50300 Building services staff ‘unfamiliar’ with railway environment

May 2012 in Train Operations

Knowledge Skills and experience Training and briefing Not Specified

The reporter is particularly concerned by building work carried out on platforms by staff. Repair work using scaffolding and ladders has been witnessed being carried out near passengers or very close to the platform edge. The reporter believes the Rule Book is not always being adhered to. The reporter states that this kind of work normally requires the presence of a Controller of Site Safety (COSS).

The reporter would like to know:

• If staff at Lorne Stewart have any specific railway training?
• If risk assessments for work carried out close to the platform edge are readily available?
• If method statements for such work are effectively communicated to staff?
• Why COSSs are not employed for work undertaken close to the platform edge?

Response from Lorne Stewart PLC

Lorne Stewart currently look after four different rail areas, and all areas have in place risk assessments, method statements, Personal Track Safety (PTS) trained employees and the services of COSSs when required. Engineering Managers and Supervisors are aware of theRule Bookand when the presence of a COSS is required. 

Lorne Stewart policies and processes are subject to internal and external audit and we have been Achilles Link-up approved since 1999. Regular team briefing and toolbox talks are delivered, and Supervisors are requested to complete weekly observation reports.

In general, Lorne Stewart engineering works do not encroach on to the area designated as on or near the line; however when this is anticipated a Lorne Stewart trained COSS would be used to supervise these works.

All employees have been trained to use a dynamic risk assessment process which, when completed, determines if it is safe and suitable to carry out the given task. Employees have a mechanism by which they can challenge the viability of the risk assessment and work methods in place.

The issue will be discussed with the contract Managers, asking for the concerns mentioned to be outlined at the next team brief and Supervisors to be monitoring tasks, ensuring compliance with the requirements of theRule Book.

Without having the information stated (location, time and date) it restricts the investigation because there are three distinct areas where FGW complete their work and two areas for Merseyrail, therefore this response should be considered generic without a specific investigated example.