The Shield
ISSUE 05, DECEMBER 2015 THE SHIELD 1
THE PAPER FOR RAIL PEOPLE IN THE SOUTHERN REGION
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WATERLOO WORKS
ISSUE 14, AUGUST 2017
WATER WORK
On-site sustainability makes sense
REUSABLE water bottles are just one of the ways staff at BCM’s Battersea compound are helping make it a more sustainable site. And, of course, as well as being greener it enables the team working on the Sussex Power Supply Upgrade project to stay well hydrated while working in the warm weather. Other eco-friendly initiatives on site include motion sensitive lights and rain water recycling. Full story on page 4 >>
Properly protected
Sticking with safety
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Green man PAGE 8
Any stories? Email theworks@networkrail.co.uk
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 14, AUGUST 2017
First Person Steve Walters, Wessex Route Delivery Director, Network Rail
BY THE time you read this edition of The Shield , the Wessex Capacity Alliance will have started the major summer works at Waterloo station. This will allow South West Trains to run longer, 10-carriage trains on suburban routes, increasing peak capacity into Waterloo by 30 per cent. That means room for an extra 45,000 people each morning and afternoon – more than the capacity of the O2 and the Oval combined.
Undertaking major improvement work like this is always very disruptive. We know we couldn’t completely close Waterloo – a station which has more passengers than Heathrow Airport – to complete the work. But we do need to close platforms 1-10 for most of August, and that’s half the station. As a result, the focus on passenger disruption by the national press and politicians will be intense. However, we always need to remember the safety of
our people and not take shortcuts when the pressure is on. Yes, it is important that we deliver what we say we are going to deliver, but I don’t expect anyone to go home injured as a result. Whatever you are doing, please remember that a simple Time Out Take Five can save time if the job is done right first time. Safety and delivery are never in competition; they should always go hand in hand.
…AND WORK HAS STARTED AT WATERLOO
The Shield This paper is produced for:
AS YOU CAN SEE, STEVE’S TEAM HAVE STARTED WORK AT WATERLOO. Over a 24 day period 1,000 engineers and trackside workers will be working round-the-clock to build extensions onto platforms 1-4 and to modify platforms 5-8, so that longer trains can run from December 2017. How many of our Lifesaving Rules apply in this picture?
THE PATH TO SUCCESS ENJOYING the scenic views of Combe Valley, Bexhill-on-Sea, will soon be easier than ever for visitors thanks to the hard work of a team from McNicholas and Network Rail on a local parks enhancement project. Since June, volunteers working on Network Rail’s nearby CP5 project have been busy restoring a footpath between Bexhill and Hastings, bordering the Combe Valley Countryside Park, which follows the route of the former Bexhill to Crowhurst railway line.
Written and designed by:
www.beetroot.co.uk
GROUNDWORK Work needing to be completed has included relocating signage, constructing an access ramp, clearing a camping area, upgrading a pathway and creating a seating area. “The railway closed in the sixties and the area has fallen into disrepair,” said Paul Medcraft, Infrastructure Project Manager for McNicholas. “So, we’ve teamed up with environmental charity Groundwork, which we previously worked with on a project recovering abandoned bikes, to create something special for visitors and the
local community.” On top of tidying the path up, the team is also planning some creative uses for materials no longer needed on site. “We’ve been using sleepers to create benches and cable drums for tables. Towards the tail end of the project, we’re also going to make bird boxes for kestrels using pallets. “There’s also an adjacent area of land which we’re hoping we may also be able to use to create a kids’ area.” Louiza Provins, Project Manager E&P, Infrastructure Projects Southern, added: “Everyone involved in the project has done such a fantastic job. “Community engagement is so important to McNicholas and Network Rail, so it’s great we could come together to do something to benefit the local area.” Barry McNicholas, McNicholas CEO, added: “McNicholas are proud to be working alongside Groundwork and Network Rail on this project. The areas in which we work are first and foremost communities, so it’s important we recognise this and identify what support we can offer.”
EVERYONE HOME SAFE EVERY DAY
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ISSUE 14, AUGUST 2017 THE SHIELD
PROTECT YOURSELF Ensuring you wear the correct PPE at all times could be the difference between a job well done and a serious injury. Here’s what you need to wear to avoid becoming another statistic…
EYE PROTECTION Eye protection must be worn while on site and be suitable for the task being carried out. Eye protection includes glasses, goggles, visors and faceshields. Task specific protection includes goggles for impact tasks, goggles with alkali lenses for contact with solvents and anti-mist and anti-scratch lenses for general use. Prescription eye protection is also available. Glasses should be cleaned at the end of every shift. Storing the glasses in a case will also help prolong their lifespan. You should replace your eye protection if it is ill fitting, scratched, bent, broken or if vision is impaired in anyway.
Safety helmet with chin strap Eye protection as appropriate for the task (eg safety glasses or goggles)
The following accidents were recorded over the last 12 months: 2 head 5 eye 6 face 2 neck
High visibility orange upper body clothing with reflective tape
1 shoulder 6 back 1 chest
11 arm
CLOTHING
You are required to wear high visibility orange clothing including jackets, vests, t-shirts and trousers. All clothing must have reflective tape and upper body clothing must have your sponsor’s logo on the back. Long sleeves are preferable to protect skin. Lower body clothing must be full length. Task specific clothing may be required and should be identified by risk assessment. For example, flame retardant PPE must be worn when working in substations.
FOOTWEAR
Boots must have steel or composite toe caps and support your ankles. Rigger boots are not permitted. The boots must also have a composite or steel mid-sole. You must replace your boots if the steel toe cap becomes exposed. Boots must also be replaced if the treads start to deteriorate. Task specific boots may be required for certain jobs and should be identified during a risk assessment. For example, wellington boots should be worn when working with wet concrete.
Hand protection appropriate to the task (the minimum standard is Cut 5 gloves)
5 multiple
1 wrist 9 hand 30 finger or thumb
High visibility orange lower, full length clothing with reflective tape
8 leg
1 knee
Footwear supporting the ankle with a protective toe cap and mid-sole protection
2 ankle 10 foot
SAFETY HELMET
A safety helmet must be worn at all times when trackside or on construction sites. Safety helmets should be adjusted to fit properly and should not interfere with other PPE such as eye or hearing protection. Helmets should be replaced in accordance with manufacturers’ guidance, which can be anything between three to five years after the manufacture date. The date of manufacture can be found on the inside of your helmet. Hats and hoodies must not be worn under safety helmets as they prevent the safety helmet from functioning correctly. Only purpose made liners are permitted to be worn. Risk assessments should be undertaken for every task. A chin strap may be required if there is a risk of the helmet falling off, particularly when working at height.
HAND AND ARM PROTECTION
As a minimum, you are required to wear Cut 5 gloves on our sites. However, specific types of Cut 5 gloves should be chosen dependent on the task that is being undertaken. For example, rubber gauntlets must be worn when strapping. To check that your gloves are Cut 5 standard, look for ‘EN 388’ on the top of the glove. Thermal Cut 5 gloves are also available for winter.
E FEEL SAF TO ASgeK7 to
Turn to pa bout a ore a find out m ed safety sticker-bas ive initiat
Any equipment stories? Emailthat theworks@networkrail.co.uk Always use is fit for its intended purpose
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 14, AUGUST 2017
BATTERSEA GOE
The Shield visited a compound in Battersea used as part of the Sussex Power Supply Upgra
The Shield visited a team working on the Sussex Power Supply Upgrade project, specifically on the five miles of track between Victoria station and Balham Substation.
BCM Construction Site Manager Simon Gregory (pictured) said: “To meet with power draw demands and the introduction of new rolling stock as per the 2018 timetable, we’re enhancing the power supply to the track. There’s also a safety element – we’re installing track isolation switches and walking routes so that there’s
no need to cross track to reach hook switches, making it safer for possessions to be undertaken. “Our Battersea compound is used as a base for that work to take place. We acquired it from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and will be here until mid-2018. All of our morning briefings are held at the compound and it’s also our meeting point during weekends and possessions. We also do our prep work, receive delivery and prepare cabling here. “Because we’re in central London, I think one of
the biggest challenges we faced was actually finding an area we could work from. “The other big challenge comes from the size of the site. Having a small compound means we need to plan our work that much better and manage our deliveries well to make sure we’re not overloading the yard.” “I am proud to have led the set-up of a site compound that strives to be as sustainable as possible through the introduction of various individual processes.”
GREEN SCREEN There’s no point claiming your site is sustainable if you don’t have the figures to back it up. At Battersea, the team uses online reporting tool SMARTWaste to record,
manage, and reduce resource use and waste outputs. “It gives us increased clarity and makes it much easier for site teams to keep track of waste, materials and re-
source movements to and from site,” said Ulana Fries, Environment and Sustainability Assistant.“We can keep track of whether we’re meeting our environmental KPIs including water, electric-
ity and fuel usage, if there is any. “It also allows us to upload and track site waste management plans, understand our impact on biodiversity and track carbon usage.”
Do you have a BRIGHT idea you can sha
ISSUE 14, AUGUST 2017 THE SHIELD
ES GREEN
Patrick and the team did sterling work for the charity
ade work to find out more about what makes a sustainable site
PLASTIC HAS HAD ITS FILL PLANT FOCUS A splash of colour brightens up any site, especially when it’s eco-friendly to boot. Flowers donated to the Battersea site by a colleague, leftover from his eco-friendly roof, and are kept hydrated using water generated from the site’s water collecting roof. Even the planter itself is made from recycled sleepers
generated from under-track crossing work. “It’s great that people are now thinking ahead about how materials can be recycled,” said Construction Manager Chris Jones. “The sleepers were used in work completed over Christmas, but still have a use during the summer.”
The rollout of refillable, recyclable water bottles to employees and subcontractors at Battersea has killed two birds with one stone. Not only will they help substantially lower the amount of pre-filled plastic water bottles needed on site, the handy hydration measure on the side also reminds colleagues to drink plenty of water; especially important during the summer months. “We want to drive down
plastic waste, and the plastic generated from buying thousands of pre-filled bottles each year. The 750ml refillables are a great way of doing that,” said Jenny Peters, Environment and Sustainability Manager. “They can be refilled at large drinking water points on site as needed and should hugely reduce the number of plastic water bottles we buy. It also has a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our workforce.”
BUILDING FOR BATTERSEA Creating a sustainable site isn’t all the team at Battersea has been up to recently.
LIGHT WORK Motion sensitive lights, controlled by multiple passive infra-red sensors, mean no electricity is wasted on lighting when there’s no one on site. Nicholas Green, Store Man-
ager, said: “There’s always going to be people who walk out the door, lock it and accidentally forget to turn the light off, and the sensors are a great way of remedying that.”
NO RAIN, NO GAIN With the weather being somewhat up and down in recent weeks, the site’s water collecting roof has certainly come into its own. Once collected in the nearby butt, it is used for dust control, mixing concrete, watering
plants, cleaning equipment and a whole host of other activities. Tyrone Wilson, Site Supervisor, said: “The water collecting roof is a great example of how thinking slightly outside the box can make a site even more sustainable.”
are? Email shield@networkrail.co.uK
They were also part of a 27-strong team, joined by staff from IP Southern, Crewit and Glenamaddy, which carried out the renovation of a gravel path used as a walking route for rehabilitated dogs at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Work completed by the team included the installation of edge kerbing, bark mulch, close board timber fence panels, to help avoid dogs being startled by nearby trains, and paving slabs for flower pots. They also painted the retaining wall. Patrick Cormican, Project Manager for the Battersea site, said: “It’s wonderful to have people from both client and contractor sides working collaboratively and it’s amazing what can be achieved in a short space of time when working together. “We were all really pleased to be able to do something for a charity so close to where we are based.” Rob Young, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Centre Manager, added: “We’re so grateful to BCM Construction, Network Rail and Glenamaddy for their support. “We receive no government funding, so every bit of help we receive really makes a difference to the homeless animals at the charity.”
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 14, AUGUST 2017
60 SECONDS
AIR POLLUTION:
Craig Lightheart is Programme Manager for the introduction of Planned Delivery of Safe Work (PDSW) in the IP southern region
NOT A SMOKESCREEN
More than 230 construction workers die every year from cancers caused by exposure to diesel fumes*
THE SHIELD: Explain safety in 10 words. CRAIG LIGHTHEART: Staying safe is at the heart of everything we do. TS: How will PDSW improve safety? CL: The Persons in Charge of the task will be involved in the planning of the works and have a say over how the work is to be undertaken. TS: What changes will there be to documentation? CL: A Safe Work Pack will be produced containing all relevant safety and welfare information in one place. TS: Do you see any other benefits? CL: A reduction in the amount of late changes which should reduce our accident risk.
DID YOU KNOW? A 2010 inventory estimated that non-road mobile machinery, for example cranes, excavators, compressors and generators were responsible for 12 per cent of nitrogen oxide and 15 per cent of particulate matter emissions.
WHAT CAN I DO THE ON THE JOB? Do not permit vehicle engines to idle. If a vehicle is stationary or not being used for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Eliminate or reduce use of diesel or petrolpowered plant. Wherever possible, use mains, renewable or battery powered plant such as hybrid generators.
Hybrid generators help minimise the risk of air pollution *Health and Safety Executive, 2005
DID YOU KNOW? A TOTAL of 137 workers were killed at work in Great Britain in 2016/17. The main causes of fatal injuries were:
31
Struck by moving vehicle 25
Falls from a height 20
Struck by moving object Trapped by something collapsing/overturning
10
Contact with moving machinery
8
Contact with electricity
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A FEMALE pigeon became an unlikely recycler at the Shoreham Viaduct site, using swarf generated from drilling plates to create a nest. Nicknamed Rusty, the pigeon collected swarf at span 14 of the site, where it’s bagged up for disposal, before flying to her nest in span five. The story has a happy ending too. Both Rusty’s chicks, christened Mark and Trevor by the team, successfully hatched and the trio have now left the nest. “A lot of us have worked on the railway for a long time, and none of us had ever seen anything like it before,” said John Hayward, BAM Nuttall Package Manager.“We could see Rusty had laid eggs, so our first priority was not to disturb her. “We created a bit of a barrier and left well alone, working around her. Unfortunately, the barrier did its job too well and we missed Rusty and the fledglings leaving the nest!”
Have you made a change to your lifestyle? shield@networkrail.co.uK RAIL LIVES–Email page 8
ISSUE 14, AUGUST 2017 THE SHIELD
ON SITE STUART CAMERON, GENERAL FOREMAN “Safety on site has been really good, with a number of new initiatives going on, including Feel Safe To Ask. “What I like about it is that it’s straightforward. If you’ve got the sticker on, you’re approachable and that’s absolutely key – colleagues know you’ll listen to what they say. “Everybody should feel comfortable talking to colleagues anyway, but if the sticker helps people that aren’t so forward feel less nervous about speaking up, then it can only be considered a good thing.”
MARKO BANAS, FOREMAN CARPENTER “I’ve worked on a couple of bridges before but never a platform, so it’s great to try something new. “I’ve found the safety organisation to be good across the site. The foremen have been excellent, giving us a briefing every morning. “Some people can be a bit nervous coming on to a new site, so I really like Feel Safe To Ask as it makes people feel at ease straight away.”
MICK NELSON, SITE OPERATIVE “I’ve only been here since March, but so far it’s been an interesting and very involved project to be a part of. “The way the site treats safety has been bang on.It’s drilled into us every day with the toolbox talks and safety meetings. “Feel Safe To Ask is a good thing. We all work together and should be able to interact in a civilised manner. If you’re doing something wrong, you should be approached. It’s good to encourage that communication.”
CARL BROWN, SITE ENGINEER “The safety briefings here have been fantastic. They are always done to a high standard and very thoroughly, which gives you a lot of confidence going out on to the site. “Feel Safe To Ask is a good idea. I’ve seen a colleague receive some abuse before – it’s not nice for him and could potentially set him back and stop him from speaking up next time he sees something wrong. “If new people coming into the industry see that they’re not going to get shouted at for bringing up safety issues, it creates a much better atmosphere.”
PAT NOLAN, GANGER SUPERVISOR “I write and deliver the briefing to the lads each morning about what we’re doing that day, including safety issues, implications and anything else that needs airing. Everyone goes out knowing what they’re doing and the safe way to do it. “Personally, I love the idea of Feel Safe To Ask. You will get the odd timid person who may not feel confident speaking at the briefing, so this encourages them to feel okay taking you to one side. “It’s something I’d love to see at all sites. If someone spots a safety issue, we need them to feel like they can speak up.”
ASK AWAY
Redhill’s Project Zero team are right behind the Feel Safe To Ask campaign FOR SOME, bringing up a safety issue on site is a daunting proposition. They may find it difficult to speak up or are perhaps afraid of the response when they do – particularly if they’re new or work for a different team or company. This fear can turn the prospect of a friendly chat into something far more difficult and persuade them not to go ahead. These concerns were mentioned by a number of respondents in last year’s Southern Shield Culture Survey, leading to the launch of the Feel Safe To Ask campaign. Feel Safe
To Ask requests volunteers wear a badge on their hard hat to let others know they are approachable, willing to listen and will be polite and respectful if a colleague comes to them with any safety concerns. “We had more than 1,700 responses to the survey, and one thing many did make clear is that fear of the response is a key barrier when it comes to bringing up safety issues,” said Mark Carter, Safety Improvement Specialist. “Sometimes, there can be a lot of focus on getting the job done, so they may not want to be seen to be ‘causing trouble’,
FE E L SA FE T O AS K
or lack confidence may stop them speaking up. The stickers are a simple way to break down that fear barrier and encourage those friendly chats that could stop an accident. “That being said, don’t think just because someone isn’t wearing the sticker that they’re not approachable!” BAM Nuttall’s Project Zero team at Redhill were early adopters of the campaign, and it’s hard to spot a hardhat on the site that doesn’t have a sticker on it somewhere. Currently deep into the project to create a new platform for trains bound to London,
the team are approaching the tail end of the work, which is due to be completed in the new year. “It’s really encouraging to see sites like Redhill getting behind Feel Safe To Ask,” continued Mark. “I contacted BAM Nuttall about it and they were more than happy to get involved, which was fantastic news. “What we want long term is for the campaign to increase people’s confidence. One bad experience could stop someone coming forward again with safety concerns, which could lead to an accident or worse.”
want us to feature your team? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 14, AUGUST 2017
RAIL LIVES
SERIOUSLY GREEN
Looking after the environment is much more than just a job for Ian Hassell WHEN IT comes to the environment, there’s few greener than Ian Hassell. How else do you earn the nickname ‘Swampy’? Ian, Environmental Consultant for McNicholas, has worked to make the railways greener since 2001. He even built a treehouse made from recycled materials from sites in his back garden! He said his passion for the environment isn’t just a career choice – it stems back to his childhood. “As far back as I remember, it’s something I’ve been interested in,” explained Ian. “I spent as much time outdoors as I could as a kid and we used to go camping every summer, which I loved. And it’s continued to grow from there. “I went on to do a degree in environmental science at Lanchester Polytechnic, now known as Coventry University, before beginning a career as a Pollution Control Officer for the Environment Agency.” In 2001, Ian got his first taste of the railways as part of the West Anglia route mod-
ernisation team. He then combined his career with his passion in 2003, taking on the role of Project Environmental Manager for Network Rail. It was a role he excelled in, and in 2005 he picked up the company’s award for Best Environmental Achievement. His role as a consultant sees him help companies with their environmental issues, from working with them on pollution control and wildlife protection procedures to training employees and monitoring compliance. It’s this project support for all aspects of environmental protection that he’s been working on with McNicholas for the last 16 years. “When I step on to a site, the first thing I look for is what’s nearby that could potentially be seriously damaged. I’ll then establish pathways to drainage, as one thing I’ve found over the years is that people don’t realise land we dig up around railway sites can be polluted or how easy it is for a water supply to be contaminated. “Things are definitely a lot better than they
used to be. At the turn of the century, environmental policy was still in its infancy, whereas nowadays the environment has become a serious topic for a lot of people. “I see colleagues out on site really putting a lot of thought into how they can be as green as possible and it’s fantastic that it’s also worked into plans before work begins. Probably the greatest satisfaction I get day today is seeing people take such an interest. I get plenty of calls from colleagues at McNicholas, and even from others outside the company working on the railway, asking for advice, which is brilliant.” As for the nickname, Ian said it came about while out on a job. “I’d stopped work on a project because they were about to chop down some trees and I was a bit unsure of it. I checked the plans and it turned out the tress that were actually meant to go were in a different place. “I think someone coined the nickname then and it’s stuck!”
THE COSTAIN Kent Multi-Functional Framework (MFF) team recently held their summer volunteer day with the Kent Wildlife Trust as part of their 30 Days Wild initiative. Held at Cobtree Estate, Maidstone, an area of woodland backing on to the local golf course, personnel from Kent MFF, Bond Street station upgrade and senior management from Network Rail assisted the trust in repairing 100 metres of post and rail fencing. The fencing was in a state of disrepair, with exposed nails and broken rails lying across the access track. Throughout the day, the team removed the rotten fence posts, augured new holes and installed replacement rails.
CREATURE CARE SITE OPERATIVE John Howard picked up the nickname ‘Greenpeace’ during his career for his consideration towards animals found on sites. John explained: “I think it may have been more sarcastic at first, but it’s definitely stuck! “Whenever I’m on site, I always keep a close eye out for any animals on the floor and if I do see one, I always try to get it out the way first and foremost.A lot of the time it will be insects, but that doesn’t matter – I really believe in taking care of all creatures great or small. “My partner and I have always been big nature lovers, and it’s really satisfying to see more and more people getting invested in environmental issues. I was on the works in Battersea recently when a bird’s nest was discovered and work was immediately halted – that shows how far we’ve come.There’s still room for improvement and always a need for education, but things are absolutely moving in the right direction.”
Danish pastries, biscuits, tea and coffee were also provided courtesy of the Cobtree Manor Golf Club Restaurant. “We are proud to continue our involvement with the Kent Wildlife Trust and help maintain these important conservation reserves,” said Callum Mair, Kent MFF Environmental Manager. “Our staff had a great time giving back to the community and repairing the fencing.” The completed fence will now allow the trust to safely undertake educational walks with local children who visit the nearby trust’s headquarters, the Tyland Barn Visitor Centre. The trust’s site supervisor commented favourably on the team, noting they were “one of the most enthusiastic corporate groups we’d had in a long time!”
What do you think? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk