CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING – STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/085/25

20^th May 2025

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING – STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST

I received a report from your lead officer that there have been another two carbon monoxide poisoning events at Stagecoach Bus South West.

 

The most recent ones were two Newton Abbot based drivers, both were hospitalised and have underlying asthma which has been worsened by what happened.

 

I understand that there have now been five known events this past year.

 

These are all extremely serious and could have easily had potentially fatal consequences to those on board and other road users either through the inhalation of toxic fumes or perhaps of a driver losing consciousness at the wheel or being so confused mistakes could have been made.

 

It was only in January 2025 that RMT proposed that the company investigate and invest in detection and monitoring equipment. This has not happened.

 

An early finding from the investigation suggests that the engine access panel at the rear interior of the bus was not correctly fitted and may have been the route for the exhaust fumes, carbon monoxide and excessive noise to enter the saloon.

 

At its meeting on 8^th May, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its health and safety subcommittee:

 

We note the report from the lead officer.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to write to Stagecoach South West demanding that carbon monoxide monitoring devices are fitted as standard in all vehicles, and to issue a communication to members advising them of the risk and to ask that they report any known events to their employer and RMT safety representatives.

            

            I am acting in line with this instruction. Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

            Yours sincerely

            

 

 

Eddie Dempsey

General Secretary