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1 | P a g e
Promoting “Everyone Home Safe Every Day”
Managing Director – Darren Bates
Hello folks,
Things are changing and improving. Have you noticed? It is getting harder not to.
Is everything great and the business problem free? No, but we are moving in the right direction and have taken
great leaps forward in some areas.
With the backdrop of increasingly legislative restrictions being imposed on the industry our clients are asking for
ever greater value for money. In this climate we should be finding it harder to offer customer satisfaction and
secure repeat business, but the opposite is happening. Why?
The reason is one to be proud of: through sheer hard work we are improving at a rate that outpaces their ever-
increasing demands.
The professionalism with which we are delivering every aspect of our projects is shining through. It is all about
having the right team with the right skills, we are getting there – we really are.
I see examples in our everyday work of each and every one of you applying the company values in to your work.
But how many of you could name all of these? As an aide memoir I thought I would list them:
• Professionalism
• Responsibility
• Innovation
• Trust
• Quality
I think we could all do with a reminder sometimes.
In other news, the shareholders are heavily investing in the introduction of a new software system in the next few
weeks. Its purpose is to make information both more accessible and straight forward, with everything available in
one place. We need your help deciding on a name for this new system: see page 13 for details.
Finally, in the run up to Christmas, please work safe. The last thing you need on Christmas day is Stefan and I
turning up at the foot of your hospital bed with a bunch of grapes and a card.
Darren
2 | P a g e
Future projects
KH Engineering starts a major element of work at
the start of a congestion relief initiative at Victoria station,
one of the busiest stations in the country. Over the past year
KH has been working hard with the Southern Rail project
team and its suppliers to deliver a new array of ticket vending
machines in a new more aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic
design. This has not been without its challenges and there is a
fair amount of work to be carried out by all to deliver the new
look.
Watch this space!
KGX1
We are completing service diversion
works covering: M&E sprinklers, SWA
DB feeds, CCTV camera position
changing and lighting removal.
Current projects
Morden Wharf
We are completing a trunking install.
We are keen to promote KH Engineering and all of the hard work we are currently doing. We therefore ask that those of you working on, or visiting sites/projects take pictures, both during the construction phase and upon completion
and submit these to [email protected]. These will be used within this newsletter, on our website and on social media. Thank you in advance for your help.
Northumberland Park – due to start at the beginning of next week:
We will be installing CMS in
both the boiler room and
gas room for lighting,
isolators, 110v sockets, 230v
sockets and 2 new DB's with
metering.
3 | P a g e
A day in the life of an Engineer
A typical week starts on the weekend before the new week, which by the way starts on a Sunday night if
you’re on night shift or, for most normal people 8am Monday morning. I recall numerous trips to the office
at the start of a new week. The dreaded journey from Kent to work; being put out by an hour to travel past
the M25 to the office, load up the van and then travel back down to the likes of Brighton (if you were
lucky), or further afield if you drew the short straw. Fortunately, with new direction at the high levels of KH
Engineering Services this has stabilised and the emphasis is on fatigue management. How come this has
only just been invented I ask myself?
“Back in my day you were lucky to see your bed for more than a few hours every day / or night depending
on the shift rota, or the work requirement.”
On a serious note with the new way of thinking from the top down, life has become a lot easier.
So now more often than not engineers are zoned to an area of responsibility (their patch). This has its
benefits, the biggest of which, for me is the limited trips to the office to collect materials first, as project
managers are arranging more and more for materials or plant deliveries to be sent directly to site.
Alternatively, an engineer can take a trip down to the local suppliers, following a short call to the office for
a PO number, and collect materials required for the work on a site.
Fatigue still has a big part to play in an engineer’s life; no more stay till it’s done, or you will do it and then
carry out a few more stops enroute home to attend call outs, or small surveys which turn in to small
projects. Senior management and our Health and Safety team now monitor our movements, and KH HSE
auditors visit sites on a regular basis to ensure that engineers are not exceeding their prescribed hours
door to door or on-site hours, which is duly reported back to senior management for review. All
exceedances inevitably are frowned upon and if engineers exceed frequently they are asked to visit the
office and attend a review and re-brief on the values of the company, and the reasons why we are bound
to the company fatigue management policy.
4 | P a g e
A day in the life of an Engineer continued
So today when we arrive at site and sign in, we feel more alert and ready to take on the tasks and
challenges afforded to us, knowing that we are working in a safer and more supportive environment. We
are able as engineers to focus more on the task at hand, more productive and most certainly working to a
high standard. During the work day there is certainly more on-site banter and less stress due to being over
worked with too little rest. So, things have moved on and in today’s challenging environment I speak for
myself and I’m sure my colleagues would feel the same way, that the years ahead are most certainly going
to lend to a safer more productive and nicer place to work. In essence, reporting near misses and close
calls back to the office will ensure that the work sites and environments we work in continue to develop
new and improved practices to ensure everyone goes home safe every day.
A colleague once said “Imagine taking your desk outside in the pouring rain, put your computer under the
desk, and sit on a cold wet floor, with all your PPE and rain gear on. “This would give you a small idea of
the conditions that engineers are faced with.
With the continued support of the office staff, management and their committed, tireless endeavors of
paperwork, engineers are beginning to feel part of the bigger team. The efforts of all go a long way to
ensuring engineers, when faced with the harshest of conditions find it a little more bearable to endure the
challenges and the shift ahead.
5 | P a g e
Health & Wellbeing
A lot of people are under the
impression the problem will go away on its own. The worse thing someone can say to someone
suffering from a mental health problem is pull yourself together, sometimes mental health needs
expert help, other times it is just knowing someone is there. Many people do not realise how many
forms of mental health there are and how it can affect day to day living.
Anxiety Disorders:
Is an emotional characteristic caused by an unpleasant inner turmoil very often accompanied by
nervous behaviour. This can be brought on by impending bad news or situation.
Bipolar Disorder:
Is normally characterized by the experience of low and high moods, manic moods, usually with more
normal phases in between.
Eating Disorders:
Eating disorders can occur when someone has a relationship with food that they find difficult, these
include anorexia, bulimia or binge eating.
Depression:
Is characterized by the persistent feeling of sadness or misery. Sufferers often refer to depression as
the black dog.
Personality Disorders:
Someone might have a personality disorder if their personality traits cause regular, long term problems
in the way they cope with life.
Myths/facts about Mental Health
• Myth: Mental health problems are very rare
• Fact: One in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year
• Myth: People with mental illness aren’t able to work
• Fact: We probably all work with someone experiencing a mental health problem
Someone you know maybe suffering from a mental health
problem, it may be a friend, a relative or a work colleague.
Breaking the stigma around mental health is half the battle.
You don’t need to be an expert to listen and often it is the little
things that matter, picking up the phone or sending a text,
sending a card/flowers, letting them know you are thinking of
them. Too many sufferers feel isolated, ashamed and worthless.
The majority of sufferers and carers are also unaware of the help
that is available.
6 | P a g e
Health & Wellbeing continued
• Myth: Young people just go through ups and downs as part of puberty, it’s nothing
• Fact: One in ten young people will experience a mental health problem
• Myth: People with mental health illnesses are usually violent and unpredictable.
• Fact: People with a mental illness are more likely to be a victim of violence
• Myth: People with mental health problems don’t experience discrimination
• Fact: Nine out of ten people with mental health problems experience stigma and
discrimination
• Myth: It’s easy for young people to talk to friends about their feelings
• Fact: Nearly three in four young people fear the reactions of friends when they talk about their
mental health problem
Useful telephone numbers and contact details – DON’T SUFFER ALONE
Samaritans: telephone number: 116 123 available 24 hours a day, free to call
Provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing
feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide.
Mind Infoline: telephone number: 0300 123 3393 available 9am-6pm Monday to Friday
Email: [email protected] Text: 86463
Mind provides confidential mental health information services.
Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line: telephone number: 0300 5000 927 available 10am-2pm
Monday to Friday
Email: [email protected]
Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and
those who care for them.
Saneline: telephone number: 0300 304 7000 available 6pm-11pm
Website: www.sane.org.uk/what we do/support.helpline
Saneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to
people with mental health problems and those who support them.
Childline: telephone number: 0800 1111
Website: http://www.childline.org.uk
Childline is a free 24-hour counselling line for children and young people up to the age
of 19.
Employment Assist Programme: telephone number: 0845 120 1421
Website: http://www.firstassistonline.com/EAP.aspx
National Suicide Prevention: telephone number: 08000 684 141
7 | P a g e
Recipe ideas
Cereal Tarts with Yoghurt and Fresh Fruit
Ingredients
5 c. cornflakes 1 c. pecans
4 tbsp unsalted butter 6 tbsp maple syrup
16 oz plain yogurt 16oz vanilla yogurt
2.67 c. Fresh fruit
Method
1. Make the tart shells – Preheat oven to 350F/gas mark 4. Place eight 4-inch round tart
pans with removable bottoms on a baking sheet and set aside. Place the cornflakes and
pecans in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade and process until
combined – about 10 short pulses. Transfer the cereal mixture to a large bowl, drizzle with
the melted butter and toss to combine. Stir in the maple syrup. Evenly divide the cereal
mixture among the tart pans and press along the bottoms and sides to form shells. Bake
for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
2. Assemble the tarts – Remove the shells from the moulds and transfer each to a serving
plate. Mix yogurts together and top each tart shell with ¼ cup of yogurt and 1/3 cup fruit.
8 | P a g e
Recipe ideas
Sweet potato, chickpea & spinach curry
Cooking Time: 1 hour Serves: 6
Ingredients
Olive Oil 2 red onions
3 tablespoons rogan josh paste 1 fresh red chilli
3 cm piece of ginger 1 bunch of fresh coriander
3 sweet potatoes 1 x 400 g tin chickpeas
8 ripe tomatoes or 1 x 400g tin of 1 x 400 ml tin light coconut milk
Chopped tomatoes 400 g pre-washed spinach
Method
1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat
2. Peel, finely slice and add the onion along with the curry paste, mix well, then cook for 10
minutes, or until the onion is soft and golden, stirring occasionally.
3. Finely chop the chilli, then peel and finely grate the ginger. Pick the coriander leaves and
finely slice the stalks. Chop the sweet potatoes into 2cm chunks.
4. Add the chilli, ginger, coriander stalks and sweet potato to the softened onion. Drain and tip
in the chickpeas, then cook for 5 minutes.
5. Roughly chop and add the fresh tomatoes (if using) or tip in the tinned tomatoes. Add 200 ml
of water and bring to the boil.
6. Reduce the heat to a simmer, then cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
7. Remove the lid, then cook for a further 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the
sweet potato is cooked through and the sauce thickened.
8. Stir in the coconut milk and cook for a couple of minutes, then stir in the spinach and cook
until wilted.
9. Scatter over the coriander leaves, then serve with poppadoms and rice.
9 | P a g e
10 | P a g e
Do you know the Life Saving Rules?
H&S update
Site visits:
Period 1 ~ 3 site inspections undertaken
Period 2 ~ 34 site inspections undertaken
Period 3 ~ 22 site inspections undertaken
Period 4 ~ 32 site inspections undertaken
Period 5 ~ 33 site inspections undertaken
Period 6 ~ 26 site inspections undertaken
Out of these site visits problems of significant note were:
• Plant out of inspection date
• Welfare Issues
• No method statement to cover the works
• GTR method statement being used a cover all works
Close calls:
Close calls have dropped on maintenance and are zero on projects.
Briefings:
A companywide briefing has been given on new 019-line standard (safety of
people working on or near the line). This new standard came into effect in July
with a full compliance date of 23rd September 2017.
A briefing on Fatigue Management has been given to persons identified as exceeding.
Tool Box Talks:
Tool box talks are delivered by Site Supervisors / PIC’s using GT700 Toolbox talk books.
The Supervisor selects one toolbox talk per week relevant to the works being undertaken.
Recent issued toolbox talks from the assurance manager include:
• Near miss with track worker (NR)
• Stress
• An Environmental subject from the GT700 (Supervisor to select one)
• Waste segregation
All engineers have been issued with the hard copy of the Tool Box talks book.
Once Union Square goes live pdf versions of the Toolbox talks will be available. Hard copies will be kept in site
Folders.
11 | P a g e
Staff news: Training
Our staff have undergone the following training courses since June, as we continue to invest in our staff and
developing/growing the business:
Name Course Date
Richard Payne IPAF 3A & 3B June 2017
Ben Faulkner Abrasive Wheel June 2017
Ian O'Sullivan Abrasive Wheel June 2017
John Kavanagh Abrasive Wheel June 2017
Jack Prior Abrasive Wheel June 2017
Greg Catton Abrasive Wheel June 2017
Ben Navin Abrasive Wheel June 2017
Jack Godfrey Abrasive Wheel June 2017
Harrison Dixie Abrasive Wheel June 2017
Jonathan Soweby-Brookes
PTS Initial & ICI-LU June 2017
Ben Faulkner Internal Column Training + Manual Handling June 2017
Chris Drinkald Internal Column Training + Manual Handling June 2017
Michael Chambers Internal Column Training + Manual Handling June 2017
Daniel Barratt Internal Column Training + Manual Handling June 2017
Mark Long Internal Column Training + Manual Handling June 2017
Adam Price Internal Column Training + Manual Handling June 2017
Tony Tredway ECS card June 2017
Ian O'Sullivan Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training July 2017
John Kavanagh Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training July 2017
Mark Balzan Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training July 2017
Kyle Maxey Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training July 2017
George Booker Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training July 2017
George Harding Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training July 2017
Doug Fairbairn Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training July 2017
Jonathan Sowerby-Brookes
Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training July 2017
Richard Payne Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training July 2017
Bob Taylor PTS Re-cert July 2017
Ben Faulkner PTS Re-cert July 2017
Mick Isaac Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training August 2017
John Atter Abrasive Wheel + Internal Column Training August 2017
Daniel Farquhar Abrasive Wheel August 2017
Lee McAffee Abrasive Wheel August 2017
Tony Mace Abrasive Wheel August 2017
Tom Thomson Abrasive Wheel August 2017
George Booker Abrasive Wheel August 2017
Chi Banh Abrasive Wheel August 2017
Michael Chambers Abrasive Wheel August 2017
Tony Tredway Abrasive Wheel August 2017
12 | P a g e
Staff news: Training continued
Name Course Date
Daniel Smithers COSS Initial August 2017
John Atter ECS H&S assessment August 2017
Michael Isaac ECS H&s assessment August 2017
David McAuliffe ECS H&S assessment August 2017
Mike Isaac ICI Network Rail September 2017
John Atter ICI Network Rail September 2017
Ben Navin PASMA Tower
September 2017
Calin Dalalau PASMA Tower September 2017
Chi Banh PASMA Tower September 2017
Jack Godfrey PASMA Tower September 2017
Jonathan Sowerby-Brookes PASMA Tower September 2017
Chris Marchant Abrasive Wheel September 2017
Paul Crisford Abrasive Wheel September 2017
James Smith Abrasive Wheel September 2017
Calin Dalalau Abrasive Wheel September 2017
Daniel Barratt Abrasive Wheel September 2017
Ben Navin ICI-NR October 2017
Chris Shawyer ICI-LU Sign off October 2017
George Harding ICI-LU Sign off October 2017
Daniel Barratt ICI-LU Sign off October 2017
Bob Taylor PASMA Tower October 2017
Chris Shawyer PASMA Tower October 2017
Daniel Barratt PASMA Tower October 2017
Jimmy Smith PASMA Tower October 2017
Ray Bushell PASMA Tower October 2017
We run a referral scheme, so if you are happy to recommend someone with an
electrician skillset (installation/maintenance or approved) and they successfully
complete their six-month probation you receive £500.
Contact HR for further details – [email protected]
13 | P a g e
Work experience:
Ellis O’Sullivan, our very own Ian O’Sullivan’s son completed
one week’s work experience with us between the 17th July 2017
and 21st July 2017.
He was a great help, supporting a variety of
administrative works and Paul in stores.
Bringing work experience students in to the business forms part of
a wider HR plan for community and school collaborations.
Engineering Incentive Award:
The company will be re-introducing this
incentive to further reward employees for
their attitude and response to safety, site
cleanliness/condition of vans and general
efficiency.
At regular intervals during the year an engineer
will be selected in conjunction with the site audit
returns as to the most consistent engineer in all
of these fields and they will receive an award of
vouchers to the value of £100.00.
COMPETITION:
With the imminent launch of Union Square, we
would like your suggestions on what the new
system should be called.
We want to keep the name as snappy as
possible: other companies have used names such
as I-go, Oracle and The Matrix.
Please send your suggestions to
[email protected] by 1st
December.
Staff News – HR Update
CONGRATULATIONS
Huge congratulations to both Mark Crawley and Tony
Mace on their recent promotions. They have both been
promoted to Project Manager.
We also wish to congratulate:
Carol Wright who has been promoted to Senior Accounts
Administrator
and
Theresa Clarke who has been promoted to Help Desk
Supervisor
On behalf of the whole team we wish you all
every success in the new roles and thank you
for all your hard work.
14 | P a g e
December Mark Young
Stefan Hollingsworth
Conor Dolan
Clare Annett
Geoffrey Tuck
Jack Godfrey
November Harrison Dixie
Lee Mills
Adam Price
Ashleigh Moroney
Staff News - Dates for the diary
On behalf of the whole team we wish you
a very happy Birthday!
Our Christmas party has been booked for the 8th December. We hope you can all make it and look
forward to celebrating with you. Please RSVP to [email protected] by 24th
November.
SAVE THE DATE!
Our Christmas party has been booked for the 8th December – apologies for the change of date! We hope you can
all make it and look forward to celebrating with you.
Full details to follow shortly.
Christmas Jumper Day
This year we will have Friday 15th December as
our Christmas jumper/dress/tie day.
We will also have a buffet lunch – so if
everyone can bring in some festive food to
share.
We will coordinate this closer to the date.
Important dates:
Office closes: Friday 22nd December
Office re-opens: Tuesday 2nd January
During this period many of our
clients will be carrying out essential
maintenance works. We will be in
touch shortly to find out
availability/interest in working over
this period.
