Issuu

Dec 2021

SAFETY NEWSLETTER

vital.uk.com

Contents Dec 2021 Section Introduction Welcome Safety Matters / HSQE Team

Page 3 Page 4

Hot Topic Network Rail - Step Up for Safety

Page 5

Health and Wellbeing COVID-19 protect yourself and others

Page 6

Compliance Reminder: your handbooks are sent to you via email D&A Testing and Inclusion of Recreational Drugs Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Policy Statement

Page 7 Page 8 Page 9

Driving Winter driving advice

Page 10-11

VHRL Notices Offices

Page 12 Page 13

External Alerts & Notices

Page 14

Welcome Group Director, Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Compliance, Gareth Morris Welcome to our December Safety Newsletter. As we anticipate the close of another year where “normal” life was turned upside down we can look forward, with hope, for a peaceful Christmas season. Whilst the majority of the population wind down at the end of December, rail operations go up a gear to take advantage of the quiet period to maintain the rail network and complete new projects. During the Autumn and Winter seasons those on the front line must not drop their guard or be complacent about the risks that are ever present in our working environment. In addition, bad weather and the related potential for harm can multiply during this time.

To end on a positive note, it is very much worth stating that the effort each working individual has expended over the past year has been exceptional. We have delivered over a million hours of safe work. Vital’s rail and related business are in an industry leading position which will offer continued opportunity and work security. Thank you for your hard work, professionalism and dedication to keeping the UK Rail industry open for business during this difficult year. Have a great Christmas and New Year. Stay safe, Gareth Morris

The good news is that we can take steps to protect ourselves and colleagues by applying basic common sense and following railway rules. An analysis of accidents over the past year shows that all were avoidable. In the main, slips, trips and falls along with manual handling mishaps accounted for most events. Again, all of these were avoidable. Please think before you act, for your safety and the safety of those working with you. It’s worth remembering that PPE is the last line of defence, please always wear compliant PPE on track. This is not an inconvenience or bureaucratic rule for rules sake. It is your last protection against harm. Driving to and from work is dangerous if not planned and driven safely. Winter weather along with dark mornings and nights can make a drive to shift challenging. Managing your personal fatigue is a crucial safeguard for you, your passengers and other road users. Please manage your rest time to be fit for work and avoid driving when tired. 3

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 (Scotland) and Close Call Champion Stephen McKay - Scotland and Newcastle Stephen.McKay@vital.uk.com 07717 306 733

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

Network Rail Step Up for Safety Step up and look out for each other this Winter. Keep each other safe Winter safety advice can often tell us things that we already know. For example, we all know that pavements and roads become slippery in cold and wet weather, and we should take extra care. Even though we know this, more accidents happen in the winter months because many of us forget the risks we take when we’re in a rush. We need to look out for each other and highlight dangers to make sure that we all get home safely every day. Our actions affect others Whenever there’s an accident, however small, it affects you, the people around you, your colleagues, and even your family. So when you act in a safe way it ensures that everyone connected to you is safe too Drive safely It’s easy to forget the risks we take whilst driving, especially if you’re in a rush to get to your destination. It’s just not worth it, especially when winter weather increases the dangers to you, your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians. Safety tips Driving safely in winter can be as simple as sticking with the basics: Allow time to demist your windscreen and clear all vehicle windows to ensure you have full visibility before setting off. Drive and brake to suit the weather conditions. Allow enough distance between you and other road users. Avoid slips, trips and falls When you know your environment so well, it’s easy to overlook the subtle dangers that winter brings. At this time of year, wet or icy surfaces and less daylight can cause accidents that not only affect you. Safety tips To help reduce the risk of a slip, trip or fall: Take extra time. Be extra aware of your environment and hidden hazards. Wear appropriate footwear. Report poor lighting on site, in offices, stations and walkways.

Know the limits Most of us have had days where we’ve felt the effects of the night before, but one extra pint on a night out can have serious consequences the next day. If alcohol is still in your system the morning after, think about the impact that could have when driving your colleagues to site or taking your children to school. Safety tips To help reduce the risk, and to enjoy alcohol responsibly: Remember that the Network Rail policy and our Lifesaving Rules state that you must never be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work, or when travelling to and from work. When taking prescription drugs, always ask your GP about any possible side effects. If in doubt contact the medication enquiry service via our occupational health provider. Plus, it is helpful to share information about your prescription drugs (and their side effects) with your line manager. Talk about mental wellbeing There is often an increase in people feeling low in the winter season. This could be due to postholiday blues, or something like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – a condition that is a type of depression. It is important that we are all aware of each other’s moods and behaviour. The earlier you talk about how you are feeling, and access the right support, it can help you to remain safe and healthy at work. Wellbeing tips To help maintain mental health and wellbeing in the workplace: If you notice a change in the mood or behaviour of the people you work with, ask them how they are and if they would like to talk about it. If you are feeling low or depressed, speak to someone – a friend, family member, colleague or GP. Reference - NR Winter Step Up 2021

COVID-19 protect yourself and others COVID-19 remains a serious health risk. You should stay cautious to help protect yourself and others. Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer You must wear a face covering in shops and on all public transport, including taxis and private hire vehicles Get tested and self-isolate if required If you haven’t already, get vaccinated It is still possible to catch and spread COVID-19, even if you are fully vaccinated. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test result should stay at home and self-isolate immediately. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible, even if you’ve had one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Those who have come into contact with an individual who may have been infected with the Omicron variant will need to selfisolate. This will apply even if you are fully-vaccinated or aged 18 or under. NHS Test and Trace will contact you if this is the case. COVID-19 will be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future, so we need to learn to live with it and manage the risk to ourselves and others. All of us can play our part by understanding the situations where risks of COVID-19 infection and transmission are likely to be higher, and taking action to reduce these risks. Following this guidance will help you to understand situations where there is a greater risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 and the steps that you can take to stay safe and protect others. Every action you can take to help reduce the spread will help reduce pressure on the NHS during the winter months. Understanding the risks of COVID-19 The risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 can be higher in certain places and when doing certain activities. COVID-19 is spread by airborne transmission, close contact via droplets, and via surfaces. Airborne transmission is a very significant way that the virus circulates. It is possible to be infected by someone you don’t have close contact with, especially if you’re in a crowded and/or poorly ventilated space. Close contact with an infected person is also a significant way COVID-19 is spread. When someone with COVID-19 breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes, they release particles containing the virus that causes COVID-19. The particles can come into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth or can be breathed in by another person. The particles can also land on surfaces and be passed from person to person via touch. In general, the risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 is higher in crowded and enclosed spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious and limited fresh air. In situations where there is a higher risk of catching or passing on COVID-19, you should be particularly careful to follow the guidance on keeping yourself and others safe as we return to normality. Every little action helps to keep us all safer. Keeping yourself and others safe There are still cases of COVID-19 in England and there is a risk you could catch or pass on the virus, even once you are fully vaccinated. This means it is important that you understand and consider the risks of catching or spreading COVID-19 in all situations. While no situation is risk free, there are easy and effective actions we can take to protect ourselves and others around us. If you require a face mask, please contact your line manager to request one. Source: gov.uk.com

Reminder: your handbooks are sent to you via email PLEASE REMEMBER TO DOWNLOAD AND ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF YOUR HANDBOOKS. FOLLOW THE SIMPLE GUIDE FOR DOWNLOADING AND ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF YOUR HANDBOOKS: (1) YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY SMS IN ADVANCE THAT YOU ARE DUE TO RECEIVE AN EMAIL (2) AN EMAIL WILL ARRIVE IN YOUR IN BOX FROM peoplesoft@vital.uk.com (3) THE EMAIL WILL ASK YOU TO CLICK ON LINK Your new handbooks (4) IN THE ‘ACKNOWLEDGE HANDBOOK’ PAGE CLICK ON LINK View Handbook BEFORE CLICKING ON THE ‘Acknowledge’ <BUTTON> TO CHANGE IT FROM ‘N’ (NO) TO ‘Y’ (YES). THEN CLICK THE ‘Save’ <BUTTON> (5) YOUR NEW HANDBOOKS ARE LISTED IN THE IN THE SCROLL PAGE TITLED ‘UNACKNOWLEDGED HANDBOOKS’. YOU CAN VIEW EACH HANDBOOK BY CLICKING ON THE View Handbook LINK WITHIN EACH HANDBOOK SECTION (6) YOU MUST CONFIRM RECEIPT OF EACH HANDBOOK BY CLICKING ON THE ‘Acknowledge’ <BUTTON> TO CHANGE IT FROM ‘N’ (NO) TO ‘Y’ (YES) (7) AFTER CLICKING THE ‘Acknowledge’ <BUTTON> FOR EACH HANDBOOK, FINISH BY CLICKING THE ‘Save’ <BUTTON> TO CONFIRM (8) AFTER YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CLICKED ‘Save’ THE HANDBOOK WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU – EACH HANDBOOK WILL BE SENT IN A SEPARATE EMAIL WITH THE SUBJECT TITLE IDENTIFYING THE HANDBOOK NAME YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO KEEP THE HANDBOOK ATTACHMENTS IN YOUR EMAIL OR SAVING TO YOUR DEVICE. YOU CAN REQUEST ADDITIONAL COPIES AT ANY TIME BY EMAILING vital.compliance@vital.uk.com UNDER THE HELTH & SAFETY AT WORK ACT YOU MUST CO-OPERATE IN ALL MATTERS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY. PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE AND ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF HANDBOOKS(S) BY CLICKING THE ‘ACKNOWLEDGE’ <BUTTON> AND THEN CLICKING THE ‘SAVE’ <BUTTON> TO CONFIRM.

HANDBOOK ISSUE 1 7 6 8 7 8 8 8 11 9 20 4 21 5

EFFECTIVE DATE 4th Dec 2021 4th Dec 2021 4th Dec 2021 4th Dec 2021 4th Dec 2021 4th Dec 2021 4th Dec 2021

Drug and Alcohol (D&A) Testing and Inclusion of Recreational Drugs Think again! Stay safe when socialising and working over Christmas In accordance with Network Rail standard for drug and alcohol testing, the range of recreational drugs that can be tested for has been increased. Drug and alcohol testing across the rail industry is carried-out because traveling to and from work and performing work under the influence of alcohol or certain drugs brings a significant safety risk to colleagues and passengers. Consequently, all workers are subject to D&A testing at any time. D&A testing 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. The consequence of failing any drug and alcohol test is dismissal and a five-year suspension on Sentinel. Testing will include recreational drugs Ketamine and Tramadol. Prescribed medication All workers who are prescribed any medication must disclose this information to the branch responsible for organising your work. The branch will contact Chemist on Call service to get advice whether it is safe to continue working in the role being offered to you. Ask for help if you have a problem 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 being asked to take any 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 do not suffer in silence, ask for support. Further help (some examples only) www.al-anonuk.org.uk www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk www.nhs.uk/drug-addiction-help

Support for family and friends of alcoholics. Support for anyone with alcohol dependency or addiction. 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, workers and passengers safe. Please share with your colleagues. Thank you and enjoy a safe Christmas.

Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Policy Statement Modern slavery and human trafficking are violations of fundamental human rights. They may take various forms, including slavery, bonded and forced labour, sex trafficking, child labour and domestic servitude. These criminal activities all deprive people of liberty in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain. It is the approach of Morson Group to comply with all laws and regulations relevant to our business in all countries where we operate. Following the implementation of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, Morson is committed to maintaining and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere within our own business or in any of our supply chains. Modern slavery is criminal activity and a violation of human rights. The deprivation of a person’s liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain is unacceptable. For these reasons, modern slavery and human trafficking is a matter of zero tolerance at Morson Group. All staff involved in the engagement of suppliers must communicate our zero-tolerance approach as part of due diligence. Prior to approving a new supplier, we will review the controls which they undertake to eliminate modern slavery and human trafficking, particularly in regard to goods imported from outside the UK and EU which are potentially more at risk of involving slavery and human trafficking. Morson may terminate our relationship with third parties engaged with us if they do not comply with this policy. All staff must avoid any breaches of this policy. The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chains is the responsibility of all those working for us or under our control. Staff must avoid any activity that breaches this policy. This Policy applies to Morson Group and its subsidiary companies including Morson Human Resources T/A Morson Talent, Morson Projects, Vital Human Resources Limited, Anderselite and The Bridge. The policy applies to all members of staff, employees, agents, consultants, Agency workers and those parties in our supply chain, wherever in the world they operate. Any reported breach of this Policy will be investigated and may lead to disciplinary action, or removal from the supply chain. Responsibility for reporting incidents of slavery The detection and reporting of slavery is the responsibility of all of us. We should raise any concerns about any issue of suspicion of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chain at the earliest possible stage to your line manager and the HR department.

Winter driving advice There are three key points you need to consider for keeping yourself safe in winter weather: Check the forecast Check your vehicle Plan for hazardous conditions Winter vehicle checklist: Check that the battery, ignition, lights, brakes, exhaust, wipers are all operational and fluid levels are all topped up. Check that tyres are all in good condition monthly. Make sure they have plenty of tread and have the correct tyre inflation to provide a safe grip. Check and replace windscreen wipers before they start to leave streaks or scratches on the screen when in use. When driving in snow and ice: Make slow gentle manoeuvres to stay safe while driving in snow and ice, as stopping distances are 10 times longer. When brakes are needed, they should be applied gently. Pull away in second gear, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin. Keep a constant speed and try to avoid having to change gear. If stuck in snow, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip. Wear comfortable and dry footwear while driving. Planning: Plan a journey carefully and listen to updates on weather and traffic news to help make it as smooth as possible. Time: Allow more time than usual before leaving. Clear all windows and lights of snow and ice for visibility and your number plate. Clear snow from the roof, bonnet and rear of the vehicle as it can pose issues of safety to your driving and other road users. Look: Look ahead to avoid any erratic steering and braking actions. Maintain speed and a safe distance and avoid tailgating at all costs.

Control: Always maintain full control to ensure vehicle stability while braking, accelerating, changing gear and applying steering angle as smoothly as possible. Climate: Dress appropriately for the climate and take a hat, scarf and winter coat plus blankets and suitable provisions in case of a breakdown, getting stranded at the roadside or stuck in a lengthy traffic congestion. Darkness: Driving in the dark can be tiring so take a break when necessary to stay safe. Do you know? Leaving the engine running while stationary, or ‘engine idling’ to defrost windows is an offence under Rule 123 of The Highway Code, and authorities have the power to issue £20 fixed penalties for any contravention. Rule 229 of the Highway Code says: “Before you set off you MUST be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows.” If the windscreen is obstructed in any way, the police can fine drivers £60. Electric Vehicles and the effect of cold temperatures EV drivers need to be aware of the effect that cold weather has on electric vehicles. Drivers going on a long journey need to ensure that they take in this into account and make sure they know where charging stations are along their route. If not, then you could be leaving yourself stranded with no power.

WORK SAFE DRIVE SAFE! HOME SAFE 11

VHRL Notices CIRAS - Confidential Reporting for Safety

Hoodies on site

CIRAS partners with the GB mainline railway industry and has seen significant improvement in safety performance over the past two decades. Their confidential reporting service cuts across organisational boundaries and continues to be an integral part of Rail’s safety management system.

Accident reporting

CIRAS is an organisation offering a confidential reporting service where safety concerns can be raised. Vital support this important service through membership and active participation.

CIRAS will take calls on a wide range of concerns affecting the health, wellbeing and safety of staff, passengers or the public. From rules non-compliance and equipment issues through to fatigue, security and working conditions – these are all early indicators of potential harm. The concerns raised through the hotline often have common themes, allowing the industry to benefit from shared learning and good practice. If you have a rail safety concern that you feel unable to raise with your own employer, call CIRAS now on: Report hotline: 0800 4 101 101 Report textline: 07507 285 887 CIRAS’s quarterly magazine, Frontline Matters, issue 15 is available (free) on this link: Frontline Matters issue 15 Remember you can use CIRAS and make a Close Call on the Safety Matters app

Fit for work

All Vital workers must be fit for work before travelling and commencing any shift. Fit for work is defined as a state where the individual is physically, mentally and emotionally capable to enable them to perform their tasks completely and safely.

As the cold weather is now here, you are reminded that the wearing of hoodies is forbidden. We have balaclavas and snoods that are approved for wearing under your hard hat during the colder weather. Anybody found wearing a hoody will be asked to remove it. If you require a balaclava or snood then please contact your local branch. This will give them sufficient time to source and issue accordingly .

If you have an accident on site, no matter how small or unimportant you think it might be, make sure you report it to your site supervisor immediately AND your Business Operations Manager immediately. This will ensure that an investigation is carried out which will help to prevent further accidents from occurring

HSE Ambassadors

Vital are looking for volunteers from each branch to become HSE Ambassadors. The HSE Ambassador will be the branch focal point for health and safety and will work closely with the Health and Safety Manager . The designated person will be placed on an IOSH Managing Safety Course as well as a Close Call Champion Course which will allow them to carry out their role. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador, please email healthandsafety@vital.uk.com

Osborne - Stop Think November

The November edition of the Osborne STOP Think! Magazine can be found by accessing the following link: Osborne - Osborne Infrastructure STOP Think! Cascade November 2021 - Page 1 (publitas.com)

Other employment

Fatigue is a major risk to all who work in the rail industry. Accordingly, Vital has systems in place to reduce the risk of fatigue when planning shifts. It is therefore imperative the worker informs VHRL of any other employment in order for this risk to be considered. It is the sole responsibility of the worker having employment to inform the Vital branch responsible for planning and allocating work in order for this other work to be considered before any shift(s) are finalised.

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

F03 First Floor, Fairgate House, 205 Kings Road, Tyseley, Birmingham, B11 2AA

Office 2 The Dairy, Crewe Hall Farm, Old Park Road, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 5UE

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

Your copy of Home Safe 17 November 2021. To view this email online, follow this link.

Southern Capital Delivery

Home Safe Southern Shield Weekly Safety Update

17 November 2021

How secure is your site?

As the UK threat level has been raised to "severe "now would be a good time review your site security, to keep your site and team safe.

Consider the following points:

Historically we see a spike in accidents over the winter period – let's break the trend. A Southern Shield Winter Step Up briefing has been produced for you to brief your teams.

The brief looks at our safety performance over the last year, reflects on recent accidents and considers the specific hazards associated with winter. This includes:

Are all access points on site locked and secured at the end of the working day? Are there any gaps beneath gates or fences that individuals can crawl through? Are all fences secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions? Are there any signs of trespass, such as damaged fencing or well-worn paths? Are there any open excavations that need to be fenced off?

Winter driving, including looking after your vehicle and low winter sun. Avoiding slips, trips and falls. Drugs and alcohol – know the limits. Talking about mental wellbeing. The Winter Step Up briefing and a pack with briefers notes can be downloaded on the Southern Shield website.

A Toolbox Talk on site security can be found on the Southern Shield website.

Gatwick is Gold

Winter Step Up briefing

The difference makers

Gatwick Airport station project is the top scoring site for Period 7 in the Construction Route to Gold initiative.

You can find out why Gatwick has achieved top scoring site for the second period in a row by clicking here.

Congratulations to Grahame Rummey (shown above), Senior Construction Manager and Jason

Wood (shown below), Construction Manager from Atkins have been awarded a Southern Shield Making a Difference Award.

They noticed their colleague losing their balance and feeling dizzy over several days and they encouraged them to visit their doctor as soon as possible.

Their colleague was diagnosed with a bleed on the brain and admitted to hospital. They are continuing to receive treatment with every chance of returning to full fitness.

Well done for looking out for your teammate!

If you would like to recognise a colleague for a Making a Difference Award contact shield@networkrail.co.uk.

Door closers stop hand injuries

Do you use mobile access towers?

Did you know that the Southern Shield Charter mandates that welfare facilities should be fitted with door closers on all external doors?

Why was this introduced? A number of hand and finger injuries are caused by external doors slamming shut in high winds. For example: An operative was standing in the site office doorway with a broom in his hand. A gust of wind closed the door and the operative instinctively attempted to hold the door open while holding the broom in his hand. The main impact was taken by the broom which saved the operative from suffering a more serious injury.

With high winds likely during the winter period, please check your welfare facilities are fitted with door closures to prevent your or your team mates getting injured.

The full Southern Shield Charter can be found on the Southern Shield website.

Different types of mobile access towers are currently being used across Southern (including GRP and aluminium) by our contractors. Network Rail has not endorsed or banned the use of any type of mobile access towers.

Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, the contractor must undertake an appropriate assessment of the risk (including the risk from electricity) and determine the best means of access for the activity.

Also, the Electricity at Work Regulations, the railway Rule Book and Network Rail standards around electricity emphasises that it must be isolated if there is a risk of danger to the works being undertaken.

If you are unsure about the most appropriate type of mobile access tower, then speak to your site manager or your H&S advisor.

Rail Wellbeing LIVE

Only five days to go!

Don't forget Rail Wellbeing LIVE is taking place today and tomorrow. If you missed any sessions today, don't worry you can still sign up for sessions taking place tomorrow.

You can register on the Rail Wellbeing website.

You're invited to our annual diversity and inclusion conference on Monday 22 November, 09:3015:30. This year the theme is 'improving safety through inclusion' and you can find out all the details and how to register by clicking here.

Share the safety messages Please share these important safety messages by using Home Safe

in your team and site briefings. You can click here for a printable PDF version.

If you know of a colleague who would like to to receive future Southern Shield messages contact shield@networkrail.co.uk.

This message was sent to Anjni.Thakrar@networkrail.co.uk. Follow this link to Manage Preferences or Unsubscribe.

Tamping machine ﬁre

A pipe fitting on a tamping machine snapped when carrying out works at Fisherton tunnel. This caused hydraulic oil to leak at a high pressure and the mist of oil ignited and caught fire. As the site has fans mounted on the wall of the tunnel initial investigations suspect that the oil absorbed through the fans causing the oil to form into a fine mist and ignite. The operatives on site acted quickly, they shut the machine down immediately and put out the fire using extinguishers. Fortunately, no one was injured, the machine was made safe and quarantined for inspection. The leaked hydraulic oil did not pool as it had formed into a mist therefore spill kits were not required. It's estimated that 15 litres of biodegradable oil was lost during the event. The event is currently under ongoing investigation to establish the cause of the pipe fitting failure and the source of the ignition. However, when carrying out similar works consider the following: Make sure on track plant is inspected prior to carrying out works by a competent person and the suppliers of the on-track plant have robust audit regimes of their assets in place.

Top tips for a safe winter

Here are some simple tips to keep you safe on the road and on site during adverse weather conditions: ON SITE - Maintain and use authorised and well-lit walking routes. Short cuts can result in slips, trips or falls - Keep walkways clear and slip-free during snow and frost - Provide additional lighting for walkways, scaﬀolding and work sites - Deal with autumn leaf fall – wet leaves are a common cause of slips - Keep absorbent mats around doorways to prevent internal ﬂoors from getting wet/muddy and regularly change them. ON YOURSELF - Wear multiple layers of PPE and thermal socks. Have spare, dry PPE and use the drying facilities - Make sure you're wearing the correct footwear, check that's in good condition and be careful when crossing uneven site areas. ON THE ROAD - Ensure you have full vision and clear your windows of any ice and snow - Drive and brake to suit conditions and be aware of low winter sun - On icy roads, remember that your breaking distance is 10 times more than normal and avoid harsh breaking.

A slip and a fractured back

Are you ﬁt for work?

Whilst working on track an operative misplaced their footing whilst walking on ballast. The operative's heel came into contact with icy timber sleepers causing them to slip and fall backwards onto the rail. This resulted in a small fracture to operative's lower back and they are expected to be oﬀ work for several days. We wish him a speedy recovery. Slips, trips and falls are one of our biggest causes of accidents and we have seen an increase of events over the last few weeks. A downloadable poster on how to minimise the risk of slips, trips and falls is available on Southern Shield website.

Did you know that…as a consequence of a positive D&A test result, you could be subject to disciplinary procedure, have your PTS certificate revoked for five years and have your Sentinel card cancelled. The misuse of drugs and alcohol is a serious problem in the workplace, not only for the misusers but also for your employers, your colleagues and the public. Both drugs and alcohol are known to affect concentration and physical coordination which can lead to highly dangerous and unsafe behaviours. Alcohol limits are as set by the Rail Industry Standard: RIS-8070-TOM , which are not the same as the government limits for driving but are substantially lower. Therefore, you may be under the limit outside of work, but not when in the workplace. Always follow the Lifesaving Rules, never work or drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Safety and sustainable development

Rail Wellbeing LIVE on demand

You can click here to view Southern Capital Delivery's latest Health and Safety and Sustainable Development brief for Period 8.

Over 16,000 people from 600 organisations took part in Rail Wellbeing Live 2021, the rail industry's biggest event dedicated to health and wellbeing.

The Health and Safety brief includes the period safety statistics, KPIs, learnings and the following key topics for discussion; - Occupational Health – Asbestos – the hidden killer - NEW Employee Assistance Programme - New Line Manager Resource Guide - Have you held your Winter Step Up brief? International Day of Persons with Disability.

Fearne Cotton, Jason Fox, Rebecca Adlington and Paul Merson were among this year's celebrity speakers.

The Environment and Sustainable Development brief includes: - Being sustainable at Christmas - Supporting charities – volunteering - Being a respectful neighbour and other key topics for discussion

All sessions are free to view online on-demand until Thursday 2 December. You can watch online on the Rail Wellbeing website.

Fined for ﬁnger injury

A engineering company have been fined £80,000 and sentenced for safety breaches after a worker's hand became trapped in a stamping machine. A 21-year-old worker was feeding lead billets into a lead stamping machine when his hand became caught. The little finger on his right hand was cut to the bone and later had to be partially amputated. He also suffered cuts and subsequent scarring to the ring finger on the same hand. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the machine was inadequately guarded and there was access to dangerous parts of the machine. A second similar machine was found to have the same guarding deficiencies. The HSE inspector said: "Dangerous parts of the machines should have been identified through a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks posed and then appropriately guarded. This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply implementing correct control measures and carrying out safe working practices". The hand and arm areas continue to be our most frequently injured area of the body. Since April this year there have been over 20 hand, arm or finger accidents in the Southern Shield region. What you can do on your site to eliminate or reduce the risk of hand injuries?

Improving safety through inclusion

If you missed our annual diversity and inclusion conference on Monday 22 November, you can access all the resources by logging into your account that you registered with. Recordings of all sessions will shortly be available.

Share the safety messages Please share these important safety messages by using Home Safe in your team and site brieﬁngs. You can click here for a printable PDF version. If you know of a colleague who would like to receive future Southern Shield messages contact shield@networkrail.co.uk

Audience: Siemens Mobility Limited, Rail Infrastructure

FF/025/2021

Fast Facts Alert Subject: New Street Phase 7 – Points Run Through New Street Points Run Through – 28/11/2021 At approximately 02.25 on the 28th November 2021, a RRV with 3 trailers, travelled from the Cope Street RRAP into New Street Station. In the station, it was routed across several point ends towards platform 5, when the front axle of the 1st trailer, ran over NS604B points in the trailing direction. The points were set in the Normal position, and so the movement caused the wheels to raise and derail the front axle. Initial findings: • The RRV was planned to collect materials from platform 3, and so should not have travelled towards platform 5.

• Due to the above, there appears for this particular activity to be issues with briefings, clarity of understanding and supervision of the works. • An Investigation is Underway. Immediate actions: • Staff involved have been stood down, pending the investigation process. • The plant supplier has been stood down from project activities until Siemens are satisfied with the outcome of the investigation.

#reflecthonestly – Are we confident in the planning and control of specific tasks?

Discussion Points 1. Have the correct planning and briefing arrangements been implemented? 2. Are staff familiar with the work content and are correctly supervised? 3. Are points being checked correctly and processes followed prior to machine movements?

Central - Birmingham Birmingham New Street Phase 7

Produced By EHS Department Siemens Mobility Limited, Rail Infrastructure Any queries please contact your local EHS Specialist Restricted © Siemens Mobility Limited 2021. All Rights Reserved. Document is UNCONTROLLED when downloaded or printed.

Delivery Director – Steve Bick Project Manager – Andy Cardiff Author – David Brown For more information about this report please contact david.i.brown@siemens.com UKI-RI-HS-TM-006 July 2021Issue 5

Safety Newsletter Dec 2021

vital.uk.com