Tampering of braking systems on manually propelled trolley and grinding equipment
Issued to: All Network Rail line managers, safety professionals and accredited contractors
Ref: NRA25-08
Date of issue: 21/07/2025
Location: National
Contact: John Watt – Principal Engineer [Plant]
Overview
There has been several instances over the last two years where braking systems fitted to Manually Propelled Trolley (MPT) and Grinding Equipment have been tampered with thus making the braking systems ineffective. This activity increases the risk of runaway, possible injury to staff if struck by MPT and damage to equipment.
Operators of these equipment types are reminded that interfering with safety system such as brakes can lead to you or your colleagues being injured or killed; this is a breach of Network Rails Life Saving rules.
These practices also contravene NR/L2/RMVP/0200 P514 paragraph 3.3.2 “Do not adjust or interfere with the braking mechanism of a trolley” The practice of interfering with such systems should cease with immediate effect. If these systems are identified as faulty, then the equipment should be immediately removed and quarantined.
There will be increased surveillance activities around the use of these equipment types.