Oct NL

vital.uk.com Oct2022 SAFETY NEWSLETTER

Contents Section Introduction Welcome SafetyMatters/HSQETeam Hottopic Andy'sManClub HealthandWellbeing WorldMentalHealthDay10thOctober Goodnewsstories Driving Autumndrivingadvice Compliance RSSB UpdatedRulesBriefingLeaflet Effective03.12.22 VitalCodeofConduct-Reminder Environment Whattodoifyou'restrugglingtopayyour energybills Energysavingtips:howtosaveenergyathome Offices ExternalAlerts&Notices NetworkRail SafetyAdvice Improvised explosivedevicefoundontrack ColasRail SafetyAlert Vehicleencroaching anopenline M&EENetworkingGroup Pointsrunsthrough Oct2022 Page3 Page4 Page5 Page6 Page7 Page8 Page9 Page10 Page11 Page12-13 Page14 Page15 Page16 Page17

Welcome

GroupDirector,Health,Safety,Qualityand EnvironmentalCompliance,GarethMorris WelcometoourOctobernewsletter. DustDanger Whileitisstillrelativelydry,thedangerofexposure todustremains IFyouareworkingonthetrack, themaindustriskisexposuretoballastdustthat containssilica Pleaseensureyoukeepawayfromthesourceof thedustifpossible Ifyouneedtobeclosetothe sourceofthedust,thenensureyouuserespiratory protectiveequipmentthatisfitforpurpose HAVSrisk AnotherriskwhenworkingisHandArmVibration orHAVSforshort Ifyouareusinghandoperated, poweredequipment,thenpleaseensurethatyou aremonitoring,recordingandreportingthe equipmentusage NewNetworkRailFatigueStandard NetworkRailisimplementinganewFatigue ManagementStandardshortly Youhavealready receivedandwillreceivefurtherdetailsinyour Safetynewslettersandbulletins Itisasimportant asevertomakesurethatyouarewellrested betweenworkshifts,andthatyoudonotattend workinafatiguedstate,andthatyouarefitfor workbothmentallyandphysically WinterInfections ThecasesofCOVID19aregraduallyreceding, howeverourimmunesystemswillbeweakerasa resultofthevirusandoursocialdistancing behaviours,sowewillbemoresusceptibleto catchingothercoldsandviruses Handhygieneis thereforeasimportantaseversopleasekeep washingandsanitisingyourhands AutumnCare AswemoveintoAutumn,weallneedtotake morecarewhenworkingandtravelling Outonsite itwillbemorewet,darkerandcolder Itwillbe moreslipperyunderfoot

3 Whendrivingtheroadsmaybemoreslippery, sodrivemoreslowly,andallowmorebreaking distancetothevehicleinfront Atthistimeofyear,thesunislowerinthesky, sokeepyourwindscreensclean,andyour washerfluidtoppedup Thankyouforreadingandtakecare GarethMorris

MyIdea Howwouldyouimprove safety? Whatareyourideasfor innovation? Whatwouldyouchange? Tobeinwiththechance towith£100worthofgift vouchers,emailusyour ideasat: HSQE Team 4 HSEAdviserandSafetyUnit (North) JaneHepburn Manchester, Solutions,MiltonKeynes (North)Doncaster,Market RasenandBirmingham Jane.Hepburn@vital.uk.com 07717306797 HSEAdviserandSafetyUnit (South) AlexWilson Cardiff,Farnham, MiltonKeynes(South)and CanningTown AlexWilson@vitalukcom 07717306811 HSEAdviserandSafetyUnit KeithWright KeithWright@vitalukcom 07717306775 HSQEDirector GarethMorris,Morson International Manchester GarethMorris@morsoncom 07736657039 MYIDEA@VITAL.UK.COM FeaturesInclude: Simple Addtheinformationtotheform providedandsubmit Direct Allclosecallsreportedthrough theapparesentinstantlytoourHealth andSafetymailbox Photograph Uploadsupportingimages Offline Nonetworkconnectionrequired, usetheappanywhere Available to download NOW! Safety Matters The Close Call Reporting App Createdspecificallyforourworkforce;amulti platformmobileappthathasbeendesignedfor userstoensuretheycanreportaclosecallat anytimeandanyplace SafetyMatters

ANDYSMANCLUB

IT’SOKAYTOTALK.

ANDYSMANCLUBareamen’ssuicidepreventioncharity,

TheclubtakesitsnamefromAndrewRoberts,amanwho

ElaineRobertsandLukeAmblerareAndy’sMumand

WE’REHEREFORYOU.

RAISINGAWARENESS.

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offeringfree-to-attendpeer-to-peersupportgroups acrosstheUnitedKingdomandonline.Theywanttoend thestigmasurroundingmen’smentalhealthandhelp menthroughthepowerofconversation.

sadlytookhisownlifeaged23inearly2016.Andy’sfamily hadnoinklingthathewassufferingorstrugglingtothe extentthathewoulddothis,andasaresultlookeddeeper intomalesuicideandmen’smentalhealth.Theysoon discoveredthatmalesuicideisthebiggestkillerofmen under50,withmalementalhealthsurroundedbywellingrainedculturalstigmaintheUK.

Brother-in-Law,togethertheycameupwiththeideaof ANDYSMANCLUB,agroupwheremenaged18andabove canspeakopenlyabouttheirmentalhealthina judgment-free,non-clinicalenvironment.Groupsnow operatenationwideandarecompletelyvolunteer-led, withthevastmajorityofgroupfacilitatorshavingfirst interactedwithANDYSMANCLUBwhentheycamethrough thedoorasaserviceuser. Withaserviceusedonaweeklybasisbyalmost2000 men,andanarmyof500+facilitators,themovementis alwayscontinuingtogrowonaweek-by-weekbasis.

AtANDYSMANCLUB,theywanttoeliminatethestigma surroundingmentalhealthandcreateajudgment free, confidentialspacewheremencanbeopenaboutthe stormsintheirlives.

VitalmetwithDanRowewhotalkedtousaboutallthings mentalhealthandsuicideprevention.Itwasan inspirationaltalkhearingallaboutthehugesuccessof theclubandhowtheclubcametobewhatitistoday.We willbehelpingraiseawarenessamongstourworkforce andlettingpeopleknow,it'sokaytotalk. Tofindoutmoreabouttheclubclickhere andysmanclub.co.uk Tofindyournearestgroupclickhere andysmanclub.co.uk/find your nearest group #ITSOKAYTOTALK

WorldMentalHealthDay 10thOctober

TheWorldHealthOrganisationrecognisesWorldMentalHealthDayonthe10thOctobereveryyear Thetheme of2022'sWorldMentalHealthDay,setbytheWorldFederationforMentalHealth,is'Makementalhealthand wellbeingforallaglobalpriority'.

Mentalhealthproblemsexistinourlives,families,workplacesandcommunities,impactingeveryone Weneed todoasmuchaspossibletopreventmentalill health asindividualsandasasociety WorldMentalHealth Dayisalsoachancetotalkaboutmentalhealthingeneral,howweneedtolookafterit,andhowimportantitis totalkaboutthingsandgethelpifyouarestruggling

Weallgothroughtoughtimesandpeoplehelpusthroughthem Othertimeswehavebeenworriedabout otherpeople’smentalhealth Whethertheyareafriend,familymemberorcolleague,therearemanywaysto supportsomebodyyoucareabout

Understandinghowtohelpsomeone

About1in4peopleexperiencementalhealthproblemseachyear, somostofuswillknowsomeonewhohasstruggledwiththeir mentalhealth

Wecanallfeelanxious,stressedorlowattimes,butitcanbea problemifthesefeelingsgetworse,goonforalongtimeoraffect ourdailylives

Ifyouknowsomeonewhoisstrugglingtosleeporishavingissues withtheirmentalhealth,therearethingsyoucando

Itcantaketimeforsomeone'smentalhealthtoimprove,and someofusmayneedprofessionalhelp,buttherearewaystohelp andsupportsomeonegetbacktopositivementalhealth

Ifyou'reworriedaboutaworkcolleagueoremployee,orwantto learnmoreaboutmentalhealthsupportintheworkplace,Mental HealthatWorkhasrelevantinformationandresources

Topthingsyoucandotohelpothers

Expressconcernandsayyoucanhelp

Lettingsomeoneknowyou'reworriedisagoodwaytoopenupaconversation itshowsyoucareaboutthe person,havetimeforthemandthattheydonothavetoavoidthingswithyou Reassurethem

Thefirsttimesomeonementionstheirworriesisabigstep It'sgoodtorecognisethisandreassurethem Let themknowyou'retheretolistenwhentheyneedtotalk

Bepatient

Youwillnotalwaysknowthefullstory Theremaybereasonswhytheyhavefounditdifficulttoaskforhelp Justbeingtherecanbehelpfulforsomeonewhomaywanttoopenuplater.

Donotforceit

Donotforcesomeonetotalktoyouorgethelp,anddonotgotoadoctorontheirbehalf Thismayleadto themfeelinguncomfortable,withlesspowerandlessabletospeakforthemselves Actasyouusuallydotogether

Dowhatyouusuallydo behavingdifferentlycanmakesomeonefeelmoreisolated Donotbeafraidto offerkindwordsandaspacetotalk,whetherbyphone,messagingorinperson Iftheydonotwantsupport

Gentlyexploretheirreasonsfornotwantingtogetsupport Iftheyareunsurewhethertogethelp,justtalking andlisteningwithoutjudgementcouldhelpworkoutwhat'sgettingintheway Lookafteryourself

Itcanbeupsettingtohearsomeoneyoucareaboutindistress Bekindtoyourselfandtakesometimeto relaxordosomethingyouenjoy

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Source:NHS&WHO

Goodnewsstories

MorgenChabata,TrespassandVandalismpatrollerforVital, hasbeenawardedwithourmonthlySafetyAward. We'vealsonominatedhimfortheLifesaverAwardatthisyear'sRail StaffAwards Onthe15thSeptember2022,Morgenhadtwo lifesavinginterventionswithinaveryshortspaceoftime(almost 40minutes!) Morgenpreventedtwoyoungfemalesfromtaking theirliveswithinthesamestation ThankyoutoMorgen'sspecialist training,quickthinkingandhelpfromthestationstaff,hewasable topreventsomethingterriblehappeningonnotonlyonebuttwo occasionsonthesameday ThankyoufromallatVital Youcan voteforMorgentowintheLifesaversAwardhere!

MonicaRani,TrespassandVandalismpatrollerhasbeen nominatedbyNetworkRailfortheRailStaffAwards SamaritansLifesaverAwardandwefullysupportthis!

"Monicanoticedadistressedfemalesoapproachedherand askedifshewasokandwantedtotalk Shereportedthisintoher controlandcontinuedtotalktothefemalebutshewasstillupset andasatrainapproachedthefemaletriedtogetroundherand ontothetracks Monicarangcontrolandplaceablockonthelines andcallBTP Thiswasdonewhilsttryingtokeepthefemalecalm andawayfromthetrackswhichwasdoneinthestationwaiting shelter.BTPtookoverandoncecalmescortedthefemaleaway. TheythankedMonicaforheractions Thefemalewasaknown missingpersonwithmentalhealthissuesandsuicidalintent Preventingherfromaccessingthetracksundoubtedlysavedher fromharm"

YoucanvoteforMonicatowintheLifesaversAwardhere!

JoelJackson,TrespassandVandalismpatrollerforVital, hasbeennominatedforRailStaffAwardsSamaritans LifesaverAwardbyTVManager,ChrisGostling

"Joelcompletedalifesavinginterventionforasuicidalyoung persononnotonlyone,buttwooccasionswithinaweekofeach other ThepersonwasspottedbyJoelatthesamestationon eachoccasion SinceJoelbeganhisroleatrespass&vandalism patrollerhehasexcelledinallelementsoftherole Thisisclearly highlightedbybothoftheseincidentsandsuchaprecarious positionJoelandhiscolleaguewasin;leadingtoapositive outcomeforallpartiesonbothoccasions”

YoucanvoteforJoeltowintheLifesaversAwardhere!

Lastweek,KevinMorrispresentedtheproceedsfromour charitygolfdaytoRebeccaManleyonbehalfofGreat OrmondStreetHospital. Wewouldliketoonceagain,saythankyoutoeveryonewho participatedandsupportedusonthedaytohelpraisea fantasticfinalsumof£4850 Wearealreadylookingforwardto planningnextyearsevent!Thisweekisalsoorgandonation awarenessweeksoifyouhaven'talreadyandwouldliketo, registeryourdecisiontoorgandonation Youcouldsavealife likethedonorfamilywhosavedBilly's wwworgandonationnhsuk/register your decision/

Autumndrivingadvice

Lowsun,andthereturnoficywindscreens

Stayonestepaheadoftheseasonalswitchindrivingconditions

Autumn’snotjustaboutblackberriesandfieryleaves itbringschanges totheroads,too

Dazzle

Glarewhenthesun’slowintheskyismorelikelytobeaproblematthis timeofyear Toimprovevision:

Cleanyourwindscreen,insideandout,removingthehazyfilmthat buildsup

Sortoutglassscratchesandchips theycanintensifythesun'sglare

Replaceyourwiperbladesifthey’reworn,damaged,ormorethana coupleofyearsold

Useascreenwashadditivethat’smadeforthejob checkthe handbookifyou’renotsurewheretotopitup

Keepapairofsunglassesinthecar,andusethesunvisors

Slowdownifyou’redazzled

Useheadlightstohelpothersseeyou

Remember:

Ifthesunsbehindyou,it'sintheeyesofthosecomingtowardsyou

Ifthesunsinyoureyesit'sprobablyblindingdriversfollowingyoutoo

Batteries

Batteriesgenerallylastaroundfiveyears Ifthere'sanysignthatyour battery’sstrugglingnow,it’slikelytoletyoudownduringthewinter,when it'scolder Replacenowtoavoidhasslelateron

Buyacarbatterycharger

Buyasolarcharger Buyjumpleads

Bulbs

Checkyourlightseveryfewweeksthroughouttheyear,butespeciallyas autumnstartsandweheadintothedarkermonths Yourhandbook showshowtochangeabulbbutyoumightneedagaragetochange headlightones Rememberthebrakelightsandnumberplatelights

Tyres

TheAArecommendatleast3mmoftreadforthewintersoifyoursis gettinglow,buynewtyresnowbeforethecoldsetsin

Antifreeze

Antifreezeisimportantyearroundtopreventcorrosionandimprove summercooling

Itshouldbecheckedaspartoftheregularserviceschedule

Therearedifferenttypesandmixingthemcoulddamageyourengine

Yourhandbookgivesdetailsofthecorrectantifreezetouse

Ifindoubtgetagaragetochecktheantifreezeforyou manyoffer cheaporevenfreewinterchecks

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingyourcompanyvehicle,pleasegetin touchwithourFleetTeamE:Fleet@vitalukcom

Source:TheAA 10

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RSSB-UpdatedRulesBriefing LeafletEffective03.12.22

HandbookGERT8000-HB15Issue6-Dutiesofthemachinecontroller(MC)andon-trackplantoperator Youwillneedthishandbookifyoucarryoutthedutiesofthemachinecontroller(MC)andon trackplant operator

SummaryOfChanges

Anewsectionhasbeenaddedat104describingtheactionsnecessarywhenamachinecontrollerrequestsline protectionforworktobecarriedoutonarailvehicle

HandbookGERT8000 HB11Issue10 Dutiesofthepersoninchargeofthepossession(PICOP) YouwillneedthishandbookifyoucarryoutthedutiesofthePICOP.

SummaryOfChanges

Anewsectionhasbeenintroducedat813allowinganalternativemeansofallowinganengineeringtrainto departapossession,whenpublishedintheWeeklyOperatingNoticeorEngineeringNotice Thisapplieswhenthe detonatorprotectionisatlessthanthestandarddistancefrompointsandthetrainisgivenpermissiontodepart fromthelaststopsignalbeforethedetonatorprotection Sections813,814and815ofissue9havebeen renumberedasresultoftheintroductionofthenewsection813 Section817isanewsectiondescribingthe actionsnecessarywhenadesignatedperson(DP)ormachinecontroller(MC)requestslineprotectionforwork tobecarriedoutonarailvehicle Section98hasbeenrenamed‘manuallycontrolledlevelcrossing’toremove gender specificlanguage Insection123,therole‘pilotman’hasbeenchangedto‘pilot’toremovegender specificlanguage

HandbookGERT8000 HB12Issue9 Dutiesoftheengineeringsupervisor(ES)orsafeworkleader(SWL) inapossession

YouwillneedthishandbookifyoucarryoutthedutiesoftheESorSWLinapossession

SummaryOfChanges

ItisnolongerpermittedforworkinconnectionwithisolationsoftheACorDCelectrificationsystemstobegin beforethework sitemarkerboardsareinposition,andthewordinginsection33hasbeenchangedtoremove referencetothisbeingallowed Ithasalsobeenrewordedtomakeitclearthatnootherworkcancommence withintheworksiteuntilthepersoninchargeofthepossession(PICOP)hastoldtheESthattheworksitehas beengranted Section69isanewsectiondescribingtheactionsnecessarywhenacontrollerofsitesafety (COSS),designatedperson(DP)ormachinecontroller(MC)requestslineprotectionforworktobecarriedout onarailvehicle Section78hasbeenrenamed‘manuallycontrolledlevelcrossing’toremovegender specific language

HandbookGERT8000 HB9Issue8

IWAorCOSSsettingupsafesystemsofworkwithinpossessions YouwillneedthishandbookifyoucarryoutthedutiesofanIWAorCOSSsettingupsafesystemsofworkwithin possessions

SummaryOfChanges

Section311isanewsectiondescribingtheactionsnecessarywhenadesignatedperson(DP)ormachine controller(MC)requestslineprotectionforworktobecarriedoutonarailvehicle

HandbookGERT8000 HB8Issue9 IWA,COSSorPCblockingaline

YouwillneedthishandbookifyoucarryoutthedutiesofaIWA,COSSorPCblockingaline

SummaryOfChanges

Section2hasbeenchangedtofacilitatetheintroductionoftwonewsections,210and211 Section210isanewsectionstodescribetheIWA,COSSorPC’sactionswhenplacingtheblockindicatorto’train online’wherethisisallowedtousedasamethodofadditionalprotection Section211isanewsectionto describetheIWA,COSSorPC’sactionswhenkeepingtheacceptanceswitchesat‘normal’isusedasamethod ofadditionalprotection

HandbookGERT8000 HB13Issue3 Dutiesofthepersoninchargeofthesidingpossession(PICOS) YouwillneedthishandbookifyoucarryoutthedutiesofaPICOS

SummaryOfChanges

Anewsection55hasbeenaddeddescribingtheactionsnecessarywhenadesignatedperson(DP)or machinecontroller(MC)requestslineprotectionforworktobecarriedoutonarailvehicle

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9

VitalCodeofConductReminder

CodeofConduct

Wearecommittedtobuildingadiverseandinclusivecultureandwecelebrateauthenticity Ourcodeofconduct iscreatednotinanticipationofbadbehaviourbutaswebelievethatourvaluesandobligationstooneanother reinforcestherespect,trust,andsafety(bothphysicalandpsychological)amongtheteam

ThenatureofthisCodeofConductisnotmeanttocovereverysituationthatmightarisebuttoprovideaframe ofreferenceagainstwhichtomeasureconductandguideaction Wearecommittedtoprovidingyouwitha safeandhealthyworkplacewhereyoufeelrespectedandappreciatedandcommittomeetingallofyour employmentrightsandentitlements

ExpectedBehaviour

Ourcodeofconductisnotopt in AsmembersoftheVitalteam,everyoneisexpectedtocontributetowards nurturingapositiveworkingenvironmentinwhichwecanallworktogether,personallyandcollectively,taking measuredriskstobuildabettercompanyandproductthanourcompetition Thelistinnotexhaustivebewe expecteveryonetobe

Workhardbutlookafteryourselvesandothers

Supportive,kindandempathetictoeachother

Ensureyousaypeople’snamescorrectlyandrefertoindividualsinpolitemanner

Behuman,considerpeople’sattitudesandconsiderations

UnacceptableBehaviour

Wearecommittedtobuildingasafe,productiveandwelcomingenvironmentforallmembersofourteamsand thefollowingbehavioursgoagainstthecultureandenvironmentwecreatewithinvitalandthefollowingwillnot betolerated

Discrimination Thisincludesage,gender,physicalability,appearance,raceornationality Harassment Thisincludesinappropriatephysicalcontact,intimidation,stalking,unwantedsexualattention, sexualordiscriminatorycomments,imageryjokesanddiscriminatoryorderogatorylanguage

Aggression Thisincludesverbalordirectaggression,physicalaggressionorthreateningbehaviour MisuseofInformation Thisincludesdisclosingconfidentialinformation,misuseofpropertyandmisuseof equipment

Equality,Diversity&Inclusion

TheCompanyembracesequality,diversityandinclusionandaimstopromotethebenefitsofthisinourbusiness andwewillalsostrivetoensurethatourclientsmeettheirowndiversitytargets

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Whattodoifyou'restruggling topayyourenergybills

Energypricesarealreadyatall-timehighs,andtheenergypricecapispredictedtoriseagainby82% inOctober.Thiswillleavemanyfacingthestarkchoicebetweenheatingandeating.Whilethe Governmenthasannouncedasupportpackage,massiveincreasestothepredictedpricecapsince meanmoreisneeded.Inthemeantime,thisguidetakesyouthroughallthehelpavailablerightnowif you 'restruggling.

Ifyou'refallingbehindwithyourenergybills,andfindingyourselfstrugglingtopay,thebestthingtodoiscontact yoursupplierassoonaspossible UnderrulesfromregulatorOfgem,yoursupplierhastohelpyou usuallyby negotiatingapaymentplanthatyoucanafford

Therearearangeofoptionssupplierscouldofferifyou'restruggling,including:

Afullpaymentplanreview

Affordabledebtrepaymentplans

Paymentbreaks

Paymentreductions

Moretimetopay

Accesstohardshipfunds

Whathelpyoucangetisdecidedonacase by casebasis,butimportantly,repaymentmustbebasedonyour abilitytopay Sogetintouchwithyoursupplierassoonaspossible

Almostallhouseholdstoget£400thiswintertohelpwithrisingenergybills

OneofthemeasuresannouncedbackinMayaspartoftheGovernment's'costoflivingsupport'packagewas thatallhouseholdsinEngland,ScotlandandWaleswillgeta£400energygrant Allhouseholdswithadomestic electricitymeterwillgetit However,sinceitwasannounced,predictionsforthepricecapfromOctoberhave increasedevenmore meaningthe£400won'thaveasmuchofanimpactiftheyriseasmuchasexpected

Formost,thegrantwillbeautomatic,paidbyyoursupplierbetweenOctober2022andMarch2023 However, thoseonnon smartprepaymentmeterswillhavetotakeactiontogetthemoney It'llcomeassixseparate payments £67inOctoberandNovember,then£66fortheremainingfourmonths Howit'spaiddependson howyoupayforyourenergy:

Monthlydirectdebitcustomers

You'llgetthegrantautomatically,asadeductiononyourmonthlypayment, orasarefundintoyourbankaccountshortlyafteryourdirectdebitpaymentistakeneachmonth BritishGas, EDFandOvo/SSEhaveallconfirmedthey'llissuerefundsasopposedtoreducingyourmonthlypayment,while BulbandShellEnergysaytheywillreducemonthlypayments We'recheckingwithothersuppliersandwill updateherewhenweknowmore

Standardcreditcustomers Thisincludesthosewhopaybycash,cardorchequeafterreceivingamonthlyor quarterlybill.You'llgetthepaymentautomatically inthefirstweekofeachmonthbetweenOctober2022 andMarch2023 It'llbeaddedascredittoyouraccount,soyoushouldseethisaddedtoyourbillsoverthis period

Smartprepaymentcustomers You'llgetthegrantautomaticallyascreditapplieddirectlytoyourmeterinthe firstweekofeachmonth

Traditionalprepaymentcustomers Forthesecustomers,thegrantISN'Tautomatic youhavetoredeemitto getit You'llneedtoensureyoursupplierhasup to datecontactdetailsforyouasyourmoneywillbesentas sixseparatevouchersviatext,emailorpost whichyou'llneedtoredeembytoppingupyourelectricity meterasnormalinashoporpostoffice

Crucially,theGovernmenthassaidyou'llhavethreemonthstoredeemeachvoucher andifyoulosethem ortheyexpire,theycanonlybereissuedupuntil31March2023 Soyoucouldmissoutifyoudon'tactto redeemallofthemintime

Youwon'tgetthisifyou'reinNorthernIreland,buttheGovernmenthassaiditwilldeliverequivalentsupport we'll updatethiswhenweknowmore

Source:www.moneysavingexpert.com

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Energysavingtips: Howtosaveenergyathome

Thesefiguresarelargelybasedoncalculationsfrom

thenumberswherepossibletochecktheyaddup andupdatedthemtoreflectthecurrentpricecap (savingsarebasedonatypicalthree-bedroom householdwithafamilyoffour,correctasofAugust 2022).Source:MoneySavingExpert

Turnyourthermostatdown Thisisoneoftheeasiest thingstodoonthislist Foreachdegreeyoucutthe thermostat,expecttocutbillsby4% ish,orabout£78a yearonaverageforatypicalhome Ofcourse,itmight causesomeargumentswithfamily,flatmatesorfussy pets,buttheWorldHealthOrganisationsaysthat18 degreesisenoughforhealthyadults,withslightly highertemperaturesneededfortheveryoldoryoung Soconsiderpoppingonajumperathomeandseeing whattemperatureyourhouseholdiscomfortableat Fitafreewater savingshowerhead Reducingyour waterusagecancutbillsforthoseonwatermeters, helptheenvironment,andreduceenergycoststoo,as whenyouuselesswater,youusuallyheatlesswater. There'snoshortageoffreewater savinggadgets availablefromwaterfirms Whatyoucangetdepends onwhereyouliveandvariesthroughouttheyear see freewater savinggadgetsforwhat'savailableand howtogetthem Andifyou'renotonawatermeter, youcangetonefittedforfreeinEnglandandWales Some especiallyinhomeswithfewerresidentsthan bedrooms cansavelarge Youcanuseawater metercalculatortoseeifyoucansave Don'tassumeallenergy savinglightbulbsareequal LEDusesabouthalftheenergyofthebigger fluorescentspiral'energy savingbulbs' Obviously turningthemoffwhenyou'renotintheroomhelpstoo

Therewillbeaninitialoutlay,butyoushouldrecoupit fairlyquickly Someworrythatconstantlyturninglights onandoffwastesenergybut,accordingtotheEnergy SavingTrust,you'rebetteroffturningthemoffwhenyou leavetheroom,nomatterhowlongfor Itreckonsyou couldsave£21ayeardoingthis Turndraughtdetective Walkroundyourhomespotting windowanddoordraughts Decentdraught proofing cancut2%offenergybills,soabout£39ayearon averageforatypicalhome Thisappliestochimneys too,whereyoucangeta15% ishfurtherreduction Again,thisissubjecttoaninitialoutlay,butyouwill makeitbackovertime Cutyourshowertime Cuttingjustaminuteoffyour showertimecouldsave£115ayearinenergybills,and afurther£105ayearinwaterbillsifyouhaveameter £220ayearforanaveragefour personhousehold Try buyingashowertimertokeepyoureyeontheball(or justsetanalarmonyourphone)

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theEnergySavingTrust,butMSEhavealsocrunched

Trytodoonefewerloadofwashingaweekandmakesureyoufillupthemachineeachtime Nomore washingjustoneshirtordressthatyouneedforabignightout Thesavingsaren'thuge,around£15ayear formodernmachines,butcanbemuchmorewitholdones Youcouldalsotrydoingyourwashingona coldersetting Bywashingyourclothesat30degrees,youcouldsave£43ayear,leadingtoa£58overall saving

Think'HowmanycuppasamImaking?'Themorewateryouboil,themoreenergyyouuse Beconscious aboutthiswhenfillingthekettle,soyoudon'toverfill Simple,buteffective,withasavingof£12ayearpossible Don'tleaveyourdevicesonstandby Switchingoffyourdevicesisbetterthanleavingthemonstandby,of course,asotherwiseyou'reusingenergyforsomethingyou'renotmakinguseof Useradiatorthermostats..Don'theatthewholehousewhenyou'respendingalldayinoneroom.Thermostatic radiatorvalvesareanextracontrolwhichyoucanusetosetthetemperatureofeachindividualroom(other thanwhereyourmainthermostatis) Whenthetemperatureinthatroomrisesabovewhat'ssetonthe radiatorvalve,itwillstopwaterflowingthroughthatparticularradiator theboilerwillstillbeontoheatother rooms,butitwilluselessenergy Installingthemandusingthemwithyourthermostatallowsyoutocontrol thetemperatureroombyroom,andcouldsaveyoualmost6%,soabout£118ayearonaverageforatypical home,althoughaninitialoutlayisneeded Use'eco'modeonapplianceswherepossible Manyapplianceshavemodeswhichmakethemoperateat differentspeeds,temperaturesandlevelsofpower Often,theyhavean'eco'mode,whichismarketedas beingmoreenvironmentallyfriendly Formostappliances,'eco'modemeansoperatingatalowerspeed,and often,heat It'sfrequentlyanoptiononwashingmachinesanddishwashers Usingthesemodeswilluseless energy,insomecasesevenlessthanwashingonashortcycle,andthereforewillsaveyoumoneyonyour energybills

Fillthedishwasherup Itmightbetemptingtorunyourdishwasherwhenit'sonlypartiallyfull,justtogetyour stuffclean,butit'sanextremelyinefficientwaytouseenergy Ifyouwaittillit'sfull,youcanmanageoneless runofthemachineaweek AccordingtotheEnergySavingTrust,reducingyourdishwasherusebyoneruna weekcouldsave£21annually Obviously,it'sbesttonotusethedishwasheratallifyoucanavoidit,butwe knowtimeandenergyareprecious.

Avoidusingthetumbledryer Youcouldsavebyavoidingusingthetumbledryerwherepossible,asitusesa lotofenergy TheEnergySavingTrustreckonsyoucouldsave£92ayearifyouneveruseit Trydryingyour clothesonanairer,butmakesureyouleaveawindowopen,asitcancausedampinpoorlyventilated homes Inthewarmersummermonths,ifyou'veagardenorbalcony,drythemoutside Usethemicrowaveinsteadoftheoven Ifyoucanuseyourmicrowaveinsteadoftheoventocookcertain foods,do Theyuselessenergythanovensbecausetheyonlyheatthefood,nottheairaroundit Totakethe exampleofajacketpotato,wecalculatedthatcookingitinthemicrowaveuses25%oftheenergyittakesto cookitintheoven