The Site Warden is a vital safety role, particularly common on larger railway work sites or those with interfaces to public areas. They act as a critical control point, ensuring that only authorised and correctly briefed personnel enter the worksite, and preventing unauthorised access from the public or non-railway staff into hazardous areas.

What is a Site Warden?

A Site Warden is a trained and competent individual positioned at access points to a railway worksite, or at key internal locations, to control the flow of personnel and vehicles. Their primary responsibility is to maintain the integrity of the work site boundaries, verify credentials, ensure appropriate safety briefings are received, and prevent any unauthorised individuals from entering an active work area where dangers exist (such as moving trains, plant, or live electrical equipment). They are the gatekeepers of site safety.

Key Duties and Responsibilities of a Site Warden:

The Site Warden's role demands diligence, clear communication, and a firm but polite manner. Their duties typically include:

• Access Control: Manning designated access points to the worksite (e.g., gates, temporary crossings, walking routes onto the track).

• Verification of Credentials: Checking that all individuals entering the worksite hold valid Personal Track Safety (PTS) competence and any other required competencies for the work being undertaken.

• Briefing Confirmation: Ensuring that all personnel have received the necessary site-specific safety briefings (e.g., White Card briefing, SSOWP brief acknowledgment) before being granted entry.

• Visitor Management: Controlling and accompanying authorised visitors who do not hold full rail competencies, ensuring their safety within the worksite.

• Preventing Unauthorised Access: Actively preventing any unauthorised members of the public, or personnel without valid credentials/briefings, from entering the work area.

• Communication: Maintaining clear communication with the COSS, Engineering Supervisor, PICOP, or other relevant site management regarding personnel movements and site status.

• Emergency Response: Knowing and implementing emergency procedures, including directing personnel to emergency assembly points if required.

• Maintaining Site Integrity: Ensuring safety fencing, barriers, or signage at access points are maintained and correctly positioned.

• Maintaining Records: Keeping accurate records of all personnel entering and exiting the worksite.

Where a Site Warden can work within TES:

The Site Warden competency is crucial for maintaining safety and control on larger or more complex TES project sites, particularly those with multiple access points or public interfaces. They are commonly found in:

• Possession Management: Essential during large engineering possessions where many personnel and pieces of plant enter/exit the site, and where public access needs careful management.

• Major Project Delivery: Integral to major P-Way, OLE, or civils projects with extensive work sites and multiple entry points.

• Site Operations: Providing critical safety control at the entry/exit points for any significant trackside work, ensuring only competent and briefed staff are on site.