THE RAILWAYS (SAFETY MANAGEMENT) REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 2006

Safety authorisation

8.—(1) An application for a first safety authorisation in respect of infrastructure shall—

(a) be made to the Department;

(b) subject to regulation 15(1) and (2), set out particulars of—

(i) the infrastructure;

(ii) how the safety management system of the applicant meets the requirements in regulation 4(7); and

(iii) how the provisions adopted by the applicant meet any requirements which are necessary for the safe design, maintenance and operation of the infrastructure.

(2) Subject to regulation 15(6), within four months of the date of receipt of the application the Department shall—

(a) issue a safety authorisation in relation to the infrastructure; or

(b) notify the applicant that it has refused the application; and

(c) in either case shall give reasons for its decision.

(3) A safety authorisation shall—

(a) specify the infrastructure in respect of which the authorisation is issued;

(b) accept that the applicant has provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the safety management system of the applicant meets the requirements referred to in regulation 5(4).

(c) accept that the applicant has provided sufficient evidence of the provisions adopted by the applicant to meet any requirements that are necessary for the safe design, maintenance and operation of the infrastructure;

(d) reference the information on which the acceptance referred to in sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) is based; and

(e) be valid for no longer than five years from the date of issue and the period of validity shall be indicated in the safety authorisation.