Article: Queensland Rail to ditch shorts for train crews ...

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Queensland Rail to ditch shorts for train crews because of safety concerns

Queensland Rail to ditch shorts for train crews because of safety concerns

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    April 19, 2012 12:00AM

THE much-maligned Queensland work uniform of tailored shorts and long socks is heading for extinction with the ensemble set to be banned from train stations.

Queensland Rail has indicated shorts will not be part of train crews' new uniform when it is rolled out later this year because of safety concerns, including the heightened risk of skin cancer.

The decree has angered the Rail Tram and Bus Union, which has been in consultation with Queensland Rail about the new look.

State secretary Owen Doogan said it was their understanding that the risk assessment of shorts had not found any negative safety outcomes.

"There's been no approach to us about stopping the issue of shorts. That is something we'd be concerned about," said Mr Doogan.

"It's far from necessary for our members to wear long pants, particularly in summer when they're working on a train."

A Queensland Rail spokesman said shorts were likely to be replaced with trousers but other aspects of the new uniform were undecided.

"We're still in the design and consultation phase in regards to fabric and other aspects of the uniform," he said.

"As with any other employer providing uniforms, we endeavour to provide a uniform that is safe and practical whilst at the same time engenders the role of professional train crew."

A Queensland Rail worker coming off shift at Bowen Hills yesterday confirmed any permanent move to long pants would not be popular.

"Most of us are not happy about it," the QR worker said. "When it's summer, it's too hot already and we don't want to wear long pants. It's ridiculous."

The shorts ban by Queensland Rail will leave only cabbies and bus drivers sporting the airy attire - albeit in dwindling numbers.

Bill Parker from Yellow Cabs said although they permitted "tailored shorts and long socks" among their drivers, most preferred long pants.

"In the cab and airconditioning, it doesn't really matter if they wear short or long pants," said Mr Parker.

"But most of our drivers are young and tailored shorts and long socks don't really cut it in modern fashion."

Train drivers have also raised concerns about a planned switch from blue to white clothing, saying the change of colour was impractical and would quickly become dirty and stained, requiring regular replacement.

"Some way to waste taxpayer funds," said a driver, who did not want to be named for fear of losing his job.

Last year, female workers at Queensland Rail were dismayed by new uniforms that became transparent when wet, resulting in a direction from management that they were not to be worn with coloured undergarments.

Queensland Rail was unable to confirm the cost of the new uniforms, believed to be in the vicinity of $3-to-$4 million.

* Additional reporting by Alex Fynes-Clinton.

[HappyTrainGuy]

This is classified as news now? Seriously ground breaking stuff Courier Mail. Imagine the inside scoupe if should they find out about the maintainence crew shoe requirments or bus drivers having hi vis vests 

[SurfRail]

"In the cab and airconditioning, it doesn't really matter if they wear short or long pants," said Mr Parker.

I have little to congratulate Yellow Cabs about, but this seems to be a rare example of common sense.  Something that wouldn't ever emanate from the RBTU or the AFULE.

[#Metro]

Skin Cancer risk sounds like such a lame excuse. Why not just use sunscreen? What is the incidence of people getting skin cancer on their legs in QR???

[Stillwater]

Is this yet another new uniform, or a roll-out of the uniform change in April 2011 and discussed last year?

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/qr-wet-shirt-row-20110408-1d7ex.html

http://www.news.com.au/queensland-rail-workers-told-to-not-wear-colourful-underwear-after-new-uniforms-found-to-be-almost-see-through/story-e6freoof-1226159621059

[ozbob]

In the army we had shorts.  Did you note the bit about 'white' uniforms. The Navy has white dress uniforms but day to day blue etc.

They are mad ... simple ...

OHS gone insanely over the top. 

How about just keeping the present kit and put on some more services between Nambour and Gold Coast ... and then extend the Richlands - Bowen Hills trains to Petrie.

[#Metro]

3-4 million could get us a BUZ with 1.5 million pax a year!!

[SurfRail]

The uniforms would need replacement anyway.  They can't just go around nude or in mufti.

[ozbob]

White?  I think they should just continue as is.  Obviously there are replacements for the present stuff for day to day use now. 

[HappyTrainGuy]

QR had the tie aswell. Back in the red and white days

[ozbob]

QR is not the Navy, crikey.  Get real, white uniforms are joke ..

Keep the blue, we are talking loco crew etc.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Is the colour honestly a problem? QR isn't the navy but so what. They've changed a bunch over the years. Drivers/guards/maint. crews wore dark blue from the diesel/steam era before train crew got white buttoned shirts, long black pants with black ties to start off the early electrification days before relaxing into just white shirts gray pants till workplace laws got tighter and with the introduction of SMUs they went to the candy cane red/white striped and light red white collar shirts gray pants with the optional QR fixed elastic ties of the 90's for drivers/guards with maint. crews getting the now common in the workplace orange high vis clothing to where we are now with the two different shades of blue of the early 2000's for train crew.

[ozbob]

HTG if you perused the comments on the blog re the uniforms most of those who are responsible for upkeep (washing etc.) of the uniforms are dead against white.  Do you wear white shirts and white trousers?  They are a very difficult to maintain in even a semi-presentable state.  They would look filthy most of the time.  No far better to have colours that at least don't pick up every little stain and piece of dirt etc.  Work clothes are mostly blue, green and khaki etc. for obvious reasons.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Don't trust everything you read on the courier mail blog/comments. Anyway, who said anything about white trousers? Its just the shirts changing from blue to white with long pants. They are train crew. They don't get down and dirty compared to the maint./track gangs. They had white button shirts as their uniform from the first electric train service until the early 90's yet there were no problems with cleaning a few white shirts back then. Why is it such of an issue now.

[ozbob]

Train drivers have also raised concerns about a planned switch from blue to white clothing, saying the change of colour was impractical and would quickly become dirty and stained, requiring regular replacement.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Shirts, not pants. The pants worn by train crews are more navy black in appearence. Maint. guys are the only ones who wear navy blue pants.

[ozbob]

Why do you think they got rid of the white shirts before? LOL

Groan .... get real uniforms ...  White shirts again , a year or too back to blue .. nothing surer.

If the drivers want blue them let them have blue.  Otherwise there might be a blue ... 

[Gazza]

Give em real uniforms:

[Fares_Fair]

... and in the military friendly fire is called blue on blue.

The money could well be spent on repairing old and decrepit ICE carriages, but save the water views please. 
They have a calming effect.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Why do you think they got rid of the white shirts before? LOL

Serious answer was due to corporate rebranding. It was at the same time all the EMUs had all the blue interiors/signage/fronts replaced, diesel loco rebranding and QR going from the blue/red logo on rollingstock/uniforms to the new maroon/white logo that can still be seen on some of the rollingstock (now red/white) along with other things that the public might not have noticed.

[techblitz]

ahh change.. gotta love it

if anyone uses bowen hills station they will know how many staff pass through and how hot that station can get due to its east/west facing directions. Thanks to the reflected sunlight off the walls on either side, as well as lack of shaded areas i for one would want to be wearing shorts in summer thats for sure.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail ban on work shorts touches off heated debate in state

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Queensland Rail workers' shorts ban short lived

Queensland Rail workers' shorts ban short lived

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    June 01, 2012 12:00AM

THE humble work shorts have been saved from extinction with Queensland Rail workers winning their fight to bare their knees.

New uniforms for train crews are believed to be the latest victim of government cost-cutting with workers told they can keep their shorts.

The new look favoured by Queensland Rail featured long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect workers against skin cancer.

But with a hefty price tag of $500,000, and the opposition of The Courier-Mail readers who feared it could be the end of the "Queensland uniform" of shorts and long socks, the new look is now understood to have been abandoned.

Owen Doogan from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union said members always had the option of donning more protective clothing and the shorts ban was regulation gone mad, adding there was never a safety issue with shorts.

"We're absolutely delighted that our members will have the choice to wear shorts if they wish," said Mr Doogan.

"Given the sort of work they do, and the climate we live in, it's common sense."

Amazing waste of space the whole issue ...  pity more attention was not put into maintaining a rail service for the state.

[Fares_Fair]

Agree, it's all about priorities.

A bit like the Sunshine Coast rail duplication, caught short at Beerburrum.
Severe infrastructure constraints acknowledged on the NCL, so we'll build ourselves new offices.

Times are indeed tough.