Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
Stopping traffic: Kath Larkin, Todd Bentley
and Denis Fokchak at Safety Day
WHAT A WEEK
IN SAFETY !
Hundreds of employees have
enjoyed getting involved in
Metro’s Safety Week
celebrations this week.
Over the four-day safety festival,
employees were invited to hear
from guest speakers, get involved
in interactive workshops and
celebrate great safety achievements at one of many events including Safety Day, interactive
roadshows and Health and
Wellbeing Day.
CEO, Andrew Lezala, helped
launch Safety Week on Monday,
noting it was encouraging to see
so many people showing their
commitment to safety.
―Metro is focussed on zero harm
– for our employees, customers
and the general public – but we
need everyone to get involved and
do the right thing to keep
everyone safe,‖ Andrew said.
―Since Metro began, we‘ve seen
great improvements in our overall
safety performance, however, in
the past 12 months we‘ve injured
449 customers and 74 employees,
and it‘s just not good enough.
―Our commitment to safety is
serious. We need to build stronger
partnerships with our Health and
Safety Representatives (HSRs)
and other influential safety part-
ners such as TSV, WorkSafe,
TrackSAFE and Victoria Police to
help drive down the number of
safety incidents occurring across
the network.
―Safety Week highlights the
importance of safety, so let‘s use it
to reinvigorate our focus on zero
harm.‖
G ener al Manager Saf et y,
Environment and Risk, Todd
Bentley, joined Andrew in launching the celebrations, adding that
this year‘s theme of ‗At Risk Workers‘ offers learnings for
everyone.
Continued on page 2
Page 1
Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
Celebrating 2013
Safety Week
From page 1
―We all have a role to play in
keeping ourselves and our
workmates safe. I am delighted
that so many got involved in Safety Week, which offered great advice and guidance on how we can
better look out for each other.
―This was also our opportunity to
celebrate the great safety
achievements of the past year,
and I congratulate all nominees
and recipients of the 2013 Safety
Recognition Awards.
―Finally, on behalf of Metro and
the Executive Management Team,
I‘d like to thank the Safety Week
Committee and the Metro
Compass Committee for their
terrific work in making Safety
Week fun, engaging and very
interesting.‖
And the
winner is…
Safety Recognition Awards
Congratulations to the winners of the 2013 Safety Recognition Awards.
The awards focus on initiatives to improve safety for employees and customers. There are a lot of safety initiatives within Metro and whilst we
can‘t formally recognise them all, every contribution is important.
Best solution to a workplace safety concern was
presented to the Epping Train Depot
The depot faced a significant manual handling risk every time they raised
the 60kg bonnets on the front of X‘trapolis trains, so the fitters, in
consultation with OHS reps and management, designed a lifting jig which
can be operated without manual lifting.
Best Demonstration of Safety Leadership
was presented to Matt Sekulitch
Matt is running a project that aims to improve the overall competency of
rail workers, but further to that, his own personal dedication to safety
shines through in his actions and the example he sets for others.
HSR of the Year was presented to Richard Mano
Richard has gone above and beyond his basic duties as a HSR by
delivering team briefings focussed on "safety on the tracks". He is a
brilliant example to his team as a crew leader.
Best OHS Committee was presented to
Infrastructure Signals OHS Committee
This year, we received dozens
of entries for the 2014 Safety
Calendar, showcasing a range
of ways to be safe at work.
Congratulations to the winner of
the competition, Katrina Gavory,
daughter of myki Ticketing and
Development Project Coordinator, Nick McConnell.
Thank you to all the young
people who sent in their artwork.
Make sure you pick up a copy of
the calendar, which will be
available from depots and offices
shortly.
This OHS Committee has made a clear effort in closing off identified issues in a timely and effective manner. They participate in workshops and
other activities, driving safety communications in and out of their depots.
Executive Management Team Safety Award was
presented to Nick Mills
Nick chairs the passenger safety committee and continues to be a strong
advocate of safety within the organisation.
CEO’s Safety Award was presented to Chloe Alsop
Chloe was recognised for her leadership in the international success of
the Dumb Ways To Die campaign.
Got feedback?
We‘d love to hear feedback on Safety Week so that we can make next
year even better. Email your ideas to [email protected].
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Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
Getting out and about…
Days two and three of Safety
Week were all about interactive
road shows.
The Metro team took to the road
hosting manual handling
sessions, yoga demonstrations
and toolbox mentoring sessions.
To top it off, there were also
tacos for lunch and heaps of giveaways.
The team at Epping Rolling
Stock Depot (pictured) got
involved in the celebrations with a
big turnout for the informative
manual handling workshops.
Relaxation is an important part
of staying safe and healthy, so not
surprisingly the yoga sessions
were a hit!
Epping Rolling Stock Depot
Epping Rolling Stock Depot
North Melbourne Authorised Officer Depot
E-Gate
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Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
Taking safety on the road…
The Sunstone team also got involved in the safety action at the Mitcham worksite on Wednesday morning (see
above), where safety was on display in a sea of high-viz. The week promised a little something for everyone
and Flinders Street staff celebrated with a healthy bbq lunch at the end of platform 1 on Tuesday (see below).
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Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
Health and Wellbeing Day
Safety Week finished on a high with Health and Wellbeing Day held at Spring Street. A jam packed morning,
attendees enjoyed a health solutions expo, lots of great guest speakers, a touch of yoga and a live healthy
eating demonstration presented by Nutrition Australia and guest presenter Geoff Jacks (pictured above). For
those who couldn‘t make it along, not to worry, Nutrition Australia recommends you pick up some more
simple and healthy recipes to try at home at www.eatforhealth.gov.au or www.daa.asn.au.
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Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
The art of juggling – work, family and study!
As the operator of Melbourne’s rail network, Metro’s workforce
consists of a diverse and interesting pool of skill, knowledge and
rewarding career opportunities.
In a recent interview, Ilo Koneski tells METROEXPRESS of his 11 year
career journey - from being an Authorised Officer to a Fleet Controller –
and what‘s next as he completes his Graduate Diploma in Railways
Operations Management with Central Queensland University.
What are you studying?
I‘m studying a Graduate Diploma
in Railways Operations
Management by correspondence
with Central Queensland
University.
The course is specifically
designed for people currently
working in the field of rail operation
who are looking to extend their
skills and qualify as a professional
rail operations manager.
There is also the opportunity to
undertake a Graduate Certificate,
Graduate Diploma or Masters
Degree developed to meet the
demand of the Australian rail industry.
How do you find juggling
work and study?
As I am very passionate about
my job as a Fleet Controller, I
have found juggling work and
study not too challenging.
I have enjoyed being able to
apply the theoretical aspects of the
course into action at my
workplace. I believe it is excellent
that the course itself is heavily
focused on applying knowledge
and practical study. Studying by
correspondence gives me the
opportunity and flexibility to study
when I can around work and on
days off work.
How will this help your
career?
I have chosen to study the
Graduate Diploma in Railways
Operations Management as a
means of furthering my knowledge
of the rail industry. In this way, I
can better perform my role as a
fleet manager by more holistically
understanding the operations in
our rail industry.
On a personal level, I feel great
satisfaction in undertaking the
extra study to enrich my life and
those around me.
What are you enjoying
the most?
I have thoroughly enjoyed being
able to communicate with the
other students enrolled in the
course as they are from a variety
of workplaces around Australia.
There are continuous forum
discussions which have been a
g r eat way t o shar e our
experiences from our workplaces
in the different railway industries
within Australia.
In addition, I have found it very
interesting to learn more about the
technical and managerial aspects
of rail infrastructure, rolling stock
and other railway assets.
This also encompasses
understanding how goal
identification for companies in the
rail sector is crucial to long term
success.
Tell us
mentor?
about
your
W ayne W alsh, Head of
Operational Rail Safety at Metro,
is my mentor.
I feel so lucky and privileged to
have Wayne as my mentor. He
has been fantastic at sharing his
knowledge and has helped me
prepare discussions for each
module‘s workplace activities and
assignments.
The guidance and knowledge I
received from Wayne was fantastic
and I found that very useful in
applying the course knowledge to
my work place.
Additionally, I believe that when
working towards a goal it is crucial
to have guidance from someone
who has already walked your
j o u r n e y r eg a r d l e s s of it s
destination. I feel I have been very
fortunate to have been mentored
by Wayne who has completed this
course to the Masters level and is
a great motivating factor for me.
What’s your advice for
others?
I hope that through sharing my
experience, I will encourage other
Metro employees to expand their
knowledge and skills in the railway
industry with further studies.
I have found this course very
rewarding and would recommend
to everyone to get involved in
further studies.
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Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
Getting Involved
(from left) Dave McCrum, Andrew Greenhall, Anthony Monardo, Chris Hudson,
Andrew Irving, Frank Dobrigna, Lee Robinson, Vince Cassar and Matt Sekulitch.
Along for the ride…
Fifty-three Metro staff cycled in a sea of more than 14,000 Around the Bay Bike Ride participants last Sunday.
Getting involved in a mix of ride options around Melbourne‘s iconic Port Phillip Bay - from 50km to 250km – the
Metro team battled against the heat and gusty winds to make their way across the finish line.
Congratulations to everyone who got involved – the winner at the end of the day being those who benefit from
the great work of the Smith Family, the charity partner of the event. More than $920,000 was raised.
Neil Pereira
(from left) Krishna Vemula, Amanda
Benton and Andrew Robinson
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Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
Thank you for an outstanding effort
On Wednesday 9 October, a fire
on an adjacent property
damaged signal cables between
Dandenong and Yarraman. This
major incident impacted
operations on Wednesday
afternoon and into Thursday
morning, however the response
team’s efforts helped to
minimise the impact and get
services running.
The collaborative efforts of
various areas of the business
including Train Services, Signals,
Track, Electrical Networks and
Customer Service truly displayed
our five values – safety,
teamwork, excellence, passion
and honesty.
Train Services Officer - Signaller
Specialist, Dave Milanovic,
comments on the outstanding
efforts...
With
compliments…
“I would like to take this
opportunity to thank all staff that
were involved in the services
disruption yesterday, firstly at
Dandenong then Westall.
Signallers - The professionalism
you gentlemen showed was of a
very high standard, to straight rail
Dandenong then issue caution
orders so trains were not sitting
out for too long was done safely
and quickly. The communication
that was coming out of the Signal
Box to Metrol and Customer
Services was terrific. Job well
done, keep up the good work.
Fitters - Thank you [Alan Munro]
and your team in assisting me and
the Signaller. For those people
who don’t know, to straight rail a
location means moving numerous
sets of points into the correct
position, then locking them.
This takes a lot of work. So thanks,
you never let the Signallers or the
Train Services Officers down.
Customer Services - The
professionalism shown when communicating with the Signallers, who
where under pressure, and your
assistance in finding out train driver
information was excellent.
I know that without the team of
station staff who support you none
of the above would have
been possible, so please pass on
my thanks to all.
That’s what it takes when a
service disruption occurs - we all
pull together and communicate. It is
the key to safely getting trains
moving. So well done all.”
3AW’s Neil Mitchell live @ FSS
Saturday 19 October 2013
I would like to thank the driver
on the 10.52 train from
Flinders to Sandringham on
Saturday night (19 October).
You made just another trip
back home from work a
pleasant one with your witty
announcements. I’d also
would like to thank you for
pointing out to passengers to
be aware of the platform
heights as they leave the train.
Keep up the good work!
Customer: Charlene
The 3AW Mornings program broadcasted live from the Flinders Street
Station concourse this morning. Presenter Neil Mitchell viewed the Ballroom and Gymnasium just before going on air. He discussed the
station‘s history and redesign competition with Metro‘s Customer
Experience Manager, Peter Watson, who‘s been working at Flinders
Street for a short 36 years.
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Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
It’s time do
it yourself
ICT is launching a new ICT Self
Service Portal next Tuesday,
providing you with an easy way
to manage your technology
requests and incidents in one
place.
From November 2013 onwards
ICT will be developing the portal,
adding new f eat ur es and
functionality to streamline and
improve the different ways you
work with ICT to get the
technology and support you need
to do your job.
Key features that will be
available form 29 October, include
Hardware and software
requests
New starter and termination
requests
Update your personal details
Report problems that would
normally go through the help
desk.
Once it‘s online, you will be able
to access the portal on the
homepage of The Depot.
Operations Diary to
be replaced with
ARMS next Friday
From
1 N o ve m b e r
the
Operations Diary website will
only be available via ARMS.
The Depot link will be updated
and users who access the Operations Diary by bookmark or URL,
will be redirected automatically.
A notification will be distributed
to all staff early next week with
instructions and differences
between the old and new ARMS
Operations Diary.
If you require any further
information please contact
Samala Goile - ICT.
A hero in the loop
Leading station Assistant
Neeru Dabeedin has been commended on her excellent
customer service skills,
presence of mind and her
concern for the safety of others, while also keeping in mind
her own safety during a recent
emergency situation.
On Sunday 6 October there was
an emergency incident on
platform 1 at Melbourne Central
Station - a female entered the pit
at the west end of platform 1.
W hile t he Stat ionm aster
coordinated with Metrol, Station
Officer Christopher Rosario and
Neeru rushed down to the
platform. Initally the woman was
not responding to Christopher
and continued to walk in the
oppsite direction to an on coming
train which by now was held at
Parliament Station.
Neeru, realising that the female
was not responding at all to our
requests, started to talk to her
trying to reach out to her
emotionally. Neeru then used her
presence of mind and asked the
female if she wanted a cigarette as
she was going for one soon.
Upon hearing this, the woman
began to speak with Neeru, taking
her up on her offer. Neeru was
then able to assist the female up
back onto the platform and then
sat and listened to her story until
police arrived.
A terrific outcome for everyone –
well done Neeru.
Pictured above: (from left)
Customer Service Manager—
Central, Nick Mills, Neeru, TCO,
Maria Atkins and Neeru‘s
colleagues Gloria Doyle, Ananya
Roy and Maryann Jeremiah.
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Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
Diwali showstopper at Flinders Street
Flinders Street Station came alive last night to the rhythmic beat of drums and a great display of Bollywood
dancing. Metro is supporting this year‘s Diwali festival through multi-lingual platform announcements and promotional activities including last night‘s wonderful display of dancing. Federation Square will host a huge day of
celebrations tomorrow Oct 26 kicking off at noon and finishing with a fireworks display on the Yarra at 9.30pm.
Attention all Metro credit card holders
The ANZ Expense Manager
System is an online tool that
allows employees to manage
their Purchase/Credit card
transactions.
It provides a more efficient and
transparent approach to managing
Metro‘s card spend. The tool
allows each card holder to provide
a description, purpose, cost centre
and work order to each and every
transaction and will remove the
complex monthly manual
reconciliations allowing card
holders or their admin support staff
to manage their expenses on an
ongoing basis.
The new system will be rolled
out on Friday 29 November for all
card holders and admin support
team members. From Sunday 29
December all transactions will
have to be reconciled in the
Expense Manager System.
Finance Administrators will commence three weeks of end-user
training on Monday 11 November
at Flinders Street Training
Academy. Invitations will be sent
out shortly.
If you would like more
information on the ANZ Expense
Manager System, please contact
Y e v e t t e . H a m i l l @
metrotrains.com.au .
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Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
Invites for 2013 Metro Day Out at Flemington Racecourse
are in the mail. But, if you can’t wait… why not RSVP
online using the link from the home page of The Depot!
With
compliments…
Tuesday 22 October 2013
I have experienced some
excellent customer service
from Alan at Murrumbeena
Station.
There is a clock and notice
board at Murrumbeena Station
and Alan constantly check the
radio to update how far he
next few trains are away on
the notice board.
He is helpful and attentive.
P le a se p a ss
appreciation.
on
my
Customer: Victoria
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Edition 43 \\ 25 October 2013
In Brief
Major Events Pardon our
A-LEAGUE
Friday 25 October
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane
Roar
Etihad Stadium, 7:30pm
We‘re running extra trains to get
fans to and from the Melbourne
Victory v Brisbane Roar match at
Etihad, tonight at 7:30pm.
Cox Plate
Progress
Belgrave & Lilydale Lines
While the Belgrave and Lilydale
tracks are upgraded, buses will
replace trains on:
Saturday 26 October:
Between Ringwood and Belgrave
(until 9:00pm)
Saturday 26 October
Moonee Valley Racecourse
Between Blackburn and
Lilydale/Belgrave (after 9:00pm)
We‘ve got plenty of trains to get
you there with 20 minute
Craigieburn services from Flinders
Street already running. But just to
make sure, we will run extra 20
minute services to Moonee
Ponds.
Sunday 27 October:
Between Blackburn and
Lilydale/Belgrave
Trains will already be departing
Moonee Ponds every 20 minutes
until 7:00pm as per the weekend
schedule, but to get you home,
additional 20 minute services will
run.
Alamein Line
Additional services can be viewed
at: metrotrains.com.au by going to
Service Updates and clicking
Extra Services.
Wed 30 – Thurs 31 October:
Between Ringwood and Lilydale
(after 8:25pm)
Tuesday 9 October 2013
Sat 26 & Sun 27 October
While we upgrade the track, as
part of the Riversdale Road level
crossing improvement works, buses will replace all trains between
Camberwell and Alamein.
We advise customers to check
altered travel times with Public
Transport Victoria (PTV) on
1800 800 007.
Wrapping up Safety Week is a last minute thank you from
Katrina Gavory, winner of the 2014 Safety Calendar competition:
“Thank you for all of prizes and the gift card. I love all of it. I felt very
very happy and excited and when I was on stage I felt very nervous because I was in front of lots of people. Thank you for choosing my drawing because I worked very hard on it, and when Nick told me I won I felt
very smiley and happy, and I could not wait till Monday.”
Congratulations, Katrina!
With
compliments…
I want to compliment the
train driver who made an
announcement welcoming
passengers. He was warm,
welcoming and put the whole
train carriage into a good
mood. I would like to thank
him for the most pleasant train
journey I have ever taken.
Customer: Rachael
Metro
Performance
28-day average as at
Friday 25 October 2013
93.6% Delivery
98.9% Punctuality
Page 12