50527 ‘Lack of staff’ at stations on the Jubilee Line

May 2012 in London Underground

Rostering Rules and procedures South East

On occasions in the past, inadequate numbers of staff have been left to operate stations on this line. The reporter comments that this shortage proves to be a struggle when there are high volumes of passengers at stations, especially when cover is not provided for staff on leave. Inadequate cover poses risks to the safety of staff and passengers, and some staff feel stressed due to their increased workload.

The reporter believes that guidelines are in place which state that stations should be closed when staffing levels fall below minimum requirements.

Could London Underground clarify:

• The minimum numbers of staff that should be present at stations on this line?
• Whether stations should be closed if staffing levels fall below minimum requirements?

Response from London Underground

Thank you for bringing these comments to our attention. Unfortunately the report does not specify particular locations on the Jubilee Line where these concerns relating to perceived staff shortages have arisen.

In line with current legalisation, London Underground differentiate between sub-surface stations, where there is a need to provide and maintain minimum staffing numbers while the station is open to the public, and surface stations where these requirements are not enforced.

Where they are applicable, the minimum numbers needed to safely evacuate a station are contained within each station'sCongestion Control and Emergency Plan. These are often above the legally specified minimum numbers contained in theFire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) (England) Regulations 2009.

As part of the organisation changes that took place earlier this year, and the safety review of the impact of these changes (carried out with our trade union colleagues), staff coverage was reviewed, and it was deemed that, with a few minor adjustments, the current staffing rosters were sufficient to meet the needs of our customers and safe operation of our stations. It should be noted that minimum numbers were not reduced at any locations as part of this change.

Our staff are deployed where it is felt the greatest requirement is. During the roster change process, care was taken to ensure stations with the greatest need, had the most staff.

Customer safety is paramount on London Underground and if the legally required minimum numbers could not be achieved or maintained on a sub-surface station it would be necessary to close the station.