The Shield
THE SAFETY NEWSPAPER FOR RAIL PEOPLE
LE AR N AS YO U EA RN
Acc figuresident don’t t alone e full sa ll the fe story ty SEE PAGE 8
ISSUE 29, SEPTEMBER 2020
BACK on site, after COVID-19 temporarily interrupted her workplace apprenticeship, Connie Huntingford is enjoying learning from her experienced colleagues. Having joined BAM Nuttall in September 2019, Connie is now working on a site near Nunhead station in south London. Her role is a mix of hands-on site work and textbook based study. Full story on page 7 >>
Stay safe in the sunshine
Tent tactics at Templecombe
Taking action from Close Calls
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P4&5
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southernshield.co.uk
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 29, SEPTEMBER 2020
First Person I AM a big believer that a safe project comes from continuous focus and effort from everyone, regardless of their role. The recent re-signalling projects at Angerstien and Hither Green came from Thameslink Rail systems work, and the safety record was far from ideal. In delivering them, we needed to recognise more effort was required across all three delivery partners, Network Rail, Balfour Beatty and Siemens. So we reset the expectation – that delivery without hurting someone was possible, albeit a massive challenge. Part of our collaboration was that it was OK to challenge each other in
particular on issues that affected people’s safety. COVID-19 has also been an unexpected and difficult challenge for leaders and delivery teams, balancing completion of final commissioning with the issues and concerns of our workforce. We established a leadership and working forums across the three delivery partners in order to help solve these issues, and ultimately agree work could be done safely. I am sure we are all feeling that dealing with projects in these unprecedented times is overwhelming. But there are lots of truly great people in our teams,
and by utilising their skills and knowledge, we have the ability to overcome huge unthinkable obstacles. So when things are getting tough, look around – there will be many people wanting to help. Martin Chatfield, Project Director, Southern Capital Delivery – HCRS
TEAM CLEANS UP WITH ATTRACTIVE SOLUTION TOWERS
The Shield SAFETY RECORD A
BLOCKADE HIGHLIGHT
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MORE THAN 20,000 hours worked with just one minor accident. That was the safety headline from a nine-day blockade in August, during which a new signalling system was commissioned on lines through Hither Green in south London. Commissioning – when the new installation is thoroughly tested – was the final part of a two-year, £81m signalling renewals project, during which more than half a million hours were worked with just a single lost time incident. The blockade had been planned for four days over Easter but due to
social distancing guidelines, a longer period was needed to ensure work could be carried out safely on site. In total 21,197 site hours were worked during the commissioning and 538,622 site hours on the project as a whole. The new system will mean fewer faults, fewer delays and better journeys for passengers through not just Hither Green, but into Lewisham, Central London and on into Kent. Work to improve stations along the lines will continue over the next few months, as will the removal of the old signalling kit.
MAGNETIC BRUSH
SENSORS
BADGER YOUR TEAM ON ANIMAL HARM
Written and designed by:
beetroot.co.uk
HEIGHT, electricity and excavations are just some of the areas where a proper risk assessment is mandatory. But have you also checked for birds and badgers? Environmental risk assessment is also a vital part of any job, especially if there are endangered animals nearby. In one example, a suspected badger sett was spotted at the edge of a cleared area during a routine inspection following vegetation management and troughing work. All work within 20 metres was immediately suspended. It also came to light that no recorded breeding bird
and nest checks had been carried out prior to the work starting. An investigation was launched to determine whether the sett was active and to establish what environmental risk assessment and ecological controls were in place. Failing to make the right checks can have serious consequences. You could be sent to prison for up to six months and get an unlimited fine if you damage, destroy or block access to their setts; or disturb badgers in setts.
A MAGNETIC brush that sweeps up small pieces of steel mesh is among safety measures in operation at a BAM Nuttall site in East Sussex. More than 8000m2 of mesh is being installed on the cutting face at the site in Harley Shute near Hastings, with each roll unrolled in the compound, cut to size and rerolled to be transported to site. “Cutting the mesh often leaves small pieces of steel on the ground which need to be swept up,” said BAM Agent, Clint Martin. “But these can easily be missed and could puncture the tyres of delivery vehicles that use the same area at other times.” Faced with this issue Gary Davies, an operative on site raised the idea of buying a magnetic sweeping brush, which is a very simple magnet on wheels that a colleague can easily roll over the area to pick up any leftover pieces of mesh. This approach requires less physical effort than bending down to pick up individual pieces and also eliminates
the chance of hand injuries. At the same site, workers are also using small sensor boxes which attach to their PPE and vibrate if they get within 2m of another person wearing a sensor. It acts as a physical reminder to maintain social distancing. They have also installed a mirror at a blind spot corner on one of the access paths so that so people can see each other approaching and keep a safe distance. HIGH ALERT Meanwhile at a BAM site in Hither Green in South London, an influx of Close Calls for scaffold towers not being erected correctly led to a Time Out Take Five being called. The key issue was found to be restricted space available, so the team discussed more suitable options for access. Clint said: “The safety team spoke with subbies directly to resolve issues and it’s likely we avoided an accident on site thanks to the Close Call system.”
want us to feature your team? get in touch at shield@networkrail.co.uk
ISSUE 29, SEPTEMBER 2020 THE SHIELD
DO N’T GE DON GET BEAT BY T HE HEAT Summer may be coming to an end but it’s still important to stay protected THE SUN shining is usually a reason to smile, but it’s important to remember that it can be as damaging as it is cheering. When working out in the sun and heat, we are at risk of heat or sunstroke, skin cancer and exhaustion if we don’t take the right steps to protect ourselves. The good news is it doesn’t take much to protect you. Here’s what you can do to keep safe and healthy while working outside this summer.
SUN CREAM Wear a high factor sun cream, or at least an SPF 15 one. Apply it regularly throughout the day as it can wear off as you get sweaty.
THE RIGHT PPE Summer PPE is lightweight and more comfortable in the heat. It helps you stay cool while also keeping you safe on site.
DRINK WATER Try and drink at least two litres of water a day. Aim to increase your intake of fluids if you’ve been sweating a lot throughout the hot days. Not drinking enough can lead to dehydration and sunstroke.
WATCH OUT FOR CHANGES ON YOUR SKIN Keep an eye out for any marks, moles or blemishes that appear on your skin. It’s important to get them checked out if you’re worried, as early treatment is better. Don’t put it off and risk skin cancer.
“I AVOIDED SKIN CANCER – JUST” GRAHAM Ashby understands the dangers of the sun all too clearly. After 40 years in the railway industry, Graham never used to bother applying sun cream. But all those years exposing his skin to sunlight with minimal protection caught up with him. “For years we used to just wear shorts and boots and take your shirt off in the sun,” said Graham who works for BAM Nuttall as a Site Agent.
But at Christmas in 2019, Graham noticed a mark by his right eye, which he got checked by a doctor. The mark was sun damage and while it had grown over the course of five months, they managed to catch it just in time. Had it been left untreated for any longer, he was told it could have become cancerous, and Graham’s life would have been at risk.
Graham was prescribed an ointment and now realises the importance of protecting yourself from the sun. “I had to put a gel on it in order to stop it from getting worse,” he said. “It still hasn’t gone completely though. I was pretty shocked by it and now I realise the importance of taking care of yourself on site, like wearing sunscreen and working in the shade where possible.”
stay safe in the sunshine
SHARP ACTION TO BLUNT THE SUMMER SPIKE WHAT will you do differently, so you and your colleagues keep each other safe, every day? This is one of the questions posed in Southern Shield’s latest Summer Step up briefing pack. The pack is designed to get teams talking and thinking about the things that might prevent them getting home safe at this time of year. Historically the warmer months (periods four, five and six) have seen a rise in injuries known as the summer spike. In 2017 30 people were injured during these periods, which is why the Summer Step Up pack was introduced in 2018. It also covers safe return after leave, how to protect yourself from the sun [see graphic left] and the steps to follow if you need to speak up about something unsafe. Stephen Webber, Head of Safety and Sustainable Development, Network Rail, Southern Capital Delivery, said: “Last year, only one minor injury was recorded in Southern Capital Delivery in the summer spike periods. “This is thanks to the hard work of everyone on Southern, however we must not become complacent. We still had a number of incidents and accidents that we need to learn from and prevent happening again.” The pack is available to download at southernshield.co.uk
ACCIDENT FIGURES ALONE DON’T TELL THE FULL SAFETY STORY SEE PAGE 8
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 29, SEPTEMBER 2020
SAFE WORK HELPS TEAM MAKE THEIR MARQUEE The team in Templecombe took advantage of reduced passenger services – and a wedding marquee – to carry out essential work JUNE was a busy month on the railway in south-west England. No more so than at Templecombe in Somerset, where a team led by Osborne was tasked with embankment earthworks. The main bulk of the work during a nine-day line closure, was to reinforce embankments and complete drainage maintenance between Gillingham West Junction and Yeovil Junction. “Our safety considerations for this work also had to take into account social distancing,” said Lisa Tebbutt, Scheme Project Manager, Southern Capital Delivery Wessex, Network Rail. “Some of our colleagues were working on the embankments suspended on ropes, so that was one hazard for us. It was quite a congested site, so we had to ensure everyone was briefed properly to help maintain social distancing.” While it’s a challenge to keep two metres apart on site, the team managed it well – and found a creative solution.
“For our briefings, Take Fives, and any gathering where a lot of us had to be in one place, a wedding marquee was hired,” said Lisa. “This meant everyone could hear the brief and respect social distancing rules.” Quite often the team would undertake a lot of work at night, which comes with its own risks. But because of a huge decrease in passenger numbers, train services were reduced. This meant the team could work more during the day and it led to better performance as well. “We also saved a huge amount of money because we weren’t paying penalties because of overrunning work,” said Lisa. Templecombe station also received a number of upgrades as part of the work, including platform remedial work such as repairing supporting platform trestles and removing plants and weeds growing on the canopy. One stop down the line in Sherborne, the team replaced roof slates and timber facias on the
station building and gave the ticket office a fresh lick of paint. A WARM WELCOME Shaun Whitehouse, co-owner and director of Yeovil-based Lanes Hotel stepped in with a generous offer when he heard the team needed somewhere to stay while away from home. He understood that colleagues would be under a lot of pressure and working differing shift patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. He offered exclusive use of the hotel and its facilities. It meant that colleagues working on the blockade didn’t need to travel far and could keep well rested throughout the duration of the works. Lisa Tebbutt said: “All the companies that have supported us during this project have been absolutely first class, especially the staff at Lanes Hotel. It’s great to be able to support our local businesses in return, especially in times such as these.”
Always be sure the required plans and permits are in
ISSUE 29, SEPTEMBER 2020 THE SHIELD
place, before you start a job or go on or near the line
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 29, SEPTEMBER 2020
SOMETHING UNSAFE?
STOP, SPEAK UP AND TAKE FIVE Recording Close Calls is helping identify areas for action MOVING plant and vehicles and untidy sites accounted for the most frequent – and some of the most serious – Close Calls in the Southern region during Period 3. Site security and trespass risks caused by unsecured gates and broken locks were also among the common causes of Close Calls. Among the most severe Close Calls were issues around exclusion zones and safe walking routes. In one incident, work was stopped until designated safe walking routes were put in place after plant was seen
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moving with no exclusion zone or appropriate walkways for site teams to access the canteen. At another site a delivery driver started to reverse his vehicle without a banksman in place. He was stopped and a banksman assigned to help. “Nearly a quarter of all deaths involving vehicles at work occur during reversing,” said Aimee Skelly-Burgess, Network Rail, Health & Safety Manager. “They also cause costly damage to vehicles, equipment and infrastructure. Most can be avoided by having simple measures in place such as a banksman.”
TIME OUT TAKE 5
PROACTIVE APPROACH Work was also stopped at a site when a large section of sandstone fell down and landed in the catch netting. A structural engineer was called to check the cutting stabilisation before any work resumed. “This demonstrated that the process in place for preventing falls was working. It also showed a proactive approach by following up to see if further issues could be prevented,” said Aimee. These incidents were among reports gathered for the Safety Leadership Team (SLT), to identify key issues and trends requiring action.
PERIOD 3:
Top Close Call types by frequency REMEMBER: If you are unsure about something or see anything that looks unsafe, you should speak up, call a Time Out Take Five and invoke Worksafe if necessary. SITE WELFARE: INCLUDING SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS
MOVING PLANT AND MACHINERY
PPE
DOCUMENTATION ISSUES
PERSONAL HEALTH
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
PUBLIC PROTECTION AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
WORKING AT HEIGHT
ROAD VEHICLES
SECURITY
WORK SAFE
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SWL
Close Call data submitted by Murphy, Siemens Mobility, Kier Infrastructure and Osborne in Week 4 of Period 3.
Remember: you can raise a Close Call at any
ISSUE 29, SEPTEMBER 2020 THE SHIELD
RAIL LIVES An apprenticeship gives you experience you can’t get from a textbook, especially during a pandemic, as Connie Huntingford discovered
LEARNING BY SITE
y time if you think your workplace is unsafe
THIS YEAR was already proving a memorable year for Apprentice Civil Engineer Connie Huntingford. Having joined BAM Nuttall in September 2019, she was settled in to the first year of her apprenticeship and in February 2020, started working on the Barnehurst blockade in Kent. Then the coronavirus pandemic arrived and everyone’s lives changed in some way almost overnight. With site access severely restricted Connie was unable to work on the blockade and instead stayed at home to focus on the college aspect of her apprenticeship. “At first I found it more difficult than being on site because I didn’t have someone right there to support me in that second,” she said. “Support became a phone call or email away and while everyone was still helpful it changed the way I received help. “But it actually taught me to be more independent and forced me to do things on my own, then learn from the feedback. Working alone was probably good for my personal development!” The aim of the Barnehurst blockade was to install king post and sheet pile wall and backfill, as well as regrading slopes to stabilise the cutting and prevent passenger delays. Once completed, it should protect the railway from landslips for 120 years. “It was extremely full-on when I started,” said Connie. “There was a lot to learn and what I really like about the apprenticeship is that it’s quite hands-on. I’ve been on the ground a lot, shadowing engineers, talking to them and seeing how things are done first-hand since starting my apprenticeship earlier this year.” Connie’s practical experience is complemented by college work, where she spent a few months learning the basics before starting on site. Since she is in the first year of her apprenticeship, Connie’s role at Barnehurst involved shadowing other
engineers and offering assistance when needed. Being a fresh face on site, Connie wasn’t expecting it to be easy. “I was ready for a challenge because I knew I was brand new to the industry, but so far it’s been really enjoyable and eye opening. Lots of site experience is important,” she said. “It’s hard to visualise work or the practicalities of a project sometimes, but on site you get to see it all put into practice and it all makes sense. It helps that everyone is so supportive.” Like all new recruits, safety was one of the first things Connie learned about. “It was clear just how serious a subject safety is, and how important it is to follow all the procedures on site,” she added. “I’ve learned to never underestimate a situation in terms of safety and to think about everything from a safety point of view. “I think now safety is recognised as being much more important than it has been considered in the past. This became clear when I did a health and safety course, which compared the differences between safety measures and attitudes now and from many years ago. It seems that safety measures are much more ingrained in people’s minds and processes are more comprehensive nowadays.” With the lockdown rules beginning to ease, Connie returned to a frontline site in July, and is now working on the Catford Loop embankment in South London. “On this site I’ve got a more active role where I’m preparing documentation for the engineer on site. I’m also learning about some of the more complex elements of the job,” she said. Connie stayed in touch with her team on site through WhatsApp messages so she never felt out of the loop. “It’s been a fantastic learning curve and I’m glad I chose this apprenticeship over going to university. I’ve experienced a lot more a lot quicker,” she added.
“It seems that safety measures are much more ingrained in people’s minds and processes are more comprehensive nowadays”
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 29, SEPTEMBER 2020
ALL’S WELLL ... WEL Accident figures alone don’t tell the full safety story. It is indicators such as Close Calls and inspections that help identify potential causes of harm
...BUT IT MIGHT NOT END WELL THE RISK BAROMETER
L OW
L
In the barometer the short hand (inner semi-circle) points to the level of actual harm from accidents in the ME DIUM last 13 periods. The long hand (outer semi-circle) indicates the level of potential harm ENTIA OT that could have occurred L P from these actual events and other non-injury CTUA events, such as Close Calls.
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HIG H
DURING the 13 periods prior to period three there were no accidents resulting from working at height on work carried out by Southern Capital Delivery. At face value, this may seem like a positive indicator. But in the previous three periods alone there were nearly 60 working at height Close Calls that had the potential for significant injury. It’s a similar story with other areas of work – excavations, plant and people interface, lifting, and working with electricity. The actual accident figures don’t tell the whole story. Therefore, the Southern Shield Safety Leadership Team looked at how they could identify, from existing information, the potential risk of harm to colleagues. As well as looking at information from accidents, SLT are using a proactive indicator known as a risk barometer. The barometer measures the actual harm from any accidents in the last year and compares this against the potential harm that could have occurred, plus from non-injury events such as Close Calls or observations from inspections within the last three periods. The barometer shows that while it may appear that we are working safely, there are still many occasions where our workforce
could experience potential serious accidents. The 59 height-related events factored into the period three barometer, showed that it remained the biggest risk. Many of these non-injury events were similar to behaviours evident in the fall from a mobile access tower at Paddington station in December 2019. The main areas of concern were: l Events involving mobile access towers, including individuals climbing on the outside of the tower or standing on rails, or using when incorrectly assembled or with missing parts l Unauthorised changes to scaffolding or using the scaffolding with a lack of edge protection and no additional controls l Using a ladder which was not tied off or using three points of contact l Not adhering to the safe system of work, such as working off a cable drum or jumping off platforms. In the barometers relating to excavations, lifting operations, people and plant interface the main areas of concerns related to suitable exclusion zones not being in place, or people entering this unsafe area without the authority.
What do you think? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk