William Israel
3 Dec 2020 · Coroner Sonia Hayes · North East Kent
The coroner's concerns
1. electrocution from live rail
“Evidence heard from an experienced South Eastern Railway witness was that a national survey has found that there is a widespread assumption by members of the public that: 1 a. Power to the rail tracks is switched off at night b. Power to the rail tracks is only switched on when trains are due This supports that the risk of electrocution from train tracks is not well understood by the public”
2. insufficient electrocution warning signage
“There is insufficient signage warning of the risk of electrocution to the public from the live rail and none present at the palisade gates”
3. absence of strategic under-platform warning signage
“The British Transport Police Designing Out of Crime Unit (BTP DOCU) investigated this incident and has made a recommendation to consider the placement of strategic under-platform warning signage that would be visible where a member of the public jumping or stepping down onto the tracks”
4. inconsistent palisade gate operation
“The main entrance to the station is open between the hours of 06:00 -22:00 hours Monday to Saturday and 07:00 - 22:00 hours on Sunday during such hours the station is staffed”
5. inconsistent palisade gate access control
“It appears inconsistent that the palisade gates that deter public entering are closed when the station is open and staffed, then open when the station is unstaffed and after trains have stopped running”
6. absence of risk assessment for electrocution when gates open
“There appears to be an absence of a sufficient risk assessment of the risks to the public from electrocution from the live rail particularly when the palisade gates are open and, if the palisade gates should remain open, of any potential risk mitigation that might be implemented to ensure safe use of the underpass”