The Shield May 2020

The Shield

LOCKD OWN SPECI EDITIOAL N

THE SAFETY NEWSPAPER FOR RAIL PEOPLE

ISSUE 28, MAY 2020

BRITAIN IS RELYING ON YOU:

LD ISSUE 28, MAY 2020

SPEAK UP FOR SAF FEEL SAFE TO ASK

1

STAY SAFE! Let me check again and make sure. Thanks for caring about our safety.

Is this the right place for our work?

COSS

WORKING safely on the railway has never been more important. By getting everyone home safe every day, we can help keep vital workers and freight moving during the Coronavirus pandemic. This special issue shows how staff are playing their part, and has some valuable reminders of how to reduce risk and speak up about anything unsafe.

FEEL SAFE TO ASK

2m

TIME OUT TAKE FIVE

TIME OUT TAKE 5

2

This cartoon could save your life PAGE 3

let’s take a ‘time out take 5’ while we check the paperwork, and re-brief the task.

How to raise safety concerns

FEEL SAFE TO ASK

COSS

PAGE 4&5

2m

southernshield.co.uk

Work over Easter and beyond PAGE 6&7

2

THE SHIELD ISSUE 28, MAY 2020

First Person First and foremost, my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one through this horrific pandemic.

It really is staggering to think that the UK death toll has now exceeded 30,000; an incredibly vast number of people that is difficult to put into context until I consider that these people would now fill my local football stadium in Brighton. Visualising that many people lost to Covid-19 fills me with terrible sadness.

Secondly, I wanted to thank everyone that is working so hard to keep our projects going for our customers, keeping vital transport networks moving and introducing fantastic measures to protect each

SHORT PAUSE

other in the process. I appreciate the efforts of everyone, whether working on sites on the front line or working at home providing support to those projects.

During these very unusual times, it’s important to keep in touch, which is why we’ve produced this digital-only version of The Shield.

As well as marking some of the excellent work being carried out across the region, it has information that will help you to work safely.

Keep supporting each other and stay safe.

ONE operational impact of the Coronavirus outbreak has been the delay of the full roll out of Negative Short-Circuiting Devices (NSCDs).

Network Rail is continuing to monitor the situation with further updates on when the golive will start based on government guidance on virus related restrictions.

All planned isolations will still proceed but under existing arrangements. For Network Railled worksites this means that NSCDs will be used where already installed.

John Dowsett Managing Director of Infrastructure, Osborne

For other worksites isolations will be planned using shortcircuiting straps.

NSCDs are being rolled out across the region to enable a safer and more efficient method of applying short circuit protection. NSCDs are installed at traction supply points such as sub-stations but operated at a Local Control Panel situated in a position of safety. This means that in many cases an isolation can be set up without having to go on or near the line.

You can read more about NSCDs in the November 2019 issue of The Shield. Click here.

The Shield

This paper is produced for:

Device download: An NSCD module being delivered to Lee sub-station in South London in April

THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF HAND ARM VIBRATION SYNDROME Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is one of the most serious occupational health risks that railway and construction colleagues can encounter. Yet, because it develops over a long period, the condition can be hard to spot.

Loss of sensitivity Numbness or tingling of fingers

Fingers may go white especially in cold weather

HAVS is caused by the repeated use of vibrating tools over time, causing irreversible damage to a person’s hands. It can be severely disabling.

Written and designed by:

In its early stages HAVS symptoms can fade away, with the worker thinking it’s just a temporary problem. But with continued longer-term exposure, more debilitating problems can develop – having a serious impact on an individual’s long-term health.

Loss of strength in hands

beetroot.co.uk

want us to feature your team? get in touch at shield@networkrail.co.uk

Pains in hands or wrists

ISSUE 28, MAY 2020 THE SHIELD

EASY AS ONE, TWO, THREE… FOUR

Knowing and sticking to the Lifesaving Rules will help get you home safe every day. There are ten rules, relating to different tasks and situations and split across four key parts of the working day – leaving home, the journey to work, arriving on site and carrying out work. To help everyone learn and remember them, Southern Shield produced a short, light-hearted animation – which you can watch by clicking on the button below:

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

Never use a hand-held or hands-free phone, or programme any other mobile device, while driving

Always use equipment that is fit for its intended purpose

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

Always test before applying earths or straps

Never assume equipment is isolated – always test before touch

Always use a safety harness when working at height, unless other protection is in place

Never work or drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Always obey the speed limit and wear a seat belt

Never enter the agreed exclusion zone unless directed to by the person in charge

EVERYONE HOME SAFE EVERY DAY

3

4

THE SHIELD ISSUE 28, MAY 2020

SPEAK UP FO FEEL SAFE TO ASK

1

Let me check again and make sure. Thanks for caring about our safety.

Is this the right place for our work?

SWL

FEEL SAFE TO ASK

2m

TIME OUT TAKE 5

2

let’s take a ‘time out take 5’ while we check the paperwork, and re-brief the task.

FEEL SAFE TO ASK

SWL

Remember: you can raise a Close Call at any

ISSUE 28, MAY 2020 THE SHIELD

OR SAFETY Three simple steps to follow if you are unsure of something or see anything that might be unsafe on your site TAKING time to stop, check and assess work is one of the main ways you can protect yourself and your team mates on site.

There are three simple steps to follow if you have a question which can’t be resolved straight away – Feel Safe to Ask, take a Time Out Take Five and implement the Worksafe Procedure.

Feel Safe to Ask aims to break down the barriers to speaking up and challenge poor safety behaviours, without the fear of the reaction from others or being shouted at and made to look stupid.

People are encouraged to wear a Feel Safe To Ask sticker on their helmet which means that they are approachable and open at all times

to someone raising and discussing a safety matter.

If you are still not sure a Time Out Take Five is a pause in the work that allows the team to reassess the working environment and any risks or hazards that present.

In the southern region, a Time Out Take Five is mandatory at the start of every task, but it can also be called at any time, by any member of the team who has a concern and wants to take a step back from the task in hand.

The next step if you are still unsure is to stop the work, move to a position of safety and immediately contact the person in charge. You should explain why you have stopped and that you have

invoked the Worksafe Procedure.

The person in charge will assess the situation and decide the course of action required. An agreement should be reached that there has been a suitable risk assessment, and that the system of work is safe to restart.

If no agreement can be reached, the work will not be restarted and the person in charge will escalate the issue further.

The Worksafe Procedure page on Safety Central contains much more information about what more information about what this step involves.

You can see it here: https:// safety.networkrail.co.uk/safety/ worksafe/

2

Call a Time Out Take Five at any time if you are not sure about the work you are being asked to do.

3

If still in doubt, invoke ‘Worksafe’ and stop work until the issue is resolved.

SWL

WORK SAFE

y time if you think your workplace is unsafe

Ask your team mates or supervisor – look out for the green sticker.

I’m still confused. Let’s invoke the work safe PROCEDURE and we won’t start work until we can resolve this. We’ll raise a close call too.

WORK SAFE

3

1

FEEL SAFE TO ASK

5

6

THE SHIELD ISSUE 28, MAY 2020

ON SITE

Steve Dolan

GUILDFORD SANDS TUNNEL, SURREY

ACROSS THE REGION

GUILDFORD STATION, SURREY

Always be sure the required plans and permits are in

ISSUE 28, MAY 2020 THE SHIELD

HITHER GREEN, SOUTH LONDON

Vital wor the railwa k to keep y carried o running was ut safely before, during an d after th e Easter br eak

MUCH of the country may be in lockdown but across the region, work continues to keep the railway running.

With a nation depending on supplies of food, fuel and other vital goods, getting the work done safely and effectively is more important than ever. During the Easter weekend alone work was carried out at 21 ontrack sites in possessions, four ontrack sites in line blockages and 44 off-track sites.

While special hygiene and distancing measures were introduced to enable work to continue in line with the government Coronavirus guidance, staff were reminded to stay focused on the Lifesaving Rules and the need to speak up about anything unsafe.

At Guildford Sands in Surrey, staff from Osborne and BAM Nuttall worked alongside other subcontractors to stabilise and reinforce an embankment which had suffered a slip early in the year.

The work is due to continue into the summer with around 18 people a day working on a variety of tasks including rope access work, clearing vegetation, installing steel pins to reinforce the bank and associated trackside work.

THAMESLINK RESIDUAL WORKS

place, before you start a job or go on or near the line

RISK ASSESSED The complexity of the work means staying focused despite the unusual working conditions is paramount.

Steve Dolan, Site Manager for Osborne, said: “There are extra Covid-19 briefings but of course we still have the regular daily briefings and work package plans.

As well as the full briefing on site I make sure I give everyone an additional briefing, so there’s no doubt about the task in hand and the safety requirements.”

In addition to the usual workforce, cleaners are on hand 24 hours a day to make sure welfare facilities and equipment is kept washed down.

Three additional welfare units have been set up in the neighbouring college car park, enabling a oneperson-at-a-time policy to help maintain distancing. And, along with safety roles such as banksmen and rope safety supervisors, other marshals are tasked with ensuring the mandatory two metre distance is kept at all times.

“Distancing brings challenges of its own,” said Steve. “But every task has been risk assessed in advance to ensure it can be done safely while keeping that gap.

“With numbers on site being kept to a minimum, everyone is really pulling together, to get the job done as efficiently and safely as possible.

“Enabling trains to run is helping get NHS staff to work and getting food and goods around the country.

We are playing a vital part of that and so the need to get the job done safely is very important.”

7

8

THE SHIELD ISSUE 28, MAY 2020

SUITS YOU!

It is mandatory to wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) shown as a minimum while undertaking work or visiting any Southern Shield sites. However, risk assessments It is mandatory to wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) shown as a minimum while undertaking work or must be carried out to determine whether different or additional PPE is required to offer more suitable protection for the task and environment. You must ensure you know how to wear your PPE correctly and that it is suitable for you, the task and environment. know how to wear your PPE correctly and that it is suitable for you, the task and the environment.

Do you have right PPE for the task?

Do you have thetheright PPE for the task?

Eye Protection Eye protection must be worn while on site and be suitable for the task.

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

Eye protection as appropriate for the task (e.g. glasses, goggles, visors and face shields)

Safety helmet A chinstrap may be required if there is a risk from the helmet falling off, such as working at height or in

High visibility orange upper body clothing (long sleeves are preferable to protect skin) with reflective tape Hand protection appropriate to the task (the minimum standard is Cut 5 gloves)

Clothing You are required to wear high visibility orange PPE; including jackets, vests, t-shirts and trousers.

Upper body clothing must have your Sponsor’s logo on the back.

The Southern Shield Charter also mandates the following minimum level of protective clothing: • Protective clothing (as a minimum to EN ISO 11612) must be worn when undertaking strapping duties as the COSS/SWL or Strapping Operative.

• Protective clothing (as a minimum to EN ISO 11612) which is also Arc Flash (EA) rated (as a minimum to IEC 61482-2), plus cotton or flame-retardant undergarments must be worn in traction and high-voltage non-traction distribution locations.

High visibility orange lower, full length clothing

Footwear supporting the ankle with a protective toecap and mid-sole protection

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 be replaced in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance. Only purpose made liners are permitted to be worn under safety helmets.

Hand & Arm Protection As a minimum, you are required to wear Cut 5 gloves on our sites. This does not preclude task specific gloves being worn as identified in the risk assessment. For example, rubber gauntlets must be worn when strapping.

Footwear Boots must have steel or composite toecaps 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 toecap becomes exposed.

Specific boots may be required for certain tasks and should be identified during a risk assessment.

What do you think? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk