National H&S Advisory Conference 2025

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/283/24

22^nd November 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

ALL MARITIME BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

NATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY ADVISORY CONFERENCE AND TRAINING 

 

“Health and Safety under a Labour Government” 

 

Conference Training: Afternoon of Tuesday 18^th February 2025

Conference: Wednesday 19^th February 2025

 

Radisson Hotel York, York City Centre, North Street, York YO1 6JF.

 

I write further to head office circular NP/256/24, dated 30^th October 2024, with some more information about the conference - speakers on the main conference debate and topics for the training workshops. 

 

In relation to the conference debate “Health and Safety under a Labour Government”, I am pleased to be able to announce that Lord John Hendy KC and Janet Newsham from the Manchester Hazards Centre have agreed to speak and that we have also invited Justin Madders MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets).  

 

The topics for the training workshops are as follows:

Violence at work, focus on the h&s six pack legislation, MSDs (Musculoskeletal disorders), safety inspections, ORR inspectors/what to do when an inspector visits and night work and impact on fatigue – all workshops will be delivered by experts in their field. 

 

As I explained in my previous circular:

The 2025 Health and Safety Advisory Conference will take place on 18^th and 19^th February 2025, commencing on 18^th February with lunch upon arrival at 13.00, workshop training from 14.00 - 17.00 followed by an early evening reception. The Conference takes place on Wednesday 19^th February, between 09.30 and 16.30. 

 

How to nominate safety reps

Branches and regional councils are invited to nominate safety reps to attend conference. A nomination form is attached. Completed nomination forms should be returned by email to head office health and safety team on healthandsafety@rmt.org.uk by 31^st January 2025.

 

Branches and regional councils need to confirm with the safety reps they nominate as delegates that they are up to date with their subscriptions.  A £50 per delegate payment can be made to Branches upon application, up to a maximum of seven (although there is no limit on the number of delegates any one Branch may nominate for this conference).

 

Branches are advised that it is appropriate that, where necessary, delegates’ expenses be funded from the branch management fund or by regional council as appropriate. In line with AGM item No. 64, 2005, delegates should attempt to secure paid release from their employer. In cases where it has not been possible to secure paid release branches should contact RMT’s health and safety section at healthandsafety@rmt.org.uk

 

Conference Training

When arrangements have been finalised for conference training, registered delegates will be sent a link so that they can book for their preferred training workshop and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

 

Accommodation

The Radisson Hotel York can accommodate a maximum of 70 delegates. Upon registration delegates will be sent a link to that they book their accommodation. 

 

Delegates must ensure that their Branch agrees to cover the cost of the accommodation – particularly if booking for more than a one-night stay.

 

Book for an evening meal 

There is an opportunity for delegates to book an evening meal at the hotel on Tuesday 18^thFebruary 2025. Upon registration delegates will be sent a link to that they book their accommodation. 

 

The cost of this meal will be £25 for two courses of a hot and cold buffet. The cost of this meal is not covered by Head Office, so delegates are advised to check with branches before booking for the meal to ensure that branches can cover this expense. 

 

Resolutions

Branches and Regional Councils are invited to submit suitable resolutions, relevant to health and safety within the transport industry as a whole. All resolutions must be emailed to Head Office healthandsafety@rmt.org.uk by 31^st January 2025.

 

Nominations for RMT Willie Strang Safety Representative of the Year Award

The RMT h&s advisory committee have decided to rename the annual RMT safety rep of the year award in honour of RMT member Willie Strang. The committee thought that this was an appropriate tribute given Willie’s long-term commitment to the fight to achieve safe workplaces for RMT members, through his role as NEC member, local safety rep and as past chair of the health and safety advisory committee and the national h&s advisory conference. I hope that there will be a high level of interest in winning this award given its status as the first memorial award for Willie.

 

Branches should complete the attached form if they want to nominate for the Willie Strang Safety Rep of the Year award and return this no later than 6^th January 2025.

 

If you have any queries about the contents of this circular, please contact our Health and Safety section at healthandsafety@rmt.org.uk.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary