SOCOTEC Occupational Hygiene volunteer works for Great Central Railways
Three SOCOTEC UK & Ireland occupational hygienists (OH) used their volunteer days to monitor works at Great Central Railway’s (GCR) Rothley and Loughborough depots.
Due to GCR’s status as a charity, SOCOTEC completed the occupational hygiene monitoring works for a significantly reduced cost, with three experts attending the sites as volunteer work over two days.
SOCOTEC UK & Ireland offers its employees two voluntary days per year, as part of its extensive wellbeing package, with the trio of OH staff coming together to support a much-needed service for the country’s railway heritage.
GCR carries out restorative and heritage works for trains and carriages, as well as assisting and maintaining around 100 wagons. There are currently 30 carriages restored to running order, with more in varying stages of progress.
The department conducts heavy engineering, fabrication, joinery, painting, plumbing, and electrical works to restore the carriages. During SOCOTEC’s visit to the Rothley depot, the team of staff and volunteers were working on a number of carriages, including one from 1937 and two from the 1950s.
SOCOTEC’s volunteer team of occupational hygienists carried out air, vibration, and noise monitoring while GCR’s tools and machinery were in use to ensure the workers were not exposed to harmful levels of loud sounds, substances in the air, or persistent vibration, and to suggest possible changes to the equipment and working practices to protect the health of the workers and volunteers.
Rowan Clay, SOCOTEC’s Occupational Hygiene Team Leader, performed vibration monitoring using a vibration metre to measure the magnitude of vibrations produced by tools. This was used to calculate how long the tool can be safely operated to prevent health issues such as hand arm vibration syndrome.
Helen Emerson, Occupational Hygienist at SOCOTEC, carried out noise monitoring using wearable dosimeters attached to those using tools and machinery for continuous noise monitoring, supplemented by a handheld sound level meter for short term noise monitoring of specific tasks. This then informs what hearing protection is needed in order to prevent hearing loss from the sustained loud noises, as well as assessing the effect of peak/impact noises that can cause instant hearing loss.
Dannii Richards, Occupational Hygiene Technologist at SOCOTEC, conducted air monitoring to assess levels of dusts, weld fume, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This monitoring also included wearable air monitoring devices attached to workers, alongside a handheld VOC monitor to measure real-time dust levels. This was accompanied by observation of tasks, working practices, and control measures used by employees and volunteers for the team to suggest the necessary respiratory protection and ventilation to prevent health issues, as well as advice on general control measures.
SOCOTEC is happy to continue the relationship with Great Central Railway. It was a great opportunity to make use of our volunteer days and provide important occupational hygiene surveys for a notable heritage charity within the rail industry.
