TXM Technology Policies
Alcohol & Drugs Policy (Network Rail)
Any worker involved in safety critical work on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure, or requiring a Sentinel Card to conduct their work, must comply with the requirements of Network Rail’s Alcohol and Drugs Policy, the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, the Transport and Work Act 1992 and relevant rail industry standards.
In summary, rail workers must not report for work, or continue with work if they are unfit to do so because of the effects of drugs or alcohol. Rail workers must not consume drugs or alcohol whilst at work, on duty, during meal breaks or within the 8 hours prior to going to work.
Rail workers will be tested for drugs & alcohol in the following circumstances:
- Pre-employment screening - before being booked on their first PTS training.
- Pre-appointment screening - before being sponsored, where the worker is on the Sentinel database but hasn’t passed a drugs & alcohol test in the past 3 months.
- Random screening - as part of TXM Infrastructure’s unannounced testing regime of at least 5% of it’s sponsored Sentinel Cardholders per year.
- For-cause post incident screening - following an incident or accident, or where there is suspicion of the worker being unfit to work.
Achilles RISQS audited providers will conduct all drug & alcohol screenings.
In accordance with rail industry standards, a positive screening result will arise from the presence of:
- Drugs, other than medication which does not affect work performance;
- More than 29 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood;
- More than 13 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath;
- More than 39 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine.
Any rail worker who declares they are in breach of this policy, refuses to undergo a screening and/or produces a positive screening result will immediately be de-sponsored. Network Rail and Sentinel will be notified, and they will be suspended from the Sentinel database for 5 years.
It should be noted that it is the responsibility of all workers to report anybody who is suspected of being unfit to commence/continue with their work because of the effects of drugs or alcohol. Workers should also advise their supervisor/manager if they are taking any medicine, whether prescribed or not, prior to commencing work.
Alcohol & Drugs (LUL) Policy
All Workers
Any worker assigned to work on LUL premises or assets must comply with the requirements of LUL’s relevant standards and the Transport and Works Act 1992.
In summary, workers are prohibited from consuming, using, possessing, buying, storing or selling drugs or alcohol at work, and from being under the influence of drugs, alcohol and/or other substances that might impair the proper performance of their duties on LUL premises and assets.
Workers taking medication must identify any side effects likely to impair the proper performance of their duties, and if this is the case, notify TXM Infrastructure and seek competent advice regarding alternatives.
All workers must cooperate fully with TXM Infrastructure’s arrangements if they are involved in a dangerous incident at work (Post Incident Testing) or where there is reasonable suspicion that they are in contravention of this policy (For-Cause Testing).
Refusal to undergo a alcohol and drugs test will be treated as a positive result.
In accordance with LUL standards, a positive screening result will arise from:
- The presence of drugs, other than non-performance impairing medication;
- More than 13 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
All positive results will be reported to LUL, the worker will be immediately suspended from all work for TXM Infrastructure and any further necessary actions will be decided upon and taken.
Some clients may operate a more stringent alcohol and drugs policy, possibly including pre-employment and unannounced testing for all workers. If this is the case, you will be formally notified before your assignment is confirmed.
Safety Critical Workers
Workers conducting ‘safety critical’ activities (as defined by LUL) are guilty of a criminal offence if they are unfit to carry out their duties because they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Anyone who is suspected of working, or attempting to work, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or where there has been a dangerous incident, will be subjected to an immediate Drug & Alcohol Test. Any refusal to undertake the test as well as a positive reading of any tests will result in an immediate dismissal and possible prosecution or both.
TXM Infrastructure will arrange pre-employment alcohol and drugs testing for all safety critical workers prior to assignment, with only those issued with a certificate showing a ‘negative’ reading being assigned work.
TXM Infrastructure will ensure that at least 5% of its safety critical workers are randomly tested for alcohol and drugs annually (Unannounced Testing).
Environmental Policy
TXM Infrastructure is committed to achieving environmental management best practice throughout its business activities.
TXM Infrastructure recognises that economic growth, development and a healthy environment must be closely linked. Environmental protection and sustainable development are responsibilities that government, business, communities and individuals should strive towards.
TXM Infrastructure is committed to:
- Minimising the operational use of energy, water and other natural resources;
- Minimising waste and identifying the best environmental option for disposal;
- Minimising the environmental impact, for the whole life cycle, of all products and projects under our control;
- Protecting the environment from any environmentally significant aspects of work activities under our control;
- Preventing pollution;
- Considering opportunities to make a positive contribution to the environment;
- Encouraging active participation from employees, workers and clients in improving environmental performance;
- Setting clear environmental KPIs and monitoring performance against them;
- Continual improvement with regards to environmental performance;
- Providing sufficient resources to ensure satisfaction of this policy.
Each TXM Infrastructure employee and worker has a duty to co-operate by:
- Complying with applicable legal requirements and environmental rules;
- Applying good housekeeping practices to work areas;
- Reporting incidents or hazards, which could lead to an environmental impact;
- Following the approved and briefed emergency procedures when necessary;
- Attending environmental training in accordance with the company’s requirements.
Further information regarding this policy is available from the Managing Director.
Health & Safety Policy
TXM Infrastructure is committed to acting responsibly to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of its employees, workers and all persons affected by its business activities.
TXM Infrastructure is committed to health and safety as rigorously as its other aims and objectives and believes that accidents and occupational illnesses can be prevented.
TXM Infrastructure is committed to:
- Ensuring provision of safe systems of work;
- Ensuring provision of risk assessments for all activities being performed;
- Minimising risk of injury or illness created by work activities;
- Ensuring all employees and workers are fit for the work they are required to do;
- Ensuring provision of suitable protective equipment for the work environment;
- Providing such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to promote the health and safety of its employees and workers;
- Seeking the full co-operation of employees, workers and clients in implementing this policy and promoting good safety practices;
- Setting and maintaining high standards of health and safety at all locations;
- Continual improvement with regards to health and safety performance;
- Ensuring all RIDDOR reportable incidents are reported to the HSE;
- Setting clear safety KPIs and monitoring performance against them;
- Providing sufficient resources to ensure satisfaction of this policy.
Each TXM Infrastructure employee and worker has a duty to co-operate by:
- Complying with applicable legal requirements and health and safety rules;
- Wearing and using the protective clothing and equipment provided;
- Applying good housekeeping practices to work areas;
- Reporting incidents, hazards and ‘Near Miss’ occurences which could lead to injury or damage;
- Attending safety training in accordance with the company’s requirements;
- Following the approved and briefed emergency procedures when necessary;
- Working safely in the interests of themselves and others.
Advise their manager of required training if necessary.
In addition to the basic health and safety arrangements outlined in the above policy, special procedures need to be adopted and applied when working on railway, highway and construction projects. The TXMI Management System controls the specific arrangements for the assignment of workers to these areas.
Further information regarding this policy is available from the Managing Director.
Quality Policy
Through the planned and efficient utilisation of resources, TXM Infrastructure Limited are committed to the recruitment and supply of full time and temporary personnel to the railway industry.
We aim to provide a quality assured service in compliance with all relevant industry standards, together with statutory, legal and customer requirements in an organised and professional manner.
In today’s competitive world, we recognise that simply satisfying the customer is not enough, we must aim to go “the extra mile” (TXM) thereby delighting and impressing our customers so that they tell their colleagues about us, recommend our services to others and give us their repeat business.
Measurable quality objectives consistent with this policy shall be established and shall be communicated to all personnel, so that they are understood, and shall be monitored and subject to systematic, periodic review by management
TXM Infrastructure Limited regard the compliance with ISO 9001:2008 and Network Rail (RISQS) approval as being significant milestones on their “journey to excellence”, and regard them as the minimum standards to which they will work.
Importance shall be placed on compliance with customer needs, with particular emphasis on the requirements for working on Network Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway / Utilities Projects.
We are committed to continually improving the effectiveness of the TXMI Management System.
Steps shall be taken to ensure that this quality policy is communicated and understood within the organisation.
Senior Management shall periodically review this policy to ensure its continued suitability to the organisation.
Working Hours Policy (Network Rail)
TXM Infrastructure acknowledges that it is essential that all Sentinel Cardholders and safety critical rail workers comply with the relevant rail industry standards, with respect to safe working hours and management of fatigue, in order to ensure the health & safety of the worker, their colleagues and the travelling public.
All Sentinel Cardholders and safety critical rail workers must ensure that they do not exceed the following (except in emergency situations):
- Work shifts of more than 12 hours;
- Work more than 72 hours per week (Sunday to Saturday);
- Have less than a 12 hour rest period between consecutive shifts;
- Work more than 13 shifts in 14 days.
Additionally, TXM Infrastructure’s clients must ensure that breaks during the course of work can be taken, in accordance with the Working Time Regulations (20 minutes of breaks if more than 6 hours worked).
TXM Infrastructure will not roster any workers to intentionally work excess hours and our clients shall plan work so that exceedances are not required and that worker fatigue is considered, and any necessary remedial actions taken.
Any need for excess hours to be worked must be authorised in advance by TXM Infrastructure management following completion of a suitable risk assessment by the client, prior to excess hours being worked.
To reduce fatigue caused by excessively long journeys to work, TXM Infrastructure will endeavour to procure workers who live locally to the work location. Where this is not possible TXM Infrastructure will try to limit driving to and from the location of work to one hour at each end of the shift. Should this not be possible then the implementation of additional measures such as the provision of a supplementary driver or accommodation will be considered.
Rail workers must ensure they are fit to work and not unduly fatigued, ensure work carried out for other employers doesn’t contribute to fatigue, and notify the person responsible for site safety if they suspect a colleague is unduly fatigued.
The Resource Manager in conjunction with the Rail Manager will monitor working hours and shift patterns to identify any contravention of the requirements of this policy, analyse trends and reduce the need for exceedances.
Working Hours (LUL) Policy
TXM Infrastructure acknowledges that it is essential that all workers assigned to work on LUL premises and assets comply with LUL requirements with respect to safe working hours and the Working Time Regulations.
Working Time Regulations summary:
- Limit of an average 48 hours work per week;
- Limit of an average 8 hours work in any 24 hours for night-workers;
- Right to free health assessments for night workers;
- Right to 11 hours rest a day;
- Right to one day off per week;
- Right to a rest break if working for over 6 hours;
- Right to 4 weeks paid leave per year.
In accordance with LUL requirements, workers are able to voluntarily opt-out of the Working Time Regulations at any time.
In addition, in accordance with LUL standards and QUENSH requirements, workers carrying out safety critical activities, or working on or near the track, must ensure that they do not exceed the following:
- Work shifts of more than 12 hours;
- Have less than an 11 hour rest period between shifts;
- Work more than 6 shifts within 7 consecutive days.
TXM Infrastructure will:
- Ensure assignments do not contravene this policy (except in emergencies);
- Provide a 24/7 service for their clients to request excess safety critical hours be worked in an emergency situation, following a risk assessment;
- Record and monitor hours worked, in order to identify any contraventions to this policy.
Workers must:
- Notify TXM Infrastructure of the details of any work carried out for other employers;
- Assist with the completion of risk assessments during emergency situations.
The Sentinel & Resource Co-ordinator will monitor working hours and shift patterns to identify any contravention of the requirements of this policy.
