Written question asked by Martin Horwood (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 28 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 November 2005. It was answered by Derek Twigg (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Railways

Question: (3) what models of break-glass hammers are approved for use on trains.

Answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the independent health and safety regulator for rail. The emergency evacuation arrangements of rail carriages are approved by the HSE under the Railways and Transport Systems (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulations 1964 (ROTS). These regulations require the train operator companies to ensure that break-glass hammers are fit for the purpose to which they are installed. HSE do not hold on record the types of hammers considered by train operators.The Rail Safety and Standards Board is currently undertaking research to determine the appropriate requirements for break-glass hammers as part of wider research into train evacuation.

Secondary information