To freight wagon companies: Risk that we want to draw your attention to
The Swedish Transport Agency has carried out a risk analysis in accordance with CSM-RA based on suddenly lost braking ability when using composite brake pads in winter conditions. The risk analysis shows intolerable risks that must be managed by the railway companies in order to be at an acceptable level.
Managing risks in the business is nothing new for either you as a railway company or for infrastructure managers. But now that winter is approaching, we still want to take the opportunity to draw your attention to the risk that arises when you pull freight wagons that are equipped with brake blocks other than cast iron.
Completed risk analysis, tests and reported events show that the braking ability can be significantly reduced under certain conditions, especially at low temperatures and snow smoke.
There are several ways to deal with the risk of reduced braking ability. These risks can be affected by, among other things, train composition, train length, train weight, type of brake block (may be different on the carriages), speed, locomotive adaptations (such as after-brake valve, hot braking).
It is important that you manage the risks that have arisen within the framework of your safety management system.
Always put safety first! This is independent of whether you in your risk management would come to the conclusion that speed, load weight or a combination of these must be reduced when the brake weight is adjusted.
Based on the Swedish Transport Agency's model for risk-based supervision, supervision activities will be adapted to capture how you as a railway company handle the risks that may arise as a result of the use of composite brake blocks.