DETONATORS

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/195/25

10th November 2025

To: The Secretary

All branches

Regional councils

 

Dear Colleague

 

DETONATORS

 

I have received a report from the lead officer in respect to “RSSB consultation 22:017 Reducing the use of detonators”; “RSSB consultation 19:005 Review of emergency protection”; and “Rail industry intention to reduce the use of detonators”.  

 

The rail industry’s move to reduce and ultimately remove the use of detonators is presented by the RSSB, ORR and Dutyholders (such as Network Rail) as being related to safety concerns for those whose role necessitates working on track - and as an opportunity to explore the use of modern alterative protection arrangements. RMT recognises the need to reduce any unnecessary exposure to risk, but we remain deeply concerned about the removal of an audible warning system (Dets) that has historically provided a critical layer of protection.

 

As a union we have demonstrated our willingness to work collaboratively with the industry to reduce risk posed by protection though use of detonators. However, this cooperation does not extend to compromising safety in safety critical scenarios. 

 

Given this at its meeting on 6^th November 2025, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its H&S subcommittee:

 

We note the report from the lead officer which pulls together a number of workstreams and files that are connected with the industry aim to reduce the use of detonators (now merged together under “Detonators” file). In relation to this we instruct the General Secretary to carry the following actions:

 

RSSB consultation 22: 017, Reducing the use of detonators. If no agreement is reached at the RSSB post implementation review on the need for an audible warning, then we instruct the General Secretary to take up the offer from ASLEF to work with us on this matter. And arrange a joint meeting with ALSEF, RSSB and Network Rail. 

 

RSSB consultation 19:005 Review of emergency protection. We note the correspondence from RSSB about their meeting with the Lead Officer and matters agreed at the meeting. We instruct the General Secretary to respond stating that he agrees with the course of action they suggest – and also to insist that data is collected on the use of detonators for the period of the trial.  Also, the General Secretary is instructed to link this file with DETONATORS file. 

 

File: “Rail industry intention to reduce the use of detonators”. We note the position on detonators as outlined in the Lead Officers report: https://rmtunion.org/4ojEHbz and instruct the General Secretary to act accordingly. This report position is summarised as follows:

• RMT support controlled removal of detonators in fully protected possessions (with provisos as in the lead officers report). 
• RMT position is to act with caution regarding remove of detonator for single line working and extended block working (with the provisos as in the Lead Officer report). 
• RMT oppose the removal of detonators in emergency protection – until such time as a proven technical solution exists which can provide and equivalent or superior level of protection. 

Branches and Regional Councils to be informed accordingly. 

 

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