Rail Users Ireland Forum - View Single Post - [Article] Rail drivers angry at 'safety pressure', here we go again

Mark Gleeson · 30-01-2006, 10:46

Do you get points for not turning the tail lights on correctly, I'd have a serious number of DART drivers in trouble on that one. I caused some trouble a few years back when I complained of a incident on board a train, I challenged the driver who was no use I then made a formal complaint, got a response, was told it didn't happen, driver didn't report the fault, he failed to perform his duty (he was using his wrist to hold the controller handle down) there was no fault anyway, cover up ? DART unit appeared in Inchicore the following week.......

There is nothing shocking or unusual in this, it is common practice to keep on each drivers record a list of offences, eg signals passed at danger (thankfully quite rare in Ireland) it is a safety management issue

If I was a driver I'd be more worried by the fact the RSC can fine them up to €100,000 or 5 years in the nick. And yes I can recall one incident in Dublin recently enough where that could have been used, in fact one in my opinion on the information available that driver should have been fired as result

Its time these drivers got real its not IE trying this on they are just bringing proceedures in line with the new rail safety act

The first and overridding responsibilty of all in the rail industry is safety and we welcome any reasonable initiate and proceedures which aims to improve safety

30-01-2006, 10:46	#4
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Do you get points for not turning the tail lights on correctly, I'd have a serious number of DART drivers in trouble on that one. I caused some trouble a few years back when I complained of a incident on board a train, I challenged the driver who was no use I then made a formal complaint, got a response, was told it didn't happen, driver didn't report the fault, he failed to perform his duty (he was using his wrist to hold the controller handle down) there was no fault anyway, cover up ? DART unit appeared in Inchicore the following week....... There is nothing shocking or unusual in this, it is common practice to keep on each drivers record a list of offences, eg signals passed at danger (thankfully quite rare in Ireland) it is a safety management issue If I was a driver I'd be more worried by the fact the RSC can fine them up to €100,000 or 5 years in the nick. And yes I can recall one incident in Dublin recently enough where that could have been used, in fact one in my opinion on the information available that driver should have been fired as result Its time these drivers got real its not IE trying this on they are just bringing proceedures in line with the new rail safety act The first and overridding responsibilty of all in the rail industry is safety and we welcome any reasonable initiate and proceedures which aims to improve safety Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 30-01-2006 at 10:54.