UK station master gets the sack for removing a supermarket trolley from the tracks.

Run_to_da_hills

I gather there is a safety code that this guy obviously ignored such as wearing high viz jackets, informing control, oncoming trains, making sure the 3rd rail was switched off etc.

Is this a bit harsh or would the same disciplinary procedures have happened in this country?

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/andrewmcfbrown/100087713/did-this-award-winning-station-master-deserve-to-be-fired-on-grounds-of-health-and-safety/

Victor

Better details: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/8506898/Award-winning-station-manager-sacked-for-removing-trolley-from-track.html

I suspect we aren't hearing the full story.

Run_to_da_hills

I'm sure Tesco will now offer him a job retrieving supermarket trolleys.

Pineapple stu

It seems harsh alright, seeing that he was only removing and obstruction off the line after firstly contacting the signal man.
It could be that the signal man messed up and is trying to cover himself.
Its true, there may well be more to the story than what is printed and the chap could have been punished before for something.
He wouldnt have been sacked if it had happened here.

Run_to_da_hills

You can sign the petition.

http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/where-is-our-station-master-reinstate-ian-faletto-at-lymington-town/2815

SeanW

corktina

no such thing as a Station Master...abolished in the sixties.

foggy_lad

Sounds like he may have went wandering along the track picking up general litter after removing the trolley considering how manic he seems to have been about winning the best station awards.

corktina

having alerted the signalman , his job was done, no disaster could take place with the power off.
Looks like he was foolish enough to flout the H&S regulations which are an unfortunate fact of life today.
A bit OTT but as already said, there may be more to this story than meets the eye.

101sean

The rules are very strict, there's definitely more to this. The signalman can't turn power off to the juice rail anyway, you have to contact the Electrical Controller to do that and then get permission from the signaller for a temporary possession. It's unlikely a station manager would have the track qualifications to do it anyway, probably having no more than PTS. As Corktina says, his job was likey done when he phoned the signalman.

Been a while since I wandered around the southern in a Hi-vis avoiding getting fried or mown down but if you're caught breaking the rules, you will be shown no mercy. Rules are stricter in the UK anyway, just a Hi-vis isn't enough now, you have to be orange from head to foot and wear a helmet to go near the track.

corktina

and have a "safe-pass" (crucially in this case I suspect.

dermo88

Health and Safety the bane of common sense. Can't live with them, can't live without them.

Most of us who cared for our jobs would bend rules, rather than break them. I tend to suspect internal politics, backstabbing and jealousy could be involved to a greater extent than meets the eye.

Thankfully, there is the media to expose such wrongdoings.