Your copy of Home Safe 04 February 2022 |
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Southern Capital Delivery |
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Southern Shield Weekly Safety Update |
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| As of next week, your weekly safety brief will be in a different format and, having listened to your feedback, will come out on a Friday, so that you can prep for your Monday team briefings.
It will still cover all aspects of health, safety and the environment; the only difference is that we'll be sharing these stories with our supply chain partners. Of course, if there's anything that's specific to Network Rail, we'll be making that clear and will still be linking to MyConnect for Network Rail-only content.
So look out for the first joint edition on Friday 11 February! | | |
A worker collapsed and injured their head at Clapham Junction station last week after apparently eating something given to them by a team mate that triggered their nut allergy. An ambulance was called when they collapsed and appeared to be in anaphylactic shock. Fortunately, they were eventually discharged from hospital and it appears that they suffered no further ill effects.
However, anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to a trigger such as an allergy. It usually develops suddenly and gets worse very quickly. It can be serous if not treated quickly.
Symptoms- feeling lightheaded or faint
- breathing difficulties – such as fast, shallow breathing
- wheezing
- a fast heartbeat
- clammy skin
- confusion and anxiety
- collapsing or losing consciousness
There may also be other allergy symptoms, including an itchy, raised rash (hives), feeling or being sick, swelling or stomach pain.
If you see someone with symptoms you think could be anaphylaxis, ask them if they have an adrenaline auto-injector. Use it, if you know how to do so correctly. But even if they do and you know how to use it, call 999 for an ambulance immediately, and mention that you think they have anaphylaxis.
For more information on how to prevent and treat anaphylaxis, see this page on the NHS website. | | |
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The murder of Sarah Everard in March last year prompted Rachel Chung and Alice Jackson to found Strut Safe, a voluntary organisation which keeps people company when they are walking home alone at the weekend anywhere in the UK.
The Strut Safe volunteers who answer calls are each interviewed, trained and background-checked. They're there to chat and to provide reassurance and are ready to alert the police or call an ambulance if needs be.
Anyone who is feeling anxious can call Strut Safe's free helpline 0333 335 0026 operates from 7pm-3am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7pm-1am on Sundays.
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World Cancer Day - 4 February 2022 |
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| Did you know that 10million people die each year from cancer? That's the equivalent to the population of Bangkok or twice the population of Ireland. Experts predict that this number will rise to 13million by 2030.
They're scary figures but did you also know that more than one third of cancer cases can be prevented? Another third can be cured if detected early and treated properly.
For the lucky few, these are just statistics but for many, it's something they or someone they love deal with every day.
If you're free at 13.00 today (Friday 4 February), Network Rail's Southern CanDo support group is hosting a session around Cancer. | | | |
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At the session you'll hear from someone who has personal experience of cancer and we'll talk about what it is, how to talk about it and the support that's available for anyone affected.
The event is open to everyone, whether Network Rail or not, so why not come and join the conversation, which is being held on Teams? To join us at 13.00, just click on this link. | | |
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On Friday 14 January at 13:10, a de-vegetation team, with approval from the COSS, made the final cut to fell a small Ash tree (around 4m tall and 150mm diameter) at the top of a cutting slope, just over 3m from the running line.
The tree fell where expected but bounced, falling into the cess with some branches encroaching onto the open line. The team had not used a guide rope as specified in the planned method.
One worker grabbed the butt end of the tree to try and drag it up the cutting slope, but while doing so he dragged it onto the open line.
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The chainsaw operative got down from the bank to help remove the tree from the open line. The COSS alerted the two operatives of an approaching train.
The separated system of work should have kept the team at least two metres from the open line at all times. But the two contractors accessed the track to move the tree.
Both operatives were able to move to around two metres away from the line by the time the train passed them. The train used emergency brakes but hit branches and scattered debris. No one was physically injured.
This is one of several recent safety incidents involving de-vegetation works beside the track, each of which could have been much more serious.
Discussion points- How do ensure that vegetation teams are following processes and adhering to methodologies?
- When should the tree be roped and secured prior to cutting?
- What immediate action should be taken when something falls foul of the line?
- Is this a common working practice in the culture and behaviour of similar activities? What do you feel would help prevent this from happening?
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Share the safety messages |
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Please share these important safety messages by using Home Safe in your team and site briefings. You can click here for a printable PDF version.
If you know of a colleague who would like to receive future Southern Shield messages contact shield@networkrail.co.uk. |
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Contact us: shield@networkrail.co.uk or go to www.southernshield.co.uk |
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