NETWORK RAIL – PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING TRIAL RESULTS

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/95/25

29^th May 2025

To: The Secretary

All branches and Regional Councils

 

Dear Colleague

 

NETWORK RAIL – PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING TRIAL RESULTS

 

I have recently received correspondence in relation to Network Rail’s trail of protective.  

Subsequently I wrote to the Company to explain that while I appreciate that such clothing is important for workers personal protection, I am concerned that PPE is at the bottom of the five levels of actions of the hierarchy of control to reduce or remove hazards. I am also concerned that the provision of this clothing could be used as a justification for increased lone working.

 

In their reply the Company explained that their trial took place early this year over seven weeks at four managed stations in London and a station in Leeds, as well as testing with the Kent Mobile Operation Managers (MOMs). The trial included 60 station volunteers and three MOM volunteers, with data collected through three surveys at pre-trial, mid-point, and end-of-trial intervals. Two RMT lead NWR reps, Sanna Yensen and Chris Knibb, were involved with the trial and have monitored the results. They have provided me with a report on their involvement and conclusions.  

 

            At its meeting on 27^th May 2025, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety sub-committee from when it met to consider the correspondence:

      

We note the response from Network Rail. 

 

We instruct the General Secretary to request of the company that they continue to keep us involved in their trials to find puncture protective clothing suitable for the work done by our members. Also, for the General Secretary to re-iterate in this letter that we will not accept any policy changes that result in staff being expected to work alone more frequently as a consequence of wearing protective clothing. 

 

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised 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