50002 ‘Unsafe’ working practices on a contractor site

May 2011 in Network Rail and Suppliers

Supervision and Management Method of working East Midlands

Concerns have been raised about unsafe working practices at a contractor, who are currently carrying out surveying work for Network Rail in the Lincoln area.

The reporter comments that the company appear to ignore safety rules and regulations. It is felt that unsafe practices are endorsed by management in order to get work completed on time. Examples include:

• Protection details specified in the paperwork being ignored, which means that the correct protection is not set up. As a result staff work on open Lines without Lookouts or any other form of protection.
• Staff remaining on work sites and engaging in work without the presence of a Controller of Site Safety (COSS).
• Staff not receiving any paperwork prior to working on site.

Could Network Rail:

• Review safety practices at this contractor?
• Work with the company to help improve safety practices and compliance with engineering work plans?

Response from Network Rail

Network Rail would like to thank the reporter for bringing their concerns to our attention.

Following the receipt of this CIRAS report it was felt that there was sufficient merit in the concerns to review this contractor and its work with Network Rail.
Therefore the Head of Health, Safety, Environment and Assurance (HSQE) -Fixed Telecoms Network/Global System for Mobile Communications (FTN/GSM-R) has put together a review plan which is being currently carried out.
The review of the contractor regarding their general safety performance and the concerns raised in this CIRAS report particularly working on or about the infrastructure includes the following:

• A review of the contractor and their subcontractor includes their end to end process' regarding planning of site work and communication of information through to the completion stage.
• Announced visits of their sites of work which include their subcontractor's staff.
• Unannounced visits of sites - this will occur over the next month.
• A further review with the contractor's management by the Head of HSQE - FTN/GSM-R and the project management which will involve assessing any issues arising and discussing any improvement required.
• Feedback to the contractor and internally to interested Network Rail programmes of any findings and actions, where we will seek to understand any cultural/behavioural/managerial factors involved.

Network Rail takes seriously any such reports which affect its staff and contractors safety. The process outline above demonstrates that Network Rail will assist contractors to achieve higher levels of safety and management of the staff if needed.

The timescales for completion of this process is estimated to be by the end of June. This does not include any action plans or milestones which may be a consequence of the review findings.