HSE Newsletter Issue 80 August

Let's all beat the heat!

Thank you

17



Systems of work requiring touch
lookouts

Issued to: All Network Rail line managers,
safety professionals and RISQS
registered contractors

Ref: NRA19-08

Date of issue: 12/07/2019

Location: National

Contact: David Burgess, Principal
Workforce Safety Specialist

Overview

The new Safety Task Force established this week Each such task must be specifically authorised in
has determined there should be an immediate advance by the Infrastructure Maintenance
change when work on the track would require a Engineer (IME) (or equivalent) or more senior
touch lookout to warn staff of an approaching manager. That IME must challenge the planned
train. system of work and where possible secure a
safer method of protection before it takes place.

The risk control hierarchy requires us to consider If the work cannot be done in a safer system than
and where reasonably practicable use safer with touch lookouts, the IME must satisfy
systems of work than unassisted lookouts when themselves about the competences and
planning and undertaking work on the track. That experience of the specific staff in the work group
is especially applicable to tasks where noise from and the rigour of site supervision. The system
hand tools or other plant requires a touch lookout. must be tested by the COSS or Safe Work
Leader before any work begins to make sure the
It is always preferable to use any noisy equipment system is suitable and safe.
in a possession or a line blockage with additional
protection to remove the need for lookouts and Route and project assurance should sample the
moving out of the path of train movements. records of touch lookout tasks submitted for IME
Hearing protection must in any case be worn. etc authorisation and check these additional
controls are being applied effectively.
Where work with noisy plant is still planned to
take place on open lines and therefore requiring  
touch lookouts, there must now be additional
senior line manager approval for each specific
work task.

 

Immediate action required Discussion Points

 Every task with a system of work that 1. Why is it important to test your safe
requires a touch lookout must be system of work before starting work?
specifically authorised by the IME (or
equivalent). 2. What should you do if you are not
happy with the method of warning
being provided?

3. What work do you do that could impact
your ability to hear warnings?

Part of our group
of Safety Bulletins

School's out for Summer

Secure gates
Secure materials

Secure plant

Keep kids safe this Summer

Every choice you make

Has a consequence

tracksafetyalliance.co.uk

Safety Alert

Title: Possession irregularity Llanwern

Date: 04/07/2019

Distribution: All staff

Priority level: High

Overview

ES Shortened back work site as published in the PICOP pack, whilst a
Balfour Beatty RRV was still working in the extended area.

Action Required
• All Engineering supervisor must use their ES assistants to move
trains to the marker boards, this allows the ES to concentrate
on signing people in and shortening back the site if required.

• All Engineering supervisors are to attend the white board
meeting this is to be checked by the resourcing team, when
booking the staff.

• When shortening back of a work site the ES must ensure all
staff are signed out on the ES forms before shortening back,
they must also adhere to the LCV process.

• Ensure that all third party staff that wish to share our worksite
are invited to the white board meeting, if they don’t attend we
don’t allow them access.

Safety Ref: 01 Issued by Darren Wood Colas Rail

Summer 2019

Dehydration

We've all experienced it at some point when working or playing hard – fatigue sets in, your mouth feels dry
and your legs are heavy and maybe you even get a headache. These are all common signs of dehydration.

When you are working hard, body fluid is lost through sweat. If the fluid lost through sweat is not replaced,
dehydration and early fatigue are unavoidable. Losing even 2% of body fluids can impair performance by
increasing fatigue and affecting cognitive skills. During the summer heat it's easy for to become dehydrated
if you don't drink enough fluids to replace what is lost in sweat.

However, dehydration can be easily prevented.

 When to drink: Ensure you drink before you start working, trying to catch-up for lost fluids after

a period of time is very difficult. Also, drink before you get thirsty. By the time you're thirsty you are
already dehydrated, so it's important to drink at regular intervals – especially when it is hot outside.

 What to drink: Water is truly one of the best things to drink. Research also shows that a lightly

flavoured beverage with a small amount of sodium encourages people to drink enough to stay
hydrated. The combination of flavour and electrolytes in a sports drink provides one of the best
choices to help you stay properly hydrated.

 What not to drink: During activity, avoid drinks with high sugar content such as full sugar

soda and even fruit juices. These are slow to absorb into the body. Caffeinated beverages should
also be avoided.

Many people ask how much to drink and that truly depends on your activity level and how much your body
is losing fluids. In general, when you are working and sweating, you should drink at least every half an
hour. Ensure you are drinking enough to replace your lost fluids. A good rule of thumb from a wise man
says: “if you aren’t urinating, you’re not drinking enough”.

REMEMBER:

 In warm/hot environments drink water frequently

 Drink enough water that you never become thirsty
 Drink regularly throughout the day
 Avoid drinks with high caffeine or sugar content
 Replace salt and minerals by eating healthily
 Plan heavy manual work for the cooler parts of the day

Summer 2019

Summer 2019



Manual Handling
Toolbox Talk: HSF-TB-0041a

TOOLBOX TALK

Almost 25% of all injuries at work are caused by accidents during manual handling.

Get it wrong today and you may not work again.

Considerations When Manual Handling
1. Always use mechanical handling methods instead of manual handling if possible, e.g. forklifts,
Pennylifts or mechanical aids, e.g. wheelbarrows, sack trucks etc.
2. Know your capabilities; only tackle jobs you can handle
3. Can you handle the load yourself, do you need assistance?
4. Is there a clear walkway with good lighting to the work area?

Q: What checks should you carry out before lifting?

5. Assess the load before lifting
6. Do not attempt to carry a load that obscures your vision
7. Wear gloves to protect against cuts and punctures
8. Wear safety boots or shoes to protect from falling loads
Q: What PPE should you wear and why?

Whenever possible when lifting and handling
1. Have one foot forward to reduce pressure on the body
2. Always start the movement with your legs (Big Engines) unlock the knees, do not bend
3. Turn by moving your feet, do not twist
4. Keep close – or get as close to the load as possible – but remember there may be sharp edges
5. Lift slowly and smoothly
6. Only move what you feel you can manage – get help or split the load
7. Never lose control of the load

Q: What action reduces pressure on the body?

1. Dual Lifting. The same principles apply but you must communicate throughout the lift; one person
must control the lift

2. Ensure you understand and follow the specific manual lifting and handling safe systems of work

• Report all back problems to your supervisor.

REMEMBER
THINK BEFORE YOU LIFT

Document Authoriser: Craig McCallum Uncontrolled when printed or downloaded
Date of Issue: A Balfour Beatty UK Document
13/03/2018 Page 1 of 1 Version: 1.0

Slips and Trips
Toolbox Talk: HSES-TB-0007b

TOOLBOX TALK

Every year many injuries occur through slips and trips. Most of these injuries are easily preventable with a
little care. It is not only yourself at risk but also the general public.

Why do they Occur?

1. Most injuries from slips and trips occur because of poor housekeeping
2. Many items such as cables, hoses, hand tools, lengths of pipe or timber, plastic tie bands etc. left on

the ground will trip someone if not deposited in a safe place
3. Persons may slip or trip while walking and using a mobile phone on site
4. Spilt substances such as oils and greases will form a slip hazard if not immediately cleaned up
5. General debris can quickly accumulate and form a tripping hazard if waste is not controlled
6. Mud on rungs of ladders vehicle steps or boots, will represent a slipping hazard
7. Reduced levels of light, for example during winter afternoons, will increase the tripping hazards if

adequate access lighting is not provided. Tools, equipment and materials, which are visible in full
daylight, might be hidden in semi-darkness
8. Horseplay can lead to slips or trips
9. Persons may become complacent, and not look at where they’re walking
10. Unfinished base course/wearing course on footpath refurbishments cause trip hazards
11. Poor or untidy access routes will also cause a trip hazard
12. Poor underfoot conditions such as overgrown vegetation; animal holes in verges cause trips and
twisted ankles

What Can You Do About It?
1. Clear up waste materials as you create them. Lightweight waste should be bagged or bundled
2. Always maintain a three-point contact when climbing onto or off plant or vehicles, never jump off
3. vehicles
4. Ensure the rear of a vehicle is kept tidy and free from spilt oils and greases never use diesel as a
5. release agent
6. Ramp or infill changes in base/wearing course levels on footpath work areas
7. Ensure good access is maintained on site by running hoses and cables clear of pedestrian areas
8. Cover/ramp cables and hoses where they cross pedestrian areas

Q: What do you do to ensure good access is maintained on site?
1. Do not leave tools, equipment or unused materials lying about the work or access areas, place in a
safe area
2. Never walk around site while using a mobile phone, ensure you are stationary and in a safe area
before using it
3. If the site is muddy, scrape mud off your boots before climbing on vehicles or ladders
4. Ensure adequate lighting levels at all times
5. Always be aware of your surroundings and underfoot conditions on
6. Where provided use designated routes

Document Authoriser: Craig McCallum Uncontrolled when printed or downloaded
Date of Issue: A Balfour Beatty UK Document
13/03/2018 Page 1 of 1 Version: 1.0



With a
torch (

work
Protective Cut

5 Gloves

H
vis
tro

Additional task specific PPE must be w
as per approved risk assessment. Wool

PPE Requirements

head Hard Hat
(night
king) Safety
Glasses or
High
sibility goggles
ousers
High
visibility
top (long
sleeved)

Steel toe cap
and mid-sole

protection

worn when required
lly Hats & Hoodies are PROHIBITED

Prohibiting use of brush cutters
fitted with a 'Metal star blade' for
brush cutting works

Issued to: All Network Rail line managers,
safety professionals and RISQS
registered contractors

Ref: NRA19-09

Date of issue: 02/08/2019

Location: Newgate Street, Hertfordshire
(LNE/EM)

Contact: Malcolm Miles, Professional Head
of Plant

Overview

On 2 July 2016, an operative was using a metal Both incidents involved a metal object hidden in the
star blade for brush cutting at the Newgate Street undergrowth being struck and a shard of metal being
access point. This resulted in a piece of metal ejected.
shard piercing the inner right thigh of the
operator. A safety bulletin was subsequently This Safety Advice supersedes the earlier version
issued (NRB 16/13), and a root cause NRA 16/10 Update 1 dated 08/01/18. The significant
investigation launched. change is to prohibit the use of metal star blades for
brush cutting and replace these with an Original
Since the Newgate Street incident, two additional Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) approved shredder
events involving metal star blades have blade.
occurred.

Immediate action required

Metal star blades must be replaced with OEM • Operators should work their way down into the
approved 'Shredder' blades for brush cutting vegetation in layers enabling the operator to
operations. Metal star blades must never be used identify 'hidden' items inside the foliage that may
for brush cutting. not have been visible during the original site
survey.
Nylon line or plastic blades are safer options than a
metal star blade for strimming. If these cannot be • Specialist PPE is required in addition to the
used, metal star blades are permitted, but only for standard PPE set out in the Task Risk Control
grass strimming. Sheet (NR/L3/MTC/0003/SP021) to ensure
adequate protection for all parts of the body.
• The tool and equipment supplier/maintainer Specialist PPE made available in the Network
must ensure that the brush cutter protective Rail catalogue includes:
guard is undamaged/untampered and
correctly fitted (See Figure 1). Brush cutters 1. Item 500348, Hi vis Vulture ballistic trouser,
with defective blades must be quarantined orange.
until repaired.
2. Item 801070, Hi vis Breatheflex jacket, orange
• All operators carrying out de-vegetation
works must possess the required level of • The exclusion zone for strimming and brush
training and competency. cutting operations is 15 metres.

• Use of brush cutters for de-vegetation must • The team leader/supervisor shall be responsible
be considered during the task planning for ensuring the exclusion zone is enforced both
process as a "right handed" operation which within and outside of the boundary.
offers the optimum protection to the
operator.

Part of our group
of Safety Bulletins