Lookout Operated Warning System (LOWS)

Our Ref: HSR/2/6
Head Office Circular: NP/113/14
25th June 2014

The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS
ALL HEALTH AND SAFETY REPS – NETWORK RAIL AND PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS


Dear Colleague

Lookout Operated Warning System (LOWS)

Further to Head Office Circular NP/101/14, 5th June 2014 I am pleased to report further progress with this matter. Our representatives have continued to push for safe systems of work (SSOW) for our members and, working with management, have devised a temporary safe system of work that allows LOWS to be used when setting up and dismantling the High Output System.

Following a meeting when the SSOW was discussed our representatives raised a number of concerns over the proposal. We have now had the SSOW demonstrated to our representatives and the concerns have been addressed. I am therefore lifting the ban on the use of LOWS for the High Output system with immediate effect when setting up and dismantling the High Output System.

As stated above the solution is only a temporary solution and our representatives within AmeyColas and Network Rail continue to search for a permanent solution to this issue.

I have instructed our representatives to provide me with regular reports on progress with our continuing concerns and I will keep you informed of developments with this case.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
Acting General Secretary