NRA Outstanding Personal Contribution (Frontline) award: Jason Hart

The award for Outstanding Personal Contribution (Frontline) in the 2024 National Rail Awards went to Jason Hart, Wheel Lathe Supervisor, Siemens Mobility.

Highly Commended recognitions went to Stewart Hall and Darin Astbury (Northern), and Grace-Anne Stephenson (Arriva Rail London).

When Siemens Mobility’s Wheel Lathe Supervisor at Three Bridge depot Jason Hart found a tool used to adjust ride heights for rolling stock to be inefficient and pose handling risks to maintenance technicians, he set about designing a new one.

To prevent injury to colleagues using the previously cumbersome tool that was difficult to use below rail level in confined space, Jason designed an alternative while also producing several design options for different types of pit.

After assessing the supply chain for potential manufacturers, the tool was deployed in the depot. It can be operated safely by a single technician using a remote control outside of the pit, removing all safety concerns and providing technicians with accurate control over lowering and lifting activities.

There have been zero incidents related to the task since the introduction of the new tool. The task also now takes 50% less time to complete, saving more 4,000 hours of maintenance time at the depot in one year.

The tool has already been rolled out a second depot, where it is expected to save 1,200 hours a year, and is now due for widespread adoption at sites across the UK. A patent application has been filed for the technology which has attracted the interest of several Siemens Mobility customers after seeing it in action.

The judges said: “Jason did all the design/CAD drawings for the new tool in his own time, even down to the steel calculations. This isn’t his job, nor has he had any training, but he stunned the experts with his accuracy.

“We were hugely impressed by Jason and the dedication he has shown to his team and his customers, and the safety improvements that have taken place.”

Go to our results story for a list of all the winners at the 2024 National Rail Awards, together with more pictures from the event at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel, Park Lane, London on 12th September.