Digital Newsletter, July 2021
ON TRACK TECHNICIANS
Works are progressing well on the Translink 'Dark Arches' project which commenced early July. This is a
Inside this issue: CELEBRATIONS- 02 EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION- 03
substantial £19 million rail
TRAINING - 04 & 05
refurbishment project which takes place
PHOTO OF THE MONTH - 09
between Whitehouse Park and Whiteabbey Station. Welcome to all of those who have joined us from overseas to contribute to the completion of this project! (More on page 8) On Track Technicians
RECENT PROJECTS - 06, 07, 08 SPONSORED ATHLETES - 10 & 11 SPECIAL MENTIONS - 12 CHARITY & PARTNERSHIPS - 13 EVENTS - 14 EMERGE - 15, 16 IN THE KNOW - 17 THANK YOU FOR READING - 18
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CELEBRATIONS! Happy birthday! Happy 60th birthday to Raymond Foster! Happy birthday to our training manager Nicci Taylor! We hope you enjoyed your day!
Congratulations! Congratulations to David Jackson who recently got engaged on holiday in Majorca! Congratulations to Kenny French and your partner on the recent birth of your baby girl! Congratulations to Owen Smith and his partner who also recently welcomed the birth of their baby girl! Congratulations to Scott Larmour who recently got married!
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Employee Recognition Every month we like to give recognition to our employees who live by our core values and who show commitment to safety, quality and a great attitude on site. This month's recognition goes to: For conduct and attitude towards Safety when on with OTT control: Kris McAreavey Jordan Williams For good catch when carrying out RRVC duties: Greg Gibson Keep up the great work everyone!
Achievements Congratulations to David Cassidy who passed his driving test! A huge congratulations to our apprentices and all others who have recently passed courses!
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TRAINING At OTT we are committed to employee development and providing our staff with opportunities for growth. That is why we like to invest in high quality training for those who are looking to take the next steps in their careers.
RRVC Training facilitated by Translink on 2nd July. Well done to the guys for passing the course!
Some of the ladies in the office receiving training around track safety. Thank you Ron for taking the time to teach us about personal track safety!
We are pleased to say that our Translink training contract has commenced and we are currently running PTS Refresher courses. Photos to follow in next month's newsletter! Welcome to Beata who will be working alongside Nicci to co-ordinate the training!
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SMALL TOOLS TRAINING
The small tools training is a two day bespoke course and the first of it's kind in Northern Ireland! Led by David and Tommy from Safety Coach with a combined experience of over 30 yeas. The training provides a full 8 hour day of theory followed by a practical assessment. This training will be rolled out to the whole team in the next year. The small tools equipment being trained and assessed on are: Rail saw Rail drill Impact Wrench Robel (tamper)
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RECENT PROJECTS Client: Translink Works: Stock Proof Fencing Location: Network wide Status: Ongoing
Description Stock proof fencing continues throughout the rail network. This is one of our ongoing and longstanding projects with Translink. This month, our team were installing stock proof fencing on the branch line between Lisburn and Antrim.
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Client: Martin's Works: Train Stabling Works Location: Coleraine Status: Ongoing
Description We are undertaking drainage and ducting routes in Coleraine Sidings as part of the Train Stabling Project. This project will allow new train carriages purchased by Translink to stable at night.
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THE DARK ARCHES Michael Beckett
Client: Translink Works: Major rail refurbishments Location: Whitehouse Park and Whiteabbey Station Status: Ongoing
Description The Dark Arches project represents a major capital investment by the Department for Infrastructure and is essential to maintain high safety standards and operational performance. This includes approximately 840m of track along the ‘Dark Arches’ to Whiteabbey including track drainage, new cable routes and retaining wall structures and signalling. We're proud of our all our staff involved representing OTT in this major collaborative project!
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Competition Rules Please remember to keep yourself and others around you safe and do not put yourself or your job at risk for the sake of a photo, remember to wear appropriate PPE at all times and ensure good housekeeping is evident on site. Red Zone Never use your mobile phone or other electronic devices within the five-foot. Green Zone From a position of safety (unless safeguarded T3 possession). Red and Green Zone Consider your own and others' safety at all times. Jordan Williams Permission granted by TSC. Remember-your safety, roles, and responsibilities come first. To enter the competition, please send your photos to Ryan Irwin via WhatsApp, 07725116392 or Sarah McVeigh on 07388923570.
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SPONSORED ATHLETES KURT WALKER OTT are immensely proud of Kurt Walker on making it to the Tokyo Olympics! Kurt narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal in his quarterfinal against American Duke Ragan, losing out by a 3-2 split decision. Kurt has made a name for himself in the boxing world after beating the former world champion and showing that he can perform at the highest level, and we can’t wait to see what’s next in his career!
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SPONSORED ATHLETES JODIE MCKEW Sponsored Taekwondo athlete Jodie McKew has been progressing well with Team GB in Manchester. Jodie was selected out of a rigorous selection process to train full time on the GB World Class Performance Programme. We caught up with Jodie to find out how she's getting on.
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Special Mentions
Thank you Dan Haggerty for sharing these photos of your beautiful daughter, Arabella-Rose. Arabella-Rose was born in October 2020 after losing her older sister Mila-Rose shortly after she was born in April 2018. "After every storm, comes a rainbow and our Arabella is the brightest rainbow you will see" On Track Technicians
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SEPTEMBER 2020, ISSUE 1
THE VOICE
Charity and Partnerships On Saturday the 28th of August, Rodney Bishop will be hiking up the Mourne Mountains in aid of local charity, Salute. Emerge will also be accepting donations on the day. The Plan Everyone will meet at Meelmore Lodge at 10am. The plan is to proceed from the Hare Gap along Brandy Pad then submitting at either Commedagh, Donard, or both (weather permitting). We plan to have refreshments and and bit of a get together that night on returning home (venue to be confirmed). Anyone who is interested in joining Rodney to support his charity please get in touch on 07923618800.
On Track Technicians
COPYRIGHT PORTAL TECH 2023
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Events The first of OTT's Annual Charity Golf Day was a huge success! The event took place at Edenmore Golf & Country Club on Friday 6th August in aid of Lisburn mental health charity, Emerge Counselling Services. We are so grateful to all of the local businesses and individuals who sponsored the event, donated a prize, donated funds and helped out on the day! OTT would like to extend a huge thank you and well done to Graeme Beck for organising this fantastic event! Thank you Graeme for all of your hard work, determination and spirit. Without you, this event would not have been possible! We are already looking forward to next year! Stay tuned for next month's newsletter which will feature more photos and the final amount raised.
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Emerge counselling services have partnered with Cut & Grind Hair Salon in Lisburn to offer free haircuts to all men! All you have to do is download the Booksy App and choose Cut & Grind Lisburn.
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Emerge counselling services offer free, confidential support to anyone facing mental health issues, bereavement, addiction, trauma or to anyone who needs a listening ear. Emerge have shared the following video of a bereaved client.
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Have you heard of the Railway Benefit Fund? Have you recently been off sick because of COVID-19? If so, the Railway Benefit Fund could help!
KEITH HAMILTON MEMORIAL DAY Jonathan McClelland has organised a memorial day in memory of Keith Hamilton. This will take place on Sunday the 29th of August at Hammer Sports Complex, Agnes Steet from 12.30pm. There will be football, a bouncy castle for the kids, and refreshments! Everyone is welcome! On Track Technicians
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THANK YOU FOR READING THIS MONTH'S DIGITAL NEWSLETTER If you would like to share some news or feature in the newsetter please get in touch with Sarah. Sarah.McVeigh@ontracktechnicians.com 07388923570
YOUR FEATURED PHOTOS Michael Griffiths
Ryan McGerr
On Track Technicians
Craig Loughlins
Michael Griffiths
Jordan Fleming
Matthew McClements
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