Business profile
provider in the sector. To progress this aim, the company invested in developing a database (SAMS – Site Access Management System) several years ago although this was not used to its full potential. Sloan explained: ‘The system was quite ambitious and included photographs, induction and competency records for individuals, but because there was no direct interface with the NCCA database it was difficult to keep this information up to date.’
Opposite page: The new vehicle for High-Output worksites undergoing final preparation at the Shannon Rail depot.
This page: Interiors can be fitted out in a variety of layouts such as this office/ command centre option in Shannon Rail’s existing fleet of vehicles.
something like 15 or 20 miles distant from the workforce. Clearly there was a need to rethink the operation in order to meet current expectations for welfare provision.’
The 7.5 tonne vehicles provide a signing-in and out point, messing and toilet facilities, and a large briefing room equipped with AV monitor. There is also an external AV monitor that may be used to relay safety briefings and information to the workforce as they sign in. Supplemented by smaller van-sized units provided by the contractor, the aim is to equip each high-output system with completely mobile support facilities located wherever possible within walking distance of the worksite.
All grades and skills catered for Quite apart from its expertise and experience in mobile operations and transport that extends to a fleet of minibuses, welfare vans and HGV’s as well as site access control units, Shannon Rail is keen to invest in people and currently employs more than 100 personnel. Personal Track Safety training for Network Rail infrastructure and LUCAS (London Underground Combined Access System) card qualification for London Underground sites are deemed essential requirements for the company’s operatives.
Shannon’s general manager Martin Sloan has many years’ experience in labour resourcing and is familiar with
the ever more demanding standards expected in the rail industry. All grades and skills of railway personnel are catered for although the company focuses on its core market which is site access control and ancillary staff including drivers and welfare, stores, and site security operatives.
‘It is a constant challenge coping with short-term requirements, the heavy focus on weekends and comparative scarcity of midweek work, and ensuring compliance with all industry regulations,’ said Sloan. Nevertheless Shannon Rail has a good reputation for providing competent staff as and when needed. Sloan is also keen to emphasise the company’s excellent safety record, concern for staff development and occupational health monitoring procedures. ‘One of the advantages of being an accredited rail training company is not only that we are able to offer Network Rail courses to our own people, but we can also use in-house facilities to deliver internal training packages and client-led briefings for our site access control staff.’
Keeping up to date
Site access control was Shannon Rail’s original core business and remains at the forefront of its operations. Both Pat McAnulty and Martin Sloan recognised that the trend towards electronic web- based site access control systems was an area that Shannon would have to address if it was to remain a leading
The SAMS product has recently been refreshed to include a live bar chart and fatigue management alerts for 12 hour on site and 14 hour door-to-door rules, but as with all systems of this type the fundamental issue of interface with the NCCA database is yet to be resolved. However, recent developments within Network Rail have raised the enticing prospect that at long last this will be possible. Business development manager, Carl Shillito explained: ‘The Sentinel 2 programme will later this year deliver a complete overhaul of the NCCA system including the issue of machine readable Sentinel smartcards. It will then be possible with the correct equipment and software to check card validity and competencies at the point of signing in.’
Making technology accessible The system developers have recognised the benefits that Sentinel 2 will bring to site access control and are working with industry stakeholders, including Shannon Rail, to make the technology accessible to them.
Shillito added that the same team was also responsible for developing systems for the LUCAS card and the CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card, and this synergy may help to open up opportunities for data sharing and control of working hours across the transport and civil engineering sectors. As Shannon Rail operates on
Network Rail and London Underground infrastructure as well as civils projects the company will be particularly well placed to exploit the opportunities presented by Sentinel 2.
The future is therefore full of challenge but also opportunity for a business like Shannon Rail that is not so large that it can’t think on its feet and play its part in bringing real innovation to the rail sector. Said Pat McAnulty: ‘With the huge investments ongoing and planned, from Crossrail and Thameslink to main line electrification and beyond that high speed rail, we can see a solid path towards sensible and sustainable growth – but however successful we become I can promise you that we are determined to put our clients, the customer, at the centre of everything we do.’ For more information tel: 01923 254567
www.shannonrail.co.uk
March 2013 Page 105
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