The Shield
THE PAPER for rail people in the southern region
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Issue 06, FEBRUARY 2016
THE DARK NIGHT RISERS Working around the clock on refurbishments DESPITE cold weather, rain and dark nights, staff worked tirelessly to refurbish two viaducts during a 10-day blockade. Starting late Christmas Eve, work began on both the 19th century River Avon and River Stour viaducts. The works included the remov-
Close Calls JUST HOW IMPORTANT ARE THEY? PAGE 3
al of the existing timber longitudinal rail bearers and the installation of new steel rail bearers. “The new rails are fastened directly to the beams using a Pandrol VIPA plate... Continued on page 3 >>
“We are one team” BACK-TO-WORK BRIEFINGS PAGE 7
Know Your Numbers assessment – page 5
Been there, done rat BARRY ON ELECTRICAL SAFETY PAGE 8
2 The SHIELD Issue 06, february 2016
First Person WELCOME to this issue of The Shield. I’m sure you are all glad that we are starting to leave the darkness of winter behind us and it is now a little bit lighter in the mornings and evenings. However, we all need to be aware that this time of year is traditionally when we experience the most accidents for a whole host of reasons. So please stay vigilant and keep looking out for one another, so that everyone goes home safely. For my part, I recognise that the working environment you are exposed to is a hazardous one and, as an industry, we still have a long way to go to make all the improvements we need. We need to invest more in tidying
Shane O’Halloran, Managing Director, BCM Construction
up the railway, in providing safer walking routes, in better training and education, we need to challenge what is accepted as normal and embrace innovative new products and methods of working. I do believe Southern Shield is making a difference and we are starting to see real evidence of this. Since we mandated the use of Cut 5 gloves, hand injuries have reduced significantly. The new DC cable cleat featured in this edition will help to prevent electric shock and the serious burn injuries we saw at Point Pleasant and Victoria (see below). Personally I feel privileged to be part of this, and I have made my own commitment to your
Not so safe by design Damaged PPE following an incident
safety. I will make a difference by making tangible/physical improvements to the working environment my teams are exposed to. In doing this, I will demonstrate my commitment to everyone going home safe every day and I will be able to set a realistic expectation of eliminating workforce injuries. I challenge you all to hold me to account on this. There is always further work to do, but we are steadily making the improvements we need to make. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Thank you to everyone striving to make our working environments as safe as they can be and keep up the excellent work.
The Shield
The old cleat design
This paper is produced for: The new cleat design
Take a break from work
Written and designed by:
www.beetroot.co.uk
HOW many of us believe that delivery and train performance takes priority over safety? During possessions, is the focus on getting the job done as quickly as possible to hand back the railway on time? Does this lead to short cuts being taken and safety being compromised? As part of the Southern Shield Charter – which is agreed by the Directors of all the companies whose logos are shown on this page – everyone in the Southern Region is empowered to call a five minute time out at any time. This gives you and your team an opportunity to take a step back from the task in hand and review the way you are working. For example: Is the task being done correctly and safely? Is the working environment clear of hazards? Do you have the right tools, competencies and plans and permits? How can you and your team improve the way you are working? So, take a Time Out Take Five so that you and your team get home safe every day.
WHAT COLLEAUGES SAID ABOUT TIME OUT TAKE FIVE
Fully Fully embraced embraced by by all all the the safety safety critical critical staff staff at the off-site briefing at the off-site briefing
Our supervisors said it was a great way to re brief, identify and communicate opportunities
It was a chance to be heard as “we often have the answers but don’t always feel we are listened to”
Four improvements were suggested and will be submitted as a result of this already
SOUTHERN SHIELD CHARTER Prior to any works, the opportunity to have Time Out Take Fives will be briefed and suitable time allowed for them. A Time Out Take Five is a pause in the work to allow the team to reassess the working environment and any risks or hazards that are present. They can be called by anyone and always take place at the point of work.
A NEW cleat design is to hit worksites following two incidents that caused injury and could have resulted in the death of workers on site. Both incidents, one at Point Pleasant in 2014 and the other at Victoria last year, involved traditional cable cleats that use steel studding for the fixing of cables. Although the current cleat is safe when used appropriately, the new design does not include studding for fixing DC traction cables, and studding doesn’t need to be cut. The clamping and stacking of cables doesn’t need tools to install either. The tooling machines that make the new cleats have already been installed and tested. It is thought that the cleats will be available for purchase with a PADS number by the end of February. “We have had far too many examples of positive DC cables being damaged due to being poorly protected or badly installed,” said Project Engineering Manager Dave Barnes. “These faults will only be cleared when the electric control room operator is contacted to open the circuit breakers to that electrical section. The resulting fault may cause a dangerous arc flash, or make other conductive material live. “It is so important that we treat these cables with far more care than we have done.” This cleat, designed in partnership with ETS Cable Components and ELLIS Patents, eliminates the hazard associated with the traditional cleat in a neat design that should be quicker and safer to install. “The best prevention we have to stop similar incidents is to treat the electrical infrastructure with care and follow the Lifesaving Rules but we should also look for every opportunity where we can eliminate known risks by design,” said Dave. “That is why we require all of our projects to follow the principle of safe by design and look for similar opportunities to design out unnecessary risks.”
What do you think? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk
Issue 06, february 2016 The SHIELD 3
CLOSE CALLS
DISPELLING THE MYThs SO FAR this year we have raised over 7,000 Close Calls in the Southern Region with three periods still to go. This is a fantastic effort so a big thank you to everyone involved. So, why are Close Calls so important? Are they just a numbers game or can they really prevent your colleagues getting injured? Read on and make your own mind up. WHAT IS A CLOSE CALL? The definition of a Close Call is an event that has the potential to cause injury or damage. In other words something where no-one was hurt and nothing was damaged on this occasion, but next time the outcome could be different. SEE IT, FIX IT, REPORT IT • Recognise that something is wrong; that it could it cause harm or damage • Always challenge unsafe behaviour • Fix or quarantine the situation; but only if you can do so safely • Always report it as a Close Call
RAISING A CLOSE CALL – DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? The following is from a colleague reporting an accident:
“Checking the brakes on the rear wagon of this train when I fell over a 30 foot section of track which has been dropped.” Is this just another slip, trip and fall that was easily preventable if the individual had only been looking where he was going? The individual reporting this accident continues: “There are trip hazards all over the yard. There are two sections of track lying there that are trip hazards, vegetation is very bad in the yard, trees and bushes need to be cut down at three or four points coming into the yard. This makes working conditions difficult in daylight hours but at night there is absolutely no lighting and this makes it very dangerous. This is not the first time I have fallen and I am also aware of other staff falling.” If this had been reported as a Close Call to allow for the trip hazard to be removed, this wouldn’t have become an accident.
tHE DARK NIGHT RISERS Continued from page 1 >> ...which makes it an unusual support system,” said Benjamin Leng, Assistant Site Manager, Osborne. In addition, minor steelworks will be carried out as well as the grit-blasting and repainting to the River Stour Viaduct beyond the 10-day blockade.
Here are four more reports of Close Calls...
Bridging the gap prevents serious fall “Before starting a project over a number of bridges, we went to do some survey work of the worksites,” said Mark Taylor from VolkerFitzpatrick.“I saw a significant gap between the boundary wall and one of the bridges. I was very concerned that someone could fall or materials could fall through the gap and hit a member
of the public.IsamAbdu who was tasked to investigate said: “When Mark raised the Close Call, I arranged for the scaffolds to go out onsite. Not only did we close this gap, but we inspected all the bridges and closed those gaps too. It could have caused a serious accident, particularly for people walking through at night.”
Not safe? I’m not working Yogesh Bhatt from Osborne was part of a team that were due to start survey works ahead of a project. After delivering site inductions, he felt the situation wasn’t safe and the COSS was not sufficiently prepared. Yogesh stopped the work and raised a Close
Call. “If you don’t think then what someone is doing is right that you can challenge them,” said Yogesh. “Safety always comes first.”
Safety in numbers According to statistics from the Health and Safety Executive, in workplaces across Britain in 2014/2015…
142 people were killed at work
Did Andrew’s actions save a life? Andrew MacKenzie from Colas raised a Close Call when he noticed an error on an access information sign.“The sign indicated that the train line was only operating in one direction but I knew that in fact it operated in both directions, so I immediately raised a Close Call.There could have been serious consequences,” said Andrew. “If
you think that something is wrong it is so important to question its accuracy, mistakes can be made.”As a result of Andrew’s Close Call the sign has been taken down and replaced. However even more importantly, this error had the potential to kill someone and we will never know if Andrew’s actions saved a life.
Vinyl solution prevents trip hazard Peter Browning from Colas felt it was important to report a slipping hazard, after spotting a vinyl floor that had come away. “We raised the Close Call and secured the floor with strong glue to reduce the tripping hazard, eventually new vinyl will be laid,” said Andrew. “Close Call reporting is a powerful tool and an easy way to report any issue.” We will never know if this stopped someone getting injured.
“We installed scaffolding to the underside of the River Avon viaduct, preventing workers falling into the river, as well as tools or materials, and to the River Stour viaduct where we have encapsulated the entire structure for grit blasting and painting,” said Benjamin. “The River Avon is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection area (SPA) and a designated RAMSAR area (RAMSAR sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the RAMSAR Conven-
THE PAINFUL 93 DAY TRIP In another incident an operative was walking through a corridor at Romford when a floor tile gave way. He twisted his left foot causing a metatarsal fracture of the bone. It was found that a pedestal had been damaged and not replaced correctly which meant that the floor tile was only supported at three corners. No one had reported any damage to pedestals. The individual was off work for 93 days.
tion). The River Avon is particularly popular for fishing, so we have had to be extremely careful to protect the local wildlife. “We even adapted the scaffolding around the River Stour viaduct to allow river users to pass underneath while we are working. “We had lots of potential safety risks including working from heights and the use of rail road vehicles and plant on the track. Due to the number of people on the project, we had to be even
more aware of who was on site, how many there were and what they were doing at any one time,” said Benjamin. “We were quite pleased with the work we had undertaken when we handed the viaducts back, despite the fact we were only able to replace the down line rather than both lines. “There is always this risk with a blockade of this size, but the safety of our staff and members of the public was always at the forefront of our minds.”
STOP this is unsafe – page 6
27.3m days were lost due to work-related ill health or injury
76,054 non-fatal injuries to employees were reported
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How many accidents have you prevented by raising a Close Call?
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The SHIELD Issue 06, FebRUARY 2016
What’s going on overhead
Hard work and expertise means overhead lines were replaced in super-quick time FOR a ten day period over Christmas, Romford Junction was a hive of activity with staff working around the clock to replace the existing overhead lines with a new modern system. The new system replaces the existing termination line equipment, which was fixed and didn’t react well to changes in temperature, meaning there were often speed restrictions in the summer months. “The new auto-tensioned wiring is a modern, component light, high-speed system that will provide a ‘step-change’ in overhead line performance and reliability across the route,” said Chris Mackie, Senior Project Manager, Network Rail.
These works were undertaken within a staggered possession, for the first four days, no train lines were open. During the next three days, two lines were open and on the final three days all the lines were closed. The two biggest risks of this site were working next to operational lines and the electricity from the overhead wires. “Thanks to excellent forward planning by the overhead line section, everyone was clear on their roles, responsibilities and everyone knew what the plan was.The Overhead Line Conditioning Renewals (OCR) team is extremely passionate about safety on the railway,” added Chris. “When the
operational railway was re-opened for three days in the middle of the blockade, they were really proactive in managing that risk with thorough briefings for each new shift, so staff did not become complacent in their work environment and had a clear understanding that the parameters had changed. “As we have a consistent work force, it gave us more scope for long-term safety behaviour change as we don’t have to start from scratch with new staff every week. “Thanks to the guys on site at Romford Junction who worked tirelessly during the Christmas works. Their expertise and diligence ensure everyone went home safe to their families.”
Never assume equipment is isol
Issue 06, february 2016 The SHIELD 5
Health check
going erhead?
Do you know your numbers? EVERY STAFF member across the Southern Region now has the opportunity to have a free Know Your Numbers health assessment. All staff are encouraged to take part in a health check running until March – 518 people have been assessed so far. The assessment lasts for 15 minutes and by the end of it you will know your BMI (body mass index), blood pressure, cholesterol levels, resting heart rate and glucose levels. All results will remain anonymous but you will receive details of your check.
STOP Think! Safety Coach and former Site Manager Mick Reeves has made changes to his lifestyle thanks to a Know Your Numbers assessment. “I did the assessment before Christmas as I wanted to show my colleagues that this is something that we are all doing and it is nothing to be scared of,” said Mick. “I knew that I was overweight already and the assessment reinforced that. I live out of hotels several nights a week and I had become lazy and developed bad habits. “The assessment gave me the kick-start I needed. I have an eight-year-old daughter and I want to set the right example for her by being fit and healthy. “For Christmas, I received a FitBit (a physical activity tracker), a micro-blender, which I am now using to make my own food in hotels, and new training shoes. I already feel so much better for making these small changes.”
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Chris Darlow, Delivery Director, Osborne, also feels that the Know Your Numbers assessment helped him make a change for the better. “I must admit that I was sceptical about the assessment but it gave me the incentive I needed to begin a healthier regime,” said Chris.“Personally, I knew I was overweight but Know Your Numbers has encouraged me to do something about it. “I have joined a gym and even joined Slimming World. By changing my diet a bit and exercising a bit more, I have lost a stone in weight. “The assessment is voluntary but I would urge everyone to give it a go; a few people who have already taken part have been advised to see their GP. It could really make a difference to your health.” Chris has also encouraged his brother to embrace a healthier lifestyle – he has already lost two stone!
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The SHIELD Issue 06, February 2016
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED…
THIS IS UNSAFE IF IT’S not safe, we shouldn’t work. Here are examples of jobs which were suspended following safety concerns. A sub-contractor was clearing vegetation on the crest of a deep cutting. A Network Rail construction manager saw that operatives were working at height further than one metre from the edge of the crest with no edge protection. The operatives were not using any harnesses or restraints. The works were stopped and the Safe System of Work was reviewed.
Short notice
A redundant transformer needed to be removed from a substation. It was planned that it would be carried to a Kirow, lifted on to a lorry on an over bridge. The weight limit on the bridge was known, but there was no recent assessment of the bridge’s capacity. No road closure was booked to support the works and the traffic management that was arranged, didn’t arrive. A Network Rail construction manager realised that it had been planned at short notice after a previous attempt had been cancelled. The works were stopped due to the lack of planning and the safety risk to those working on the site and to the public.
Sentinel Card
At the start of shift, the necessary checks were made to a crane controller’s Sentinel Card. It was found that the crane controller did not have the correct competency to be issued with a conductor rail permit. The crane controller was stood down and another crane controller with the right competency took over the work.
Safe system of work
Work was stopped by an auditor after he found that the COSS on site had only been issued with an electronic copy of a Safe System of Work (SSoW) pack. The SSoW requires the COSS to document how they understood the track layout. The SSoW pack showing the nature of the work, including how the strapping should be carried out, was also left blank. The SSoW planner did not have access to the correct software to produce packs that met the Southern Shield Charter requirements. After stopping the work, the auditor raised a Close Call.
Wet concrete can cause serious burns
TOP TEN TIPS: Working with cement CEMENT-based products, such as concrete or mortar, can cause serious skin problems such as dermatitis and burns. In a recent incident a worker suffered concrete alkali burns after his work clothes were contaminated with concrete slurry. Wet concrete is highly alkaline in nature. A serious burn or ulcer can rapidly develop if it is trapped against the skin and can also cause chemical burns to the eyes. In extreme cases, burns may even need a skin graft or cause amputation of a limb. – Avoid exposure to cement powder by us1 AVOID ing pre-mixed concrete or mortar. WORK METHODS – Use methods, such as long2 handled tools, that increase distance between worker and substance. ROTATE – Ensure cement bags are rotated so 3 they are used before the shelf date as the ingredient added to reduce the risk of dermatitis is only effective for a limited time.
GLOVES – Ensure gloves are waterproof and suit4 able for use with high pH (alkaline) substances and that breakthrough time and permeation rate is suitable for the type and duration of the work. They should also be long and tight fitting at the end to prevent cement becoming trapped between gloves and the skin.
FOOTWEAR – Ensure suitable footwear, such as 5 wellington boots, is used for large concrete pours. They should be high enough to prevent cement entering the top of the boot.
TROUSERS – Ensure waterproof trousers are 6 worn over the top of boots to prevent cement getting in. PADS – Use knee pads or knee boards when 7timeKNEE kneeling on wet products to finish and minimise spent kneeling. WASHING – Ensure that any cement on exposed 8 skin is washed off with warm, soapy water and emergency eyewash should be used immediately to remove any cement that gets into eyes.
SKINCARE PRODUCTS – Use skincare products 9 to help protect the skin. These replace the natural oils that help keep the skin’s protective barrier working properly.
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AWARE – Keep aware of the signs and symptoms of dermatitis, as spotting it early can stop it getting worse. If you suffer symptoms, inflammation or burns then seek medical advice and assistance.
“ONE of the most important things I have learned is that engaging with the local community is very important when working in built up residential areas. In my job communication is key! You need to listen to customer concerns and apply balance with the work taking place and the impact it may have on the community “A resident who lives near our work site on Hackney Road complained to Tower Hamlets council about the noise from the bridge works during night. “The resident contacted me and explained what her problems were. I said that I would speak to our contractors and get back in contact the following day. “I emailed the resident with details of the works taking place near her home along with dates detailing when noisy works were to take place. I also ensured our contractors were re-briefed about responsible working in the community.
John Eriksen “I guaranteed that I would make contact every day over the following two and a half weeks to ensure everything was alright and to check if the noise was at a correct level. I also promised that I would also let her know if there were any changes to the work programme. “A few weeks later I received a letter from the resident. She wrote to thank me for showing concern and for the support I offered. She said that my company was incredibly lucky to have me working for them.” John Eriksen, Interface Manager
New protocol for DC Isolations THE SOUTHERN Shield DC Isolation Protocol became mandatory from 1 February 2016. This means that anyone carrying out third rail isolations on any IP Southern work sites should be fully compliant with the Protocol. The Protocol defines the process for planning isolation activities and for the day or night implementation of activities, alongside the updated competencies required for Strapping Teams. The full DC Isolation Protocol can be found in the Southern Shield Charter. To supplement the new process a DC Isolation Strapping Guide is now available. The guide gives step-by-step instructions on how to safely carry out third rail isolations alongside details of the correct equipment needed for isolation activities.
Plant focus IN A new column for The Shield, we take a look at construction plant that is innovative, efficient and safe. Purchased from a UK dealer, but built in America, Fen Contracts, 1590 Tracked Bandit Chipper is the first of this specification in the UK. It is capable of chipping trees up to 18 inches in diameter, meaning that in theory, a whole tree can be chipped at once. The chipper can process felled material a lot quicker, making it much more productive and efficient compared with normal tracked chippers. “We can now send the wood chip for biomass as renewable energy which is better for the environment and a positive step towards achieving our company’s environmental goals,” said Contracts Manager Jonathan Peachey. “Also if we are presented with material more than 18 inches in diameter, we can use our excavator-mounted cone splitter to break down the timber into a size that it will chip. “The chipper can be fed by an excavator fitted with a rotating grapple or its own built-in winch system.
If you would like a DC Isolation Strapping guide, please contact shield@networkrail.co.uk
“The chipper helps to improve safety on site, as it is can only be fed by the rotating grapple or winch system. It can also be used in conjunction with both of Fen Contracts excavator mounted tree shears ensuring no human contact with the trees. “It also has a hydraulic crushing system fitted to its 25-inch-wide double feed rollers so hydraulic pressure can be added to allow the most awkward of trees to be chipped with ease.”
ed The 1590 Track r Bandit Chippe
Win – Theme park tickets and a hotel break – page 8
Issue 06, February 2016 The SHIELD 7
ON SITE Guiseppe Nicotra – Steel Worker, Taziker Industrial What do you think about the back-to-work safety briefings?: “They are so important and get all of us into the right mindset before we start work.” How about the Lifesaving Rules?: “Having them displayed around the site makes a massive difference, you think about the rules before using each piece of equipment.” Close Call reporting?: “I won a bonus prize for reporting a Close Call. I think that there could be more incentives to encourage people to use them even more.” Biggest safety improvement: “Being encouraged to wear our safety glasses more.”
Melvyn Perrin – Steel Worker, Taziker Industrial What do you think about the safety briefings?: “It is good that we all inspect the sites before we start work and make sure that everyone is on the same page.” How about the Lifesaving Rules?: “An effort has been made on this site to pin them up. There is even one in the toilets! They make a real difference to the workplace.” Close Call reporting?: “I have raised one myself about a piece of broken equipment that could have caused someone injury. A supervisor took steps to make it safe and we received feedback within two days.” Biggest safety improvement: “Myself and other members of the team receiving first aid training.”
Heading back to work
Derek Lord – Supervisor, Taziker Industrial What do you think about the safety briefings?: “I think they are very good. It makes it feel that we are one team, working together.” How about the Lifesaving Rules?: “I helped put them up around site. By looking at them every day, it helps them stick in your head, rather than just being briefed on it once and forgetting about them.” Close Call reporting?: “I think it is a great way it bring up issues that supervisors and managers may not be aware of.” Biggest Safety Improvement: “Daily briefings, we know who exactly is on site and where everyone is.”
Back-to-work briefings remind staff that safety is the top priority
PROJECT BRIEF
COLLEAUGES across the Southern Region came together in a series of back-to-work safety briefings this January. One of these briefings was held at a bridge renewal site at Bethnal Green. Here, more than 50 staff members, from Network Rail, VolkerFitzpatrick and Taziker Industrial came together from the Bethnal Green to King’s Lynn (BGK) sites and the Fenchurch
Street to Barking West Junction (FSS1) sites in central London. Works, include extensive scaffolding, grit-blasting, painting, strengthen repairs and drainage improvements to 10 bridges. Project Manager Mark Taylor said: “This briefing allows us all to get in the right frame of mind to commence work after the Christmas shut-down ensuring the safety of ourselves and
others. Performance does not take priority over safety.” After the briefing, staff inspected all the sites to make sure they were safe before re-commencing work the next day.
Darren Johnson – SaFe Work Leader, VolkerFitzpatrick What do you think about the safety briefings?: “They are always beneficial and it is good to be reminded that safety is the main priority on site.” How about the Lifesaving Rules?: “I finish my COSS briefings with the rules and always question senior members of staff about them when they come to site.” Close Call reporting?: “It is part of my job to check the Close Call boxes to see what has been raised and then fill in the ‘you said we did’ boards to show how we have rectified the issue.” Biggest safety improvement: “We have introduced vented safety glasses to prevent condensation.”
Other briefings around the region
Liam Garrett – Trainee Painter, Taziker Industrial What do you think about the safety briefings?: “It is very helpful and reminds everyone about hazards they may face.” How about the Lifesaving Rules?: “They are all over the place onsite and serve as a really good reminder of the dangers of particular tasks.” Close Call reporting?: “I would use it to report any issue, I know I wouldn’t get into trouble.” Biggest Safety Improvement: “If we have to travel long distances to work, we now have to have two drivers which shortens our driving hours.”
What do you think? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk
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The SHIELD Issue 06, february 2016
RAIL LIVES
Been there, done rat!
There are machines out there now that I wouldn’t have even dreamed of when I first started
How a rodent taught long-serving Barry about electrical safety
Never assume equipment is isolated – always test before touch Barry mansbridge talks about his career
EARLY in his career Barry Mansbridge learned a valuable lesson about electricity from the most unlikely source…a rat! While working as a Maintenance Senior Technician in the early 1980s, Barry was called out to a signalling fault. “A section of power had been lost and we went through it, testing at each location cabinet until we reached the point where the power had gone,” said Barry, who is now a Signalling Design Manager at Mott MacDonald. “Back in the 80s safety awareness was not as high-profile as it is today, I was lifting troughing lids and found a very large, dead rat and it was
obvious it had been chewing on a cable.” What wasn’t obvious was that the rat was still connected to the 650v power supply and when he tried to hook the rat out using a small crowbar, the power transferred through it and into Barry. “It hurt at the time, but I just carried on. It could have been a lot worse, had I touched the cable who knows what could have happened,” said Barry. “The realisation of what might have happened, had things been different, has stayed with me to this day. “Of course, safety awareness has come a long way since I started in the industry.”
GLASS ACTS Nad Campbell awarded his safety glasses by tom Harris and, inset, david christopher with john philbin
IN EACH issue of The Shield we hand over a pair of Bollé safety glasses to colleagues who have made an outstanding contribution to safety where they work. David Christopher, a COSS working for the Wessex region was presented with his pair of safety glasses by Wessex Construction Manager John Philbin. Both gave up their Christmas lunches along with thousands of others across the rail infrastructure to carry out essential work. David said that despite having to work to exact time scales and having various disciplines on site,
he stays alert to the risks involved and feels passionately about getting people home safe every day. While working on a line block at night, Nad Cambell from Costain, saw a member of the public run onto the live tracks. He made an emergency call to the signaller to block the line and contacted the British Transport Police to rescue the individual before he was hurt. Nad has also been commended by Maidstone West station staff for his attention to detail and ensuring safe operation of the station at all times.
Barry began his career back in 1972 as a Maintenance Trainee Technician at Salisbury and apart from a short career break from 1984 to 1990, he has worked in various positions in signalling. He joined Mott MacDonald in his current position early last year. “Electricity has been such a big part of our lives. People are nowadays much more aware of the safety of themselves and others around them,” said Barry. “Most people realise the amount of danger that is commonplace when you work on the railway, especially with electricity, for which there are a number of standards and procedures to protect people. My experience helped me to
input into the Signalling Installation Handbook protective isolation procedure which is still in use today. “I feel it’s very important that staff use their common sense when approaching tasks to ensure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. “People’s needs produce progress and lots of things have changed and developed for the better, working practices have changed tremendously. There are machines out there now that I wouldn’t have even dreamed of when I first started, so it is important for me to keep up to speed with the latest equipment and procedures.”
Win tickets to a theme park and a stay at the Marriott ONE LUCKY winner will receive four day passes to THORPE PARK Resort as well as a two night stay in the nearby Heathrow/Windsor Marriott Hotel for a family of four, which includes breakfast on both mornings and dinner on the first night (up to £25 per person). Due to open in Spring 2016 at THORPE PARK Resort, Derren Brown’s Ghost Train is a one-ofa-kind experience, it is the world’s only fully immersive psychological attraction designed to manipulate the human mind – why not take a ride while you are there? Visit www.thorpepark.com and www.heathrowmarriotthotel.co.uk for more information. How to enter Send your answers to the questions right to shield@networkrail. co.uk, including your name, job title and com-
pany and a daytime contact number. You can also post your entry to: Marsha Gray, Infrastructure Projects Southern, Waterloo General Offices, Waterloo Station, London, SE1 8SW. The winner will be drawn from the correct entries. Closing date is 18 March, 2016. Q1. What is the definition of a Close Call? Q2. Who can call a Time Out Take Five? Congratulations to Nick Moss (BAM Nuttall), Jordan Morrow (Stuart Callaghan Surveyors) and Thomas Glenn (Osborne)who each won a KitSound Cayman Speaker from the competition in the last edition of The Shield. T&Cs: Winner will be chosen from entrants via The Shield. Editor’s decision is final with no cash alternatives
What do you think? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk