Live Line Testers

Our Ref: HSR/2/5
Head Office Circular: NP/192/21
3rd June 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

LIVE LINE TESTERS

Further to Head Office Circular NP/I39/21, dated 30th April 2021, I have received correspondence from Network Rail sharing my frustration regarding the delay for new test units in the Western and Wales Region, caused by the global reduction in the availability of printed circuit board for these devices.

The company has assured me that:

• It is not modifying the HVD03/2D testers and that they remain compliant with the
product acceptance

• The issue only relates to project contractors in Western Route where the Overhead Lines have the Auxiliary Transfer Feed cables. The rest of the country has achieved the commitment the company made to the RMT; however, I have been informed by my Lead Union Health and Safety Representative that all contract Overhead Line staff have still not had the HVD testers replaced with compliant fit for purpose ones

• The company is focused on making sure that replacement testers for the Western contractors are completed as soon as the suppliers can supply them,

Your National Executive Committee, at its meeting on 25th May, noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee:

We note the correspondence on file from Network Rail.

The General Secretary is instructed to write to the Company stating that its position is unacceptable and RMT will be advising its members to remove themselves to a place of safety and invoke the Worksafe Procedure or, if necessary, invoke Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 should they perceive themselves to be in serious and imminent danger.

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.

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

RMT’s Serious and Imminent Danger Booklet can be viewed at: https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/serious-and-imminent-danger-booklet/


Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary