When advised of a bridge strike on a non-critical bridge, what should dispatchers do?

When advised of a bridge strike on a non-critical bridge, dispatchers should add the event to the pre-printed "Bridge Strike" line. This action ensures that the incident is officially logged and that all relevant personnel are informed of the occurrence. Documenting the bridge strike is crucial for maintaining accurate records, which can be essential for safety assessments, investigations, and tracking the history of incidents on that bridge.

By documenting the event, dispatchers facilitate a systematic approach to handling such situations, which helps maintain operational integrity and allows trains to be monitored for safety measures if necessary. It is important to have a record of the incident, even if the bridge is categorized as non-critical, as this can impact future operations or maintenance assessments on the bridge.

Taking this action aligns with standard protocols for reporting and documenting incidents, which is critical for safety management in rail operations. It assures that there are procedures in place for addressing unforeseen circumstances that could potentially affect train services in the vicinity of the bridge.