Dan Snow

Just watching locomotion and Dan Snow is trackside at the Bluebell, going on about rail safety and H&S regs.....and not wearing a hi viz...... doh!

 

Ah! But doesn't that make the point that safety was taken rather more lightly in the days he was talking about? And of course we didn't see what was 'off-camera' in the way of properly attired lookouts and the like giving him protection as per today's requirements.

 

No, quite correct. All we saw was a presenter walking on track without an HV. I doubt any children watching are going to pick up on the subtlety of his message. More likely to think that if he can do it, it must be safe for them to, too.

 

So are you trying to say it's acceptable to trespass just because children are wearing HiViz - thought not! Some enthusiasts don Hi Vis even on the big railway and think it's OK to just get that master shot.

It's a tv program & I can't think that anyone would venture onto the track after seeing John Snows presenting efforts.

 

Dan, not John, methinks (as in title to thread)

 

If it was filmed in Europe it would be considered normal.

 

John Snow's ties are usually Hi Vis..

 

Hi Viz is not a shield against the train of course. All it does is allow oncoming drivers (and plant operators) to spot trackworkers more easily. I think it tends to be used rather mindlessly at times. It isn't necessary for a signalman stood on a public platform for a token exchange to wear it for example. It isn't necessary for a fireman coupling his loco either. It is useful if carrying out shunting moves if the shunter wears orange, though in terms of real safety probably more important that anyone not directly involved in the shunting wears orange or is excluded from the area. It is essential for track patrolmen, S&T and others on the line when trains are running. (Considering only preserved lines - the big railway can look after itself).

 

A hi vis is only useful if its clean, i have seen first hand staff wearing hi vis that are so dirty that they are anything but, i agree that shunter’s etc. should be seen, and that there should be clear line of sight when shunting, no one else needs to be down there to confuse the loco crew, its the same with being called on, a crowd of passengers hiding the shunter when hand signalling isnt a joke, no madam, little Johnny cant have his photo taken in the front of the shunter as he waves his hand in that strange way!!

 

I've just washed my hi-v9s trousers! The MHR's new, improved, PTS test specifically looks for the answer "clean, appropriate hi vis clothing

 

Hello,
It does not take to much searching to find examples where PPE is conspicuous by its absence.
I would not recommend using cranes, lorry mounted or A frame/hoist without wearing some sort of head protection.
And if I was not wearing head protection I certainly would not want to be photographed and uploaded to well read blogs.
I am sure Mr Snow's production team and the railway had completed an adequate risk assessment.

Nick