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The Shield

THE PAPER for rail people in the southern region

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Issue 04, october 2015

Elevated risk THE HAZARDS of working with elevated platforms was highlighted when a railway construction worker was seriously injured after being pinned against a beam.

But the injuries might have been much worse were it not for the presence of a secondary guarding device, which was activated on impact and cut the power from the Mobile Elevated Working Plat-

form (MEWP) in the incident at Old Oak Common.

August’s front lead story in The Shield focused on one of the ways contractors were taking steps to reduce the risk of colleagues being crushed against infrastructure. Sanctuary Zone, a steel structure that fits on to, and projects above, the working platform to give extra protection, is being used on a roof replacement project at

Effingham Junction in Surrey.

Between 2003 and 2009, six workers were killed while using cherry pickers. Several more suffered serious head injuries after striking part of the structure being worked on.

In the Old Oak Common incident, a steel erector was crushed between a circular hollow section beam of a building and the MEWP controls, while

the machine was being operated with the basket at height. Work was stopped and the area made safe.

The worker, who was employed on the Crossrail project, sustained a punctured lung, two broken ribs and a broken wrist as a result.

Top tips for working with MEWPs page 6 >>

Safety in focus THE TEAM at Lea Bridge is doing its level best to ensure the re-opening of the station is delivered safely.

Full story on page 4-5 >>

AC/DC AVOID THE SHOCKING CONSEQUENCES PAGE 3

“Construction can be very stressful” ON-SITE HEALTH CHECKS PAGE 7

Skill school –Email academy open for business – page 2 Any stories? theworks@networkrail.co.uk

Seen and not hurt A CLOSER LOOK AT HI-VIS PAGE 6

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The SHIELD Issue 04, OCtOBER 2015

n o s r e P t s r Fi

WELCOME to this issue of The Shield.

The Southern Shield community is formed on the back of a common commitment to making sure our people return home safe every day. For me, it is about driving a cultural shift from what’s been acceptable in the past and moving to a culture of zero

Shaun Cooper, Managing Director, Siemens Rail Electrification

harm. In essence, I believe that our systems, plus our people combined with the right cultural behaviours, leads to zero harm – and to us all returning home safe every day.

However, if we are going to continue to innovate, safely deliver our projects and deliver even more value to our customers, we need to widen our range of thinking and change.

Our industry is going to be short of good quality people over the next five

years. We must do more to retain and recruit the best people, who will readily embrace the cultural shift to zero harm.

We can help create an inclusive workforce by retaining and recruiting people from different racial, educational and social backgrounds; respecting individual differences and valuing the contribution that everyone can make. An inclusive community, where everyone feels valued, is an absolute necessity, not an option.

Look smart, work safe

Skill school

A NEW range of PPE designed to provide a better, safer and more comfortable fit for women working on the railway is being developed.

Until now, female colleagues have often had to wear clothing originally designed for men, as some existing women’s PPE is considered uncomfortable and could pose a potential risk while working on site.

BAM Nuttall has recently teamed up with supplier OnSite Support to produce an improvedfitting range of high-visibility jackets, t-shirts and trousers for women, as well as smaller safety boots and gloves to improve comfort and safety.

Colleagues have already trialled the new garments and have provided feedback on the design, practicality and sizing.

Quantity Surveyor Toni Taylor from BAM Nuttall (pictured wearing prototype hi-vis, which

A NEW skills academy to help develop careers of young people on the railway has opened this month.

VolkerFitzpatrick has launched the Anglia Rail Skils Academy, which will see up to 30 apprentices employed and 60 work placement opportunities created at various sites across the rail network in Anglia, and north and east London.

The programme will also feature numerous opportunities for current staff to improve their health and safety knowledge, as well as leadership skills, management techniques and environmental understanding. It will be supported by National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) accreditation.

The academy has also been awarded Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) National Skills Academy for Construction status.

Andy Gardner, VolkerFitzpatrick’s Project Director, said: “Bringing new workers with the appropriate skills into the industry has never been more important.

“VolkerFitzpatrick has a long history of developing the skills young people need to further their careers, as well as the industry knowledge needed to deliver quality work to our clients. We are delighted to be able to continue this tradition through the Anglia Rail Skils Academy.”

The Shield This paper is produced for:

will also be available in orange) said: “We are still in the testing stages with the products; however they will soon be ready for manufacture.

“The percentage of women performing sitebased roles in the industry is growing, therefore the need for comfortable, practical and safe clothing is important. Women’s body shapes differ from men’s – one size does not fit all, therefore it is necessary to have a range of PPE which fits appropriately, is comfortable, practical and safe to wear.

“BAM Nuttall together with Onsite Support is leading the campaign to improve the fit of women’s PPE already available on the market.

Hopefully these improvements will mark the end of women having to roll up trouser legs or wear multi-layered clothing to make PPE fit. We intend for this to be the start of a new era for women’s PPE.”

Gabriella’s logo is safer by design THIS IS the new logo for Southern Shield, as created by 10-year-old Gabriella Nichols.

Gabriella won a competition earlier this year to create a suitable emblem for the collaborative forum between IP Southern (Network Rail) and the supply chain.

The competition was open to everyone who works within Southern Shield including their children and families.

After a number of imaginative designs were received, members of the Safety Leadership Team got together and chose a winning design.

They felt Gabriella’s family orientated design symbolised the responsibility for all to ensure that our colleagues all go home safe every day.

As well as seeing her design brought to life and used on Southern Shield documents, Gabriella won an iPad for her efforts.

The Southern Shield Charter, page 8

concrete action

Written and designed by:

www.beetroot.co.uk

THE VALUE of being alert during a routine check was demonstrated when something caught the eye of foreman Wayne Edmeades.

Wayne and a colleague from BAM Nuttall were carrying out a routine end-of-shift check at East Croydon station, where the company is carrying out platform canopy works.

Wayne said: “We had walked the length of the site ready for hand-back after the possession and were about to finish when we noticed that a concrete troughing lid had flipped over.

These are a metre-long and pretty heavy. It was lying next to the third rail and could well have ripped the shoe off a passing train or been thrown up and shattered a window, possibly causing a serious accident.”

The pair immediately raised the issue so that the concrete could be retrieved and the line made safe. They also ensured pictures were taken to document the incident so that the cause could be investigated and lessons learned.

As well as the satisfaction of having prevented a serious accident, Wayne was commended for his actions by Network Rail.

Wayne added: “It wasn’t even something which was on part of our site but it shows why these checks are necessary. It’s important for everyone to be aware of anything which could be a risk where they are working or nearby and shows the value of looking beyond your immediate area.”

Education key to improved security UNSECURED railway construction sites are death traps for children and targets for thieves.

That’s why engagement and education with the local community is part of improving security, not just good fences and locks.

Two tragic accidents this summer, where a sixyear-old fell down a vertical pipe on a site and where a teenager died on a railway after climbing under a fence, have made the issue of security headline news.

Keith Paton, Costain’s Security and Community Relations Manager, for the South Eastern Multifunctional Framework, said: “The problem is never going to go away but we have got to do our best to prevent accidents, and engagement with the local community and education is the key way to do this.

When sites engage with nearby schools and other groups they are at less risk than those who don’t.

“The threat of poor security is when people say they are opening a site at a station in 48 hours without preparing adequately enough; looking in detail, for example, at the points of access, how CCTV cameras are positioned and how secure fences and perimeters are. If you prepare properly and get your foundations right, you are more likely to have a solid site.”

All sites across Network Rail can benefit from CCTV monitoring from a central station using the latest digital technology, linked to a public address system.

“If they see a suspected intruder, they can use the system and shout a warning directly to any intruder,” Keith explained.

Do you have a story to share? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk

Issue 04, OCtOBER 2015 The SHIELD 3

SHOCKING CONSEQUENCES (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

BASINGSTOKE An operative received an electric shock and burns when the street lighting column he was fitting touched a live overhead power line.

The overhead line did not trip and a foreman who used a length of timber to free him from the live column also received an electric shock

STAY SAFE – FOLLOW THE LIFESAVING RULES:

VICTORIA Two people received shocks while working over live 650 volt DC cables located on a cable tray. It is believed that one of them stepped on to the tray to dress the cables.

This forced one of the cables down on to a clip stud, which pierced the cable insulation causing it to short circuit, earth and flash

MOST OF us are wary when we are working close to high voltage electricity – we know its common sense that it’s dangerous. So why do we continue to suffer injuries? Incidents like the real-life examples detailed above show that whether it’s working with cables, at substations or on the track, electricity can cause serious harm.

It is why knowing what’s safe and what’s not, and always following the Lifesaving Rules can make sure you get Home Safe Every Day. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Which is the most dangerous? HV cable, carrying between 11,000 and 33,000 volts (though usually 25,000 for overheads) or DC cable/third rail carrying 750 volts?

Some might assume that the lower voltage of the latter would mean less vigilance is required when working nearby, but as Owen Marsh from HVMS explains, this couldn’t be more wrong.

“When we talk about AC voltages, we are really talking about the power distribution network, evident in two common forms; overhead lines and protected cable routes,” he says.

Never assume equipment is isolated – always test before touch

Always test before applying earths or straps

WANDSWORTH Prior to the isolation of the DC cables to carry out works at Point Pleasant Substation an electrical contractor received a shock when his hand came into contact with a cleat rod that had penetrated the live DC cable

“In both cases these routes are clearly marked at regular intervals as high voltage. Signage also frequently makes reference to danger of death, and naturally there are very clear processes for identifying, working in close proximity to and switching out or isolating these cables.

“When we talk about DC voltages, we are usually referring to the 750 volt system that provides traction power to the trains, usually via a conductor rail, supplied by cables often mounted on walls inside substations and seen running along the railway infrastructure. These are rarely marked as high voltage. But to assume that means less caution is needed is wrong.

UNPLEASANT REALITY “Although the DC system is connected to breakers which are designed to trip in the instance of a fault, they are typically rated to around 10,000 amps so would be unlikely to

trip if, for instance, a cable sheath was damaged, especially if you are in its path.

“The AC system has differential protection which basically means if there is a fault the system trips straight away. The physical consequences to an AC electrical exposure are more likely to be defined by an entry and exit point wound as the current finds a path to earth.

“But if you are in the path of a DC cable fault you have the potential to become a conductor and the current would flow through your body. The unpleasant reality is that unlike AC, which would more commonly react with a flash, throwing you from the point of fault, the DC current would initially flash but would not throw you clear.

“The DC current will not exit your body; it will travel through for as long as you are in contact with the conductor. In the worst case this could effectively cook your internal organs to the point of failure as your body overheats.”

STOP this is unsafe – page 6

LATCHMERE JUNCTION The engineering supervisor called the strapman requesting that he move the earthing straps further into the possession, to a point past an insulated block joint, as a track circuit was down. Subsequently, the strapman called the engineering supervisor stating he had been burned and needed an ambulance

CRAYFORD In the track paralleling hut at Crayford Substation, a colleague received burns to his left hand because the tape measure that he was using came into contact with the live bus-bar. It had been assumed that the panel was isolated

BEFORE WORK EVEN BEGINS, MAKE SURE YOU ARE SAFE TO START: Always use equipment that is fit for its intended purpose

Never undertake any job unless you have been trained and assessed as competent

Always be sure the required plans and permits are in place, before you start a job or go on or near the line

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The SHIELD Issue 04, OCtOBER 2015

ON SITE

Safe-Lea does it

Lea Bridge station will be re-opening in 2016 after being closed for 30 years

STUART BATEMAN MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEER “I helped to set up the site. That includes our portable offices and welfare facilities, dealing with the electrics, laying the waste pipes, putting a storage tank underground, even installing the whiteboards that are used to update our onsite progress. Anything they ask me to do operationally I’m here to sort it out.”

Most important piece of safety kit: “Boots. You have to wear them every day and you are in them for the longest so they have to be comfy.”

A MAJOR refurbishment programme is underway at Lea Bridge Station, opening up a vital link between north-east London and Stratford.

It’s an £11.6m project which will bring Lea Bridge back into use for the first time in 30 years and will be the centrepiece of wider regeneration plans developed by Waltham Forest Borough Council.

Re-launched as Leyton Village it is anticipated that these improved public transport links will encourage new housing, employment and business investment to this part of East London.

However effectively building a new station over the site of an old, abandoned facility brings

SEYBOU ASSOUMANE SECURITY GUARD “My duties are protecting people on the premises and knowing who is going on and off site. I have to direct our visitors and deliveries to the right places and tell them about the main health and safety issues and what to in the event of a fire.”

Most important piece of safety kit: “Wearing the waterproof high-visibility jacket and trousers when the weather conditions are bad.”

with it some major engineering and safety challenges.

The works, including the demolition of the existing stairs between the railway and road bridge, are planned for weekends or week-nights to allow existing freight and passenger rail services to continue, as well as reducing risk to the public and on site teams.

“For our colleagues, it is a tricky business because of the potential for falling bits of brickwork,” said Matt Wilson, Project Manager for contractor VolkerFitzpatrick.

“The second challenge is that we couldn’t demolish over a live railway, and because you are working close to the road bridge you can only attack it from one side and not from the road.

“It was a case of dealing with the demolition works in possessions, creating large exclusion zones, so that people wouldn’t go into or under any areas that might be affected by falling masonry.

“It is also about ensuring that the large excavators doing the actual rail demolition work don’t interfere with the existing bridge.”

Installing the undertrack drainage crossings, (digging large holes under the tracks), had to be executed in a short period of time, to avoid delaying timetabled passenger services. Trench sheets have also been used to prevent any partially completed excavations collapsing.

“In an effort to de-risk our lineside activities and maximise the amount of time that we have

to safely work on the track, shutting this section of the network is the most effective way to do the work.”

The team of between 10 and 20 operatives have also been challenged with relocating the existing signal to extend the old six-car platforms to suit eight-car stock.

“It’s been a good and challenging project. It has been all about planning ahead and carrying out the works so as to not disrupt the operational railway. Working collaboratively alongside Network Rail has also allowed us to maintain a constant dialogue with the local council and coordinate our works around the road bridge.

“It will be an impressive station when it’s finished,” Matt added.

Always comply with the Lifesaving Rules

Issue 04, OCtOBER 2015 The SHIELD 5

Health check Don’t sleep walk into danger

GENTIN KECI FOREMAN/ SUPERVISOR “I work for sub-contractor Galldris Construction and supervise a team of six people. We are currently working on drainage and two lift shafts. Next we will be working on the platform lighting columns and speaker system.”

Most important piece of safety kit: “Glasses. They protect you a lot.”

SIMON HARRIS SUB-AGENT “I’m in charge of short-term planning on the site. I plan the works within a twoweek timeframe, all the materials, paperwork, organise the labour and oversee the works. We recently installed new signal bases and are now working on two lift shafts with more drainage and platform works taking place over the next few weeks.

The level of pre-planning that goes into these jobs is quite immense.”

Most important piece of safety kit: “On the railway it’s always boots.”

HARVEY SANGHER TRAINEE ENGINEER “My role involves quite a bit of setting out. I monitor the site diaries, check what’s happening and record our progress on site, also I see if there has been any movement between the tracks. The subcontractor has recently been installing the new station drainage routes so I check how many pipes they have used and the progress since the day before to update our database.”

Most important piece of safety kit: “Boots. The ground on a construction site is never even so strong boots are essential to keeping you stable wherever you are working.”

and stop work if it cannot be done safely

TIREDNESS KILLS and, as the nights draw in, the number one thing everyone needs to be aware of is fatigue.

And you need to speak up if it is affecting you.

Fatigue leads to operator errors and is the root cause of major accidents at work, according to research from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

It recommends sites should focus on controlling excessive working hours, especially for staff involved in major hazard work.

The HSE found accidents are more likely to occur in the last three hours of a shift – with an increase in injuries in the afternoon and even more at risk in the evenings.

Sixty two per cent of shift-workers complained of sleep problems compared with 20 per cent of day-workers.

But Simon Tong, scientist from the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory said changing shift patterns were just part of an overall strategy in battling fatigue. Other factors included dealing with vibration from heavy equipment, the work environment (for example, in terms of its lighting, temperature), an individual’s diet, health and fitness, and their home life.

“There is no single solution to fatigue,” he said.

“Shift patterns are just one of the many risk factors to consider.

“On a very simple level you might want to monitor how much sleep you are getting in between your shifts. You might also want to think about how much time is spent travelling to and from a shift, as that is often a hidden element in terms of fatigue risk. Someone might have, for example, a 10-hour shift but have a two-hour drive each side of it – knowing these kinds of factors can also help colleagues and their managers know how to better plan shifts.

“Our body clock can also be sensitive to the upcoming seasonal change, with the later dawn and earlier night affecting our natural rhythms. This can mean that the cues provided by the changes in lighting, which can trigger the different cycles in our body clock, can increase the biological pressure to sleep.

“Humans need to sleep - you shouldn’t push yourself when you are feeling fatigued. Staff need to speak out when they feel too tired to continue a task, and they should feel confident that their managers will be supportive.”

WHAT CAN CAUSE FATIGUE? • Loss of sleep – having five hours of sleep instead of the usual eight, poor quality sleep, lots of interruptions. As a general rule of thumb, the total amount of sleep obtained during the previous 48 hours ‘buys’ the equivalent time in hours of wakefulness (so someone who had six hours sleep each night for the last two nights will probably be able to remain awake for up to 12 hours on waking).

• Having to work at a low point in the day, for example – early hours of the morning, mid to late afternoon and after a meal.

• Long working hours, especially 14 to 16 hours.

• Poorly-designed shift work.

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The SHIELD Issue 04, OCtOBER 2015

SEEN AND NOT HURT

IT’S THE most visible piece of PPE – and for good reason. Bright orange hi-vis jackets and trousers have been standard on the railway for some time and help ensure workers are easily spotted from distance in all weather. Reflective strips make the clothing even more visible under lights at night and as well as being designed for safety, advances in fabric technology have enabled colleagues’ comfort to be taken into consideration (see article on page 2).

DID YOU KNOW?

TOP TEN TIPS: Working with MEWPs

High visibility upper body clothing with reflective tape must comply with the British Standard BS EN 471:2003 Class 2 (Class 1 for lower body clothing), and with Railway Group Standard GO/RT3279.

kIT IN

CLOSE-UP

What you wear – and how you wear it – can be the difference between a job well done and a serious injury. In each issue we’ll focus on one piece of PPE and reveal some of the science behind the safety

Back to the bridge

Following an incident where a worker suffered serious injuries, contractors issued a reminder of how to stay safe when using a mobile elevated working platform (MEWP)

1

FIT FOR PURPOSE – Ensure any MEWP selected is capable of satisfying the site requirement – IPAF’s (International Powered Access federation) ‘MEWPs for Managers’ course offers recognised training in this area.

2 3

GUARDED – Ensure secondary guarding systems are fitted (eg Sky Siren, Sanctuary Zone).

COMPETENCE – Ensure operators are competent, eg to IPAF’s Powered Access Licence Category 3b standards.

4

FAMILIARITY – Ensure competent operators are familiar with the controls of make/model of MEWP supplied.

5

TRAINING – Ensure that nominated individuals are trained and familiar with emergency lowering requirements.

6

MORE TRAINING – Consider, for more complex structures or locations, that operators be trained to the higher IPAF PAL+ standards.

GLASS ACTS IN EACH issue of The Shield we handover a pair of Bollé safety glasses to colleagues who have made an outstanding contribution to safety where they work.

Senior Works Manager Graham Ryan was presented with a pair of glasses by Structures Manager Mark Taylor for making a big difference to colleagues’ safety.

Graham and fellow Senior Works Manager Clive May, who was also praised, are coaches for VolkerFitzpat-

rick’s Incident and Injury Free (IIF) programme.

Together they have raised awareness of the company’s PALS approach to safe working (P – plan before we start work, A – attitude; have the right one, L – lead by example and S – share to help others get it right).

This has not only raised the awareness of behavioural change with VolkerFitzpatrick colleagues but with supply chain and Network Rail colleagues.

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RISK ASSESS – Ensure that dynamic risk assessment has and will continue to be undertaken, notably by those persons operating the MEWP.

8

HARNESS – Ensure the competent operator is wearing a full body harness and is appropriately secured by lanyard to designated anchor points only within the basket.

9

EXCLUSION – Ensure that appropriate plant and pedestrian exclusions zones are set up around the operating envelope of the MEWP.

10

INSTRUCTIONS – Ensure that the MEWP is operated only in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Has your colleague made an outstanding contribution to safety? If so get in touch… shield@networkrail.co.uk

This is unsafe If it’s not safe, we shouldn’t work. Here’s another example of a job which was suspended (and then restarted) following safety concerns BAM Nuttall had an issue regarding colleagues constantly bending over to tie re-bar mats.

The company was concerned that their employees could suffer from long or short-term back problems or aggravate an existing back problem, something that is quite common in the industry.

Looking to address this, a BAM Nuttall construction manager found equipment that could be used to tie re-bar mats without bending over or kneeling down, therefore alleviating the risk of back injury.

The machines were ordered and when delivered, teams stopped work and they were re-briefed on the how to use them. The result has been an increase in productivity without any back injuries.

WORK IS set to begin on the next phase of repairs to Hungerford Bridge, one of the oldest and bestknown Thames rail crossings.

A number of innovative approaches to delivering the work safely in challenging circumstances, including the use of suspended working platforms, has already earned praise for contractor Costain; the project was highly commended in the 2015 Network Rail Partnership Awards.

The safe system of work solution developed with industry experts, allows work to be undertaken over the busy river, on a difficult-to-access site while minimising the impact on users and reducing risk.

Network Rail’s Roger Dickinson said: “Not only are we working in a challenging environment, under a railway bridge over water (with a high level of shipping below), but this project is an excellent example of collaborative working.”

Commitment to safety – the Southern Shield charter – page 8

Issue 04, OCtOBER 2015 The SHIELD 7

Well, well, well

ON SITE

On-site checks keep colleagues health conscious FOR colleagues working on tough projects, in difficult conditions across the railway, staying healthy and fit for work is an important factor in getting home safe every day.

That’s where the work of occupational health experts like Neil Gob can prove vital.

Neil, a former A&E nurse who now works for Costain, makes regular visits to worksites to carry out health checks and talk about healthy living issues with colleagues.

Neil said: “I try to go out and do these mini health checks once a week. It’s just the basics – blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol, blood sugar and a body mass index (BMI) check, but it means that these guys get to know their numbers.

“Working in shifts and sometimes at unusual hours means they don’t always find it easy to go to the GP, so having checks like this can keep them in the picture and give them a warning of anything which might be a more serious issue like diabetes or coronary heart disease.

“Construction can be very stressful and people don’t always eat as healthily as they should. Of

WIN

course, there’s nothing wrong with a full English breakfast as long as you are aware of what’s good for you and make the right choices!”

The Shield pictured Neil in action during a recent visit to a worksite in Slade Green, Kent. On that occasion everyone appeared to be in reasonable shape. But that’s not always the case.

Neil said: “Once when I worked on a project in Hammersmith somebody came along complaining of pins and needles in their arm. I was worried it might be serious, so I suggested he should go A&E. He had an x-ray and it proved to be a blood clot – but he was able to have treatment and catch it early. That shows the importance of tests like this.”

As well as his on-site visits, Neil also runs more thorough “safety-critical” health checks at Costain’s offices in Tonbridge, including hearing and vision tests and checks for symptoms of conditions like hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).

He added: “It’s important to show colleagues that we value their health and general wellbeing as well as safety on site.”

festive fun for the family

London’s spectacular Christmas destination Hyde Park Winter Wonderland returns from 20 November for six weeks of winter cheer.

There will be even more entertainment than before and you could be there too.

The Shield has TWO family tickets to the event, which include entry to the spectacular Magical Ice Kingdom – a breathtaking snow and ice experience, a skate around the UK’s largest outdoor Ice Rink, a ride on the iconic Giant Observation Wheel finished off with a spectacular show from Zippos Circus in the Big Top. For more details visit: www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com To be in with a chance of winning one of the family tickets send your answers to the questions (right) to shield@networkrail.co.uk, including your name, job title, company 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. Two winners will be drawn from correct entries. Closing date is 2 November 2015.

Q1: Which East London station, closed for 30 years, is set to reopen next year?

Q2: In health and wellbeing what do the initials BMI normally stand for?

T&Cs Family tickets are each for two adults and two children. Tickets must be used between 20 Nov 2015 and 3 Jan 2016 (closed on Christmas Day)Tickets are subject to availability and cannot be exchanged Session times must be stipulated for Ice Skating and Zippos Circus.

Do you have a story to share? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk

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The SHIELD Issue 04, OCtOBER 2015

The Southern Shield Charter includes the following initiatives, agreed by the Southern Shield Steering Group, to be implemented across the Southern Region:

EYE PROTECTION Appropriate eye protection must be worn while working on the Southern Region infrastructure.

Where eye protection is deemed unnecessary a risk assessment has to be documented and available to view

DC Isolations (Strapping) All isolation strapping activities carried out by contractors working in the Southern Region will be undertaken in compliance with the Southern Shield Isolation Strapping Protocol (where the contractor is the lead for the worksite)

SAFE BY DESIGN Annotation of design drawings to show significant risks including Lifesaving Rules. All designers must use an aide memoire for risk assessing the design

FLEET OPERATORS REGISTRATION SCHEME (FORS) Principal contractors and supply chain - FORS to be applied inside and outside of London, with a view to attaining Bronze level by end of April 2016, Silver by end of April 2017 and Gold by end of 2018. All new suppliers to be FORS registered

TRACK ACCESS AND ISOLATION PROTOCOL All trackside activities carried out by contractors working in the Southern Region will be undertaken in compliance with the Southern Shield Track Access and Isolation Protocol

Safety in Substations All activities carried out by contractors in or around DC traction locations in the Southern Region will be undertaken following the Southern Shield Safety in Substations Matrix

REVERSE PARKING Reverse parking is to be undertaken on all worksites and offices.

Principles of ‘First Move Forward’ to be adopted across the Southern Region

AIR FUSES Air fuses are to be a first choice means of protection on all pneumatic systems in use on sites within the Southern Region. Where not reasonably practical, use of whip checks is also acceptable

Working at Height Methods for working at height will be selected according to a hierarchy of methods, with preference being given to the lowest risk method. Use of higher risk methods will require sign off by senior staff. Some methods are agreed to be banned altogether, such as use of stilts

LEARNING AND COMMUNICATION Principal contractors will issue a safety alert within their organisation when significant accidents or incidents occur.

This alert will be cascaded by the IP Southern Communications Team to the supply chain

GLOVES EN388 Cut Index 5 gloves to be issued to all site teams to improve cut resistance for general purpose gloves. This does not remove the requirement to risk assess appropriate PPE for specific tasks that require a more specialist glove

NON-TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES All contractors will ensure leadership and communication competencies of safety critical staff through one-to-one assessments.

DOOR CLOSERS All new welfare facilities to be fitted with door closers on all external doors. All current welfare facilities to have door closers fitted retrospectively

N R S E H H I T E U L D O S C H A RT E R SOUTHERN SHIELD was set up in response to a fatality at Saxilby in 2012 when Scott Dobson was killed in a collision with an oncoming train.

This tragedy made us recognise that it was not acceptable to continue to injure people at work and that we all had a right to go home safe every day.

Southern Shield is a collaborative forum between IP Southern (Network

Rail) and the supply chain and it aims to establish a safety culture that does not tolerate any worker injury.

As part of this initiative, the Safety Leadership Team was established to change our attitudes and behaviours about safety. The team consists of the most senior members of IP Southern and its key suppliers.

A Southern Shield Steering Group

was also established and they are responsible for agreeing and taking forward new safety initiatives through a number of working groups. Current initiatives include: working at height, fatigue, safe access, DC isolation, workforce protection systems and wellbeing. Agreed initiatives are added to the Charter and then implemented on all Southern Region sites.