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All successful applicants for a driver’s position also have to undergo a stringent medical examination before they even begin their training. Their health is checked every five years up to the age of 55, after which it is more often. Like all other organisations involved in running the railway, South West Trains has a strict policy on drink and drugs. It regularly checks 10 per cent of staff for alcohol or drugs on a random basis. In line with network-wide guidelines, the maximum permitted level of alcohol is much lower than for motorists. And anyone over this strict limit not only faces dismissal but possible criminal proceedings.
Alan Nichols qualified to drive in January 2004. Since then he has learned practically every one of South West Trains’ routes out of Waterloo. “To be honest, I half-expected to find some of my new colleagues a bit suspicious of me as a late-entrant outsider.” But he says that his training was “superb”—far more intensive than his previous employer, a high street bank—and that he has found himself working in a good, friendly environment.
Despite the media hysteria when, very occasionally, something does go seriously awry on the railway, travel by train anywhere in Britain is actually very safe. In recent years, despite a near 50 per cent growth in the number of people travelling, not a single passenger has died or suffered serious injury from driver error. Alan and his colleagues are largely responsible for that. “I only wish,” he says, “that our passengers were more aware that they are in the safe hands of a highly qualified professional.”
Things on your mind?
With the high incidence of suicides committed on the railway, we know that some people need emotional help in times of despair. That’s why we support the invaluable work of Samaritans. It provides confidential, non-judgmental help, 24 hours a day, for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide.
Samaritans offers help by telephone, email, letter and face to face in most of their branches. Call 08457 90 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org or write to Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling FK8 2SA.
Visit samaritans.org for more details.
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