40759 Various concerns regarding Para Rail practices

August 2009 in Network Rail and Suppliers

Station and platform Rules and procedures Method of working Supervision and Management South East

A reporter has expressed concern regarding various safety issues across South East stations.

The primary concern is that one COSS has been supervising two platforms - with workers across both of them. The reporter goes on to list other examples of unsafe working practices being carried out such as:

• workers taking scaffolding down from under a footbridge with no protection (should a T3 have been taken here?);
• a method statement affirming that the COSS should keep everybody on the inner side of the yellow line, away from the platform edge, however scaffolding towers are being put up on the other side of the line close to the platform edge; and
• the COSS being asked to undertake other duties, leaving workers unsupervised on scaffolding towers.

The reporter believes that independent monitoring and unannounced checks of these station refurbishment projects are no longer being undertaken by someone impartial. There is a concern that a lack of independent auditing at such sites could increase the likelihood of lapses in safety, which could generate the potential for incidents or accidents.

For Para Rail:

Would Para Rail look at the possibility of re-assessing the worksites across the South East, to ensure that there is a COSS for each work group, method statements are being adhered to, and that the work is being conducted in the safest possible manner?

For Southeastern:

The reporter suggests cross-checking of Para Rail's method statements, together with unannounced site visits to ensure proper procedure is being followed.
Response from Para Rail The report does not make it clear the type of scaffolding in use and where it was erected e.g. was it a fixed type scaffolding or a mobile scaffolding tower? If it was a fixed type then generally a green zone possession (T3/T2D etc) would be taken to safely dismantle the scaffolding. For a mobile tower this would not normally be necessary as the mobile tower could safely be dismantled without the need for any type of possession.

• The method statement does not mention the "yellow line" as this is normally painted on to the platform surface within the area classed as "on or about the line" e.g. within 1.25 metres from the platform edge. All method statements for this type of work clearly states that "Where work is required to be carried out within the area known as "on or about the line" this shall be carried out in accordance with GE/RT8000 with the required protection staff provided, the appropriate RIMINI plan completed and safe system of work in place". It is the responsibility of the COSS to ensure that all site staff comply with the method statement and this specifically.
• The number of COSS's on site is dependent on the size of the site, the perceived risks associated with the work and the experience and competencies of the site staff. Each site is risk assessed before work is started which will ascertain the number of COSS's required for the site.