Our ref: HSR
Head Office Circular: NP/89/24
9th April 2024
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS
Dear Colleague
BUS AND COACH FIRES – REQUEST FOR SUPPORT ORGANISING A CONFERENCE
I received a proposal from the Lead Officer that the Hazards Campaign be approached formally to organise a National Bus and Coach Fire Safety Conference, with RMT playing a leading role.
On average there are three catastrophic fires per month, though recently there were four in just one week: two in London and two in Gloucester.
Please see an investigation by the DVSA investigation here.
The people who most often travel on these vehicles are the elderly, disabled and children. There are clearly significant risks to life from fires onboard that are often ferocious- including to other road users and the emergency services. There are also risks to the surrounding environment from spreading fire, toxic air and pollution arising from diesel and oil spills.
In the vast majority of cases, the driver has not received guidance or training on how to evacuate their vehicle. Bizarrely the materials used in the vehicles (which are not permitted on planes or trains) offer no resistance to fire and are toxic when alight.
Such a conference would be an opportunity to examine, debate and develop proposals that will help make bus travel safer - also cement our reputation as the leading responsible and authoritative voice in the transport sector.
At its meeting on 2nd April 2024, your National Executive Committee noted adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee:
We recognise that the high number of bus fires necessitates the need for detailed enquiry - as the current situation cannot be allowed to continue, or else we risk the possibility of passenger and/or worker injury.
Given this the General Secretary is instructed to contact National Hazards Campaign to request that they incorporate within their Hazards Campaign Conference, a session on bus and coach fires.
Branches and Regional Councils to be advised accordingly.
I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.
Yours sincerely
Michael Lynch
General Secretary