Chiltern Railways: Inclusion of Health & Safety in Post-Incident Investigations

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/047/25

13^th March 2025

To: The Secretary

CHILTERN LINE BRANCH

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

CHILTERN RAILWAYS: INCLUSION OF HEALTH & SAFETY IN POST-INCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS

 

Your Chiltern Line branch submitted the following resolution:

 

This Branch Notes: 

 

Following a recent train fire at Wembley Depot, RMT Health and Safety Representatives were not invited to participate in the post-incident investigation. 

 

Instead, representatives only received the final report, the conclusions of which this branch does not agree with. 

 

Under the Competence Management System, our Health and Safety Representatives are recognised experts in the rolling stock they work on. The RMT also has access to industry-leading experts who can provide valuable advice and draw upon past experiences to improve safety outcomes. 

 

As per the Brown Book (the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 and associated Code of Practice), trade union Health and Safety Representatives have a legal right to be consulted and involved in accident and incident investigations. 

 

This Branch Resolves: 

 

This branch calls on the RMT National Executive Committee to instruct the General Secretary write to Tim Sayer, Engineering, Health and Safety Director at Chiltern Railways, demanding that RMT Health and Safety Representatives are fully involved in all future investigations concerning rolling stock accidents or incidents, as per the Brown Book (the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 and associated Code of Practice), trade union Health and Safety Representatives have a legal right to be consulted and involved in accident and incident investigations. 

 

That the union challenges any exclusion of elected Health and Safety Representatives from these critical processes, ensuring that workers’ expertise and legal rights are upheld.

 

            At its meeting on 11^th March 2025, your NEC resolved as follows:

 

            That we note the resolution from the Chiltern Line Branch and thank them for it.

 

            We are disappointed to learn that an RMT Health & Safety Representative was not included in the investigation process therefore, we instruct the General Secretary to write to Chiltern Railways and Tim Sayer, demanding that elected health and Safety Representatives are fully involved in all future investigations and inform them that any further exclusions will lead to escalation from this union.

 

            Chiltern Line Branch members to be updated via email and text.

 

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

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

Eddie Dempsey

General Secretary