November NL

Nov 2022

SAFETY NEWSLETTER

vital.uk.com

Contents Nov 2022

Section Introduction Welcome Safety Matters / HSQE Team Hot topic Daylight savings: how changes to sleep can impact your health and safety

Page 3 Page 4 Page 5

Health and Wellbeing Preventing fatigue

Page 6-7

Vital news

Page 8

Driving Winter driving advice

Page 9-10

Compliance New Standard: Test Before Touch for Overhead Line Equipment: NR/L3/ELP/27720 Drug and Alcohol (D&A) Testing

Page 11 Page 12-13

Offices

Page 14

External Alerts & Notices Network Rail Fast Facts - Fall from height and service disruption HS2 Lessons Learned - Energised Rebar Exiting Site into Public Domain Colas Rail - Information Posters TRU Fast Facts - Injury Event Twisted Ankle Costain - Health Focus

Page 15-17 Page 18 Page 19-21 Page 22-23 Page 24

Welcome Group Director, Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Compliance, Gareth Morris

Stay safe, Gareth Morris

Welcome to our November newsletter.

Now Autumn is upon us we can see the change in the weather and in nature such as the trees shedding their leaves to conserve energy.

We, like nature prepare to adapt for the change in the seasons. We wear more clothes, we change our footwear, we go outside less, and sleep more.

The changes in the seasons are predictable and happen every year. We expect them, and we are prepared for them.

We also have changes in other areas of our lives such as at work. The work environment is constantly changing.

This month, Network Rail introduce their new Fatigue Management Standard. The standard tightens up the controls used to manage and reduce fatigue.

At Vital we work with our clients to reduce fatigue as much as possible when planning shifts of work.

We all need to take responsibility in managing our own fatigue by resting properly when we should be taking rest between work shifts. We all have our part to play in ensuring nothing bad happens because we are fatigued.

Some changes in our lives are unexpected and out of our control. The recent cost of living rises has taken us all by surprise. Regardless of how much we earn, we did not prepare and budget for the massive increases in energy, power and fuel costs.

These rises will obviously affect some people more than others. The only consolation is that there is help out there, and some details about this are posted in the Costain article in the newsletter.

With the darker nights and more slippery conditions, please take extra care out there.

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Safety Matters Created specifically for our workforce; a multi platform mobile app that has been designed for users to ensure they can report a close call at any time and any place.

Features Include:

Simple - Add the information to the form provided and submit Direct - All close calls reported through the app are sent instantly to our Health and Safety mailbox Photograph - Upload supporting images Offline - No network connection required, use the app anywhere

Safety Matters The Close Call Reporting App Available to download NOW!

HSQE Team

My Idea How would you improve safety?

HSQE Director Gareth Morris, Morson International - Manchester Gareth.Morris@morson.com 07736 657 039

HSE Adviser and Safety Unit Keith Wright Keith.Wright@vital.uk.com 07717 306 775

HSE Adviser and Safety Unit (North) Jane Hepburn – Manchester, Solutions, Milton Keynes (North) Doncaster, Market Rasen and Birmingham Jane.Hepburn@vital.uk.com 07717 306 797

HSE Adviser and Safety Unit (South) Alex Wilson - Cardiff, Farnham, Milton Keynes (South) and Canning Town.

Alex.Wilson@vital.uk.com 07717 306 811

What are your ideas for innovation?

What would you change?

To be in with the chance to with £100 worth of gift vouchers, email us your ideas at: MYIDEA@VITAL.UK.COM

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Daylight savings: how changes to sleep can impact your health and safety It happens twice a year, and the clocks going back in the UK are often the signs of the start and end of the warmer months of the year. Daylight savings were introduced to better structure the working day around the availability of sunlight, however, with the advent of modern technology, the need for constant daylight has been reduced.

Despite the lessened need, many working in the construction industry will need to cope with the added darkness which can often result in the loss of an hour of daylight for work tasks to be completed in.

Whilst we are set to draw the clocks back on the 30th of October, many are calling for a standard fixed time to be introduced; due in part to the impact it can have on sleep and the dangers this can pose for the health and safety of your workplace.

How can daylight savings impact on sleep?

The internal body clock can be a delicate thing to manage, any subtle changes can be enough to alter the circadian rhythm and affect your wakefulness and alertness throughout the day. The added change not only impacts on the time you will spend asleep, but the disruption to the ‘waking up’ routine can also be enough to disrupt both your mood and productivity at work.

The changing of the clocks associated with daylight savings can even give you a mild form of jetlag. This can have big implications for your personal health and safety. If you are already somewhat sleep-deprived, losing an hour can have a big impact to perform your job in a productive and safe manner.

Studies suggest that it takes people who work traditional hours several days to fully readjust their sleep schedule after the time change. While it may seem a welcome gift to get an extra hour of sleep as opposed to losing an hour in the spring, there is a physiological consequence to changing our clocks. Don’t be surprised if you feel a bit sluggish during the first week or so of November.

Workers who use vehicles to get to work or during work should also beware of their increased risk of road crashes following the October clock change; research by the RAC Foundation suggests that more than 250 extra personal injury collisions are reported as a result of the darker afternoons, worsening weather and disoriented drivers.

Combat Potential Fatigue Issues Following the Clocks Changing Consider setting your clocks to change on Saturday to give yourself extra day to acclimatise.

Avoid engaging in dangerous work activities on the Monday following the time change.

Keep your more demanding tasks and meetings for Tuesday or Wednesday, and schedule tasks that do not require a huge amount of focus or concentration for the Monday after the DST changeover.

Exercising will help your body to combat the symptoms of fatigue.

Try to go to sleep earlier for the few days following the time change.

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Preventing fatigue More than 3.5 million people are employed as shift workers in the UK. Poorly designed shift-working arrangements and long working hours that do not balance the demands of work with time for rest and recovery can result in fatigue, accidents, injuries and ill health.

Fatigue refers to the issues that arise from excessive working time or poorly designed shift patterns. It is generally considered to be a decline in mental and/or physical performance that results from prolonged exertion, sleep loss and/or disruption of the internal clock. It is also related to workload, in that workers are more easily fatigued if their work is machine-paced, complex or monotonous.

Worker fatigue can result in: lack of attention slower reactions reduced co-ordination decreased awareness underestimation of risk memory lapses or absent-mindedness a reduced ability to process information Fatigue can lead to errors and accidents, ill-health and injury, and reduced productivity.

Fatigue has also been implicated in 20% of accidents on major roads and is said to cost the UK £115 - £240 million per year in terms of work accidents alone.

Research shows that some working patterns result in less fatigue than others. By taking advantage of more favourable patterns and allowing sufficient recovery time, it is possible to balance the needs of both worker and workplace.

Managing fatigue offers measurable benefits including: increased productivity healthier shift patterns increased employee motivation optimised alertness and decision making assurance of compliance with relevant H&S regulations reduced likelihood of fatigue-induced human error leading to accidents Tiredness – is this the same?

NO – fatigue is not the same thing as tiredness. Tiredness happens to everyone - it is an expected feeling after certain activities or at the end of the day. Usually you know why you are tired and a good night's sleep solves the problem. We all feel tired from time to time. The reasons are usually obvious and can include: a late night long hours spent at work a baby keeping you up at night etc However tiredness that goes on for a long time is not normal and can affect your ability to get on and enjoy your life. Unexplained tiredness is one of the most common reasons for people to see their GP Further information from RSSB Sleep and your body clock (videomarketingplatform.co)

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Drink plenty of water.

Staying hydrated is a must at the office. And water is the best liquid to do the trick. Keep a bottle at your desk and drink it regularly throughout the day. If you are not properly hydrated, you run the risk of feeling tired and lethargic.

Limit your sugar intake.

In general, stay away from foods and drinks that may give you energy for a short period of time but also will drag you down later. Think sodas and candy bars. You may feel focused for an hour or so, but after that you will probably feel worse than you did before you ate or drank.

Stay satiated.

Don’t allow yourself to get hungry. When you get hungry you can lose focus and become tired. Make a point to keep nutritious snacks nearby and eat a small portion every 90 minutes or 2 hours. Also eat a nutritious breakfast before work, and plan to eat lunch at a reasonable hour.

Stay active.

Whether a real quick walk every hour, a desk with a treadmill or bicycle, or even a stand up desk, getting on your feet and getting the blood flowing in your body can provide a real boost of natural energy.

Get enough sleep.

For most people the right amount of sleep is at least 7 to 9 hours a night. We know this can be difficult to achieve in a regular basis, but if you are one of those people who is tired for most of the day, than finding a way to get more sleep could be a crucial step to becoming more alert and more productive at work.

Exercise regularly.

Whether it’s a 30 minute daily walk or a specific class at your gym each morning, staying active outside of work is a vital part of staying healthy. It also helps you to fight off fatigue because you will have more energy throughout the day.

Get rest when you need to.

If you are sick, try and stay away from work, or work in short spurts. To get healthy quicker, you will need a good amount of quality rest. If not, your symptoms could last days or weeks longer, making you less productive over the long haul.

Enjoy fresh air when possible.

There’s nothing like fresh air to re-energize you in the middle of a long day. If you are feeling sluggish, make a point to head out for five minutes. Not only with the fresh air benefit you, but taking time away from your tasks can help you become more focused when you return.

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Vital news Our Rail Staff finalists Vital had a number of nominations for the Rail Staff Awards this year and we are delighted to announced that since the voting, 3 of them have been made finalists! Deserving their places within the Samaritans Lifesaver Award category are Morgen Chabata and Joel Jackson and Jane Hepburn, for the Safety Person Award. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for them, we are crossing our fingers for them on the night and hope they take home the award! On the night, guests will enjoy an evening at a ski resort; shimmering mountains and log cabins of our bustling alpine party village taking place on Thursday 24th November at The NEC Birmingham. www.railstaffawards.com (Photo: L to R - Morgen Chabata, Joel Jackson, Jane Hepburn)

Isolations team are going paperless!

We are taking practical steps to transform our operational processes in 2022. An initiative led by our OLE Operations Manager, Mark Larvin and Isolations Manager, Ian Brandrick will result in most of the planning, risk assessment issues and management reports will become paperless. The first step is to issue tablets to all our OLE Isolation workers so they can receive, understand and acknowledge all information sent and receive updates in real time to ensure safe delivery of Isolations.

Inefficient and outdated paper-based processes including track-side safety briefings, track access/resource plans, work package plans/risk assessments, and management reports will all become a thing of the past, replaced by user-friendly mobile apps, digital forms, and automated processes that will help the industry communicate and operate more effectively, learn from mistakes, and ultimately contribute to safer railway environment.

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Winter driving advice What to pack in your emergency breakdown kit Winter weather can have a serious effect on a car's health, increasing your chances of a breakdown and leaving you exposed to harsher conditions – so it is important that you drive prepared. The following breakdown kit essentials are all recommended emergency items to keep in your vehicle.

Ice scraper and de-icer It is a legal requirement to keep your front and rear windscreen clear of snow and ice before driving and not all cars have heated windscreens to speed up this process. An ice scraper still needs manual effort but is effective, while a can or spray bottle of de-icer speeds up the process. In wintry conditions you will need to do this before setting off but both items need to be kept in the car ahead of the return journey - or in the event of being stranded somewhere, with the windscreen frosting over.

Torch and spare batteries Stuck by the side of a country road in the dark of a winter's evening with a flat battery? It's a very real possibility, and without any light it can be a frightening and dangerous situation. A large torch with spare batteries or a wind-up torch which doesn't require battery power should definitely be among your breakdown kit essentials.

Warm clothes and blankets Motorists often feel more comfortable driving without a thick coat but you should still travel with one in the car.

A breakdown could mean a long wait with no heat, so it's sensible to have some warm clothes to wrap up in - a big coat, gloves, a spare jumper, hat and gloves. Not just for the driver, either. Make sure all passengers have warm clothes they can put on to help stay comfortable in freezing temperatures.

High-visibility jacket High-Visibility clothing won't necessarily keep you warm, but if you need to leave the vehicle in the dark it's critical that you can be seen by other motorists. One of these could actually save your life and definitely should be included as one of the most important emergency items to keep in your car. In fact, an item of high visibility jacket clothing is required by law in some European countries, including France and Spain.

Boots with a good grip You should always drive in sensible footwear but also keep boots in the car during winter weather for safety reasons.

In heavy snow and slippery conditions, you should wear suitable boots with a strong grip if you plan on exiting the vehicle. An alternative or added extra could be snow grips to slide on over shoes. Either way, footwear that prevents you from slipping over is necessary.

First aid kit Don't forget a first aid kit in a winter driving checklist to deal with minor injuries. There is a national standard for first aid provision within motor vehicles, devised by the British Standards Institution (BSI). A small first aid kit should include sterile cleansing wipes, washproof plasters in assorted sizes, dressings, scissors, nitrile powder-free gloves and a Revive-Aid resuscitation face shield - or similar product. Of course, having a first aid kit in the car is good practice at any time of the year.

Jump start cables Flat or dead batteries can happen to any car regardless of age and at any time, but in cold weather such problems are far more likely to occur. Always have a set of jump start cables or jump leads in the car, which will help to get the battery going again and the car on the move - whether you get assistance from a passing fellow motorist or a roadside recovery.

Empty fuel can Some breakdowns aren't due to a flat battery, engine failure, or a mechanical fault. Sometimes, your car will grind to a halt simply - and annoyingly - because it has run out of fuel. This is obviously easily fixed providing you can find your way to a petrol station, and once there you'll need a can to fill with fuel.

Food and drink The prospect of being abandoned at the roadside for hours in poor weather conditions is a gloomy one - if you're hungry it can feel far worse. If you have children in the car, it's doubly worse! Food and drink should surely be considered breakdown kit essentials, with a big flask of hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate or soup high up on the list.

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Shovel In deep snow - for example if you're driving on smaller roads which may be relatively untreated - it can be too easy for a vehicle's wheels to get stuck. A shovel can help you to literally dig yourself out of such a problem; if boot space is limited why not buy a foldable model?

Two reflective warning signs A reflective warning sign is a legal requirement in many European nations. It usually comes in the form of a triangle and is used to warn other motorists that your vehicle has broken down to help to avoid collisions.

You need two; one to position in front of the car and the second at the rear. Ideally, the stand of the sign will be solid so it's not easily blown over and the reflective quality makes it visible in the dark. The signs should be at least 45 metres that's 147 feet - behind the car, however, the Highway Code advises to never use them on motorways.

A road atlas Yes, even in these modern times with Sat Nav systems there's still a place in a car for a paper based road atlas in case of diversions or getting lost. There's also the possibility that, in the result of a flat battery any electrical devices will be out of action and even after the car is back on the road you may prefer to keep these turned off.

Sunglasses Low winter sun can seriously affect driver visibility, creating a glare which makes it difficult to see the road. Always ensure you have a pair of sunglasses to hand.

In-car phone charger - and a portable battery charger Breaking down is not the time for your mobile phone to run out of power, so an in-car charger should always be kept in the car. If you've broken down, a portable battery charger could also be very welcome. What if you break down somewhere with no phone signal? If you're on the motorway you'll need to locate the nearest emergency phone.

On quieter roads, assess the situation - it may be a case of walking to the nearest house or sitting tight and waiting for a passing motorist to stop and help.

Locking wheel nut key These keys are designed to make sure that your wheel and alloys can't be stolen. However, they're also used to change your wheel or tyres following an issue. This metal, cylindrical tool has a hexagonal shape that is used to remove or tighten the wheel nuts. Locking wheel nut keys are kept in a small bag or box within your vehicle. Normally, they're stored underneath the spare wheel in the boot, or in your glove compartment. In some models of cars, the bag or box is stored under one of the seats. Make sure you know where these are, as you'll be asked to hand them over to a mechanic after a breakdown so they can try and resolve the problem with your car.

When it comes to driving in winter, preparation is key. Before embarking on a long journey it is worth running a series of checks on your car to ensure it is equipped for the drive and in good shape.

Be prepared, be properly equipped, drive responsibly and stay safe on the roads in winter.

Source: RAC

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New Standard: Test Before Touch for Overhead Line Equipment: NR/L3/ELP/27720 Why introduce a new standard?

Too many incidents involving colleagues suffering life changing injuries due to inadvertent contact with Live Overhead Line Equipment (OLE).

These would have been avoided if Test Before Touch had been carried out The new standard formalises, and improves on, the existing guidance on the Test Before Touch Lifesaving Rule for OLE Purpose and scope of the standard This standard applies to Overhead Line Equipment only The standard provides information to enable Test Before Touch actions to be identified, implemented, witnessed and recorded in a consistent manner Compliance with this standard will mitigate the risks of electric shock resulting from inadvertent contact with Live OLE. It covers planned work, short notice work and work following an Emergency Switch Off Briefing arrangements Detailed briefing: Colleagues holding Nominated Person, Authorised Person or COSS (OLP) competencies Colleagues who will be carrying out duties as the ‘Equipment Competent Person’ under method 1 OLEC 3 with the minimum elements 2,3 & 4 and Authorised Person; or OLEC 3 with the minimum elements 2,3 & 4 and Nominated Person.

Colleagues who are involved in the day to day planning of the implementation of isolations and associated OLPs No knowledge assessment but a learning event must be recorded in Sentinel. Short code/alias: TBTOLDB Overview briefing: The overview briefing is for colleagues that are part of a team or organisation that requests overhead line permits (OLPs) to be issued to enable their task(s) and task delivery method(s) to be implemented It provides an overview of the new Test Before Touch for Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) standard It highlights activities that colleagues might be required to undertake as part of the new process The compliance date for the new standard, NR/L3/ELP/27720, is 31/12/2022

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Drug and Alcohol (D&A) Testing Our policy for drug & alcohol testing is in accordance with Network Rail’s Drug and Alcohol Standard and is stipulated under the Sentinel Scheme Rules.

Drug and alcohol testing is carried-out across the rail industry because traveling to and from work and performing work under the influence of alcohol or certain drugs brings a significant safety risk to work colleagues and passengers. Consequently, all workers are subject to D&A testing at any time. The objective of testing is to keep everyone as safe as possible.

NETWORK RAIL LIFESAVING RULES Vital’s policy and procedures are also in accordance with Network Rail Lifesaving Rules where: Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for or on behalf of Network Rail including all workers working on any contract for Network Rail Network Rail Lifesaving Rules are in place to keep us safe and must be always adhered to Never work or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol The Lifesaving Rules apply to everyone including suppliers or contractors who work for and on behalf of Network Rail HOW DOES D&A TESTING HELP THIS? D&A testing protects the safety of our colleagues, contractors and passengers who travel to and from work and travel on the railway Helps to ensure our work colleagues safe and fit to work Enables Network Rail to legally comply with Transport and Works Act 1992 REASONS FOR D&A TESTING IN THE RAIL INDUSTRY Workers will be tested ‘FOR CAUSE’ following an accident or incident Workers will be tested ‘UNANNOUNCED’ where there is suspicion if anyone being under the influence of drugs or alcohol Workers will be tested ‘RANDOM UNANNOUNCED’ in accordance with Network Rail’s standard for random unannounced D&A screening SOME OF THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS & ALCOHOL TO THE INDIVIDUAL Poor concentration Irritable/aggressive Anxious or stressed Confusion Poor decision making Physical health issues e.g depression, addiction Long term mental health conditions

AT WORK Increased accident risk Unsafe to drive or operate machinery Unable to carry out work safely Put themselves, colleagues & passengers at risk Poor attendance and time keeping Poor quality of work Inability to follow instructions

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WHAT CHANGES ARE TAKING PLACE CHANGES Ketamine and Tramadol have been added to the substance testing panel.

Propoxyphene has been removed.

The percentage of selected work colleagues being selected for random unannounced D&A testing each year is increasing from 5% to 20%.

REASON WHY Ketamine and Tramadol can have psychoactive effects and have addictive properties.

These two substances are trending in misuse.

To address the increase in D&A failures reported by Network Rail and keep everyone safe.

CONSEQUENCES OF BREACHING THE D&A STANDARD The consequences for any work colleague or prospective candidate who records a positive D&A test result, including anyone who refuses to undergo a test when required to do so are as follows: Sentinel card (passport to work on any Network Rail Managed Infrastructure cancelled for five years Personal Track Safety (PTS) ticket revoked for five years ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED SUPPORT Vital can provide support to any worker that requires help Any worker who is concerned drug or alcohol issues should immediately contact the branch responsible for organising their work, declare the issue and ask for help If drug or alcohol misuse is not declared before a D&A test the worker will not have a defence in the event of a positive result i.e. FAIL. There are many organisations and support groups offering support and assistance to anyone who is struggling with alcohol or drug abuse. Please ask for support.

Further help (some examples only) www.al-anonuk.org.uk Support for family and friends of alcoholics www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Support for anyone with alcohol dependency or addiction www.nhs.uk/drug-addiction-help NHS support and care for drug addiction Highlighting the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse and being aware of the support available is important to keep the railway infrastructure, work colleagues and passengers safe. Please share with your colleagues.

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Office Locations Manchester (Head Office) T: 0161 836 7000 E: HeadOffice@vital.uk.com

Abercynon T: 01443 809 950 E: Abercynon@vital.uk.com

Bellshill T: 01698 840 950 E: BellshillRail@vital.uk.com

The Mill, South Hall Street, off Ordsall Lane, Salford, Manchester, M5 4TP

G16/17 Ty Cynon, Navigation Park, Abercynon, CF45 4SN

10 James Street, Righead Industrial Estate, Bellshill, Lanarkshire ML4 3LU

Cardiff T: 029 2083 9955 E: Cardiff@vital.uk.com

Birmingham T: 0121 809 3010 E: birminghamrail@vital.uk.com

Crewe T: 01270 906 130 E: Crewe@vital.uk.com

The Laurels, Heol Y Rhosog, Springmeadows Business Park, Rumney, Cardiff, CF3 2EW

Office G08 First Floor, Fairgate House, 205 Kings Road, Tyseley, Birmingham, B11 2AA

6 Solway Court Crewe Business Park Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 6LD

Derby T: 01332 982 470 E: Derby@vital.uk.com

Doncaster T: 01302 244450 E: Doncasterrail@vital.uk.com

Farnham T: 01252 964 020 E: Farnham@vital.uk.com

Ground Floor, Room 30 Derwent Caxtor House, RTC Business Park, Derby, DE24 8UP

First Floor Offices, Carr House, Heavens Walk, Doncaster, DN4 5HZ

Unit 10, Guildford Road Trading Estate, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 9PZ

Market Rasen T: 01302 308 080 E: MarketRasen@vital.uk.com

Newcastle T: 0191 300 0433 E: Newcastle@vital.uk.com

London T: 0203 963 5080 E: CanningTown@vital.uk.com

Unit 2, Gallamore Lane Ind. Estate, Market Rasen, LN8 3HZ

Spaceworks, Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE7 7LX

Unit 10, Canning Town Business Park, Stephenson Street, London, E16 4SA

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Safety Newsletter Nov 2022

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