The Diesel Loco Shed here is all set to obtain Integrated Management System (IMS) certification. The IMS is a combination of ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System and 18001 Occupation Health and Safety Management System.
A couple of auditors from the Quest Certification Private Limited visited the over 40-year-old shed here a few days ago and carried out a thorough audit examining documents relating to standards and systems in place at the railway establishment. Officials told The Hindu that the team ensured whether the shed complied with the international standards and had the required systems in place to get the certification.
Besides auditing relevant records, documents and objective evidence to ensure that the shed adhered to desired standards, the team went round the shed inspecting various units including the brake system, power pack, electric control and light schedule maintenance. Earlier, the team was given a complete briefing about the shed and the type of activities it was engaged into.
With staff strength of around 750 railway personnel, the shed considered a premier shed in the Southern Railway zone maintains a fleet of 45 high horsepower ‘EMD’ type diesel locomotives; 51 ‘Alco’ diesel locomotives, 37 diesel power cars hauling DEMU trains, five shunting locomotives and five metre gauge locomotives. Among the four diesel loco sheds in the Southern Railway zone, the Tiruchi shed maintains the highest fleet of high horsepower EMD type locomotives which can chug at a maximum speed of 140 km per hour. The team had given some suggestions to the officials of the shed for further improvement while conducting their exercise. Upon completion of the two-day audit, the team had informed the officials that the shed would be recommended for IMS certification.
Adherence to global standards and desired system in place would help the shed in further improving its reliability and safety, a senior railway official said. The shed is expected to receive the IMS certification next week, the official added.
Tiruchi shed maintains the highest fleet of high horsepower EMD type locomotives
