Morson Rail Newsletter
“There is no health without mental health.”
Not all people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, but almost everyone will struggle or have a challenge with their mental well-being at some point. Mental health and behavioural problems (e.g., depression, anxiety and drug use) are the primary causes of disability worldwide.
Unfortunately, most people only seek help or support for mental health issues when they are already in crisis or at breaking point. To help counter this Jacobs Solutions in partnership with worldwide mental health experts, created One Million Lives, a web-based mental health self-check tool.
One Million Lives mental health self-check tool
Users can opt for a quick health check, taking around 2 minutes or a full health check taking 10-15 minutes and answer questions on subjects including their levels of nervousness, agitation, fatigue and general well-being. Users can create an anonymised account.
Tools like One Million Lives are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any mental health disease or condition and are not intended to replace a call or visit with a GP if you are struggling.
Other mental health resources
Morson Mental Health and Work Support Guide
Which includes a list of Manual Health First Aiders. It was sent via Morson Comply in April 2023 (ref: SA1043). Also displayed in the Morson Canning Town office.
Further information and Support:
Call the Samaritans on 116 123 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
To speak to a trained NHS Mental Health support volunteer Text SHOUT to 85258 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Call 111 for NHS online.
'One Million Lives' Self Check Tool
Examples of complacency
Presuming that points are set in the correct position, not identifying a set of points prior to securing correctly, presuming that trains will not pass using the road / four foot where you are standing.
Avoiding complacency
Always follow written instructions
Adhere to plans, notices and briefings
Never assume
Do look for hazards on-site
Be aware of your surroundings
Treat every day as your first
The great efforts that everyone puts in every day at work are recognised and appreciated by all at Morson, but can all of us sometimes be guilty of being complacent?
Complacency can be described as a feeling of self-satisfaction accompanied by a loss of awareness of potential dangers. Such a feeling often arises when conducting routine activities that have become normal and which may be considered by an individual as easy and safe. A general relaxation can occur, with the individual only seeing what they expect to see.
Key takeaways
It is important to avoid:
Working from memory
Assuming that something is OK when you haven’t checked it
Leaving worksites unsure if a task, check etc. has been completed.
Report a close call
During the track upgrade, the team assisted ITT in installation of new drainage between roads and across to the Thames water sewage system.
Installation of new track bed, new roads and P&C (phase one) and new walkways from modern Glass Reinforced Plastic and LED lights installed.
All projects should be fully completed and commissioned for Piccadilly line trains early May 2023.
How can I report a close call?
Reporting is quick and there are 3 ways to report:
LU App - https://tfl.info-exchange.com/apps/incidentsofflineform#home
LU Incident Line - 0800 092 5995
The Morson app
Why should I report a close call?
If you have had a close call, perhaps you avoided any harm. But what about the next person? If close calls are not reported, then nothing can be done to remove that hazard and thus stop the next person having an accident.
Won’t I or someone else get in trouble reporting a close call?
No, TfL, Network Rail and Morson often discuss close calls and the wish to have more reported (you do have the option to report without leaving your name). Ultimately reporting close calls can mean less accidents happen.
What is a Close Call (Near Miss / Hit)?
A close call is something bad that almost happened / a narrow escape.
Have you ever thought:
‘Wow that was close!’
‘That could have really hurt!’
‘I almost tripped over that!’
The dangers of complacency...
The 5 west-facing dead-ended sidings are located to the east of South Harrow and are accessed from both platforms via a pair of crossovers. They are mainly used to stable stock at the close of service as well as engineering trains subject to the requirement.
Until the summer of 2015, nine cars of ex-Jubilee Line 1983 Stock were stored at South Harrow. Also stabled in the sidings between 1999 and 2004 was a 1972 (Mark I) tube stock train. This train was unit 3227 and was painted in an experimental livery of blue doors and red cab ends.
The South Harrow Sidings Upgrade is to accommodate new Piccadilly line trains and started on the 1st April 2021. The TDU projects main contractor carrying out the works is Morson Group.
The Morson team have so far carried out the removal of the existing 6 roads, removed the old ash, including removing vegetation to create more siding roads and a completed new access road from Wood End Road.
SAFETY FIRST
PROJECT UPDATES
South Harrow Sidings Upgrade
If you have any suggestions, safety concerns or content you would like to see in future editions please email getinvolved-london@morson.com or suggestions-london@morson.com
GET IN TOUCH
Useful contacts & links
Jobs & useful links
Morson HSE On-call (24/7)
0207 164 6127
hselondon@morson.com
TfL Incident Report Line
0800 092 5995
Morson Office (Canning Town)
020 3725 8300
At the end of 2022 Morson Talent hosted its Morson 20+ years Long Service Presentation Award and Dinner (Safety Critical) where it recognised 28 colleagues who have made a significant contribution to Morson and LU Protection. This event was hosted by Morson CEO, Ged Mason, Graham Timbers and Lee Walker.
So many memorable stories were shared during the evening on how our colleagues came to work in protection and their stories of working on track plus a poignant moment where tributes were paid to colleagues who are sadly no longer with us.
Our 20+ year Long Service (safety-critical) workers are:
Olatunde Adeniyi, Alexander Bediako, Francis Abulu, Augustine Adesite, Olanrewaju Aina, Ramon Ajiboye, Ademola Akinloye, Adewale Akinnaike, Joseph Amadi, Ann Anunu, Olufemi Aroyeun, Thomas Asare, Olukayode Banjo, Nana Busumru, Charles Daniels, Russell Gipson, Steeve Lewis, Edwin Maduagwuanumnne, Sumani Mumuni, Tim Ndoci, Tony Odukoya, Olufemi Ojediran, Gbolagade Olalere, Frederick Sarpong, David Small, Adeleke Tayo, Ihenaeziakoh Udeh, Nyoka Walker
CELEBRATING SUCCESS
Recognising long service
We [GEO Instruments UK] were told our Railsys number was not valid, thankfully due to the relentless efforts of our PWT-EH Johan, he got in touch with the incident desk to clarify why it wasn’t valid. After a short conversation, it was established that we were in fact covered up to 1000 meters.
I submitted my first clearance application which was done incorrectly and when Johan acting as T002 reviewed documents on the night, called me the next day in his spare time and explained how to do it. We then worked with him for months during installation and survey works and communication was great, also he checked engineering notice every day which was very helpful throughout the job.
Johan’s experience and knowledge is legendary, and it’s a pleasure working with him. I thought you should know.
Project Manager, GEO-Instruments UK”
Johan Bezuidenhout provides his services to Morson as a T002/3 / PWT. We are happy to share the latest great feedback received from a client on Johan.
Well done to Johan for receiving such great feedback, as well as the other 26 Morson workers to have received positive feedback / commendations / above and beyond recognition since the start of 2023.
Keep up the great work 😊
CELEBRATING SUCCESS
We ❤ feedback
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
The Morson Canning Town office are getting back in the saddle.
Taking place on Friday 15th September '23 we plan to set off from Newlands Corner (South East from Guildford) at 10:30 to Shoreham by Sea. The Downs Link route is circa 38 miles. There will be vehicles to take riders and their bikes from our Canning Town facility to the start line.
Following a disused railway line, we'll pass through Blackheath, The Wey and Arun Canal, Bramley and Coombes, plus other nice villages and the occasional stop.
After lunch, and if anyone is feeling brave enough, a quick dip in the sea at Shoreham by the Sea, then we will head back to London via minibus.
If that wasn’t challenging enough, a proposal has been made for some people to start the bike ride from Trafalgar Square, cycle circa 35 miles to Newlands Corner and join the rest of the group along the Downs Link path – will anyone do the add-on journey? It’s quite possible…
Fancy joining us? Email getinvolved-london@morson.com
Brain Tumour Research
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this disease.
Brain Tumour Research are the only charity in the UK focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours.
Our fundraising for Brain Tumour Research will be in memory of our friend and colleague, former Morson Group MD, Dr. Kevin Gorton who sadly passed away last year.
Each year Morson employees nominate two charities to support throughout the year through a series of fundraising events.
We are proud to announce our charity partners for 2023 are:
British Heart Foundation
British Heart Foundation funds around 100 million of research each year into heart and circulatory diseases and causes.
Their research has helped improve and save the lives of many people who suffer from circulatory-related diseases, from developing 3D-printed hearts and internal defibrillators to regenerative medicines.
CHARITY & COMMUNITY
Fancy joining us?
Our 2023 charity partners
Have a 'Bloody Good Period'
This International Women's Day Morson teamed up with Bloody Good Period, a UK-based charity, to host an online webinar covering Menstrual and Menopause Myth-busting.
This was an excellent opportunity for our colleagues to learn and engage with each other, as part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing an open, empowering, respectful and equitable workplace.
You can watch the recording here >
Planting a tree for every placement
In association with Treeapp, the Morson Group has pledged to plant a tree for every permanent placement we make, ultimately helping to tackle global deforestation and maintain the delicately balanced ecosystems that make up our world.
18 colleagues from Morson Talent, Vital Human Resources (Rail, Resources, Solutions, Security) and The Bridge took part in the Treeapp Northamptonshire tree planting day on the 03rd March 2023 and successfully planted 400 trees.
It's OK To Talk
We've teamed up with Andy's Man Club to remind you #ItsOKToTalk
It is estimated that approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental health problem each year. Suicide, most usually caused by poor mental health, causes 74% of all deaths in men in the UK under the age of 50 (ONS 2021). Furthermore in Construction, which remains a male-dominated industry, men are almost three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average for men.
To support mental fitness and encourage conversation we’ve developed a range of playing cards in collaboration with the male suicide prevention community Andy’s Man Club. Use them as a traditional pack of cards or as a prompt to have a conversation with a colleague. Packs will be coming to a site near you soon.
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 15th to 21st May 2023.
A special thanks to our T002/3’s at Ruislip – a good uptick in the number of close calls raised, preventing accidents/incidents from occurring. Thank you ❤
What is Morson doing to help?
Morson has now trained over 80 colleagues as Mental Health First Aiders. The training helps them spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis in the same way that a physical first aider would.
In addition, to help promote awareness and understanding, almost 100 Managers and supervisors have now completed Mental Health in the Workplace training. We have introduced health MOT’s for workers via our mobile Safety Bus and measure and monitor individuals' fatigue levels and provide training to help our workforce recognise fatigue in themselves and others.
This is a start, but we need to do more to ensure the ongoing overall well-being of our workers.
Therefore, we will be running a series of articles on how we can help improve wellness in the workplace, this could include choosing healthy foods, quitting smoking, getting adequate rest, exercising regularly, managing stress etc.
WELLBEING & MENTAL HEALTH
Prioritising mental health & wellbeing
The last few years have been tough for all, with a global pandemic, followed by a major war, followed by the worst cost of living crisis in 70 years.
One of the few benefits of the recent turbulence is that more and more businesses are recognising, that the physical and mental wellbeing of their workforce is now a priority.
The railway can be a rewarding and varied industry to work in. But it can also be a tough environment and those working in it are more likely than the average worker to experience work-related stress and other health issues. And being an industry with a “tough” reputation, admitting that everything wasn’t 100% wasn’t always easy for people to do.
In the past, the rail industry has been quick to investigate accidents and incidents in the workplace and discover the root cause, looking to learn lessons and find where improvements could be made.
We must aim to take the same approach to physical and mental health, they should all be equal qualities.
We believe that improving our physical and mental well-being can impact so many different areas of our lives, both at work and at home. Improved well-being is crucial for people to feel happy and happy people perform well.
Welcome to the second edition of our Morson Rail newsletter.
This edition features updates on our annual programme of charity and community activity, key wellbeing and mental health information, an insight into our Long Service Awards plus much more...
We hope this newsletter continues to showcase how as an organisation we care for the personal and professional you.
If you have any suggestions, safety concerns or content you would like to see in future editions please email getinvolved-london@morson.com or suggestions-london@morson.com
Morson Rail
SPRING NEWSLETTER
Morson Rail springs into 2023