Korail Develops 'Safety Net' to Prevent Track Falls

Introduction of Metropolitan Subway On-site Implementation from April

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced on the 28th that it has independently developed a safety net to prevent accidents for maintenance workers of platform screen doors.

A Korail employee inspecting the adhesion strength of the safety net for platform screen door work (Photo by Korail)

The platform screen door safety net is a wide net-type safety device that prevents workers from leaning or falling onto the tracks while maintaining the screen doors inside the subway platform.

It was created from an employee's idea who recognized the need for protective equipment to enhance safety during emergency situations when the platform screen doors must be opened and maintained during train operation hours.

The safety net is fixed to the reinforced glass of the screen door with four powerful clamps that can withstand weights over 800 kg, protecting the workers. It is designed for easy attachment and detachment so that it can be removed immediately when the door opens, ensuring no inconvenience to passengers boarding or alighting.

Currently, it is being pilot-operated at metropolitan subway work sites, and based on employee feedback, it is planned to be used at all sites managing screen doors starting next month.

KORAIL plans to separately establish standards such as the scope of work that can be performed when using the safety net and to manualize the ‘Safety Net Usage Procedures’ for distribution at work sites.