The Shield THE PAPER FOR RAIL PEOPLE IN THE SOUTHERN REGION
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AT THE HEART OF THE MATTER
ISSUE 11, FEBRUARY 2017
WORK FEST
It was business at usual during the festive season CHRISTMAS was the opportunity to complete projects ahead of the new year – and that included making sure that an encapsulated scaffold was complete, ahead of refurbishment works at Mitre Bridge in London. In a possession from late on 24 December to the early hours of 27 December, the team worked to complete the moving scaffold encapsulation, including a soffit to ensure it was sealed before the start of grit blasting and painting works. Once the possession was complete, the team continued to work through until... Continued on page 4 >>
Remember to take five
Back to work briefings
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www.southernshield.co.uk
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Handy advice PAGE 6
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 11, FEBRUARY 2017
First Person Andy Duffin, Route Delivery Director, Anglia
The Shield This paper is produced for:
AS THE Route Delivery Director for Anglia, I am keen to encourage the right safety behaviours in my team. While the delivery of my projects is really important to me – on time and on budget – this can never compromise the safety of anyone who works for me. Just a few months ago, I was extremely proud when Anglia managed to achieve zero lost time injuries. That means that we went a whole year without anyone having to take time off work, so I know that zero accidents is achievable if everyone cares about the safety of themselves and their colleagues. However, I also know that we can never be complacent and that an accident is just a slip, trip or fall away from happening.
This was starkly brought home to me recently when one of our team working at Hackney Wick suffered a fractured arm. Two guys were removing a torque head on a 13-tonne wheeled excavator using a hammer to knock out the bolts. As the torque head came free it struck one of them on the arm. What delighted me after this accident is the reaction of my contractor with a focus at the highest levels of the company on learning all the lessons, even involving designers, reconstructing the event and taking the right actions to prevent any reoccurrence then sharing these lessons with other contractors. How many accidents could we prevent if we were all more open with everyone about our mistakes?
TO MAKE sure that everyone gets home safe everyday at Catford substation, staff have received harness training to keep them safe when working at height. The BCM Construction team have been renewing the HV framework on the line between Catford and Shortlands substations. “The original scope of the works meant that there was no need to use harnesses,” said Construction Manager John Blatchford. “The design had to change and we needed to access the embankment where the cable transitions from the UTX (under track crossing) down the bank into Catford substation compound. The bank was steep enough to cause an injury, should anyone fall.” John recognised there was a need for protection, so he organised for a core team to receive full restraint and full arrest harness training to remain safe while working. “It was very important for the work to be done,” added John. “We need to install the cable containment for the HV cable on the slope – so it was vital for the guys to be trained properly to remove any potential risk.”
LEARNING LESSONS AFTER a member of staff fractured his arm in an incident at Hackney Wick, new ways of working are being put in place. As Andy Duffin reflects in his First Person article, piling works were taking place at the site, using a 13-tonne excavator, when one of the piles entered the ground at an angle. It was decided to disconnect the torque head from the machine and add another short screw pile to complete the job. However, when the torque head became free, it struck an operative on the arm. He was given first aid on site and then taken to hospital – it was confirmed his arm was fractured. A full re-enactment of the incident led to working with specialist sub-contractors to find better ways of carrying out the task including looking at Safe by Design and planning, competency management and supervision and behaviours. The Southern Shield Safe Use of Plant Working Group will also look into providing recommendations and best practice on the use of attachments. Of course, the incident could have been even worse, so always remember our Lifesaving Rules – they will help to get you home safe every day.
LET’S TALK ABOUT TAKING A TIME OUT Written and designed by:
www.beetroot.co.uk
STEEP LEARNING CURVE
PEOPLE often believe that delivery and performance take priority over safety, particularly during possessions. This can be especially true when the focus is on getting the job done as quickly as possible, to hand back the railway on time or early, even if shortcuts have to be taken and safety is compromised. Did you know that a Time Out Take Five may be called by anyone at any time if there is a need to take a step back from the task in hand and review the way the team is working? Time Outs can be planned into the works programme or called at any time by any member of the team who has a concern. Remember, if you don’t think a task can be done safely then don’t do it – call a Time Out Take Five.
EVERYONE HOME SAFE EVERY DAY
So what is discussed at a Time Out Take Five? The answer is anything that concerns you or your team. For example, is the task being done correctly and safely? Is the working environment clear of hazards? Do we have the right tools, competencies and plans and permits? How can we improve the way we are working? And won’t the bosses be jumping up and down if the task takes longer to complete? Janice Crawford, IP Southern Regional Director from Network Rail, makes her views clear. She said: “Please remember that if it’s not safe you will always have my backing and support if you stop work or take a Time Out. Only by working together can we create the right environment that allows everyone to get home safely every day.”
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ISSUE 11, FEBRUARY 2017 THE SHIELD 3
Safety in numbers
BACK ON TRACK Siemens back to work briefing
More than 1,700 of you took part in a survey to help improve our culture in the southern region. According the survey results…
96% take care of each other
VolkerFitzpatrick briefing at Lee Valley Velopark
PEOPLE across the southern region attended back to work briefings this January to start the new year with safety firmly in focus and to continue to improve safety culture. Historically, there has been an increase in accidents after the Christmas break, so the briefings
Wessex Capacity Alliance briefing at Spectre House
help staff concentrate on returning to work, the hazards they may face and any changes that may have occurred during the Christmas and New Year break. One such incident in 2015 was at Latchmere Curve when a strapman received severe burns to his hands, legs and midriff when a short circuit strap came
into contact with an energised conductor rail. The briefing focused on key points to remember when returning to work such as being briefed before beginning tasks and having a clear understanding of what is expected. Other key areas included ensuring there is sufficient time for
daily briefings, checking the area of work for hazards and correcting any issues before beginning work. It also reminded staff that if they feel something is unsafe, they should speak up and challenge others. If something is wrong, you can hold a Time Out Take Five or stop a job to make sure it is safe.
THE ART OF CONVERSATION
Archie and his portrait
THE Leake Street tunnel or the ‘graffiti tunnel’ near Waterloo station is home to ever-changing pieces of art – and Archie Mcelroy is on hand to make sure the tunnel is clean and safe. Traffic Marshal Archie has built a bond with the artists who spend their time decorating the walls of the tunnel, bringing in bins so that they could dispose of the spray cans safely. “I first got to know the lads when I walked through the tunnel one day, sweeping and cleaning up any rubbish,” said Archie. “I started chatting with them, having a laugh and a joke – they are all so friendly, just like a big family and I have been pulled into it as well. Every single day the walls look different.” Artists can spray paint wherever they like within the tunnel. “They even painted a portrait of me on the wall,” said Archie. “What these guys can do with a can of paint really blows your mind. It is so good and a great way for them to express themselves.” Tourists come from far and wide to look at the tunnel and Archie makes sure that it is safe for people walking through by making sure things are neat and tidy. “It is all about keeping pedestrians safe and making sure that children don’t pick up anything they shouldn’t,” added Archie. “Before I worked here, I didn’t really like art but now my eyes are open and I really notice how good all the artwork is. “I am taking pictures so when I leave the site, I can have something to look back and remember all the people I met there.”
78%
believe it is achievable to go home safe every day
82% believe that even the small injuries are unacceptable
HOWEVER…
35%
feel that production often takes priority over safety
45%
are sometimes afraid to speak up regarding safety concerns in the workplace In our culture, we need to reinforce the things we are doing well and challenge the things that we are not. For more information and results email shield@networkrail.co.uk
Anyastories? Email Do you have BRIGHT idea youtheworks@networkrail.co.uk can share? Email shield@networkrail.co.uK
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 11, FEBRUARY 2017
A WINTER’S TAL Forget the turkey and Christmas pud, the festive break was a busy working week for many teams across the southern region Continued from page 1 >> ...the end of the Christmas break. To grit blast, repaint and repair the bridge, which has rail-over-rail lines, it had to be fully encapsulated, including the underside. The soffit scaffolds sits just 300 millimetres above the overhead lines below. This encapsulation will move along the bridge in five stages until the works are complete. “That is the minimum distance of working by Network Rail standards,” said Lauren Beacham, Agent, BAM Nuttall. “Our system means there is a solid barrier between the guys working and the overhead lines – by making sure that this interface was correctly closed and the structure fully bonded over Christmas, we can ensure that everyone can get home safe every day.” Security is of significant concern at Mitre Bridge as trespassers and graffiti artists could access the structure which is above track level and above live equipment. BAM Nuttall need to ensure they do all they can to prevent harm coming to anyone. General flat-faced screening was put up to prevent access and the Network Rail Land Sheriff is seeking authority from the Network Rail Route Crime Manager to include the site in regular patrols. Battery operated scaffold alarms have also been installed, which are audible and remotely notifies a central monitoring point. As well as the railway interfaces both on and under the bridge, there are a lot of contractors working around the site, including works for Crossrail and a Hitachi depot directly under the bridge.“This means that we have to integrate and communicate well with all those around us to make sure that we manage the interfaces and everyone is happy,” added Lauren.
Tidy sites During six daytime shifts between Christmas and New Year, BAM Nuttall colleagues cleared vegetation, cleaned graffiti and removed rubbish from the line side between London Bridge to Charing Cross and Cannon Street. With 50 operatives working every shift, they managed to clear 220 tonnes of material ahead of the New Year – all part of efforts to keep the railway tidy.
Live project Old Lodge Lane has a new bridge thanks to a 52hour possession during the Christmas break. Over Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the old bridge was removed and the new one put in using transporters rather than traditional cranes. “There are four tracks that run through the site and we had two of them under possession to deliver the works,” said BAM Nuttall Operations Manager Gareth White. To successfully complete the projects, staff worked around the clock next to these adjacent open lines. “This was a particularly high-risk issue for us, coupled with the fact that we were working on a site that had large high pressure gas and water mains within the road and under the path of the transporters,” said Gareth. “Our last shifts on site were particularly cold, so we had to ensure that our staff remained warm and alert to make sure they got home safe at the end of the shift.”
Successful possessions As a key part of the project to build the new Cambridge North station, and to allow for the full operation, the site team had to work throughout Christmas and New Year in full rail blockades. Over the Christmas weekend, the full closure allowed the track work to be completed, this included the installation of the new 1108 points, which will allow the new bay line at the station to be operational when the station opens in May. In addition, two complex signalling stages were commissioned over the New Year’s Eve blockade. These signalling stages are essential for the successful operation of the railway and will allow all lines to operate when the station opens. Project Manager Steve Balliston said: “We had two blockades over the festive period, without these we could not have completed the planned work. A key part to the success of these works was the upfront planning from all involved. “There were a lot of train movements within the possession to allow the scrap rail and used ballast to be removed and replaced to facilitate the installation of the new 1108 points. Both blockades were a huge success and all planned works were completed ahead of programme and without incident or injury.’’
Never enter the agreed Exclusion zone un
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ISSUE 11, FEBRUARY 2017 THE SHIELD 5
The line of defence
Waterworks A key part of the Sevenoaks drainage project was getting the planning right. “Two sections of the drainage under Sevenoaks tunnel was in urgent need of replacing,” said Gareth White, BAM Nuttall Operations Manager. “In a 100-hour possession we excavated the existing culvert and replaced sections with new HDPE pipe. We used specialist road rail equipment to carry out the works placing all waste material into an engineering train that also held all the new materials. “At times our lads were waist deep in water and it was only for their dedication and commitment that outputs were maintained and drainage installed. “Key risks included lighting, ventilation and exclusion zones which were all managed well with protection staff and crane controllers being accountable for their working areas.”
A Permanent solution Permanent way works were the order of the season for staff working over Christmas and New Year on a bridge TAH2 32 replacement scheme at Tottenham Hale. Over Christmas, the P-way was reinstated, complete with new track and ballast. “Prior to Christmas we were working ahead of the programme, so we managed to have Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day off,” said Project Manager Gordon Hunt. The bridge replacement work itself, which took place just before Christmas, was not typical. “We were restricted with the size of the crane that we could use, so had to take dismantle the old bridge, rebuild the new and take it out piecemeal,” added Gordon. Over the festive period 106 metres of track renewal was successfully delivered.
nless directed to by the person in charge
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) training camp in Bromley was a site of a bridge replacement during Christmas. The railway runs through the camp, which has real historical value and in just 57 and a half hours, the bridge was replaced using a self-propelled modular transporter. The new bridge was built in the week before Christmas before being put into place. “Using the transporter meant we were less reliant on the wind than if we were using a crane,” said Chris Hudson, Packages Manager, Stuctures. “It all went well and the MoD were really happy with what we did – we have now built a relationship with them for the future.”
Run of luck For a 100-strong team, Christmas was spent replacing existing overhead line wire runs on the line between London and Southend. Twelve wire runs of old fixed equipment were replaced with auto-tensioned equipment over a tenday blockade. The new lines don’t sag in the heat meaning fewer delays for passengers. “Auto-tension allows for the overhead line wire to remain at a constant tension, no matter what the temperature is,” said Gary Desmond, Project Manager. “The new wires will improve reliability.”
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 11, FEBRUARY 2017
HANDS OFF! DID YOU know that hand and arm injuries account for 55 per cent of all injuries? The Shield looks at just a few of the incidents that happened over the last year that could have been prevented…
An operative at Northumb erland Park was cutting throug h an armoured cable with a hac ksaw when the blade slipped and cut through the back of the cuf f of his protective glove. He needed four stitches.
One mem b in a stora er of staff was work in g Yard in Ke e container at B g alone elvedere nt cutting sharp knif nylon rop e e left wris . He lost control an with a t. Fortun d ately, he cut his attention g o station p f a nearby worke ot the la r before he tform who applied on the fi was take n to hosp rst aid, ital.
ternationWaterloo In ff hit his t a g in rk o While w r of sta a membe mmer, al viaduct using a 4lb club ha ired e u il q h re w h thumb cut, whic e individual a g in s h u ca g. T nd bruisin ol for stitches, a an improvised to g was usin the task.
ughs on to ading tro to Barklo s a w e v k ti An opera ey on the Gospel Oa er of the ll b o m tr e a track ther m . t and ano trough lid ing projec d around to load a lley and o e team turn were still on the tr er. First g n s fi d n is a h h f o is H t the end ministered but h g u a c d ad the li mediately was found aid was im operative’s finger ve went ti e part of th the glove. The opera that he ld in ll to ti s s a e w b e to h al where to hospit operation. n a needed
One scaffolding operative from Stewarts Lane depot wrote this testimonial about an incident he was involved in:
So what does the Southern Shield Charter say? “EN388 Cut Index 5 gloves are 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.”
PLANT FOCUS
IT’S A wheelbarrow – but a wheelbarrow with a difference, and a difference that cuts down the amount of lifting for staff. The JCB powered wheelbarrow uses tracks instead of wheels and has a capacity of up to one tonne. It has an engine, which drives the wheelbarrow with the operator simply pushing a lever to start. “It is useful in narrow spaces where other plant can’t really ac-
60 SECONDS Gerry Tolan, Site Manager at Costain
THE SHIELD: Explain safety in less than 10 words. GERRY TOLAN: Keeping myself and others free from harm and danger. TS: What unsafe act would you banish forever? GT: Working around live electrical equipment. I much prefer equipment to be isolated. TS: Name one thing that the Southern Shield encourages people to do to get every one home safe every day. GT: To only carry out works that you are competent and certified to do. TS: What is the best safety motto that you have ever heard? GT: If you are not 100 per cent sure – DON’T DO IT.
SAVING A LIFE EXCLUSION zones are set up by risk assessing the task or procedure required to carry out our work safely, to ensure people go home safe every day. On the construction site in the Waterloo International Terminal, an exclusion zone is a physical barrier that is set up and managed by the project’s on site workforce, with banksmen, vehicle marshals, supervisors and foremen keeping people out of an area where works are being carried out. Pre-work briefings are carried out to ensure everyone knows what is required of them if they have to enter the exclusion zone. “We must use exclusion zones where we are using plant which could cause hurt, damage or loss,” said John Marley, Senior Works Manager. “If there is not third party interface, we can use tape to separate the two – just so if anyone comes near that has not been briefed on the works there is a visual warning.” If there could be an interface between a third party and plant, then a physical barrier must be put in place. Each case is assessed individually for what level and size of exclusion zone is required.
John added: “Recently a remotely-controlled mobile elevated work platform fell over. No one was hurt because we set up correctly. We had assessed it and decided that it needed an exclusion zone within an exclusion zone, which was the best solution.” Learning lessons from the wider industry shows that keeping plant and people segregated is crucial. “We all come to work to do a job but the people who we work with become colleagues and friends,” added John. “We must do all we can to keep them safe and exclusion zones is just one of the things that helps make that happen.”
Never enter the agreed exclusion zone unless directed to by the person in charge
cess, as on our Dover site where the space between the new and old seawall was very small,” said Michael Thomson, Graduate Civils Engineer.“It is able to transport greater loads and the tracks can deal with far more rough terrain than ordinary wheelbarrows. “One of the big positives is that using it removes injuries from manual handling, including strain on arms and backs. “It also diminishes the chance of staff working when they are tired – resulting in slower reaction times and complacency, which can lead to accidents.”
ed The JCB power wheelbarrow
Do you have a BRIGHT idea youRAIL can share? Emailpage shield@networkrail.co.uK LIVES– 8
ISSUE 11, FEBRUARY 2017 THE SHIELD 7
ON SITE
IT’S ALL GOSPEL Track lowering and a biometrics machines are just two parts of the Gospel Oak to Barking project
ADNAN NOOR, SITE ENGINEER “I think that one of the great additions to this site is Datascope; it helps the team to make sure that no-one comes to work fatigued and helps everyone to get home safe. “We are all encouraged to submit Close Calls. The area I am working in at the moment is near a school and we get a lot of footballs kicked into the worksite. This morning, I overheard someone putting in a Close Call and discussing the best way to return them. This helps us by removing potential hazards on site keeping our neighbours happy.”
LEWIS SUTTON, MULTI-TRAINED “We have been installing the track slab under Crouch Hill tunnel, which means a lot of carpentry and concreting was involved. “I think that the daily briefings we have are very useful, it is good to know what we are doing and have potential safety hazards fresh in your mind. “There was a safety incident on site, where someone got their finger trapped while lifting materials. We had a safety stand down day for all staff following this to raise awareness of issues and discuss them to try to prevent anything similar happening again.”
THERE IS a lot more to the massive Gospel Oak to Barking electrification project than just overhead lines. The 13-mile multi-discipline and multi-contractor site includes track and drainage work, signalling work, piling and foundation work as well major alterations to Walthamstow Queens Road station, where both platforms are being lowered. These works are being carried out by J. Murphy & Sons. Parts of the line runs below bridges and tunnels, so sections of the track have to be lowered to accommodate the electrification. “It is far less disruptive to lower the track than to raise the bridges,” said Murphy Project Manager Gesh Chapatarongo. “One of the biggest elements for us is the unknown. While excavating for track lowering, we don’t know if we may encounter some uncharted services or underground structures, so we have to take due diligence. Some of the services we have
encountered are shallower than expected, so we have had to redesign the track and come up with bespoke bridging solutions. “Another challenge is to manage a broad range of different activities across a huge site – so it is important to integrate all the works on a master plan.” It is a complex task to keep track of who is on site at any time – making managing fatigue a difficult challenge. This is where Datascope, a biometrics machine comes into play. “The fingerprint scan flags up if anyone is exceeding their hours and helps the guys manage their own working hours,” said Gesh. “We are responsible for the wellbeing of our staff and it helps us to get everyone home safe every day.” To keep everyone across the 13-mile site informed, daily briefings are held to tell staff exactly what is happening on a day-to-day basis – and what risks they could face.
“Supervisors brief their teams on what is happening on each particular section of the line, which means everyone can understand the hazards they are exposed to each day,” added Gesh. “One of our biggest daily risks is machine movement.” Another big part of this project is to ensure that members of the public, local councils and schools and other stakeholders are engaged before and during the project. “We wouldn’t be where we are without their cooperation,” said Gesh. “We had to demolish the old concrete track bed underneath a school to lower the track on that particular section, so the project engaged the school well before the construction period. Following discussions, part of these works were carried out during the half term break, after school hours and at weekends. The school authorities were pleased that our works caused no disruptions.”
DELROY HARRIS, ENGINEERING SUPERVISOR “I am responsible for the movement of plant and people. It is so important to keep a track of the movements on site – there is no movement without the consent of the supervisor. “Every morning supervisors give briefings to the machine controllers, COSS and safety critical teams and they, in turn, brief their workforce. “It is so crucial to have this in place everyday – if there are train or machine movements, we need to let them know exactly when and on which line it is coming in.”
LEE HARDLY, ENGINEERING SUPERVISOR “I work with Delroy to ensure that everyone on site is kept informed of the work going on and the hazards they may face. “One particular thing that we are focused on is exclusion zones. If we meet to safety standards then no-one gets hurt. “We have done a couple of safety stand downs with all staff on site to remind teams about safety, hazards and any procedures that need to followed. We do all that we can to get people home safely to their partners and children every day.”
want us to feature your team? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 11, FEBRUARY 2017
RAIL LIVES
“SOMETHING HAD GONE RADICALLY WRONG”
Dorian Colling talks about how he made drastic changes to his lifestyle after a health scare
THE WORRY THAT MY PARTNER AND CHILDREN FELT WAS OFF THE SCALE
A WORK trip away with his son turned into something much more dangerous after Dorian Colling suffered a heart attack. However this wasn’t the start of Dorian’s health concerns. “I am a 51-year-old father of three,” said Behavioural Manager Dorian. “Around 12 years ago, I took a drug and alcohol test and the nurse explained that I had failed it, due to extremely high sugar levels. I questioned it and was advised to see my GP.” After going to an NHS clinic, it was found that although Dorian’s sugar levels were normal – his cholesterol levels were very high, for which he was prescribed medication. “My doctor told me that, theoretically, I should have been dead,” said Dorian. “With a change of lifestyle, including fitness and diet, my cholesterol levels began to decrease.” But this was not the end to Dorian’s problems. “While working away, I was completing paperwork in the site office, when I felt a sharp pain under my left arm,” said Dorian. “My son, who is also an employee, was there and could see something had gone radically wrong, but I had no idea what was happening. “I lost control of my speech and felt extremely weak and dizzy.”
After about 10 minutes, Dorian’s speech began to return and the pain began to subside slightly. His son drove him to the hospital. “After several tests, I was informed that I had suffered a heart attack,” said Dorian. Through VolkerFitzpatrick’s healthcare provider, Dorian had an operation to rectify the damage and continues to attend clinics to monitor lipid levels and has cardio examinations to ensure his fitness levels and diet are under control. “The clinics are part of my life now along with the five tablets I have to take every day,” added Dorian. “I have since found out that an element of my cholesterol issues are hereditary as I produce larger amounts than your average person. “Has it affected my life? The answer is obviously yes, but it’s not just my life. The worry that my partner and children felt was off the scale and a constant reminder of what happened. “I am so lucky that we have such advanced technology that has been able to help me recover. It is so important for me to do all I can to help prevent a reoccurrence of what went wrong in the first place.”
THE FACTS TODAY… 425
people will lose their lives to cardiovascular disease
7 million
people fight a daily battle with cardiovascular disease
YOUR HEART HEALTH DID YOU know that someone has a heart attack every three minutes in the UK? Every February, the British Heart Foundation celebrates Heart Month, so show your heart some love. Cardiovascular disease is a term for conditions that affect the heart and includes everything from conditions that are diagnosed at birth, or inherited, to developed conditions.
Different types of heart condition range from angina, heart attacks, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, congenital heart disease and other inherited conditions. There are many different things that can affect heart health, including smoking, being overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and stress. By making positive diet and lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and taking regular exercise, you can make all the difference. If you are experiencing symptoms or would
like to talk to someone, always contact your GP. Have you had a Know Your Numbers assessment? It is a free and confidential health assessment that tests many different areas of your personal health. For more details contact shield@networkrail. co.uk If you want further health information then visit the health and wellbeing page at www. southernshield.co.uk or the British Heart Foundation’s website at www.bhf.org.uk/ heart-health
515
people will be admitted to hospital suffering from a heart attack
190
people will die from a heart attack
12
babies will be born with a heart defect
What do you think? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk