AGM Item 50: Line Blockages and Additional Protection

Our Ref: HSR/2/15
8th October 2019
Head Office Circular NP/190/19
THE SECRETARY
ALL BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague

AGM ITEM 50: LINE BLOCKAGES AND ADDITIONAL PROTECTION

The following resolution was carried at the AGM 2019:

Following the announcement of the RAIB to conduct a class investigation into "Factors affecting safety critical human performance of Signaling Staff' this conference advises RMT that Network Rail is currently not planning safe systems of work in accordance with the hierarchy of protection contained within the 019+ Standard.

Hours and hours of line blockages are being planned with no additional protection. This conference therefore demands that additional protection should be used for all planned line blockages thereby 35 affording protection to both staff on the ground and Signaling Staff carrying out multiple safety critical activities at the same time.

Signal only protection could lead to a single point failure with devastating consequences and should only be contemplated during incidents of an unplanned nature when no other option is available.

Daily incidents are occurring. If Network Rail fail to act on our concerns then a dispute situation will exist.

At their meeting of 26th September 2019, the National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:

We instruct the General Secretary to take up this matter in line with the resolution.

Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.

I am acting in accordance with these instructions. Please make the contents of this Circular available to all appropriate members.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary