The Dispatchers Whistle

[pt_mad]

I think you are being picky for the sake of it, Common sense suggests that TOC's that put in policy that a wistle during dispatch is mandatory, is to be applied, when the train is being dispatched by a Guard / Platform Staff. This will be a seperate policy to the dispatch procedure when the train is operating DOC at an unmanned station.
To me ComUtoR made this perfectly clear, and at any point, no one has inferred that DOC dispatch has to include the whistle

Wasn't it implied on post 20:

Owing to an increase in door trap incidents, Scotrail managers issued instructions for all guards to blow their whistles at all stations prior to closing the doors. So if there happened to be another door trap incident, the guard would be disciplined if it was found that they had not blown their whistle.

For guards to blow whistles at all stations prior to dispatch? That's the scenario I'm asking about. Guards blowing whistles at all times at all stations prior to dispatch. Is it actually carried out at all times of the day or night at all stations on ScotRail as this suggests?

 

[jymiee]

My employer's spin on the rule book asks us to use 2 blows on the whistle before commencing the dispatch procedure, known as the hustle whistle, to (officially) warn any catering staff on the platform to jump back on board as the doors will shortly be closing, although I find myself using it in moderation to hurry up passengers that insist on using the furthest away door. Following that, each hand signal is accompanied by a whistle. I will also use it to get the attention of any passengers who are putting themselves in danger i.e. standing right on the edge of the platform (not something taken lightly at my station where trains pass at high speeds).

 

[ComUtoR]

For guards to blow whistles at all stations prior to dispatch? That's the scenario I'm asking about. Guards blowing whistles at all times at all stations prior to dispatch. Is it actually carried out at all times of the day or night at all stations on ScotRail as this suggests?

I really don't think you are getting it.

If the policy states 'you must blow it at all times and at all stations'; then yes 100% you must do it. NO EXCEPTION. It would be a disciplinary offense if they didn't and if there was an incident then they would be liable. Policies are not there to be ignored when you feel like it. They are there to be obeyed.

There is a difference IF a policy stated that you must blow your whistle etc. and it have various exemptions and caveats. i.e. 'you must blow your whistle if there is someone on the platform'

Its quite a simple concept really :/

 

[pt_mad]

I really don't think you are getting it.

If the policy states 'you must blow it at all times and at all stations'; then yes 100% you must do it. NO EXCEPTION. It would be a disciplinary offense if they didn't and if there was an incident then they would be liable. Policies are not there to be ignored when you feel like it. They are there to be obeyed.

There is a difference IF a policy stated that you must blow your whistle etc. and it have various exemptions and caveats. i.e. 'you must blow your whistle if there is someone on the platform'

Its quite a simple concept really :/

I understand what you are saying. That one must obey such a rule and all rules without exception.

But a TOC putting out a brief that guards must blow a whistle before door closing at all times no matter what where or what time of the night doesn't mean that all guards are actually doing it without exception. My question was is it actually likely being obeyed at say 23:50 on a Tuesday night at whatever unmanned station at all times by all guards?

It's like that rule about guards being absolutely required to stay at the door panel until the train leaves the platform. That one is not always obeyed at all times by some guards no matter what anyone claims. If you stood at a busy station for a whole day you'd no doubt see at least a couple of occasions where the guard leaves the panel and walks into the train. Saying the guard must whistle at all times at all stations no matter how quiet of what time of night I believe is another one that may not be actually obeyed in practice at all times. And my q. is getting at do we think it's widely adhered to on ScotRail or is it a tick box rule that isn't necessary always carried out 100 percent in reality?

 

[ComUtoR]

That's the weird thing about rail staff. They tend to regard things as absolutes. If the policy states do it then we do, irrespective as to what time. We take rules very seriously and see the consequences as the worst possible outcome.

IF you failed to blow the whistle at 23:50 and someone got caught in the doors then you would be at fault.

23:50 on a Tuesday night, I'm still blowing my horn as loud and as long as possible.

It's like that rule about guards being absolutely required to stay at the door panel until the train leaves the platform.

That one is not always obeyed at all times by some guards no matter what anyone claims.

And my q. is getting at do we think it's widely adhered to on ScotRail or is it a tick box rule that isn't necessary always carried out 100 percent in reality?

Anyone not carrying out their duties as required is at fault. You are making a serious accusation and I would suggest that if you see this happen then you report it. If you are suggesting that there are many staff not carrying out their required duties then you need to report this to ScotRail as soon as possible, this would be a serious safety breach and puts passengers at risk.