A story of a night shift key worker during COVID-19 We are incredibly proud of our keyworkers that are facing many challenges while working on site. We want to share with you a story of Jonathan Hampson, our Rail signalling testing engineer who holds another critical position: Safe Work Leader during his shift.
In this article we explain how the non-working site safety supervisors operate when there are less than 3 workers on site. On-site Safe Work Leader (SWL ) Jonathan Hampson shows how safety checks were distributed between the two colleagues working together but keeping apart to stay safe.
Non-working Site Safety Supervisors
The new role introduced to actively monitor worksites to ensure compliance with Covid-19 health & safety measures. In teams of three or more we always have a person on site that is stood down to supervise safety of our people. This role was introduced to combat the safety challenges faced by our field employees during the pandemic.
Solid State Interlocking (SSI) System Upgrade
Jonathan is currently upgrading the SSI system that will allow new Azuma trains to operate without interference issues experienced with the initial install.
In the SSI cabinet featured in a photograph on the right (above on mobile devices) Jonathan is isolating equipment to protect the changeover team in another location.
Creating Safe Distancing Working Environment To Combat Visibility At Night
The team works in pairs, at the beginning of the shift, Jonathan briefs his colleague how he is planning on implementing social distancing while performing required tasks. In the photo on the left (above on mobile devices), you can see Jonathan working in a marked-up area.
Jonathan outlined the safety distance areas around the trackside cabinet using spray paint before the shift started as the visibility at night could easily impact on social distancing. The lines are clearly visible in white and will stop anyone approaching him by accident.
On-site Jonathan has antibacterial wipes and a hand sanitiser. He is also wearing surgical gloves. Jonathan says "You can never be too safe. We act like we got it to reduce the spread of the virus"
Jonathan Completes Site Safety Supervisor's Checklist
Jonathan has a safety supervisor's checklist in his Safe Work Pack (SWP) to complete. Using a tablet, he asks his colleague for a permission to sign on his behalf. To stop the contamination, we are now temporarily allowing this practice to continue. His colleague confirms that he understands the SWP and Jonathan proceeds.
His colleague has been assigned a role of a watchman monitoring other people that could potentially approach their workspace. If this were to happen, Jonathan would stand down and brief them on social distancing rules in place in his working area, letting them pass safely.
"If for any reason, I can not implement any of our new COVID safety measures on-site, then I will not carry on working and put myself, any team members and their families at risk." Jonathan said.
When Jonathan completes his work, he wipes all test equipment and location case using antibacterial wipes. He then disposes of the surgical gloves used in a controlled manner and emails the SWP to the health and safety team de-briefing them on obstacles and challenges faced, and what safety measures he took to overcome them. This work will allow the health and safety team to inform other worksites of new innovative methods Jonathan came up with during his shift.
Jonathan Hampson - Safety Is Our Number One Priority
Jonathan said: "Working together but keeping apart we are doing our absolute best in these challenging times, safety is our number one priority. It may take us longer to complete our work, but at the end of the shift we all go home safe"
A special thank you to our #PeopleatLinbrooke Jonathan Hampson and John-Paul Chesworth for sharing the story of a night shift key worker & for providing the photographs.
