Dignity for Drivers - access to toilets at work

[deltic]

Aslef has launched this campaign which calls for

• A maximum period of 4 hours without access to toilet facilities as standard across the industry
• The provision of safe, clean, accessible and dignified toilet and welfare facilities across the network
• Drivers must be able to go to the toilet based on their individual and personal needs without being subjected to management interference, discrimination or disciplinary action
• All operators to provide free sanitary products in the workplace and for them to be available across the network for drivers who want to use them

 

[Horizon22]

Aslef has launched this campaign which calls for

Bullet points 1 & 3 seem slightly contradictory. If someone says they need the toilet but 2 hours into their shift due to their "individual and personal needs" but 4 hours is what is planned for it becomes harder to manage.

Drivers do take an 'emergency PNB (personal needs break)' if required but most drivers are reasonable in this regard. I can't imagine there's been "disciplinary action" against any drivers for this unless they have continuously been proven to be using this as a chance to get out of shifts without any proven medical conditions.

I know some companies already roster the 4hr maximum driving time.

 

[Starmill]

It's a good point about improving the condition of the staff toilets.

 

[nolypops83]

This is good news if they want to recruit/retain more female drivers. Especially when you are on your period and need somewhere clean and sanitary. There's a risk of developing toxic shock syndrome which can go real bad, real fast.

Not just for women though, its better for everyone!

 

[75A]

Certainly not before time.

 

[DMckduck]

Bullet points 1 & 3 seem slightly contradictory. If someone says they need the toilet but 2 hours into their shift due to their "individual and personal needs" but 4 hours is what is planned for it becomes harder to manage.

Drivers do take an 'emergency PNB (personal needs break)' if required but most drivers are reasonable in this regard. I can't imagine there's been "disciplinary action" against any drivers for this unless they have continuously been proven to be using this as a chance to get out of shifts without any proven medical conditions.

I know some companies already roster the 4hr maximum driving time.

Not too long ago on this forum there was a supposed union rep stating a staff member relieving themselves in a plastic bottle was gross misconduct and would result in the sack.

I would have thought on a toilet-less train that would be deemed reasonable, over potentially clogging busy routes during rush hour using the station toilet that could be anywhere?

 

[Horizon22]

Not too long ago on this forum there was a supposed union rep stating a staff member relieving themselves in a plastic bottle was gross misconduct and would result in the sack.

And most people ridiculed the so-called "rep"

I would have thought on a toilet-less train that would be deemed reasonable, over potentially clogging busy routes during rush hour using the station toilet that could be anywhere?

If you absoutely had to you would stop the train at a station and accept the delay, but ideally you advise your control with enough notice to see if a spare/standby driver could be sourced.

 

[Jim]

As a TOC controller who deals with a fleet that all have toilets, it is an interesting subject.

My line now is ever since the sad events at West Worthing a few years back, where the RAIB made a recommendation about providing staff with adequate facilities to GTR, I think all TOC should do this and will won't challenge train crew who have an issue with taking trains without working toilets. Some of my colleagues make a big thing about there not being a commitment to provide, but to me a RAIB recommendation to a different TOC is good enough to follow!

 

[507020]

What are the rules regarding drivers and any other staff who may be on board simply using the on train toilet if there is one? This is a bit of an improvement over no access to facilities at all. You can’t simply leave the cab unattended and cause a delay to visit the on train toilet, but in the very unfortunate example of West Worthing middle siding, unless it was a 313, the train will have had a toilet on board which could be used, not even as a last resort.

 

[Class2ldn]

What are the rules regarding drivers and any other staff who may be on board simply using the on train toilet if there is one? This is a bit of an improvement over no access to facilities at all. You can’t simply leave the cab unattended and cause a delay to visit the on train toilet, but in the very unfortunate example of West Worthing middle siding, unless it was a 313, the train will have had a toilet on board which could be used, not even as a last resort.

If you need to delay the train you delay the train, it's a simple as that.
Just let the signaller know and off you go.
Not ideal but it is what it is.
If it's a regular occurrence then I'm sure the toc will pick up on it and questions may be asked further down the line but if it's an occasional occurrence nothing will be said in my experience.

 

[Horizon22]

If you need to delay the train you delay the train, it's a simple as that.
Just let the signaller know and off you go.
Not ideal but it is what it is.
If it's a regular occurrence then I'm sure the toc will pick up on it and questions may be asked further down the line but if it's an occasional occurrence nothing will be said in my experience.

Pretty much this.