Bus Matters - Fighting Covid-19 - Having Confidence in Control Measures, Methodology and Enforcement

Our Ref: HSR/1/3
Head Office Circular: NP/429/21
22nd November 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

BUS MATTERS – FIGHTING COVID-19 – HAVING CONFIDENCE IN CONTROL MEASURES, METHODOLOGY AND ENFORCEMENT

Further to Head Office Circular NP/294/21, dated 5th August 2021, your National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 18th November to discuss a report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee relating to further correspondence received from the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).

In response to RMT questioning, the CPT replied that operators have implemented a number of actions to increase fresh air ventilation and improve air quality on board. These have included the fitment of devices to keep windows at least partly open at all times, the installation of virus-capturing filters in ventilation systems, increasing fan performance and adaptation of systems to reduce re-circulation and increase fresh air intake. CPT’s members have also provided signage and announcements for passengers and messaging to drivers to encourage them to keep windows open; additionally, buses have a fresh-airflow advantage over other environments because the doors generally open and close at frequent intervals.

The report adopted by the NEC is as follows:

The General Secretary is instructed to write to CPT to ascertain what adjustments will be made to their Covid-19 risk assessment template, particularly in relation to bus drivers, as we now move into the winter months and achieving good ventilation on board buses through keeping windows open becomes more difficult.

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised accordingly.

I am acting in accordance with this instruction and will keep you advised of developments.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary