ASBESTOS – GAS CAR KITCHENS

Our ref: HSR/2/16

Head Office Circular: NP/182/22

26^th August 2022

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

ASBESTOS – GAS CAR KITCHENS

 

Your 2022 Annual General Meeting adopted the following resolution:

 

That this Conference instructs the RMT to inform all present, former and retired members, of the dangers from working the old Gas Car Kitchens that were insulated both in the shell of the vehicles and on the pipes and boiler jackets with asbestos, as this is a very real danger to the health and well-being of these staff – potentially exposing risks associated with Mesothelioma Cancer and Death.

 

These vehicles were still in use in 2001 and later both on normal services, sleepers and special charter trains and may still be in use today.

 

We ask that the union represents them in any claims they may have.

 

 

At its meeting on 25^th August 2022, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee:

 

We note the resolution carried unanimously by the 2022 AGM.

The General Secretary is instructed to inform all present, former and retired members of the dangers from working the old Gas Car Kitchens that were insulated both in the shell of the vehicles and on the pipes and boiler jackets with asbestos, as this is a very real danger to the health and well-being of these staff – potentially exposing risks associated with Mesothelioma Cancer and Death. This to be done via an article in “RMT News”, a letter to all retired members, and a circular to be posted on the RMT website. Also, a letter to be issued to all train companies, including the heritage sector, asking if any such kitchens are still in use.

We note that these vehicles were still in use in 2001 and later both on normal services, sleepers and special charter trains and may still be in use today.

The General Secretary is further instructed to represent any such affected members in any claims they may have.

Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.   

 

I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring the contents of this circular and the attached document to the attention of relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary