Mar 2022
SAFETY NEWSLETTER
vital.uk.com
Contents Mar 2022
Section Introduction Welcome Safety Matters / HSQE Team Site safety visits
Page 3 Page 4 Page 5
Hot topic Raising Close Calls CIRAS reporting
Page 6 Page 7
Health and Wellbeing Health risks of smoking Outdoor exercise. Boost the body, mind and mood
Page 8 Page 9
Driving Smart motorways
Page 10
Environment Reducing your carbon footprint
Page 11
Compliance Sentinel app
Page 11
Offices
Page 12
External Alerts & Notices Safety Bulletin NR –Using reminder of live exposed equipment (RoLE equipment) Safety Bulletin NR - Excavator put on an open line Shared Learning NR - Collision between a train and lorry stabiliser leg Shared Learning NR - Crossing open lines at Hendon Safety Advice NR – Colleague assaulted by members of the public Safety Alert COLAS - RRV trailer fouling the line during engineering works Safety Alert COLAS - Distractions During Driving
Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19
Welcome Group Director, Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Compliance, Gareth Morris Welcome to our March newsletter. The recent storms have tested the resilience of those working in the Rail industry. Extremely challenging weather conditions created additional hazards to cope with on top of completing the work on hand. We are pleased to report that everyone performed well in the safe delivery of all the required work. Well done and thank you.
As ever, please accept the thanks of the Executive Team for you hard work in keeping the Rail Network working. Stay safe Gareth Morris
Within this month’s newsletter we ask each individual to continue the good work in improving worksite safety. Our hot topic this month is the identification and raising of Close Calls. There are 2 reasons to look out for and report close calls 1. You may prevent future harm 2. It raises your level of risk awareness “A Close Call is defined as anything that has the potential to cause harm or damage. This includes the potential to: Harm a person including minor, major injuries, and fatalities Harm the environment and/or protected species Damage railway infrastructure, plant, vehicles, tools, equipment, systems and information Vital is promoting a major effort for all workers to submit at least 1 close call per week. If we do this, we will make a positive contribution to trackside safety which benefits everyone. Please read the newsletter in full and consider the Close Call initiative. This is a simple, quick yet extremely effective method of helping all of us to resolve issues before they become real problems. 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
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Site safety visits Recent site safety visits by local safety advisors. Various briefings were received by the workforce including updates to The Highway Code, Fatigue Management and our H&S quarterly brief. We also delivered antigen COVID-19 tests to site and completed harness and PPE checks.
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Raising Close Calls A Close Call is defined as anything that has the potential to cause harm or damage. This includes the potential to: Harm a person including minor, major injuries, and fatalities Harm the environment and/or protected species Damage railway infrastructure, plant, vehicles, tools, equipment, systems and information What’s the difference between a Close Call and an incident? A Close Call is something that could happen, whereas an incident has already taken place. For example, if a trip hazard is spotted it can be reported as a Close Call because someone could trip over it. If someone actually trips because of the hazard, it is then classed as an incident. What to do if you see a Close Call Safety is everyone’s responsibility, if you see something that could cause harm or damage follow these three steps: Recognise – Could it cause harm or damage? Respond – What can you do? Fix the situation, if you can do so safely – then report it Always challenge unsafe behaviour – then report it Inform others around you so they are aware of any risk. Report – Always report Close Calls It is extremely important to have as many people on track as possible submitting Close Calls. Why? Because the the aim of raising a Design Close Call is to promote behaviours that drive a positive safety culture in the development and delivery of works. Understanding what hazards and risks are occurring during the early stages of a work site allow us to take direct steps to eliminate or reduce these potential problems, subsequently reducing incidents and accidents which ultimately makes the site a safer place to be. What you can do Download the Morson Close Call App now and start using it, make your site safe! Available (free to use) on Apple iOS or Android
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CIRAS reporting CIRAS - a confidential reporting service
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 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. 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. Why speaking up matters If you see something that looks unsafe, or think the way you or others are working is unsafe or damaging to health or wellbeing, you have two choices: do something, or do nothing. Doing nothing is as much a choice as doing something - and we are all responsible for the choices we make. By speaking up, you are making sure that companies are aware of any issues and have all the information they need to address a concern. You might be the only person who can see that there is a problem, so it’s important not to assume that others know about it or have spoken up. And when you don’t want to raise your concerns through other channels, CIRAS can pass them on confidentially. What do people report? Exposure to fumes and poor air quality. Performing tasks without the right competence. Social distancing measures not followed. Training not suitable for the role. Regular trespass. Worn-out equipment. These are just a few examples of things people have raised with CIRAS. See their Frontline Magazine for more examples. 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, is available to download for free - click here.
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Health risks of smoking Smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK. Every year around 78,000 people in the UK die from smoking, with many more living with debilitating smoking-related illnesses. Smoking increases your risk of developing more than 50 serious health conditions. Smoking is very harmful to your heart. It seriously increases your risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases. To keep your heart healthy, you can make small lifestyle changes to help you quit smoking. What does smoking do to my heart and circulatory system? The chemicals in cigarettes make the walls of your arteries sticky. This causes fatty material to stick to the walls. The fatty material can begin to clog your arteries and reduce the space for blood to flow properly. If the arteries that carry blood to your heart get clogged, it can lead to a heart attack. If the arteries that carry blood to your brain get clogged, it can lead to a stroke. Smoking can also affect your heart and blood vessels by: increasing your risk of blood clots causing an instant rise to your heart rate causing an instant rise to your blood pressure reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to the rest of your body.
E-cigarettes can help you quit smoking by managing your cravings for nicotine. But because they use nicotine, e-cigarettes can be addictive. You should only use your e-cigarette when you really need it. E-cigarettes should not be used by non-smokers or young people. Low tar cigarettes Smoking ‘low tar’ cigarettes is not safer than smoking regular cigarettes. Some cigarette packages describe the product as ‘low tar’, but this is misleading. Most ‘low tar’ cigarettes have the same amount of harmful chemicals as regular cigarettes. ‘Low tar’ cigarettes are often found in countries where the process of making cigarettes is less regulated than in the UK. Help and support You're more likely to quit if you have support: Find NHS Stop Smoking Services near you or call the Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044 (England only). Support is also available in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Call Heart Helpline on 0300 330 3311 to speak to a Cardiac Nurses. Lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Understanding smoking The British Heart Foundation has produced a helpful leaflet, explaining the issue of smoking, which can be downloaded free from the link below. bhf understanding-smoking
Nicotine Nicotine is the addictive chemical found in regular cigarettes, most e-cigarettes and shisha. It increases your heart rate and blood pressure. Are smoking alternatives less harmful than cigarettes? All types of smoking and smoking alternatives are bad for your health. Some smoking alternatives are less harmful than cigarettes and they can help you quit smoking. But they should only be used to help you quit smoking for good. Other smoking alternatives are just as harmful or more harmful than cigarettes. E-cigarettes E-cigarettes, or vapes, are less harmful than regular cigarettes and they can be used to help you quit smoking. An e-cigarette is a device that you breath in vapour (steam) from rather than smoke. The vapour contains nicotine, the addictive chemical used in cigarettes. E-cigarettes don’t burn tobacco and they don’t produce tar or carbon monoxide.
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Outdoor exercise. Boost the body, mind and mood There is no debating the health benefits of physical fitness. Getting regular exercise helps prevent heart disease and other chronic illness, improves mood, reduces stress, improves sleep, and more. In order for adults to reap those benefits, it is recommended we get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. That time commitment may seem like a tall order in your busy life. But the good news is that you don't have to book sessions in a gym to get in shape. Outdoor exercises are just as effective as indoor ones, can be more fun, and have some other appealing advantages. Exercising outside comes with perks for the body and mind Outdoor fitness can be a structured exercise program that takes advantage of natural terrain to get you in shape, or it can be as simple as a brisk walk around the block. Outdoor fitness comes in many forms: Light gardening or other outdoor work, for example, is considered moderate physical activity Whichever way you choose to exercise outside, there are numerous benefits: A harder workout. When you’re active outdoors — whether you’re running or hiking up a mountain — your body is encountering a constantly changing environment. To keep up the activity at a consistent pace, you need to adapt to all those minute changes in your surroundings (such as slight inclines, bumps, or obstacles you may need to dodge), which means your body works harder than if you were running on a treadmill or using a stair machine. No membership fees. The outdoors belongs to all of us. You don't need any special equipment — the outdoors is available wherever you are, just outside your door. Cleaner air. Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air even in large cities and metropolitan areas. A free daily dose of D. Outdoor exercise is a way to get your vitamin D through sunlight. This is especially important if you are overweight, as research suggests that people who are overweight are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D. Exercise for your mind. When you exercise outdoors, your mind is aware of the changing terrain. Whether you use the hills, the sand on a beach, or a winding path, your mind has to focus differently than it would on a flat gym floor. Several studies suggest exercise outdoors benefited mental well-being more than the same type of exercise inside. How to get started Exercise early. People can always find more excuses to avoid exercising outdoors at the end of the day. In the morning your energy is higher and you’ll get to feel the postworkout benefits (less stress and a better mood) all day long. Avoid temperature extremes. Although your body can adapt to colder or warmer weather, you should avoid exercising outside in extreme heat or cold. And in warmer temps, watch for signs of overheating, including headache, dizziness, nausea, faintness, cramping, or palpitations. Don't get burned. Although some sun is good for you, too much sun is not. Always protect yourself with a good sunscreen. Drink enough water. If you drink about 8 to 10 ounces of water 30 minutes before exercising outdoors, it should hydrate you sufficiently for a 30-minute workout. Get some good gear. Take advantage of the new technology in waterproof, breathable clothing material. The right gear lets you feel good in any type of weather. Make outdoor exercises part of your lifestyle. You can learn exercises that use only body weight and gravity and do them while you are walking to the post office. Think about walking instead of driving. Plan outdoor activities with your family. Go for a hike instead of a drive.
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Smart motorways A poll suggests that only 48% of motorists say they know how to use a smart motorway. Approximately 500 miles of motorways in England are ‘smart’. Plans for another 300 miles to be implemented in the next five years were paused in January 2022, while the safety of the initiative is assessed. Rules of smart motorways Never drive in a lane closed by a Red X. It has always been an offence to ignore a red X. Keep to the speed limits shown on the signs. A hard shoulder is always identified by a solid white unbroken line – if there’s no speed limit displayed above it or a Red X is displayed, do not use it except in emergency. A broken white line indicates a normal running lane. If the hard shoulder is being used as an extra lane, use the designated emergency areas for emergencies. If your vehicle experiences difficulties, eg. warning light, exit the motorway immediately, if you can. If you break down, put your hazard lights on. Most breakdowns are preventable – keep your car well maintained, check your tyres and make sure you have enough fuel for your journey. Smart motorways advice from National Highways Recovery operators Vehicle recovery operators are never expected to work in a live lane, and their safety – and the safety of all road users – is a top priority. Measures should be in place to ensure this is the case (eg. emergency traffic management, reduced speed limits and Traffic Officer support) before recovery operators attend a broken-down motorist. Vehicle recovery operators can also get to broken down motorists in emergency areas on smart motorways which are safer than working on a hard shoulder as they are set back from the live carriageway. Smart motorways have safety mitigations that are not present on other types of high-speed road, for example variable speed limits and Red X. Stopped vehicle detection Incident detection is already in place on all smart motorways. Stopped vehicle detection, operational on the M25 and in construction on the M3, uses scanning radar to identify stopped vehicles, set signs and alert control rooms. It is effective in all weathers and at all levels of traffic. However, this is just one of the systems in place on smart motorways, including CCTV, incident detection, SVD and emergency areas – to keep drivers safe. The stopped vehicle detection system employed to date uses radar technology (radio waves) to detect stationary vehicles on motorways. Red X signals It has always been an offence to ignore a red X. Police are now able to use cameras as part of the enforcement of red X.
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7 ways to reduce your carbon footprint Want to save some money while conserving the environment? Even few simple changes around your home can reduce your carbon footprint. From opting for a shower instead of a bath to supplying your own reusable bags at the supermarket, you can prevent waste and pollution. Take a look at some fixes that will have you living greener in no time. 1. Dial it down. Turning your thermostat down just two degrees in winter and up two degrees in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. 2. Turn it off. Artificial lighting accounts for 44 percent of electricity use in office buildings. Make it a habit to turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more. Same goes for electronics; switch off power strips and unplug electrical devices when you're not using them. 3. Use cold water. Using cold water can save up to 80 percent of the energy required to wash clothes. Choosing a low setting on the washing machine will also help save water. 4. Save paper by signing up for e-billing. 5. Buy local. Buy fresh, local food to eliminate the long distances travelled and preserve nutrients and flavour. 6. Recycle. You can recycle plastic bottles, paper, electronics and batteries, among other items. 7. Go solar. Powering your home with solar panels can reduce your bills, shrink your carbon footprint and increase your home's value.
Sentinel app The Sentinel app is linked to a system that maintains a record of activity when you are logged as on or off track. This article sets out to explain the importance of validating your Authority to Work using Sentinel, and the serious consequences of not swiping in. It also seeks to help you understand which life-saving rules apply when using Sentinel. Sentinel enables safe working and is your passport to access the infrastructure. Every card holder must present their actual Sentinel card as per the Sentinel Scheme Rules. When you are swiped in, Sentinel uses near realtime data to confirm you have a valid: Sponsor Medical certificate Drugs and alcohol certificate Core competence Any other valid competencies you hold You can also record your competency use each shift which is recorded in your digital logbook on your MySentinel account. Benefits of recording your competence in Sentinel include: Saving time during your Annual Capability Conversation (ACC) No need to carry your paper logbook with you Notes can be added to each competence when recorded to keep track of progress or personal development By using the full swipe in and out functionality, Sentinel also helps manage your fatigue risk. Additional support Click below for guides and fact sheets, freely available on Sentinel website: https://info.railsentinel.co.uk/help-support/quick-start-guides/ Download Sentinel Scheme Rules from their website: https://info.railsentinel.co.uk/help-support/sponsors/sentinel-scheme-rules/ If you have any Sentinel queries, please contact the Sentinel helpdesk: E: sentinel@mitie.com T: 0330 7262 222
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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
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
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Safety Newsletter Mar 2022
vital.uk.com