KESR: Permanent Way Volunteers needed urgently

pull yourselves together and get back on topic, its pathetic, rules are not made to be broken unless your willing to accept the consequences but no railway will condone breaking the rules so your wasting your breath

anyway how is the works coming along hope all is going well and you manage to get it completed before the deadline have you any pictures

 

Funny you should ask...........!

A good day yesterday with about 450 yards of track laid and keyed sitting on the sub-base and about 300 yards to go.

[attachment=2:bqa8mch6]fot-End of steel.jpg[/attachment:bqa8mch6]
[attachment=1:bqa8mch6]fot-Towards Bodiam.JPG[/attachment:bqa8mch6]
[attachment=0:bqa8mch6]fot-Tracklaying 1.JPG[/attachment:bqa8mch6]

 

I have uploaded 20-odd pics of yesterday's works to my fotopic file. A day earlier on in the works are also covered in there.

The link for the first of yesterday's pics is http://jonedwards.photobook.org.uk/p56655626.html

 

Some more pictures here:-

http://phil-edwards.photobook.org.uk/c1660610.html

 

looking at the photo of the excavator lifting the rail into place.
You are risking crippling the rail by the use of only one camlock.
You should be using two camlocks with a spreader beam.
OK if the rail is for scrap but not if the rail is for reuse
Does the Excavator have an SLI or similar fitted as you are pushing the limit without.

 

Agreed, a spreader and two camlocks would be preferable and there is some risk of rail damage when using a single camlock. However, there is little option in areas where we cannot work from the side of the track. I was advised that the machine was working within its loading limit.

Strangely enough, that particular piece of rail was found to have a defect in the running surface so just after the picture was taken it had to be dragged clear and replaced. Ho hum!

 

Having checked with the PW Manager to confirm my understanding of the CRB requirements, I can state that the official K&ESR view is that CRB checks are not required by the K&ESR or RVR for supervised U16s working (as the whole team will be) as part of the group. The requirement for CRB checks only applies in situations where adults are working alone with junior staff. I'm not sure where the earlier statements on this thread regaerding CRB originated from but it wasn't from K&ESR management.

Currently CRB checks are required in situations where adults work alone with youngsters, for Santa (the man with the beard, not all staff involved) and for all staff on sites where trains are booked to stop during Thomas events.

 

I have PTS(restricted) with MHR, but I'm 14, so if you are allowed to - i'll be happy to help.

 

well done guys looks brilliant a lot of hard work which will be well worth it in the end when you get to robertsbridge
what train are you gonna run to the new headshunt then bet it will be packed with all the workers to reap their rewards

well done again keep the pics coming and all the best for reaching your target by the end of march

 

Without an SLI the limit is 1 tonne, whatever the machine is capable of otherwise.
A 60ft rail is approx 1 tonne + weight of Camlock and the Bucket as it is attached to the boom and forms part of the load.
Are you sure it is still capable?

 

In which piece of legislation do you find this?

I'm not saying that it is not overloaded, though, as I have no info about that particular machine to base any opinion.

 

Thanks for that Pete. Can I now take issue with the need to have people CRB checked 'on sites where trains are booked to stop during Thomas events.' Unless a person is in a one-to-one situation it is not required. Is this because HIT have stipulated that? If so it is an unenforceable contract condition. I understand that railways that have refused to do so have not been challenged by HIT. What's more, they cannot check on whether you have done so, or not, as such information is confidential to the organisation requesting the CRB check and cannot be divulged. If you have doubts about this consult the HRA (or CRB).

 

HIT Entertainment make the rules....it's up to us whether we don't want to follow them and loose Thomas, or follow them AT NO EXPENSE TO US (basic CRB is free for volunteers I think) and keep a great event.

 

I'm not a lawyer but I understand that what HIT are asking for is illegal as it is an offence to ask for a CRB check without good reason to do so and simply being on site for a Thomas event is not good reason. Any legal guys out there able to confirm or otherwise?

 

We are aware that there is some doubt about the legality of HIT's requirements, however the K&ESR has a contract with HIT which states that all staff present for Thomas events must be enhanced CRB checked, so therefore we are ensuring that we are not in breach of the contract. Unless we can find an event that can rival Thomas for income, we're stuck with Thomas, CRB checks and all.

 

I own up to being alawyer, although I would have to look this up and come back with an answer later.

Off the cuff, I think that it comes down to contract law. Parties can, generally speaking, negotiate their own terms so if HIT insist on a CRB check for everyone within a mile radius of any kids, a railway has then to make a choice whether to comply and have the event, or do without. But I'll look up the specific law about CRB checks, if I can get some spare time at lunch break, and get back on this.

Back to main topic, lets hope that the work can be done in time. If I didn't live so far away, I'd help but not exactly Mr Muscles!

John

 

http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Li ... ummary.pdf

Page 3

 

"Bodiam Westward"

Back on topic, here is a link to the Rother Valley Railway website, with further pictures and info about this extension, funded by a benefactor, and apparently to be completed to a tight timescale:

http://www.rvr.org.uk/html/updates.html

Looks good.

46118

 

I believe you will find it covered by LOLER Lifting Operations and equipment regulations.
I am a qualified railway crane controller.
I am not trying to stir things up.
Just to make sure you are working safely.

 

Well, Ploughman,

Your concern for our welfare is welcome, it's good to have an independent view.

I do not claim to be an expert in lifting anything heavier than a pen. My normal volunteer role is that of a signalman but, over the years, it has given me a fair number of opportunities to watch lifting operations.

That day I and several others were acting as labourers under the instructions of a very experienced team leader and his regular assistants for some of whom it's their day job too.