Health and Safety of Frontline Staff

Our Ref: HSR/2/2
Head Office Circular: NP/8/22
7th January 2022
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

HEALTH AND SAFETY OF FRONTLINE STAFF

I write to inform you that your National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 6th January 2022, to consider a report from its Health and Safety sub-committee, from when it met to discuss what BTP (British Transport Police) were doing to enforce the mandatory wearing of face coverings on the railway. This centred around a recent letter I sent to BTP on the need for more stringent enforcement of passenger wearing of face coverings – and their response to this.

The report adopted by the NEC is as follows:

The response from BTP is disappointing, particularly as we have made clear our advice to RMT members not their role to enforce the wearing of face coverings – something which is not their responsibility.

Despite this the GS is instructed to accept their offer of a meeting with the BTP Chief Constable to discuss this issue - and other matters referred to in their correspondence relating to initiatives designed to reduce workplace violence.

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

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary