50261 Limit on working consecutive days at contractors

August 2011 in London Underground

Rostering South East

A reporter is asking for clarification on the maximum number of consecutive days that can be worked whilst working on London Underground. The reporter is aware that some contractors are rostering their staff to work up to 14 consecutive days with no rest days rostered in.

Could London Underground clarify:

• If there are any guidelines which state the maximum number of consecutive days?
• Are contractors ever monitored in relation to this?

Response from London Underground

We understand that this report relates to workers on the LUL Capital Programme that are designated as safety critical under section 4 of the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations and our response is provided on that basis.

The LUL Standard 1-548 requires the following:
Clause 3.3.3: "As determined by LUL or LUL's suppliers the consecutive days that may be worked before a rest period shall be either:

a) 6 consecutive days, followed by a rest period of not less than 24 hours.

b) 12 consecutive days, followed by 2 consecutive rest days, each of which is not less than 24 hours.

c) Within any 14 day period, 2 rest periods, each of which is not less than 24 hours."

Clause 3.3.4: "The limits set shall be exceeded only in exceptional circumstances and then only with a written safety justification for each individual. Where the minimum amount of rest is not met in these circumstances, compensatory rest is permitted."

As part of our procurement arrangements, LUL review a supplier's arrangements to confirm that they have a system in place for monitoring the hours worked by their employees. If we find any deficiencies, they are required to be addressed and evidence provided that a satisfactory system is in place prior to work starting. LUL does not routinely undertake direct monitoring of subcontractors. Throughout the contract, our suppliers are required to monitor the hours worked by their own workforce and their own suppliers and provide assurance to LUL of their compliance with the limits set.

For suppliers delivering our permanent way projects, a range of mechanisms have been chosen to provide assurance, for example providing copies of their records of shifts worked or providing copies of their audits of their management arrangements for monitoring working hours.

For less frequent works, such as asset replacement closure weekends related to our line upgrades, review meetings with suppliers have been utilised to review the shift patterns required to facilitate changes in delivery. At one such meeting a short term working hour exceedance was noted.

Investigating the report has highlighted, that we can improve the consistency with which we monitor our suppliers' compliance with our requirements. We would however welcome further information regarding the particular supplier or work programme to which this report relates, so that we can undertake further investigation and assure ourselves that our requirements are being complied with.