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Drivers/Guards etc. Messrooms & Trains - COVID19 measures.

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theironroad

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Can't see a thread on this topic although it's been touched in in one of trainee threads about training courses being postponed. This is aimed at productive staff.

1) What measures has your TOC/FOC introduced in messrooms, especially in the way of social distancing and provision of adequate space to accommodate all staff who are 'spare/AO/cover' as well as people in PNBs etc?

2) Is your TOC providing all the extra PPE you need in terms of sanitiser, gloves etc?

3) Have measures been advised about social distancing on trains? In particular has driving instructing and in cab route learning been suspended and other from end turn type stuff.

4) Are wipes etc being provided in cabs and has cab routine changed, eh when swapping key etc during relief?

5) Overall, do you think that your depot is adhering to the government's guidelines or maybe just issuing a notice but not providing any further overview or enforcement.

I understand if people don't want to explicitly state their employer or location.

Thanks
 
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theironroad

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To answer my own post:

theironroad said:
Can't see a thread on this topic although it's been touched in in one of trainee threads about training courses being postponed. This is aimed at productive staff.

1) What measures has your TOC/FOC introduced in messrooms, especially in the way of social distancing and provision of adequate space to accommodate all staff who are 'spare/AO/cover' as well as people in PNBs etc?

While my depot has had a notce pinned to the wall advising staff to space out, there is no demarcation of space especially where people sit for meals or when spare. It seems more a tick box than actual wanting to emphasise how important social distancing is. Not everyone is complying and almost makes a mockery of what's being advised

2) Is your TOC providing all the extra PPE you need in terms of sanitiser, gloves etc?

Some sanitiser but that's all.

3) Have measures been advised about social distancing on trains? In particular has driving instructing and in cab route learning been suspended and other from end turn type stuff.

No advice has been provided by company and afaik instruction is still going on.

4) Are wipes etc being provided in cabs and has cab routine changed, eh when swapping key etc during relief?

No.

5) Overall, do you think that your depot is adhering to the government's guidelines or maybe just issuing a notice but not providing any further overview or enforcement.

No I don't think the importance of social distancing etc is being taken seriously by depot management.

I understand if people don't want to explicitly state their employer or location.


Thanks
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baz962

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theironroad said:
To answer my own post:
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We have wipes , gloves and sanitizer now. Same as your messroom regarding spare , PNB etc . The depot has hand sanitizer dispensers put up and notices to use and wash hands. Some driver's wear gloves and others don't. Company updates most day's . Trainee's last week had been doing class in two's . My toc are taking it seriously in my opinion and seem sympathetic.
 
High Dyke

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The Memsahib advises her depot has issued hand sanitiser to all staff. They have an instruction to sit at least one chair apart from each other (i.e. person-space-person), to comply. That's alright until a number of traincrew are there due to reduced services operating, and staff are spare.
 
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Joliver

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1. Other rooms/space has been made available. Only 2 to a round table in the canteen and paperwork stating you can only sit opposite the same person for max of 15 minutes. This is at my depot, unsure of others.

2. Sanitiser

3. All qualified/trainee training has been suspended.

4. No. I suppose you could always key off now though?

5. Yes. Although more PPE would be nice.
 
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irish_rail

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The challenge is going to be lack of trains to drive so inevitable mixing in the messroom. TOCs like GWR who have aggressively over recruited drivers will be particularly hard hit. Hopefully this will all blow over by the summer or I guess there may be lay offs esp now the government are calling the shots.
 
Domh245

Domh245

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irish_rail said:
Hopefully this will all blow over by the summer or I guess there may be lay offs esp now the government are calling the shots.
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Wouldn't have thought so, especially if the additional drivers have all been trained - they'll be needed once normal service resumes. Government is now calling the shots, but they can just tell drivers to stay at home and remain on the 80%/£2500 a month offer that's gone out.

On the topic of GWR, it's been reported that they've put a 143 to use as a mess room extension!
 
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theironroad

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Joliver said:
1. Other rooms/space has been made available. Only 2 to a round table in the canteen and paperwork stating you can only sit opposite the same person for max of 15 minutes. This is at my depot, unsure of others.

2. Sanitiser

3. All qualified/trainee training has been suspended.

4. No. I suppose you could always key off now though?

5. Yes. Although more PPE would be nice.
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Sounds like positive action.
 
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theironroad

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On the issue of spares etc being more numerous at the moment (I appreciate this could change if more crew become sick) with the service reduction from today, have any tocs allowed some spare drivers and guards to be on call from home with the ability to report to depot in X minutes .

Overcrowded mess rooms will inevitably mean more people probably self isolate or become ill and could lead to further service reductions.
 
ComUtoR

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1) Nothing. It's actually got worse. Lots of turns cancelled so more Drivers sitting around in the mess room than normal.

2) Small bottle issued today. Had to sign for it.

3) No social distancing advice or anything passenger related. Driver/Trainee still carrying on as normal. Drivers have been asked not to pass up the front.

4) No key swapping as of this afternoon. No wipes or anything provided.

5) New sickness policy was issued but that's about it. If you show symptoms, self isolate. People told to work from home where possible. Other than that, carry on as normal
 
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jamesst

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theironroad said:
On the issue of spares etc being more numerous at the moment (I appreciate this could change if more crew become sick) with the service reduction from today, have any tocs allowed some spare drivers and guards to be on call from home with the ability to report to depot in X minutes .

Overcrowded mess rooms will inevitably mean more people probably self isolate or become ill and could lead to further service reductions.
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Yep at my toc if you are spare and live within a certain radius of the depot you can stay at home on call.
 
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TEW

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theironroad said:
On the issue of spares etc being more numerous at the moment (I appreciate this could change if more crew become sick) with the service reduction from today, have any tocs allowed some spare drivers and guards to be on call from home with the ability to report to depot in X minutes .

Overcrowded mess rooms will inevitably mean more people probably self isolate or become ill and could lead to further service reductions.
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It's on trial from one SWR drivers depot I understand and likely to be rolled out more widely soon.

For SWR guards there has been a lot of effort over the weekend to split the remaining diagrams up and allocate parts to the large numbers of spares, so that more people have shorter days and the number of people sat spare in messrooms is the minimum needed for resilience.
 
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theironroad

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TEW said:
It's on trial from one SWR drivers depot I understand and likely to be rolled out more widely soon.

For SWR guards there has been a lot of effort over the weekend to split the remaining diagrams up and allocate parts to the large numbers of spares, so that more people have shorter days and the number of people sat spare in messrooms is the minimum needed for resilience.
Click to expand...

Good to hear, hopefully the idea will be rolled out.
 
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BrianW

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Great to see this thread- sharing practice and camararderie.
Thank you for doing what you are to 'keep the show on the road'.
Take care now- you have to think of your families who need you as much as the 'Great British short-on-showing-gratitude Public'.
 
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theironroad

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In light of the Prime Ministers's broadcast to the Nation this evening and the lockdown I imagine many train crew will be making a decision for themselves and their families and staying away from work if that means sitting spare in a messroom.
 
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Joliver

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Not long had an email from work. When operational needs are met. Spares will now be on call from home. Ringing in to book on at the official book on time etc.
 
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