The Shield
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WATCH OUT FOR WASPS
THE PAPER FOR RAIL PEOPLE IN THE SOUTHERN REGION
ISSUE 19, JUNE 2018
Have you seen Southern Shield’s amazing new Lifesaving Rules animation? Head to www.southernshield.co.uk to check it out
DON’T SLIP UP
Turn to p a ge s 4 a nd 5 for our specia l s l i p s, trips and falls feature
Make a Change
How secure is your site?
Better safe than sorry
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www.southernshield.co.uk
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 19, JUNE 2018
First Person
THANK YOU to the more than 1,000 of you who took part in the 2018 Southern Shield Culture Survey. While work is ongoing to fully analyse the results, the initial indications are that our safety culture has improved since the last survey. In particular, we are showing a real change in our attitude to safety as we all become a lot more intolerant of any sort of injury. We are also better at looking out for one another, as
well as following the rules and being risk aware. However, we are still struggling with people feeling comfortable challenging the behaviours of others and being able to speak up about safety concerns. A lot of our people are also feeling pressure to deliver, and say pressure to get the job done on time can impact safety. As a result, the Safety Leadership Team still has lots of work to do too, but everyone has a role
to play in improving our safety behaviours. I encourage everyone reading this to be personally intolerant of safety issues by raising your concerns straight away. The full results of the survey will be fed back to you as part of the summer Step Up briefings starting in June across our sites. If you have any great suggestions in the meantime, you can let us know by emailing shield@networkrail.co.uk
John Dowsett, Managing Director Infrastructure, Osborne
The Shield This paper is produced for:
FEEL SAFE TO ASK INTRODUCING NEW safety initiatives is important, but Southern Shield also wants to know which of its existing programmes you feel are particularly improving your health and safety. The most popular initiative highlighted in the Southern Shield Culture Survey was Feel Safe to Ask. The Feel Safe to Ask initiative gives people the opportunity to
wear a sticker on their hard hat to let others know they are approachable, willing to listen and will be polite and respectful to any colleague who comes to them with safety concerns. So, why not make a commitment to being open and approachable to help create an environment where others feel safe and comfortable speaking up?
If you would like more information or stickers for your site email shield@networkrail.co.uk
FOCUSING ON CHANGE TOGETHER PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS across Southern Shield held CECA Stop Make a Change campaign events during April. The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) is the representative body for companies involved in delivering, upgrading and maintaining the country’s infrastructure. With more than 300 members across eight regions,its firms carry out somewhere between 70 and 80 per cent of all civil engineering activity in the UK. Stop Make a Change, launched in 2017, brings the construction industry together with a focus on improving health and safety performance. The initiative encourage sites to stand down for a day during two weeks in April to discuss safety-related topics – this year’s being mental health and plant safety. Here’s what some of our principal contractors got up to…
BAM Nuttall
VolkerFitzpatrick
Wessex Capacity Alliance
Osborne
Held an event at its Redhill site. Three sessions were held covering mental wellbeing awareness, with a visit from a MIND representative, and showcasing the latest plant innovation from key suppliers.
The West Anglia Mainline capacity team hosted four events attended by more than 200 people. Matt Ghinn, Project Director, discussed the importance of health and safety, plant safety and learning from incidents.
Written and designed by:
www.beetroot.co.uk
Hosted nine different events to raise safety awareness. Tech-lovers could try out virtual reality simulators, with presentations on protective eye wear from Bolle and a faultfinding exercise on scaffolding held by CCS Scaffolding also on the agenda.
Held a stand down day at its HS2 site to give colleagues, customers and suppliers the chance to experience life around large construction plant in a safe environment. Discussions on mental health were also held to raise awareness and understanding.
EVERYONE HOME SAFE EVERY DAY
ISSUE 19, JUNE 2018 THE SHIELD
A BUSY BANK HOLIDAY
Work on six projects, including four red zone sites, was completed during the late May Bank Holiday. Here’s some snaps from a very busy weekend…
BELLENDEN ROAD UNDERBRIDGE REPLACEMENT During a 74-hour possession the bridge superstructure was reconstructed giving it a design life of 120 years. This will result in minimal maintenance work being required and has improved its live load carrying capacity.
CAMBERWELL GROVE TUNNEL STRENGTHENING The team used the Bank Holiday possession to continue strengthening the wing wall and fractures in the tunnel’s roof.
WESTDOWN ROAD UNDERBRIDGE Both the underbridge and associated bridgeworks were replaced during the first of two consecutive possessions. The work will improve performance and reliability on the line while also reducing maintenance requirements.
WINDSOR WALK OVERBRIDGE REPAIRS The bridge, a two-lane single carriageway spanning four lines, had a number of repairs completed including erection of a beamed crash deck and scaffolding and the installation of shrink wrap encapsulation to the external façade.
POLHILL TUNNEL STRENGTHENING A team worked hard during the weekend to complete concrete spraying to strengthen the lining of the tunnel.
COMPTON ROAD OVERBRIDGE REPLACEMENT In order to prevent a weight restriction being placed on the lifeexpired structure, the team replaced the bridge with a new precast con-arch bridge.
want us to feature your team? get in touch at shield@networkrail.co.uk
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 19, JUNE 2018
DON’T SLIP UP PPE
LIGHTING
Are you wearing the right PPE?
Can you see what you’re doing and where you’re walking?
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Carry out a risk assessment to determine what PPE is needed for every task Always wear the required PPE for the task at hand Check that your PPE is in good condition before beginning work
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Always make sure areas walked through or worked in are properly lit Check that any lighting used doesn’t create shadows or dark spots When working on scaffolding, always use additional lighting
TIDY SITES
UNDERFOOT CONDITIONS
Is your site tidy before you start work, during work and after completion?
Do you take extra care when underfoot conditions are poor and avoid these areas if possible?
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Survey your site before starting work to identify any slip or trip issues Keep working areas tidy throughout your shift Regularly dispose of site waste and keep designated walkways clear
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Take care when walking on stairs and uneven or sloped surfaces Be aware of your surroundings and any changes to underfoot conditions When working on tracks, always walk on ballast and never on sleepers
ISSUE 19, JUNE 2018 THE SHIELD
Slips, trips and falls are some of the biggest dangers on any site. Here’s how to minimise risk: ACCESS ROUTES
WORKING AT HEIGHT
Do you always use designated access routes and make sure they are kept clear?
Do you follow the Southern Shield Working at Height Hierarchy and Lifesaving Rule?
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Always use designated walking routes where possible Be aware of your surroundings when entering or exiting site Telephone calls should only be taken in a designated mobile phone area
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Risk assess the task to ensure you have the correct protection Ensure you have the required competencies for the task A safety harness should always be used unless other protection is in place
MANUAL HANDLING
STAIRS
Do you eliminate manual handling where possible?
Are stairs well maintained and free from hazards?
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Eliminate or minimise manual handling hazards through risk assessment Consider whether manual handling is necessary to the task Use the correct technique and minimise twisting, stooping and reaching
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Areas with stairs must always be well lit Always use handrails when using stairs or steps Stairs must always be completely free of tripping hazards and obstacles
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 19, JUNE 2018
HOW SECURE IS YOUR SITE? CALL IT IN Recent Close Calls have highlighted that there is still work to do to ensure our sites stay secure over the summer.
A break in was attempted at a site office. Although nothing was taken, a window was smashed and office equipment damaged. And at a depot, a group attempted to gain access to the site by posing as members of staff, but did not have the correct ID and were prevented from entering. Security doesn’t stop at preventing unauthorised access either. A Close Call was raised on a site after a piece of Vortock fencing was left on a public walkway, heightening the risk of slips, trips, theft and vandalism. These incidents serve as a reminder that no matter the time of year, security is always a priority on any site. So, if you do see something, remember: • See it • If possible, fix it • And Close Call it in
Schools are breaking up for summer and children will be out enjoying the warm weather. That makes it more important than ever that sites and infrastructure are as secure as possible
THE SHIELD’S TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR SITE SECURE: 1
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All access points should be locked and secured at the end of the working day
There should be no gaps to crawl through beneath gates or fences
Not securing sites properly could have dire consequences. Do you remember these tragic incidents?
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• In 2015, seven-year-old Conley Thompson was found dead on a construction site in Barnsley. Conley entered a vertical pipe and was unable to breathe when his clothing pushed up around him.
Any open excavations should be fenced off
All keys should be removed and plant and equipment left secure
All flammable materials, potentially hazardous substances and gases should be removed or made secure
If possible, any access to height should be removed or blocked
All fences should be Any signs of trespass, such as damaged fencing, secured in accordance should be reported with manufacturer and made secure instructions
WHAT COULD HAPPEN?
• A group of teenagers gained access to the railway by climbing over the parapet of an underbridge and then under two fences. One of the group came into contact with an overhead line and was pronounced dead at the scene.
THE BIG QUESTIONS Graham Hopkins, Group Safety, Technical and Engineering (STE) Director, leads the STE team in setting the overall direction and corporate strategy for safety across Network Rail. The Shield sat down with Graham to get his views on industry safety…
When would you expect people to stop work and miss a delivery deadline? When there is risk of personal injury or to the safety of the line. We encourage everyone to invoke the Worksafe procedure if they believe there is a risk of injury or to the safety of the line by continuing. No job or project is worth risking the safety of our staff, passengers and neighbours.
Explain what safety means to you in 10 words: Having the right controls to eliminate the risk of harm. What do you think of safety in the rail industry? It’s improved considerably over the past few decades. Fatalities and major injuries have dramatically reduced and the entire industry is far more vocal and visible in managing safety. There is, however, still more work to do to ensure everyone goes home safe every day. And how do you think it can be improved? As an engineer, I believe we can further remove risk by adopting ‘safe by design’ principles and using engineering and technology. That includes using safer trackside warning equipment and drones, mechanising lifting to avoid manual handling and adopting more robust solutions for removing silica dust instead of simply defaulting to PPE. Further behaviour changes are also required, as many of our accidents are still caused by compliance failures. Why do people continue to get hurt working on the railway? There are many reasons, which from recent investigations includes: • Non-compliance with rules and procedures • Competence and skills gaps • Workplace conditions (particularly underfoot) • Fatigue and distraction.
Untidy and unsafe infrastructure continues to be a hazard – what’s being done about this? We currently have several workstreams and initiatives underway to improve trackside risk, including: • Studying lineside equipment-related Close Calls and the time it takes to rectify the issue • Launching specific campaigns, for example, a recent initiative to replace missing or damaged catch pit lids • Giving colleagues the opportunity to make things safe prior to work through the Time Out Take 5 initiative. Several Network Rail contractors have achieved zero lost time injuries over 12 months – how can we continue to learn from this? Our contractors regularly share best practice at industry forums, such as the Track Safety Alliance and Southern Shield, and, more recently, using social networks such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Yammer. Do you think that ‘Everyone Home Safe Every Day’ is really achievable? Absolutely. With the right effort, we can certainly send everyone home safe every day.
See it, fix it, raise a Close Call8 RAIL LIVES– page
ISSUE 19, JUNE 2018 THE SHIELD
HERE COMES THE SUN Summer is here! But while the warmer weather is cause for celebration, it also means there’s a new set of safety considerations when working outdoors
Watch out for
WASPS!
When the sun is shining and you’re enjoying working out- condition, such as heart or breathing problems, people with side in the heat, it’s easy to forget just how much damage fair skin or red hair and those with moles or freckled skin the sun can do if you don’t take the necessary measures which reddens quickly in the sun. In addition to the risk of skin damage when working outto protect yourself.
Working outdoors for long periods of time with your skin exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can result in both long and short-term damage. In the short term, skin can burn, peel and redden – signs of skin damage. In the longer term, too much exposure to the sun can increase your chance of developing skin cancer, accelerate your skin’s aging and cause it to become leathery, mottled and wrinkled. Particularly at risk are those suffering from a chronic
doors, you should also be aware of the danger of heat stress, which can lead to heat stroke. Those suffering from heat stress should be kept in a cool, shaded area, given water, have any heavy clothing loosened or removed and cooled with a wet cloth. If left untreated, it could develop into heat stroke. Heat stroke can lead to death and is a medical emergency, so it’s vital you call the emergency services immediately if you think a colleague is in danger.
SO, HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF? Plan your day and carry out more strenuous works during cooler hours Take frequent, short breaks in a shaded, cool area
If possible, wear loose and lightweight clothing
Avoid eating large meals before working in hot environments
Walk and work in the shade as much as possible
Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water
Apply sunscreen to all areas of your skin and reapply regularly throughout the day (Look for a sun protection factor of at least SPF15)
Report any medications which can affect you working in hot environments
stay safe in the sunshine
Wasps can attack unexpectedly at any time, with many incidents of stings reported on our sites over the last year.
If they are disturbed or feel in danger, wasps release a chemical alarm which alerts the nests and causes them to swarm and react. Nests can carry up to 10,000 wasps and can be found anywhere, from underground or inside bricks to on walls or in hedges. The most common symptoms of a wasp sting are pain in the area stung, minor swelling and redness, and itchiness. Some may suffer a more severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, which can cause symptoms including difficulty breathing and swallowing, an increased heart rate and even fainting.
Some dos and don’ts when working near wasps: DO REPORT ANY HARM OR INJURY BY WASPS, OR IF YOU SUSPECT THERE’S A NEST NEARBY STOP WORKS NEAR A NEST AND CORDON OFF THE AREA UNTIL THE NEST HAS BEEN TREATED TELL YOUR SUPERVISOR IMMEDIATELY IF YOU’RE ALLERGIC TO STINGS
DON’T MAKE ANY SUDDEN MOVEMENTS NEAR WASPS SCRATCH OR RUB THE AREA WHICH HAS BEEN STUNG REMOVE A STING WITH TWEEZERS, AS THIS SPREADS VENOM. USE A CREDIT CARD OR SIMILAR TO SCRAPE IT OUT SIDEWAYS APPROACH OR ATTEMPT TO DESTROY A NEST
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THE SHIELD ISSUE 19, JUNE 2018
RAIL LIVES
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
Phil Mellish, Senior Construction Manager, told The Shield his cautionary tale of why the sun is so dangerous “Working during the summer, the weather was warm and the sun shone brightly. We all put on our sun glasses and applied sun cream (or did we?). “I noticed during this period that a small sore had appeared on my left cheek near my eye. It was really just a blemish, so I used antiseptic cream and expected I’d soon see the last of it. Unfortunately, a couple of weeks later it was still there, so I changed the cream. After six months, I think I’d tried every cream available on the market, all to no avail. Various chemists looked at it and recommended different creams, but eventually I’d had enough and went to my local surgery. “In the waiting room I felt like a fraud, as it was full of people with the flu and there I was with a little sore on my face. I almost got up and left but didn’t want to waste the day off I’d taken. I was also curious as to why my self-medication had not worked. The doctor examined the sore and looked me in the eye and said quite bluntly it was a form of skin cancer and I was to see a specialist for confirmation. “Three days passed and the C-word grew bigger and bigger in my mind. On the fourth day a letter arrived with the appointment. I felt relieved that I was finally going to know exactly what the problem with this sore was.
CHECK YOUR SKIN “After further examination, I was told it was skin cancer and I needed surgery which involved making an incision around the sore so the cancerous cells could be removed. The cut would then be sewn up and I would be left with a scar. I was a bit miffed about the scar, but at least I would be alive and kicking. “Surgery went well. I’m left with a scar that has already begun to fade and the ‘thing’ (that’s the only way I can describe the object that looks
like a cluster of tree roots) they removed, has been sent to be examined. “The whole purpose of this is to ask you to remember that even in this country, the sun can be hot and can damage your skin. Skin cancer can be life threatening and needs treating quickly, so the secret is to spot it earlier than I did, cover up exposed skin with a good quality high-factor sun screen and don’t be afraid to visit a doctor – it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
You should check your skin at least once a month if you’ve had exposure to sunlight, as this can cause cancer. Warning signs include: • Growth of moles and skin • Moles that are growing, bleeding or changing in appearance • Scabby spots and sores that do not clear • Skin discolouration. If your skin does not improve in four weeks, you must seek medical advice.
LET’S STOP THE SUMMER SPIKE In 2017, 30 people were injured during the three summer Periods. That’s 11 more than in the previous three Periods Historically, there is an increase in accidents in the southern region during summer and winter, with periods four, five and six experiencing an increase in accidents known, as the ‘Summer Spike’. The Summer Spike is caused by a number of factors. These include the warmer weather, which can lead to dehydration, sunstroke and sun burn, the high
occurrence of leave, which can lead to issues with handovers, reduced focus and lack of familiarisation with changes during leave, and general fatigue. So, what can you do to avoid becoming another Summer Spike statistic? • Take the necessary precautions when working in the sun
• Familiarise yourself with your site again when returning from leave • If you see something wrong, always put in a Close Call Southern Shield will release a Summer Spike briefing pack. Visit www.southernshield.co.uk
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR COLLEAGUES DURING THE SUMMER AND IF IN DOUBT, TAKE A TIME OUT TAKE 5
“Insanity is doing the same over and over again and expecting different results” Albert Einstein
If we do the same thing, we should expect 30 people not to get home safe this summer.
What do you think? Get in touch – shield@networkrail.co.uk