such as failure of tyres , wheels, axles or braking apparatus etc. on passenger carrying trains, not leading to detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train.

28. Detailed Classification of Accidents J-8 : Failure of Rolling stock such as failure of tyres , wheels, axles or braking apparatus etc. on train not carrying passenger, not leading to detachment of rolling stock/stocks from the train . J-9 : A train or a portion of a train running away, out of control. J-10 : Poor brake power in a train but not covered in Class J-9

29. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class ‘K’ - Failure of Permanent Way K-1 : Buckling of track K-2 : Weld failure K-3 : Rail fracture K-4 : An unusually slack or rough running or heavy lurch experienced by drivers of running trains while passing over any length of permanent way leading to blockage of communication .

30. Detailed Classification of Accidents K-5: Failure of Railway tunnel, bridge, viaduct/formation/cutting and culvert etc . K-6 : Damage to track of such a nature other than those covered under Class K-1 to K-5 so as to render it temporarily unsafe for passage of trains or likely to cause delay to traffic for a period above threshold value. K-7 : Damage to track of such a nature as to render it temporarily unsafe for the passage of trains or likely to cause delays to traffic not covered up in K-1 to K-6.

31. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class- L - Failure of Electrical Equipment L-1 : Snapping or any damage to OHE wire needing switching off OHE for more than three minutes L-2 : No tension in OHE for more than three minutes L-3 : Pantograph entanglement not covered up under J-1 and J-2 L-4 : Defect in AC or other electrical equipment leading to detachment of a rolling stock/s from a train.

32. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class 'M' - Failure of signalling and Telecommunication M-1 : Failure of part or complete Panel / RRI . M-2 : Failure of Interlocking /Track Circuit or Axle Counter M-3 : Failure of Block Instruments M-4 : Failure of Point Machine and Equipment M-5 : Failure of Signal/Point M-6: Failure of control / station communication for more than fifteen minutes M-7: Failure of station to station or station to level crossing gate communication for more than fifteen minutes

33. Detailed Classification of Accidents M-7: Failure of station to station or station to level crossing gate communication for more than fifteen minutes UNUSUAL INCIDENTS Class ‘N’ - Train Wrecking N-1 Attempted wrecking of or sabotage to a train carrying passengers. N-2 Attempted wrecking of or sabotage to a train not carrying passengers. N-3 Attempted sabotage or tampering with track not involving any train.

34. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class ‘P’ - Casualties . P-1 Person or persons falling out of a running train resulting in grievous hurt to or loss of human life. P-2 Person or persons run over or knocked down by a train resulting in grievous hurt to or loss of human life. P-3 Person or persons falling out of a running train or knocked down by a train or engine or railway vehicle, not resulting in grievous hurt to or loss of human life.

35. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class ‘Q’ - Other incidents Q-1 Accidental or natural death or grievous hurt to any person whether passenger , railway employee or trespasser (or any other person), within railway premises (excluding railway quarters ). Q-2 Murder or suicide in a train or within railway premises . Q-3 Robbery, attempted robbery, theft or attempted theft in Railway premises including trains.

36. Detailed Classification of Accidents Q-4 Fire or explosion within railway premises but not involving trains . Q-5 Fire or explosion resulting in damage to railway bridge and viaduct etc. Q-6 Blockade to train services due to agitation

37. Detailed Classification of Accidents Class ‘R’ - Miscellaneous . R-1 Vehicle or vehicles running away. R-2 Train running over cattle. R-3 Floods, Breaches, and landslides, etc. resulting in interruption of an important through line of communication more than the threshold value . R-4 Other cases of Floods, breaches, landslides, etc. resulting in interruption to traffic. R-5 Any accident not included in the foregoing classifications.

38. Type of Accidents Description Accident Categories Train Accidents Accident that involves a train Collision : A1-A4 Fire : B1-B4 LC : C1-C4 Derailment : D1-D4 Misc : E1 Other Train Accidents : B-5, B-6, C-5 to C-8, D-5 and E-2 Yard Accidents All accidents that take place in a yard and does not involve a train A-5, B-7, C-9 and D-6.

39. Type of Accidents Description Accident Categories Indicative Accidents serious potential hazards F, G, H Equipment Failure Failure of railway equipment J, K, L, M Unusual Incidents cases related to law and order but not resulting into the train accidents and other incidents N, P, Q and R

40. Reportable Train Accidents All accidents falling under purview of Section 113 of Railways Act 1989 are termed as reportable train accidents and are to be reported to DM/ SP/ State Govt. Accident involving loss of life/grievous hurt Collision between trains, one being passenger train Derailment of passenger carrying train

41. Reportable Train Accidents Accidents attended with loss of life/grievous hurt in passenger train involving wrecking/run-over/fire etc. Loss to railway property > Rs. 25 lakhs Interruption to through traffic > 24 hours

42. Serious Accidents Passenger train accident attended with Loss of life Grievous hurt to passenger Serious damage to railway property > Rs. 25 lakhs Any other accident which in the opinion of CCRS/CRS requires CRS enquiry . This does not include Trespassers/passengers through their own carelessness. Rly servants/travelling outside rolling stock/ runover LC accidents not involving death/grievous hurt

43. Reporting of Accidents To Railway Board : All consequential train accidents Yard accident with dislocation above threshold Land slides, breaches, OHE breakdown etc. with dislocation above threshold. Periodic statement of all categories (monthly) to be submitted to Railway Board

44. Reporting of Accidents To Zonal Railway All train accidents Yard accident with dislocation above threshold Land slides, breaches, OHE breakdown etc. with dislocation above threshold Periodic statement of all categories (monthly) to be submitted to Zonal Railway

45. Reporting of Accidents Serious Accidents shall be informed to the press as soon as possible and a copy sent to CCRS, CRS. In addition ,the control of the division shall inform CRS telephonically, of any serious accident. The Commissioner of Railway Safety shall be included in the “ all concerned” messages in case of the following accident classes: - A-1 to A-4, B-1 to B-2, C-1 to C-4, D-1 to D-3, E-1, K-6, N-1, P-1

46. Reporting of Accidents In case of C-3 Commissioner of Railway Safety need to be advised only if passenger casualty is involved . In case of C-4 accidents at manned level crossings also Commissioner of Railway Safety is to be informed, if the accident involves casualty to road users/passengers or crew of road vehicles . The Divisional Railway Manager shall send, as soon as possible, a typed copy of the accident message by post to the CRS in the case of the following classes of accidents: - F-1 to F-3 , G-1 , H-1 , J-3 , P-1

47. Reporting of Accidents Accident Category Officers to be reported to A CSO, CRS, NDRB, DRM, CCM, CMD, DMO, DEN, AEN, SE/P.Way, DEE, DEE/RS, DEE/TRD, LF, LI, JE/C&W, SE/C&W, JE/S&T, CSC, DSC, ASC, SI/RPF, DME, DSTE, DOM, DSO, DCM, AO, TI, CMI, Chief Secretary to State Government, SP/GRP, SP, District Magistrate, District Collector. B CSO, NDRB, CRS, DRM, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DCM, CMI, DME, JE/C&W, DEE/RS, CSC, ASC, SI/RPF, SP/GRP, SP, Chief Secretary to State Government. C CSO, NDRB, CRS, DRM, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DEN, AEN, SE/P.Way, DME, LI, LF, JE/C&W, DEE/RS, DSTE, JE/S&T, DCM, CMI, SP/GRP, SP, Chief Secretary to State Government, District Magistrate D CSO, CRS, NDRB, DRM, CEE, CME, DEN, AEN, SE/P.Way, DEE, DEE/RS, DEE/TRD, LF, LI, JE/C&W, SE/C&W, JE/S&T, CSC, DSC, ASC, SI/RPF, DME, DSTE, DOM, DSO, DCM, AO, TI, CMI, Chief Secretary to State Government, SP/GRP, SP, District Magistrate, District Collector. E CSO, NDRB, CRS, DRM, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DEN, AEN, SE/P.Way, DEE/RS, LF, LI, SE/C&W, SE/S&T, SP, SP/GRP, District Magistrate. F CSO, CRS, DRM, DEN, AEN, SE/P.Way, DEE/RS, DME, LF, JE/C&W, DSTE, JE/S&T, DOM, DSO, DCM, AO, TI.

48. Reporting of Accidents Accident Category Officers to be reported to G CSO, CRS, DRM, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DME, LI, LF, JE/C&W, DSTE, JE/S&T. H CSO, CRS, DRM, DEN, AEN, SE/P.Way, DEE/RS, DME, LF, JE/C&W, DSTE, JE/S&T, DOM, DSO, DCM, AO, TI. J CSO, DRM, CME, CEE, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DME, LI, LF, SE/C&W, DEE/RS, DEE/OP. K CSO, CE, DRM, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DEN, AEN, SE/P.Way. L CSO, DRM, CEE, DOM, DSO, DEE/TRD, LF, TI, LI, SE/TRD, AEE/TRD M CSO, DRM, CSTE, Sr.DSTE, DOM, DSO, ASTE, SE/S&T, TI N CSO, CRS, NDRB, CE, DRM, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DEN, AEN, SE/P.Way, DEE/RS, LF, LI, SE/C&W, CSC,CCO, DSC, SP/GRP, SI/RPF, District Magistrate. P CSO, CRS, CCM, DRM, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DEN, AEN, SE/P.Way, DEE/RS, LF, LI, SE/S&T, CSC, CCO, DSC, SP, SP/GRP, SI/RPF, District Magistrate. Q CSO, CCM, DRM, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DEN, AEN, SE/P.Way, DEE/RS, LF, LI, SE/S&T, CSC, CCO DSC, SP, SP/GRP, SI/RPF.

49. Reporting of Accidents Accident Category Officers to be reported to R-1 CSO, DRM,DSO,DOM,AO,TI, DEE/RS, LF, LI, SE/C&W R-2 CSO, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DEN, SE/Pway R-3 CSO,CRS, NDRB, CCM,CE , DRM, DSO , DOM, AO,TI, DEN, AEN, SE/PWAY, DEE/RS, LF, LI, SE/C&W, CSC, DSC, SP/GRP, SI/RPF, CHIEF SECRETARY TO STATE GOVT., DISTRICT MAGISTRATE R-4 CSO, CE, DRM, DSO, DOM, AO, TI, DEN, AEN, SE/PWAY R-5 CSO, DSO, DOM, TI, LI, SECTION ENGINEERS OF RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENT.

50. Abbreviations 1. AEN – Assistant Engineer 2 . AO – Area Officer 3. ASC – Assistant Security Commissioner 4. CCM – Chief Commercial Manager 5. CE – Chief Engineer 6. CEE – Chief Electrical Engineer 7. CEF/OHE – Chief Electrical Foreman/Over Head Equipment 8. CMD – Chief Medical Director 9. CME – Chief Mechanical Engineer 10. CMI – Commercial Inspector

51. Abbreviations 11. CRS – Commissioner of Railway Safety 12. CSC – Chief Security Commissioner 13. CSO – Chief Safety Officer 14. CTF/PSI – Chief Traction Foreman/Power Supply Installations 15. DCM – Divisional Commercial Manager 16. DEE/OP – Divisional Electrical Engineer/Operations 17. DEE/RS – Divisional Electrical Engineer/Rolling Stock 18. DEE/TRD – Divisional Electrical Engineer/Traction Distribution 19. DEN – Divisional Engineer 20. DME – Divisional Mechanical Engineer

52. Abbreviations 21. DOM – Divisional Operations Manager 22. DSC – Divisional Security Commissioner 23. DSO – Divisional Safety Officer 24. DSTE – Divisional Signal and Telecommunication Engineer 25. DRM – Divisional Railway Manager 26. JE/C&W – Junior Engineer/Carriage and Wagon 27. LF – Loco Foreman 28. LI – Loco Inspector 29. NDRB – Railway Board, New Delhi 30. SE/BRI – Section Engineer/Bridges

53. Abbreviations 31. SE/C&W – Section Engineer/Carriage and Wagon 32. SE/P.Way – Section Engineer/Permanent Way 33. SE/S&T – Section Engineer/Signal and Telecommunication 34. SI/RPF – Sub Inspector/Railway Protection Force 35. SI/GRP – Sub Inspector/Government Railway Police 36. SP – District Superintendent of Police 37. SP/GRP – Superintendent of Police/Government Railway Police 38. TI – Traffic Inspector

54. ACCIDENT ENQUIRY

55. Object of Accident Enquiry To ascertain the cause of accident To fix up responsibility for the accident To formulate proposals for preventing recurrence To determine whether there has been general laxity in working to which the accident could also be attributed To suggest improvement in system, procedures and practices

56. Classification of Inquiries Non-Railway enquiry Judicial commission or Commission of Inquiry - Central Govt. CRS’s Inquiry Magisterial Inquiry- Appointed by State Govt. Police enquiry

57. Classification of Inquiries Railway Enquiry Joint Inquiry- GM Inter - Departmental Inquiry – DRM/GM Departmental Inquiry-To fix up responsibility At Officers level At Sr. Supervisor level

58. Ordering of Inquiry Normally by DRM - All departmental & inter departmental enquiry GM or CSO on his behalf , may order an inquiry into serious accidents as deemed fit.

59. Level of Inquiry Type of Accident Inquiry done by Additional Notes Serious Accidents CRS If CRS not able to inquire, min. SAG enquiry must be done with CSO as the chairman/convener of the committee All cases of collisions SAG level committee unless CRS inquired and accepted by GM

60. Level of Inquiry Type of Accident Inquiry done by Additional Notes All other consequential train accidents By Dy. CSO from Safety Department nominated by GM and accepted by GM All other train accidents SS/JS committee as nominated by DRM and accepted by DRM Yard Accidents Sr.Supervisors committee and accepted by Sr. DSO /DSO

61. Level of Inquiry Type of Accident Inquiry done by Additional Notes All indicative accidents SS/JS officer committee and accepted by DRM SPAD cases are accepted by JAG level and one of the member Sr.DSO /DSO at divisional level. Equipment Failure Cases Supervisor of respective departments

62. Questions Accident Category corresponding to Collisions ? A Which accident categories are indicative accidents ? F , G , H Which accident categories are unusual incidents ? N, P, Q, R Which accident categories are equipment failure ? J, K,L, M

63. Questions Minimum extent of damage to railway property for Category A Accidents ? Damage of INR Rs 25 lakhs Which committee started classification of accidents ? Kunzhru Committee 1962

64. REFERENCES Accident Manual of Southern Railway General Rules and Subsidiary Rules of Southern Railway Railway Board Circular No.2000/Safety(A&R )/19/20

65. Thank you