Risk Assessments - Help needed

[ericcee]

I need to do a risk assessment for the use of a steam loco on a portable track, giving rides to the public (in return for a small donation) at a charity event. I've never done one of these before and have scoured the internet but so far have come up with very little appropriate guidance. Can anyone help, please?

[davidimurray]

Hi

Never done any specifically for steam locos but I have done quite a few for industry - probably better to contact me off-list - murraydi1(at)cf.ac.uk

Cheers

Dave

[ericcee]

Thanks, Dave,
As you can imagine, there are specific risks associated with the the use of miniature steam locos in a public place and I can see how these can be controlled - I just can't seem to get my mind round the form of words to use in the context of the risk assessment documentation. The nearest I've got to a source of help is the Ride On Railways website - www.rideonrailways.co.uk/safety/index.html but that doesn't cover steam locos.
I'll contact you off-list in due course - thanks again.

Eric C.

[davidimurray]

Hi Eric

Ironically, I used to work for a steam railway and did quite a few of the risk assesments there - but never for any of the loco operations - normally crane work etc!

Try having a look here for quite an interesting document :-
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg163.pdf

As this may be of use to others I will post this here.

My prefered method of creating a risk assesment is to go through the tasks and list what actually goes one e.g. guard to direct passengers to vehicle. You can then use this to develop a 'safe working procedure' for the day. From this you can go through each step of the day and look for the risks - no need for anything fancy - I've always just used a table. Remember the point of H&S is not to remove but 'minimise risk where practicably possible'. That also includes the 'staff' working and not just the public.Off the top of my head some of the things to look at might be :-
Burns
Scratches/cuts - sharp edges on riding vehicles etc
Trapped limbs - between vehicles, under wheels etc
Chemical - exposure to oil
Riding vehicles overturning
People on the track
Explosion - boiler
Derailment
Smuts in eyes
and so on

Obviously to mitigate the risks for example you can ensure that someone remains with the engine, don't let the public within arms length of the loco (a bit extreme), carry a first aid kit, burns kit, eye wash etc. Driver to carry a mobile phone. Regular track and roling stock inspections. Fire extinguishers located near track. Spark arrestor fitted to the engine and so on.

You'll probably find that some of these you do already, but will also highlight other things you can easily put into practice to help reduce the risks.

Cheers

Dave

[Tim Bayliss]

Eric,
Your Risk Assessment Statement is best presented in simple and straightforward language so that it can't be missinterpreted by anyone.
The first stage is to recognise the HAZARDS of the paticular operation. Then assess the associated RISKS and finally present the necessary ACTIONS to minimise, contain or control the risks.
You must get everyone involved in this process who will be actively involved with the operation, so that everyone will be able to give their opinion and also be aware of the risks.
Lets look at a couple of simple examples -
Hazard - Hot bits on the engine.
Risk - Burnt fingers due to people touching said hot bits.
Actions - At any location that the train is stationary display a sign saying not to touch the engine due to hot bits.
- Ensure that the engine is not left unattended when in steam and the driver is aware of the risk and able to prevent people touching the engine.

Hazard - Temporary laid track
Risk - People tripping over track & spraining ankle, etc.
Action - Rope off the area along the track & place suitable signage to warn people of a trip hazard.

Remember that there could well be physically and sensory impaired people at a public display and also just plain dopey people so always try to think of all hazards, even ones that would not be an issue with yourself but might affect others.

I hope this is helpful to you.
Best regards & good luck for the day,
Tim

[Tim Bayliss]

Eric,
David actually posted his reply while I was typing mine & is a good answer.
I have an observation though re. first aid kits. Only trained first aiders should give first aid treatment. If neither yourself or others involved are trained in first aid ensure that there is somebody close at hand who is, there usually is at public events.
Tim

[ericcee]

WOW!
I've been offline for a few hours and when I come back there's all this truly valuable help!

Having read through the replies, my thoughts are now rather better focussed - it just shows you what a nudge in the right direction can do for the little grey cells. I should be able to get this done over the weekend now - and have it checked out by the people who will be running the event.
The portable track in question is 120ft, raised, will be roped off and will have at least two "crowd control"(!) stewards in addition to the driver and assistant.
My thanks to Tim and Dave for the outline checklists.
I note Tim's comments about first aid - I believe that it will be available at the event, but it's a detail to be checked.
And the event? Durham Regatta, believe it or not!

Many thanks to all.

[SteveW]

Ericcee,

I have had a quick scan through the above but don't recall seeing much about insurance cover. Chances are that if you have not already got some to cover your general steaming activities you may just find it prohibitively expensive for this event. Perhaps being a lot more that you'll make. Consider a straight donation rather than turning up with all your kit.

Check if your host's insurance covers your activities if at all possible that's what we (our club) does it this way whenever possible.

And appologies for raising this one.

[ericcee]

SteveW,
My understanding is that my Club's insurance covers the use of the portable track (and loco, etc.) at events away from the club premises - provided that only club members are involved in the actual operation (driving, getting passengers on and off the train, etc.). This is my interpretation of the standard cover provided through the Southern Federation (£5 million third party liability).
But I shall double check!! -- Thanks.

[ericcee]

An Update:-
The event that I needed the Risk Assessment for (a Rotary Club display at the Durham Regatta) has now taken place and, like 99.99% (I'm touching wood!) of such events, went off without incident.
I had completed the Risk Assessment following the help received on this thread and it satisfied all the relevant officials.
I was running the track both as a member of the Sunderland MES (and therefore covered by their insurance) and as a member of the local Rotary Club but the risk assessment had, primarlily, to meet the requirements of the Rotary Club.
One point I included (because it seemed to be the most appropriate place but which was not mentioned in the discussion above) related to Child Protection, so I referenced and made use of the CSMES Child Protection Policy helped, no doubt, by the fact that I have CRB clearance as a result of other voluntary work I do.
All this preliminary palaver did not diminish the pleasure given and received by so many people over one of the hottest weekends I can remember. It never ceases to amaze me how many people, with no technical knowledge or interest, are fascinated by steam engines - and how may young children don't know what coal is (one young chap took away a very small lump as a souvenir)!
All very rewarding and - at 50p a ride - we raised a goodly sum for the Rotary Club Charities.

Thanks for all your help.

Eric C.

[chris vine]

Coal,

I had a young boy on the railway here and after putting coal on the fire several times he asked "What are the black stones mister?"

C

[Tony K]

Pleased to see the event went off OK and nice one about the stones. A bit late perhaps but just a few comments on the process.

To find the most significant hazards it is a good idea to use a table with columns for hazard, consequences if it happens and likelihood of it happening. Then make an assessment between, say, 1 and 5 for consequence and likelihood. Multiply the two together and rank the result - not an exact science but then you can easily see the important hazards to address and record the measures to reduce the risk in a separate column. Keep the result as supporting documentation.

Unfortunately, accidents do happen and when they do the question will be asked "Did you do all you could to identify and address the risk" - hopefully the answer will be "YES!", but it rarely (or never) is - we can, however, get nearer to it using the Risk Assessment method.

The event has now passed but it is important to consider what to do next time. This ranges from starting from scratch again to blindly issuing the same one. The latter is ineffective but tempting - a bit like others using your risk assessment for their event. This is why nobody said "Here, use mine" in the conversation. It is important to apply the mind every time since conditions change. I think the best way is to start from scratch and then read a previous one afterwards, including anything if you wish. Always involve as many people as possible - it makes sure you have not missed anything, gets good ideas for reducing the risk, and educates them.

It is important to view the Risk Assessment as a tool to help address safety issues, not just a pain introduced by the HSE.

Hope this helps - just for the record I am not a safety guru and definitely not involved in the great safety industry in any way! Two apologies, for instructing Grandmothers in sucking eggs and to Tel etc. who probably do not have to use this system!

Regards, Tony.

[ericcee]

Just to wrap up this thread (perhaps?) I think Tony has made some important points here - about not copying existing assessments. He has described, more or less, the method I used, and I ended up with a simple chart in an Excel Spreadsheet. I deliberately didn't offer it for use by anyone else for the reasons Tony describes.
Having done it - and implemented the defined actions (notices, cordons, manning, etc.) - I felt comfortable (but not complacent!) that we had done everything to make it as safe - and as enjoyable - as possible.

Now that the event is behind me, I can get back to my Modelworks Bagnall!

E.

[alanstepney]

This thread and others on similar topics are the main reason why I NEVER run anything in public anymore.
OK for those who wish to and can tolerate the paperwork, and full marks to them.

[Tony K]

I can understand how you feel Alan, but that's a shame. Many families, children in particular get much pleasure out of the public events as do those involved, once the formalities are over.

I tried to get over the point that Risk Assessments are just a simple way of formally doing safety checks which need not be complicated and need not be greatly time consuming. They should not frighten people off.

I think the public have a right to expect that, as far as possible, their safety has been addressed. Although we all say it would be addressed anyway, if we are truthful it would not be addressed as well without a proper assessment.

Eric will do his in half the time next time, so will his mates and probably improve it as well. He might even appreciate working on his loco even more! There, a therapy.

Come back into the fold Alan - do not be beaten!

Regards, Tony.

[alanstepney]

Tony, I used to run in public regularly in the 60's and early 70's, Heck, I have several nice brass plaques for my traction engine, and even got a nice letter from one charity I used to support, for my efforts and fund-raising on their behalf.

However, to me, it has now become too much of a problem to comply with all the rules, many of which are nonsense.

Getting off topic, I used to employ numerous people, but for the same reasons, dont any more.
Makes for a much easier life.

[Tony K]

Thanks Alan. That's really helpful.
Regards, Tony.

[greasemonkey]

I agreewith Tony, if some of us dont make the effort we might as well 'switch of the light and lock the do, and if we didnt then many people wouldnt have all those lovely exhibitions to go to.

Andy

[ericcee]

What have I started here??
Let's just agree that some of us are exhibitionists - and are prepared to put up with the associated H&S palaver, while some of us prefer to be a little more private!

Eric C.