ENGINEERING SAFETY

RMTnews :: june/july 2007 :: www.rmt.org.uk ENGINEERIN Engineering grades meeting in York demanded a safe working environment Conference unanimously opposed a Network Rail policy that allows a controller of site safety (COSS) to set up a safe system of work and then to take part in the work itself. Pat McCarthy, Birmingham Engineering said that such practices can often lead to work activity taking priority over the monitoring of safety practices. “The current situation is very stressful on the COSS that has to take part in the work and oversee safety,” he said. Greg Hewitt, Brighton and Hove City warned that such dangerous practices could lead to a ‘scapegoat culture’ where an overworked COSS can be blamed if anything goes wrong. John Kennedy, Harlesden Engineering said that the rule book stated ‘getting it wrong is not an option’ yet the COSS was expected to do two jobs. Conference called on the union to negotiate with Network Rail for a change in the rule book to make the position of COSS a dedicated position similar to that of lookout and site warden. Delegates also agreed to reconvene the working party on the role and responsibility of the COSS with a view to producing a report to either next year’s conference or a special conference if necessary. MULTI-SKILLING Conference also called upon the union to address the problem of Network Rail management placing multiple responsibilities and jobs on members at the work site. Steve Wallis, Fort William warned that members were being asked to carry out a number of tasks simultaneously including COSS, machine controller and PICOP. “It is clear that carrying out multiple responsibilities undermines safety at work for simple reason that if you are doing two jobs you can only give half of your time to each responsibility. “Add to that all the paperwork and you can see how someone can get into trouble,” he said. Gerry McCann, Ayr said that it is clear that the task of machine controllers was a single duty. He said that using less staff only meant that management were trying to “do the job on the cheap,” he said. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Conference agreed that there was a growing trend within railway engineering companies to take a compulsory view to the wearing of personal