KESR: Permanent Way Volunteers needed urgently

This isn't mentioned on either the KESR or RVR websites, so I can't guarantee the accuracy, but since it sounds pretty urgent, I thought I'd post it here, just in case!

From: http://wimbledonparkdepot.spaces.live.c ... 3626.entry

 

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Chaps,
I can confirm that this is kosher - came to me second-hand via a recipient of the original email.

Regards,
(Trainee) Driver Potter

 

As a member of the KESR (and already volunteered for this project) I can confirm that the RVR have a lot of track to lay. However, please note:

This is a building site with all H&S Regs.

DO NOT turn up "on spec". Make sure you are booked in with Geoff by using the email ref or phone number above.

DO NOT come to grice - and you may upset a delicate situation.

 

Any idea what the minimum age limit is to work on site? im guessing 16 but it could be 18.

 

As far as I know it was 16 with a PTS....

 

The MHR is 16 with a PTS to be trackside or 18 with a PTS to be alone track side . but just wondering if its differant.

Becuse me and possibly 6 or 7 others can do two days . but it depends on what the situation is with age limit etc. so i shell email them tomrrow morning to ask .

 

The MHR is 16 with a PTS to be trackside or 18 with a PTS to be alone track side . but just wondering if its differant.

Becuse me and possibly 6 or 7 others can do two days . but it depends on what the situation is with age limit etc. so i shell email them tomrrow morning to ask .[/quote:2h6b1gyk]

Feel free to mail Geoff, he'll appreciate it. I have asked the question on our internal forum, and if I hear before you do, I will reply on here.

 

From the P-Way Meister himself, for your information folks:

"The minimum age for working on the Worksite at Bodiam (West) is 18 unless accompanied by a parent in which case it is 16. No under 16s allowed."

 

Cheers for that , i didnt get time to email him on saturday.

 

Geoff is hurriedly seeing if anything can be done, either to lower the age limit, or extend the "parent" definition to "responsible adult". Get in touch with him anyway, as it will give him an idea of how many people are interested. Cheers.

 

Surely lowing the age limit though will be a field day for H&S?

 

Well, no, not really. The age limit has always been 16, providing an adult was present. It would appear that lowering the age to 16 for unaccompanied staff is not on the agenda. We are looking at the "buddy" supervision system instead. Sorry if I caused any misunderstanding, but these things are literally still being worked out.

 

If I'm not wrong, the age limit in the Loco Dept is 14 (under adult supervision). How come there's such a difference betwen loco and PW/Civils?

 

Below age 16 = eCRB rules apply. A clearance from another organisation is not transferable so everyone who wanted to go on the worksite would have to apply for clearance, which takes time (the title of this thread should give you an idea of why we want to avoid wasting that) and costs money.

 

Rubbish. Why would anyone, never mind everyone, need to be CRB checked unless they are going to be alone with someone at risk? I can't see that happening doing PW work. I think that a jobsworth has ruled on this one.

 

For the same reason that HIT insist on staff on site being eCRB checked, even if they are in a shed, and not going to come into contact with children at all. IT'S THE RULES. We may not like them, but that's it. In addition, the track being extended belongs to the Rother Valley Railway, NOT to the KESR. The KESR are carrying out the work on behalf of the RVR. Any eCRB checks done on the KESR would be invalid. CRB does not cover the capacity to be alone with those under 16, it covers the capacity to work with under 16's at all.

" The CRB’s aim is to help organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable to work with children or other vulnerable members of society." Taken from the homepage at http://www.crb.gov.uk

The simple fact is, whether or not people would need eCRB checks to work on the site, we just haven't got the time to do them, or bicker about them. Thus, if the working age is kept at 16, we don't need to worry about them at all. We're trying to make it as easy as possible, given the sheer lack of time.

 

If you want to believe that a CRB check is necessary, then that's up to you. You're possibly turning away good volunteer labour. As for HIT asking for enhanced CRB checks, they may ask but they have not insisited where those railways have refused to do so. In fact, as I understand it, it is an offence to ask for an enhanced CRB check where it is not required and the CRB do not consider that one is required for almost everyone involved with a Thomas event. But this is going off topic....

 

During DOWT events at Didcot, the larger sheds are closed off from the public, allowing us to work in there without needing a CRB check. When outside we're classed as 'visitors'. Though the practicalities of this kind of set up would no-doubt be dictated by the logistics of your shed!

 

From what I am aware of volunteer organisations get a eCRB check done for free.


Steve,

We are not turning away good labour for the fun of it. We may have to turn it away because of the e-CRB checks. And I think you are wrong. It is not an offence. I could ask a builder who is going to build on my property to have a E-CRB check done or I can refuse him to do the work. Also, it is not an offence if the company wants the check done for well being of their younger staff.


For staff on Thomas, HIT, I believe, are saying that all staff that come in contact with the public have to have a E-CRB check done. They are their rules, they can do what they like as they own Thomas and all the rights to it.