Nea Philadelphia, 24 / 09 / 2024
Ref. No.: HARSIA / Α579
Safety recommendation 1/2024
All interested parties should cooperate without delay for the implementation in the Greek railway system:
1. A safety-related communication methodology that respects the requirements of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1693 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/773 concerning the technical specification for interoperability relating to the subsystem Operation and Traffic Management of the rail system within the European Union, and in particular Appendix C.
2. A means of communication allowing direct one-to-one contact between station managers and drivers for all safety-related communications.
This urgent safety recommendation concerns:
1) The NSA (RAS) as national safety authority, for the tasks defined in Articles 16 and 17 of the Railway Safety Directive (EU) 2016/798.
2) The O.S.E., as the infrastructure manager, which must establish – in accordance with Annex II, point 5.1.1 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/762 – the appropriate communication methodology and Form Book, as well as an implementation plan, including training schedules, which sets ambitious deadlines for the implementation of the modified operational procedures and the implementation of appropriate communication tools.
3) All railway undertakings, which must provide training for drivers and relevant staff to operate trains in accordance with the modified operational procedures and means of communication, in accordance with the deadlines set by the infrastructure manager.
4) GAIOSE, as the owner of the majority of the railway vehicles circulating on the Greek network, which is required to support the implementation of the appropriate means of communication.
5) The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, to facilitate the proposed changes, which may include the amendment or withdrawal of legal acts, and to cover the Member State’s responsibility under Article 4(a) of Directive (EU) 2016/798 on railway safety. In order to ensure systemic and sustainable change, it is also vital to initiate and implement the necessary improvements by identifying and resolving any barriers faced by all stakeholders, in particular end-users. On a proposal by the Deputy President, the Council unanimously agreed with the proposal to adopt the above-mentioned urgent safety recommendation.
Dr Christos T.Papadimitriou
D. President &
Railway Sector President
Hellenic Authority for Aviation and Railway Accidents Investigation
