Competence related to turnout maintenance

In this case, the incorrect adjustment of a turnout's Railex locking device contributed to the accident. The investigation revealed defects in turnout adjustment on a nationwide scale.

As the infrastructure manager, the Finnish Transport Agency should draw up a clearly defined turnout maintenance training programme and establish a system for continuous monitoring of the competencies of personnel carrying out turnout maintenance and adjustment work.

Turnout installation and adjustment work has not been defined as a traffic safety task, which means that the training or competence of the personnel performing such work is not monitored to the same degree as safety tasks. Responsibility for competence management and maintenance has been assigned to the service provider. Almost no training has been available. Competence could be controlled through, for example, regular skills tests and quality control of work carried out in the field.

In this case, the incorrect adjustment of a turnout's Railex locking device contributed to the accident. The investigation revealed defects in turnout adjustment on a nationwide scale.