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A safety net when all else fails

50554 Staff exceeding 14 hour door-to-door recommendation

May 2012 in Network Rail and Suppliers

tagged Fatigue Rules and procedures Central

A reporter is concerned that Stobart Rail staff on the Bletchley remodelling project are exceeding the Network Rail 14 hour door-to-door recommendation. Stobart Rail staff are responsible for carrying out various safety critical duties including those of Controller of Site Safety (COSS), Machine Controllers and Plant Drivers.

It is thought that some staff are currently doing 20 hours door-to-door when travel time and shifts are taken into account. This seems to be ignored when they are signing on at Bletchley. The reporter believes that this is causing members of staff to become fatigued, which could lead to both staff and other colleagues being injured either during or after shifts.

Could Stobart Rail:

  • Investigate this issue and ensure that staff are not exceeding the 14 hour door-to-door recommendation?
  • Consider providing lodgings for staff who are working and travelling for more than 14 hours between home and work?

Response from Stobart Rail

Stobart Rail would like to thank the reporter for raising their concerns.

The reporter's concerns of staff exceeding the 14 hour door-to-door guidance as perNR/GN/INI/001 'Guidance on the Management of Door to Door Work & Travel Time', on the Bletchley remodelling project have been investigated by Stobart Rail. The reporter's concerns were found to be valid on this occasion.

The investigation showed that Stobart Rail procedure for the control of safe working hours was followed and the control measure to reduce the fatigue effects of staff was implemented. The control measure was to provide dedicated Drivers who would drive the safety critical staff to the work site. These Drivers took no part in the works and were provided with accommodation in a local hotel until they were required to drive the safety critical staff to their place of rest. However, this still means that on this occasion the safety critical staff exceeded the 14 hour door-to-door guidance.

To prevent reoccurrence on the Bletchley remodelling project Stobart Rail have reassessed the travel involved in the works and the timescales they are required on site to complete the scope of works. As a result of the investigation, accommodation will be and has been provided where 14 hours door-to-door is likely to be exceeded. 

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