An accident in which two locomotives collided and crushed a man's leg at the Dunedin Rail yard last year cost the company tens of thousands of dollars and has resulted in a review of safety procedures.
A KiwiRail investigation report released to the Otago Daily Times under the Official Information Act has revealed that a dozen emergency services staff worked for 30 minutes to free the 29-year-old experienced rail operator who was pinned when the locomotives collided at low speed on the afternoon of September 20.
"His leg became trapped in the locomotive handrail resulting in a broken femur and tissue injuries," the report said.
A locomotive and refrigerated containers loaded with export product were damaged in the incident, and all operations in the yard were suspended for several hours.
Equipment damage and costs had been estimated at $131,000, with more than half of that for ACC and rehabilitation.
Estimated damage costs did not include damage to a locomotive, which was still to be costed then.
The collision report noted safety procedures were ignored, including a lack of radio communication before the incident.
As a result of the accident, all staff would be educated on a safe working procedure when dealing with the diverging route, known locally as `Marty's Mistake', and all personnel involved would undergo a review of safe working performance.
The incident has prompted KiwiRail management to consider monitoring radio communication compliance.
An earlier Department of Labour report noted the manoeuvre the men were involved in at the time of the incident was identified as a hazard by KiwiRail, and the incident would not have occurred had procedures been followed.
When shunting and piloting, initial instructions must advise where the movement will move to and where it will end, with radio operators expected to maintain radio contact every 10 seconds.
The black box from the locomotives revealed there was no communication until shortly before the collision. The men did not identify their position prior to the manoeuvre.
Both men were issued with written warnings as a result of the incident.
