Fantastic awareness raising event held in Porthmadog

20 June 2011

On Wednesday 8 June 2011 IOSH North Wales branch held an event called Working Safely in Practice in Porthmadog.

The two-day event was held to raise awareness among local businesses whose employees may come into contact with private level crossings in their day-to-day duties.

In the past nine years, 22 people were killed on Britain's railways while using private level crossings, of which there are more than 200 in North Wales.

Sandy Jennings, IOSH North Wales Branch chair, said: “Level crossings are always a topic under debate here in North Wales because there are a large number of them.

“There is a lot of regeneration going on within the country at the moment and it is important that employers and employees are made aware of the risks associated with working near level crossings and railway lines – we want to make sure fatalities are reduced.

“The event was about demonstrating what can potentially go wrong when working near the crossings and how situations should be dealt with as and when they arise.”

As part of the event, local business representatives visited Minffordd level crossing, Porthmadog, where a staged accident between a car and train was set up on the line. Those attending the demonstration then heard practical safety advice from the Environment Agency, UK Power Networks and Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways surrounding using and working near level crossings.

In addition to the Minffordd crossing visit, delegates also visited the new Porthmadog bypass.

More than 100 delegates attended the event and local media such as the Daily Post, SC4 and BBC Radio Wales covered the story.