helpdesk: 0800 328 2673 (freephone) ... Helpdesk preferably by email at
to request a ... You can al
Steve Coe Organising Director Walkden House, 10 Melton Street, London NW1 2EJ email:
[email protected] helpdesk: 0800 328 2673 (freephone) www.tssa.org.uk
Circular 252/15 | 7 October 2015 circulation to: All members in Network Rail, Amey, Atkins Rail, Babcock Rail, Balfour Beatty, Colas Rail, Carillion, DB Schenker, Delta Rail, DRS, Rail Terminal Services, Rhomberg Sersa, Signalling Solutions, Tata Steel Projects, Telent, Thales, URS, Volker Rail, all Branches, EC
Planning and Delivery of Safe Work (Safe Work Leader) Those of you that conduct work on Network Rail’s tracks or whose work is associated with such work will be aware that Network Rail has been working on a programme to replace the existing processes and rules governing such work with an initiative entitled ‘Planning and Delivery of Safe Work’ (P&DSW). It is also often referred to as ‘Safe Work Leader’. The new arrangements have been implemented in the East Midlands with a view to it being rolled out across the rest of the country. However, there have been numerous problems with the new process, and TSSA reps have raised a number of concerns, not least about there being insufficient resources to ensure proper planning of work. Since planning rightly lies at the heart of the new arrangements, this is a serious issue. Problems have not been confined to Network Rail, with reps in some of the contractors expressing concerns. A particular issue with the contractors has been the almost universal failure on their part to consult on P&DSW with TSSA reps. A meeting with Network Rail’s Phil Hufton (Managing Director of Network Operations) was held last Friday 2 October to discuss the concerns of the trade unions. This followed a letter sent by the TSSA General Secretary to Network Rail Chief Executive Mark Carne which raised members’ concerns. A copy of the letter can be seen at http://bit.ly/LetterSWL Following TSSA representations, Phil Hufton has agreed to review and resolve the issues raised in East Midlands before implementing the programme anywhere else. He also undertook to conduct an immediate review involving Network Rail senior management shadowing Safe Work Leaders on site for one week to evaluate the way the programme was working in the East Midlands. The review will assess whether the SWL programme is at least as safe as the existing Safe System of Work (SSW) arrangements in place around the network. Depending on the outcome of the review, the programme may be ceased or altered. We have a commitment that any proposed changes will be formally consulted on by Network Rail with the appropriate TSSA reps.
TSSA, along with the other rail unions, has until recently supported the principles behind the changes, not only with its emphasis on proper planning of work, but also the creation of a ‘single controlling mind’ role that simplified safety responsibilities. TSSA’s view until now has been that SSW has a number of flaws and there is room for significant improvement.
Work on the track, or in association with those that do so? We need your views! TSSA members employed by both Network Rail and its contractors that undertake work on the track or in association with track workers are asked to forward their views and observations about P&DSW to your reps so that we have a clear view of what the issues are that need to be addressed. This will inform any actions that are needed. If you don’t have a TSSA reps in your area, contact the TSSA Members’ Helpdesk preferably by email at
[email protected] to request a nomination form. You can also phone free on 0800 328 2673. end
