ISMS-CR: Modular Framework for Safety Management in Central Railway Workshop

TL;DR

The paper tackles safety management in Indian Railway workshops where paper-based PTW processes hinder timely authorizations and accountability. It proposes ISMS-CR, a modular digital framework that automates the PTW lifecycle (initiation, validation, authorization, execution, closure) under IS 17893:2022, with role-based access, QR-based traceability, and cross-module data flows (Incident, Compliance, Mapping). The architecture comprises eight interlinked modules built on a Node.js/Express backend, PostgreSQL/PostGIS data layer, and a React frontend, delivering real-time permit tracking and audit-ready records. Experimental evaluation shows substantial improvements, including a 64% reduction in permit approval time and robust API performance, signaling strong potential for scalable digital safety governance in railway workshops.

Abstract

Indian Railway workshops form the backbone of rolling-stock maintenance, employing over 250,000 workers across 44 major workshops nationwide. Despite their scale and operational importance, workshop safety remains a persistent challenge. A field study conducted at the Jhansi Wagon Workshop involving 309 workers revealed that while basic protective equipment such as shoes and helmets was universally used, compliance with complete personal protective equipment requirements was limited. Lacerations and abrasions were identified as the most frequent injury types, highlighting systemic gaps in safety oversight and work authorization practices. This paper presents ISMS-CR (Integrated Safety Management System for Central Railway Workshop), a modular digital framework designed to enhance safety management through an automated Permit-to-Work (PTW) module. The proposed system digitizes the full lifecycle of work authorization, including permit initiation, validation, approval, execution, and closure. By enforcing structured workflows, role-based accountability, and traceable digital records, ISMS-CR reduces manual errors, administrative delays, and procedural non-compliance. The framework aims to strengthen operational reliability, improve audit readiness, and support safer maintenance practices in high-risk railway workshop environments.

Figures (4)

• Figure 1: Proposed ISMS-CR Architecture: A centralized system integrating eight functional modules with shared authentication, compliance, and reporting layers.
• Figure 2: Permit Dashboard Interface in ISMS-CR.
• Figure 3: Height Permit Form within SSE-MW Role.
• Figure 4: Electrical Permit Form within SSE-MW Role.