Briefing Note Handbook Transmittal Forms

Handbooks

To VHRL workers,

New Handbooks along with letter and
Handbook Transmittal Note are being
distributed to VHRL workers.

When you receive the Handbooks please sign
and return the Handbook Transmittal Note
straightaway so that we know you have received
them.

It is a mandatory requirement of Network Rail
standards and Sentinel Scheme Rules that you are in
possession of Handbooks and that VHRL has evidence that
you have received them. This can be done as follows:

 Complete the Handbook Transmittal Note with PRINTED NAME, SIGNATURE and DATE then;
Return the Transmittal Note in the pre-paid envelope provided
Or

 Complete the Handbook Transmittal Note with PRINTED NAME, SIGNATURE and DATE, taking a
LEGIBLE photograph of the Handbook Transmittal Note, then;
Email the photograph to the VHRL office responsible for putting you out to work

The email address for your VHRL office will be printed on the letter.

If you have any queries when you receive your Handbooks, please do not hesitate to contact the VHRL
office responsible for putting you out to work or email [email protected]

PLEASE NOTE: Under the Health and Safety at Work Act you are required to co-operate in all matters of
health and safety. Failure to return the Transmittal Note may result in you being stood-down from work
or de-sponsored.

* Latest Handbook updates with compliance date 7th Dec 2019 - these updates will be emailed to you *

Brief explanation of changes

Handbook 7 General duties of At section 4.2, the term ‘site warden warning’ has been amended to ‘separated’ to describe
the arrangement under which an Individual Working Alone (IWA) could work without a site
Issue 6 COSS warden, or where a COSS works with one other person. The title of section 4.6 has also been
amended to reflect this change.
Handbook 9 IWA or COSS setting
Issue 7 up safe systems of At section 3.5, the term ‘site warden warning’ has been amended to ‘separated’ to describe
work within the arrangement under which an Individual Working Alone (IWA) could work without a site
possessions warden, or where a COSS works with one other person. The section has been amended to
clarify also that an IWA cannot use a site warden as part of this safe system of work.
Handbook 11 Duties of the PICOP
Issue 7 Diagram HB11.2 has been amended to clearly identify which points are referred to.
Additional instructions at clause 6.2 to reproduce the ability in GERT8000-HB12, section 3.4,
Handbook 12 Duties of the ES or to place work-site marker boards at reduced distances. Additional instruction and title
change at clause 8.12 to mirror section 4.5 of GERT8000-T3 and refer to any movement
Issue 7 SWL in a possession made towards detonator protection placed at less than the standard distance from points or
crossings.

New instruction at clause 3.4 to specify minimum distance between the detonator
protection and the site of work when work-site marker boards are not provided. At section
4.5, the term ‘site warden warning’ has been amended to ‘separated’ to describe the
arrangement under which an Individual Working Alone (IWA) could work without a site
warden, or where a COSS works with one other person. This section has been amended to
clarify also that an IWA cannot use a site warden as part of this safe system of work.