scope:

Within Maintenance this standard is applicable to:

• all inexperienced staff and contingent labour suppliers' staff who hold PTS certification and have less than 6 months of track side experience

• those who may transfer into the area, and who carry out work on the infrastructure

• where actions have demonstrated a need to undergo safety awareness training.

All contingent labour suppliers will be issued with this SMP. As a contractual requirement, compliance is mandatory.

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that the Maintenance function:

• fully understands the implications of new employees' perception of risk.

• understands and manages the needs of new employees.

• correctly incorporates new employees into the workforce, allowing them the time and variety of work to increase their experience levels.

• identifies inability within a new or transferred member of staff to comply with the requirements of company and Railway Group requirements in an environment which exposes them to the minimum of risk. 

The passport scheme exists to ensure that new, inexperienced personnel are identified and minded / mentored whilst working track side, to enable them to develop the necessary experience and safety awareness without inadvertently exposing themselves to risk. Passport holders will continue in the scheme until they have demonstrated sufficient competence to be signed off for normal working.