NOT APPLICABLE

Said the following about Dave Cove & Buried services team CASR:

“David Cove runs the small but very effective Buried services team that worked on the CASR Project. This team had the job of looking at every site that was to be used by the project for an excavation and then chart services, dig out trial holes, write up a full report with permit and then provide the information of any buried services or utilities that then exist to whatever contractor was being requested to do the works. There were three reasons why this team was created and why it has become so valuable to both Network Rail and our contractors.

1- Provision of Pre-construction information. Legally Network Rail are responsible for the provision of Buried Services information as part of the pre-construction information, yet we are not fully aware of what is actually in the ground. By gathering the information in-house and then actually checking by trial holes we can now provide accurate information for any site a contractor needs to excavate, down to a distance of 1 metre so surpassing the CDM Requirements for Client.

2- On CASR Network Rail IP Signalling are the Principal Contractor and so as such we are responsible for ensuring that Contractors can write a safe methodology for their works and by identifying those services present through the trial holes and permits we have surpassed the requirements for Principal Contractor

3- Buried service strikes. The project are well aware of the number of cable strikes that immediately effect the train operation and the travelling public because of bad information and holes being dug by staff who are not using the right tools or equipment.

The holes could be anywhere and be for any reason so varied in length and depth. They have varied from the side of an embankment, for the support for a new footbridge, to old railway sidings where new UTX were required, and from line-side excavations for a signal post to trial holes in a car park for the new station building, along with every other railway situation that can be thought of.

Dave and gang are out in all weathers and have to be adaptable to meet the contractors ever changing requirements as well as fitting in around other works, possessions and line blockage availability. Dave also has the job of leading the team, then recording and updating the records with any services uncovered and any new services installed in order to maintain a more accurate record of all these services. This then ensures that an accurate record for each location is created.

Whilst this does not sound much the CASR Project covers 192 track miles and with the workload this has resulted in nearly 10,000 holes being dug with more than 1,000 buried services being unearthed, with no injury sustained and only one incident (a temporary plastic water pipe was caught, buried unrecorded by unknown persons, less than 300mm below the surface of the track-bed).

Good planning and preparation from the start hold the key to this remarkable feat. Challenging existing records, using a trained gang working together with a good leader who understands the challenges, having the correct tools and equipment before starting along with the good detail of what is required, with a clear message of “stop work if it doesn’t look or feel right” has ensured the gang have not only stayed safe themselves, they have kept others safe by providing the accurate permits for other works.

Without Dave and his team’s hard work there undoubtedly have been cables damaged or services lost that could have affected the on-time commissioning of Cardiff Area Re-signalling scheme final phase. Dave has ensured that Permits have been issued to every contractor for every notified dig, without them then occurring an incident demonstrates clearly the Network Rail safety vision, and is helping ensure many have returned home safe and many more will do so every day.“