Transport for London

London Underground

Distance learning
information

Access, Health, Safety and

Environment

Version 4 - November 2010

MAYOR OF LONDON
 Distance learning information

Aim of this learning

The aim of this learning is to provide you with the necessary Access, Health, Safety
and Environmental (AHS&E) information to enable you to access and work on the LU
infrastructure safely.

Objectives of the learning

The objective of this learning will enable you to:
• state your actions when preparing for work
• list the different site locations you may be asked to work in
• outline the different topics you will need to consider when getting to work
• state what you need to consider when preparing yourself for work
• state your actions when working on site
• describe your actions when finishing work.

Assessment
You will be assessed on the underpinning knowledge and understanding you have gained by
reading this distance learning information.
The assessment is computer based and consists of multiple-choice questions which require
you to input the correct answers.
In order to achieve the required standard in the assessment you must answer at least 14
questions correctly out of 16.
The time allowed for the assessment will be 30 minutes.

Achievement
You will be issued with a LUCAS smartcard with your AHS&E achievement electronically
entered on to it.

Support
If you require any support you should email LUCAS@tube.tfl.gov.uk where your question or
query will be answered within 24 hours (excluding weekends).

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 1 Preparing yourself for work
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1 Preparing yourself for work

LU rules
London Underground (LU) has several rules and procedures in place for your health and
safety.
The rules for working at the interface of the operational railway are contained in the LU
Rule Books 1 to 22; the rules are mandatory and must be complied with at all times.

Certification
When working on LU infrastructure you must have the correct certification for the activity
you will be carrying out, for example to work on the track in daylight hours with trains
moving under protection, you would need to be certificated track accustomed.
There may be several other certification/licence/qualification requirements that you need
to work on LU infrastructure, for example:
• First aid
• Manual handling
• Small plant
• Power tools
• Welding.
You may also need documentation that is relevant for your certificate to be valid, for
example type training for a piece of equipment that you may use.
Any certification and associated licences/qualifications should be carried with you at all
times when working on LU infrastructure.

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section
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Approved high visibility clothing must be worn at all times when working on LU
infrastructure.
PPE can consist of some or all of the following:
• High visibility clothing
• Hard hat
• Protective footwear
• Gloves
• Ear defenders
• Protective glasses (A mandatory requirement for working on a Tube Lines site)
• Dust mask.
This is not an exhaustive list as there may be other items of PPE required for the task being
carried out. These will be detailed in the method statement for the job.
Your PPE must be in good condition. If it is not, it must be replaced by your employer at no
additional cost to yourself.

Drugs and alcohol

To guarantee starting work with a zero blood alcohol level, not more than 7 units should be
taken in the 24 hours before reporting for duty, and no units should be consumed in the 8
hours immediately before duty.
A unit of alcohol is (as a general guide only):
• half a pint of general strength lager, a single measure of spirit or one glass of wine. Some
beers and spirits maybe stronger.
If you are taking any medication you must always report it to your manager or site person in
charge before starting work.
It is an offence to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol whilst accessing or working
on LU infrastructure.
You will not be allowed to sign in or work if you are suspected of being under the influence
of drugs or alcohol.
Misuse of drugs and alcohol is a disciplinary matter that may lead to prosecution.

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 2 Site locations
section

2 Site locations
Signing in at LU premises
You must always sign in when entering LU premises, this is:
• to allow you entry on to LU infrastructure
• so that you can be located in the event of an evacuation.
When signing in you must ensure you:
• sign the visitors book and/or the evacuation register
• obtain a visitors pass or sticker (which must be worn at all times)
• are aware of where the Staff Assembly Point (SAP) is located, and the emergency
procedures.
If you have to access a station that is unstaffed or closed you will have to make the
necessary arrangements to get signed in and collect any keys for the relevant location.
If you are working in a depot, you must sign in at the gatehouse and report to the duty depot
manager’s office.

Roles and responsibilities

When working on LU infrastructure you may come in to contact with:
• A station supervisor if you are signing in or working at a station.
A station supervisor is responsible for:
-- running a station safely and efficiently
-- signing people in and out of a station
-- evacuating people from the station in the event of a fire or other emergency.
• A site person in charge who is accountable for the work if you are working in a worksite.
A site person in charge is accountable for:
-- ensuring there is a safe system of work
-- the work in progress and the programme of work
-- the discipline of the workgroup
-- briefing the workgroup
-- signing in and out with the station supervisor, and signing a group of ten or more in and
out of a station
-- checking certification of the workgroup
-- plant and materials
-- general health and safety

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 Site locations
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section
-- liaising with the station supervisor, depot duty manager and protection master where
required.
A site person in charge is usually identified by a white armband worn on the left arm
above the elbow.
• A protection master who is responsible for your protection if you are working on the
track under protection.
The protection master is responsible for providing protection when a workgroup is
working on or about the track when trains are moving, when trains are not moving or in a
depot.
A protection master is usually identified by a blue armband usually worn on the right arm
above the elbow.
• A duty depot manager if you are working in a depot.
The duty depot manager is responsible for running a depot safely and efficiently.
There may be other people that you could come into contact with depending on what
activity you are carrying out.

Reporting incidents and near hits

An incident is something that can result in harm and should be reported as soon as possible
to your site person in charge or manager.
A near hit in different circumstances could result in harm.
Reporting procedures help in the identification of problems, and their future eradication in
the workplace.
Incidents and near hits must be reported as soon as possible through the appropriate
incident reporting process.

Serious and imminent danger

If you believe that you or others are in serious or imminent danger, you must stop work and
report the matter to your site person in charge or manager.
You should not resume work until action has been taken to address the serious or imminent
danger.

Confidential Incident Reporting Analysis System (CIRAS)

The CIRAS system is a reporting system which gives you the option to report a safety issue
if you are unable to report it in the normal way.
This system:
• is strictly confidential, and is independent of LU
• ensures that a response to the issue is provided.
CIRAS can be contacted on 08004101101 (Text 07507285887).
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 2 Site locations
section

Work locations
You may be asked to work in any of the following areas depending on what the task is, or the
activity you will be carrying out:
Stations Providing the proposed work has been approved and does not cause inconvenience
or risk to the customer.

Platforms Providing you are not working within two metres of the platform edge in traffic
hours (trains running) without protection provided by a person competent to do so.

Track Providing you are correctly certificated to do so and if required protection is in

place.

Depots Providing you have the correct certification and are competent to do so.

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 Getting to work
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section
3 Getting to work
Arriving at site
For your own safety when arriving at a site you should:
• park in well lit areas
• take care when passing social premises and gatherings, as you may become a target if
people are intoxicated
• travel in groups if possible
• ensure you take the necessary precautions when working alone.

Parking
When parking your vehicle you must have consideration for neighbouring properties, and:
• park in a responsible manner
• use authorised parking spaces where appropriate
• switch off the engine when possible.

Loading and unloading

When loading and unloading your vehicle you should:
• observe rules on manual handling
• only use designated routes to unload tools and equipment
• keep any noise to a minimum.

Using a lift, escalator or moving walkway

If you have to use a lift, escalator or moving walkway to move tools and equipment, you
should take care not to cause injury to yourself or others.
In order to use a lift, escalator or moving walkway to move tools or equipment you must
have a valid movement of materials licence for the lift, escalator or moving walkway listing
the tools and equipment to be moved. There must also be a certificated operator in
attendance.

Remember!
You should report any damage to the lift, escalator or moving walkway to your site person in
charge.

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 4 Preparing for work
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4 Preparing for work

Method statement and risk assessment
Your site person in charge will have a method statement to describe how the job will be
done, and they will also have a risk assessment that will identify any hazards that can affect
your health and safety, and the environment.
All work requires a method statement and risk assessment to be in place.
You will be briefed by the site person in charge before the work starts on what you are going
to be doing, and how to keep yourself safe.

Remember!
If you do not receive the briefing from your site person in charge, or you do not understand
it, speak to your site person in charge.

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 Working on site
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section
5 Working on site
Worksite hazards and risks
Before starting work check with the site person in charge that there are no known risks or
hazards that may affect you or your work, e.g.: Buried services (cables, pipes etc).

Restricted items
There are some items that can contribute to accidents and incidents on LU infrastructure,
therefore the following items have been restricted:
• radios, personal audio devices, mobile phones with earpieces
• consumption of food and drink in non designated areas
• the use of metal ladders near live track (including towers).

Confined spaces
Confined spaces are spaces that are enclosed, for example:
• a chamber
• a pit
• a tank
• a platform invert.
There are additional risks for working in a confined space. Arrangements for your safety will
be put in place by the site person in charge.

Electricity
You cannot work on any electrical equipment on LU infrastructure unless you are competent
to do so.

Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis (also known as Weils disease) is a bacterial infection which is transmitted by
infected animals, most commonly from the urine of rats.
You can get infected by Leptospirosis through indirect contact e.g. from sewage or water
infected with rats urine (water in tunnels), or from direct contact e.g. from a rat bite or direct
exposure to rats urine in tunnels, inverts or cable ducts.
Infection can be avoided by:
• covering exposed cuts and abrasions with a waterproof dressing
• using suitable PPE
• removing dirty work clothing before eating
• washing your hands and forearms with soap and water as soon as possible.
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 5 Working on site
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Working at height
There are additional risks for working at height. Arrangements for working at height will be
put in place by your site person in charge.

Dust and dust control

There may be dust in tunnels or from the use of tools and equipment, that can irritate the
nose, throat, lungs and eyes.
Your site person in charge will explain how you can minimise dust.

Slips and trips

Working on LU infrastructure can be hazardous, so you should take care to avoid anything
that could cause you to slip or trip.
You can avoid slips and trips by:
• following good housekeeping guidelines
• keeping the worksite tidy
• pay attention to what you are doing
• not cutting corners when it comes to safety
• not being distracted from the task at hand
• not leaving tools or equipment lying around.
50% of slips and trips are caused by poor housekeeping.

Noise at work
Exposure to excessive noise would have been identified in the method statement and risk
assessment.
Your site person in charge will ensure the necessary controls are put in place.

Needle-stick injuries
On occasions drug users leave hypodermic syringes lying around LU infrastructure. This can
be a danger to you and anyone working with you.
If you see any hypodermic syringes you should:
• not touch them as you could become contaminated (e.g. HIV/hepatitis)
• report them to the site person in charge to ensure they are removed safely

Remember!
Hypodermic syringes can also be left in spaces that you cannot see into.

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section
Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral found in rock. Due it’s strong and flexible nature it has been
used as a building material for over 150 years.
You cannot always tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. Often
asbestos is masked by other materials or is dyed, which disguises its true colour.
Remember!
Products that contain asbestos can look identical to those that do not.

The law
Asbestos is banned from use within the United Kingdom; this also includes second hand use
of asbestos products, such as asbestos cement sheets.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 requires those who manage non-domestic
premises to protect persons from the risk of ill health and exposure to asbestos. Their duty
is to:
• Take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials that contain asbestos, and if so
the amount, where it is and what condition it is in
• Assess the risk of anyone being exposed to asbestos fibres from the material identified
• Prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed
• Implement that plan
• Periodically review and monitor the plan to ensure it is always upto date.
• Provide information on the location and condition of the material to anyone who is liable
to work on or disturb it.

Effects to your health

Generally, materials in good condition that contain asbestos are safe. They become
dangerous when they are damaged or have deteriorated.
When asbestos is broken down, it releases tiny fibres into the air which, when exposed to
over a long period of time can get deep into your lungs.
If the fibres get lodged in your lungs they cannot be broken down by your body’s natural
defences or coughed out, this can then lead to asbestos related diseases such as lung
cancer or asbestosis.
These diseases will not affect you immediately; they can often take a long time to develop.

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 5 Working on site
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Asbestos on LU infrastructure
It is known that various materials used on LU infrastructure contain asbestos, for example:
• Sheathing for cables and washers
• Insulation
• Pit blocks
• Tunnel ring caulking
• Cable troughing
• Corrugated sheeting
• Rope gaskets.

Cable sheathing and washers Pit block Corrugated sheeting

Rope gasket Insulation Tunnel ring caulking

Surveys are undertaken at:

• stations
• depots
• rented properties
• other locations (for example the track).
These surveys are used to produce risk assessments and set priorities for the appropriate
managers.
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Your responsibilities
Asbestos products can look similar to asbestos-free materials and can sometimes only be
identified under a microscope, so you should always seek assistance before moving any
materials that you think may contain asbestos.
When you arrive at site you will be given a briefing. It is your responsibility to understand the
breifing, if you do not understand anything you must speak to the site person in charge.
You must avoid disturbing or attempting to remove known materials that contain asbestos
at all times.
If you uncover or discover anything that may contain asbestos you must stop any work
which may disturb it, and report it to your site person in charge or local manager.
You must not return to an area that contains asbestos until you are told it is safe to do so by
the site person in charge.
Always ask your site person in charge if the building you are working in has been checked for
asbestos. It is your right to be protected from asbestos at all times.
Any asbestos removal work will only be carried out by a licensed contractor.

Accidental disturbance of asbestos

If you accidentally disturb asbestos you must:
• Stop work immediately and vacate the area
• If possible isolate the area to prevent exposure, for example close any doors
• Notify the local manager or station supervisor
• Ensure that the accidental disturbance is reported through the appropriate incident
reporting process.

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 5 Working on site
section

Triangle of fire
For a fire to start, the three elements of a fire have to come together at the same time, this
is known as the triangle of fire.
The three elements of the triangle of fire are:
• Fuel
• Heat
• Oxygen.
If any one of the three elements is removed the fire will go out.
Each of the elements can be removed by:
• Cooling to remove the heat
• Smothering to remove the oxygen
• Starving to remove the fuel.

A diagram of the triangle of fire

Fire prevention
Fire prevention is achieved by actions that break any of the potential links between the three
elements of the triangle of fire.
To help avoid a fire you should:
• keep fire doors closed
• tidy away any rubbish
• not overload electrical circuits
• keep flammable liquids in sealed metal containers
• switch off electrical equipment when not in use
• maintain electrical equipment.

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Discovering a fire
If you discover or cause a fire on LU infrastructure you should:
• raise the alarm by using a ‘fire call point’, and ensure that you inform others around you
• go to the Staff Assembly Point (SAP) when the evacuation alert sounds.
If you are working on a station the station supervisor will evacuate the station and call the
Fire Brigade.

Emergency evacuation
If the evacuation alarm sounds whilst you are in the workplace you should:
• immediately follow the instructions given to you at the safety briefing
• evacuate ensuring others are evacuating with you, always walk and do not run
• not delay to collect your belongings
• not use any lifts
• close doors and windows behind you, if possible
• go to the Staff Assembly Point.

Remember!
You cannot re-enter the workplace until you are told to do so by an authorised person (e.g.
the Fire Brigade).

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 5 Working on site
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Fire extinguishers
There are three types of portable fire extinguisher that can be found on LU premises:
• Water
• AFFF spray
• CO2.
The colour coding on a fire extinguisher is:
• Black – CO2
• Cream – AFFF spray
• Red – Water.
If you discover that a fire extinguisher is defective or has been used, you must report it
to the station supervisor if on a station, the duty depot manager if in a depot or your site
person in charge.

Types of fire extinguisher

Tackling a fire
You should not attempt to tackle a fire, it should be left to trained personnel, for example
the Fire Brigade.

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Unattended items (suspect packages)
If unattended items are left on LU infrastructure they could be treated as a suspect package.
If you find an unattended item you should:
• report it to station staff, depot staff or the site person in charge immediately
• not touch or move it
• not use a radio or mobile phone in the area.

British Standards safety signs

The BSEN (British Standard European Number) safety signs are in place for your health and
safety. You may find the following safety signs around the LU infrastructure.

Fire equipment - for example fire equipment is nearby

Mandatory - for example you must keep fire doors shut

Safe condition - for example fire exits and first aid points

Prohibition - for example no smoking in this area

Warning - for example a slipping hazard is present

Remember!
You must obey all safety signs found on LU infrastructure.
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 5 Working on site
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Hazard symbols
Hazardous substances in the workplace are identified by the symbols shown below, the
table also shows what each symbol means, what it can do if it is not treated properly and a
workplace example.

Symbol meaning What it means What it can do Workplace example

Corrosive May destroy living tissue Sulphuric acid
on contact

Toxic Can cause damage to Lead paint

health

Oxidising Can react with other Chlorine

chemicals

Explosive Can explode Detonators

Flammable Can catch fire Gas

Dangerous to the May present an immediate Engine oil

environment or delayed danger to one
or more components of
the environment

Irritant/harmful Can cause inflammation Bleach

to the skin

Your site person in charge will brief you on any harmful substances that you may come into
contact with whilst working on LU infrastructure.

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Spillages
When using substances make sure you have a spill kit available and the appropriate PPE to
deal with any spillages.
If chemicals or hazardous material come into contact with the skin, you should seek first aid
immediately.
If a spill kit is not available you should try to contain the spill, or absorb it by other means
e.g. sand.
You should inform your site person in charge or local manager if you spill any substances.

Waste management
You and the company you are employed by can be fined for not managing waste or causing
litter.
All waste has to be adequately contained away from drains, stored and disposed of
correctly.
Waste cannot be brought in from home; this is considered fly tipping and is against the law.
Waste must never be left on site at the end of a shift.
Hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste must always be kept segregated.

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 6 Finishing work
section

6 Leaving the site

You should always make sure that the site is left clean and tidy to allow stations to open and
trains to run.
It is the responsibility of the site person in charge to arrange for the removal and storage
from the worksite of any:
• equipment
• materials
• plant and tools.
When you have finished work you must sign out and return your visitors badge or sticker.
If you do not sign out the evacuation register will show you as still on the premises, and a
member of the emergency services or station staff may risk their life looking for you.
You must not sign out on behalf of a colleague.

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