SIGNALLERS AND SAFETY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2012 :: RMTnews 18 After being elected by the members as lead union health and safety rep I have been meeting with signallers and reps on various routes and discussing a variety of safety concerns including line blockages. With the introduction of the stage two/area health and safety reps within Network Rail it now gives us a chance to have common local issues discussed at route health and safety meetings and to progress areas of concern to national level. This will enable us to look at trends and common problems across the network and to be able to help to resolve such issues to everyone’s satisfaction. The problem is that many issues are discussed in the work place but may not be written down or progressed through the health and safety reps and the new Network Rail procedure will enable us to resolve issues at route or national level. What is required from signallers is to stop just complaining and put it down in writing to our health and safety reps and provide us with data and evidence so we can address the problem. Too many times we just moan about it but don’t actually do anything about it. One of the main issues around the country is that of line blockages, both the planning of and the volume signallers are having to grant. it is essential to consider all the risks involved in any block you grant and what else you have to do. If you don't think that you can do it safely you shouldn't do it. The safety of those within the block is essential. Very often the limits and protecting signals are wrong when the COSS phones up and the signaller then has to get involved in re-planning and correcting what the blocking points or signals are. Sometimes this is not possible so the blockage is not granted, which means the work has be done another day. Any alterations made should be recorded and go back to the planners so the same errors are not repeated. The vast number of line blockages do not have additional protection. This means the only protection the staff within the block have is the reminder appliance the signaller applies. The risk is that as you clear and grant line blockages in between trains a reminder appliance may not be applied. Additionally on the Westcad/MC VDU systems you have a reminder appliance override facility and regrettably reminders have been cleared or over ridden in error. The bottom line is that you may think you are helping out but if something goes wrong it is down to you. You will be facing disciplinary charges, not anyone else. Network Rail is actively removing Red Zone working which is therefore creating more line blockages for signallers to deal with and obviously increasing our workload. Red Zone working is the most dangerous and so it is right to reduce it, but this increases the risks to signallers because of the increase in blockages and the workload. We also have issues with T3 possessions and work activity within them, the length and of weekend blocks. In many areas there is a limit to how many blocks a signaller can manage at the same time. Unfortunately this is being exceeded on a regular basis and that increases the risk of human error and the chances of reminder appliance not being applied correctly. If a signaller makes a mistake because of being busy or too much work the most likely result is still a disciplinary charge. It is essential that we tackle this issue so that we can prevent that or injury to track workers and for that we need your help. There are some reps around the country that are proactively raising line blockage errors and work load but we need more facts from all of you to be able to resolve this issue. We do have some very constructive meetings and working groups with Network Rail that are trying to tackle and resolve these issues but to do so effectively we need your examples and facts to argue your corner. If you have concerns and information that can help us please e-mail me at: ayates@rmt.org.uk SIGNALLERS AND SAFETY Network Rail lead RMT health and safety rep AJ Yates calls on signallers to protect themselves and report any safety issues through the procedures now in place