Safety Protocol: safe intervention during railway incidents

29 December 2015

Cooperation between Belgian railway infrastructure manager Infrabel, transport companies, emergency and police services has not always been smooth as far as communication goes. The Belgian intervention services (police, fire brigades and other emergency services) wanted to evolve towards an integrated and proactive approach. This requires fast and clear communication. The problems encountered during the multidisciplinary deployment in case of disasters, accidents and incidents as well as the lessons drawn from emergency exercises showed the need for clear communication for all actors in the field.

That is why the Safety Protocol has been drawn up. It determines the communication schemes that have to be used when an incident or an accident (minor or serious) occurs on the Belgian railways. The protocol’s objective is to guarantee fast and efficient communication between Infrabel and the emergency or police services and interventions in a safe environment for all actors in the field.

On 29 December 2015, the Ministers of Public Health, Home Affairs and Mobility signed the protocol that entered into force on 1 January 2016.