HSQE Bulletin Issue No.3

January 2022

Quality Quality Matters

Code of Conduct

Every year we set Company Objectives, to improve our performance on Quality, Health, Safety & Wellbeing, protecting the Environment and our financial performance. One area of focus for our Quality Objectives is to improve conditions and morale for our staff. Below are the initiatives we have been working on, or are planning, and how we are getting on…

We have issued our Company Code of Conduct. This endorses the Company Core Values of Respect, Team Spirit, Consistency, Trust, Professionalism and Continual Improvement The purpose of the Code is to clarify the standards of support that staff can expect from the Company, and the standards of behaviour and commitment that are expected of the staff.

We are finalising the latest editions of our Health & Safety , policies and staff handbooks, which we will be issuing shortly .

Quarterly Social Events At the end of 2021 we had a Christmas night out for all staff and partners, which was a fun night out, in the usual Christmas spirit, filled with food, drink and dancing. It was a good opportunity to meet partners and get to know each other better, outside of work. We have previously decided to start a programme of quarterly social events, which unfortunately had to be put on hold because of COVID-19. We will now implement, so, If you have any suggestions for fun activities, please let Josh Costema, our Social Secretary know.

Team Spirit Consistency Trust Respect

Continual Improvement Professionalism

Investors in People A successful business has a culture in which the happiness and welfare of everyone within the team is the number one priority. As author Simon Sinek said: “Happy employees ensure happy customers and happy customers ensure happy shareholders – in that order” This is the organisational culture which we are striving to achieve at Lineside. We know we have a long way to go, there are many improvements to make, but we hope that in 2022, we can start to make a difference. That’s why we are interested in “Investors in People”. This is a highly-regarded accreditation which helps companies to lead and develop their staff more effectively, to create happier employees, and consequently, a more successful business. The Investors in People Framework below shows the areas of focus, for achieving accreditation. This is an exciting opportunity for improvement, so watch out for more on this in the months ahead.

Company Objectives for 2022 We will soon be setting some new objectives for the current year. These will include a “Lean” project to streamline our Company practices to make us more efficient and possibly the introduction of some team building activities. If there are any areas you would like us to focus on, please speak to our Quality Representative, Mary Whalley

Health & Safety

Winter Driving It’s easy to forget the risks we take whilst driving, especially if you’re in a rush to get to your destination. It’s just not worth it, especially when winter weather increases the dangers to you, your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians. Safety tips “Driving safely in winter” can be as simple as sticking with the basics:

Look after your vehicle It’s easy to think that because your vehicle has been running fine up until now, that nothing needs doing to it before winter sets in. Although, something as small as low tyre pressure can have a huge impact on your ability to stop in an emergency. So, always be prepared. Safety tips make sure your vehicle is ready for winter by carrying out these simple checks: • Tyre pressure (refer to the vehicle manual).

• Tread depth (3mm is the minimum for Network Rail, but it can vary vehicle to vehicle, so check the manual or fleet vehicles’ wheel arch to be sure). • Wipers (make sure that they effectively clear the screen). • Windscreen washers (check they are working and fluids are topped up with 50% water and 50% anti-freeze screen wash). • Lights (check they are all working and clean). • Engine coolant (check level of anti-freeze). • Keep de-icer, an ice scraper and warm hi-vis clothing in your vehicle

Driving on Ice or Snow If you find yourself driving in snow or on ice covered roads, adapt your driving to these conditions: •

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Reduce your speed. The chances of skidding are much greater and your stopping distance will increase massively. Only travel at a speed at which you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear. Speed limits are the maximum for ideal conditions; in difficult conditions, they can often be too fast. Avoid harsh braking and acceleration, or sharp steering.

Stopping distances increase by up to 10 times in the snow and ice.

If you get stuck in snow: If you get stuck in snow, revving your engine to try to power out of the rut will just make the rut worse.

Instead, move your vehicle slowly backwards and forwards out of the rut using the highest gear that you can.

If you get caught in a snow drift: • •

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Don’t leave your vehicle. Call your breakdown service or the emergency services and let help come to you. Don’t run the engine to keep warm.

Fog:

Rain: Rain reduces your ability to see and greatly increases the distance required to slow down and stop. Remember that you will need about TWICE your normal braking distance. Use windscreen wipers, washers and dipped headlights; drive smoothly and plan your moves in plenty of time.

Avoid driving in fog unless your journey is absolutely necessary. Fog is one of the most dangerous weather conditions. An accident involving one vehicle can quickly involve many others, especially if they are driving too close to each other.

Aquaplaning: Aquaplaning is caused by driving too fast into surface water. When the tyre tread cannot channel away enough water, the tyre(s) lose contact with the road and your car will float on a wedge of water. Aquaplaning can be avoided by reducing speed in wet conditions. Having the correct tyre pressure and tyre treat depth will maximise your type’s ability to maintain their road grip. If it happens, ease off the accelerator and breaks until your speed drops sufficiently for the car tyres to make contact with the road again.

Flooded Roads: • •

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Avoid the deepest water – which is usually near the kerb. Don’t attempt to cross if the water seems too deep. If you are not sure of the water’s depth, look for an alternative route. If you decide to risk it, drive slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch – this will stop you from stalling. Be aware of the bow wave from approaching vehicles – operate an informal ‘give way’ with approaching vehicles.

Remember to test your brakes when you are through the flood.

Oil Spills and Leaks In the event of a fuel or oil spill, take the following steps:

Fuel, Oils and many chemicals have hazardous properties. Spill or Leaks onto the ground or into watercourses cause pollution.

Stop • • • •

Check it is safe to control the spillage. Ensure you have appropriate PPE (E.g. Gloves, footwear). Turn off valves or open nozzles. Stand up containers and seal leaking drums.

Control •

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Use spill kits to prevent fuel or chemicals entering watercourses or drains. Use absorbent booms and drain covers. As an emergency option consider creating temporary soil bund. Clean up spill. Use absorbent pads, granules or sand to soak up the spill.

Environment

Responding quickly and effectively can minimise or even avoid the effects of a pollution incident. Regulators also take emergency actions into account when investigating significant incidents.

Notify Inform you supervisor immediately, form LSM/EF/006 “Notification of an Environmental near miss/incident.”

After •

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Clear up the contaminated spill kit equipment and dispose into a suitable hazardous waste container. Ensure spill kits are restocked.

Fatigue presents a serious risk to operations in the rail industry. High levels of fatigue within an individual lead to reduced levels of productivity, efficiency and ultimately can lead worker inadequately perceiving risk and accepting lower standards of performance and safety, which can cost lives. Fatigue has been identified as a contributory factor in many industry accidents and is defined as an acute and/ or ongoing state of tiredness that leads to mental or physical exhaustion and prevents people from functioning with normal boundaries

Fatigue is caused by many factors, including: •

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Duration of shifts, time between shifts and change to shift patterns. Ability to sleep on rest days, the quality of sleep, and sleeping disorders. Commuting time to/from workplace or place of booking on. Workload and responsibilities e.g. the different mental and/or physical task demands, roles and main activities performed throughout a shift.

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Wellbeing

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Impact of second jobs and personal activities. Scheduling and quality of rest breaks during a shift. Cold starts and inadequate recovery times. Attitudes to work/motivation and dealing with stress life. The work environment encourages fatigue rather than alertness.

What are the health risks associated with fatigue? • •

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Higher risk in terms of accident causation. Higher levels of anxiety and depression. Impaired cognitive function and memory. Higher rate of high blood pressure and heart disease. Higher risk of diabetes. Increased risk of breast cancer. Higher risk of stroke. Greater appetite for unhealthy food cravings. Greater risk of chronic sleep disorders such as Insomnia, sleep apnoea and narcolepsy.

Prevention • • • • • •

Aim for 8 hours of sleep, try to sleep at the same time each day. Maintain a healthy diet – High protein, low sugar meals. Always schedule breaks for water, rest and food. Find a balance between work and personal life. Keep active – Move around/exercise. Always seek medical advice about sleep disorders.

Why does stress matter?

The Importance of Work Life Balance

It matters because as well as affecting your health it can damage relationships both at home and at work. If you are off sick a lot or not performing at a satisfactory level it can also place your job and therefore financial well-being at risk. If you are under stress, you may become more accident prone, placing life at risk.

What is stress? Stress is a natural reaction to prolonged excessive pressure. Pressure in itself is not necessarily bad and many people thrive on it. In itself stress isn’t an actual disease but if it goes unchecked it can lead to conditions such as anxiety, depression and possibly some physical illness such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

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Stress in and of itself is neither positive nor negative. It is our perception of that stimulus which determines whether a situation is stressful to another. Some event that is exciting and pleasurable to one person may be painfully stressful to another.

Three basic Stages of Stress are: •

Alarm – The body’s initial physical reaction for fight or flight.

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Resistance – The body tries to cope and adapt to the continued stress and begins the process of repairing any damage caused by the stress. - If the stress can be overcome, the body repairs the damage and the physical signs disappear. - Resistance to stress is increased each time it’s dealt with leaving us stronger than before.

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Exhaustion – If there is no relief from the stress, the body and mind cannot repair the damage. This can result in emotional, mental and physical problems.

What are the signs of stress? There are certain signals, which may suggest that someone is suffering from stress. These include: • Irritability, shortened temper, loss of a sense of humour. • Headaches, indigestion, aching muscles, disturbed sleep and fatigue. • Changes in appetite, increased alcohol consumption, smoking or drug taking. • Loss of concentration, indecision, boredom, loss of self esteem. • Lack of interest in work and family, social withdrawal. • Nervousness and inability to cope.

Network Rail Briefings

If you have any suggestions or comments, please email us on [email protected]