Network Rail – Vans Fire Risk

Our Ref: HSR/2/7
Head Office Circular: NP/199/16
 11th August 2016

The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague

Network Rail – Vans Fire Risk

Problems have been identified in some of Network Rail’s road vehicle fleet whereby vehicles with welfare provision have auxiliary power supply provided from additional batteries. On some vehicles the wiring associated with this work has been found to be faulty. Over four years ago Network Rail identified the problem after a number of incidents and agreed that the wiring of all vehicles would be checked and replaced where necessary.
 
Although the majority of vehicles have undergone alteration there remains a rump of vehicles that still have not been modified. RMT believe that around 150 of these vehicles still have not been modified and that this represents a significant risk to those staff driving or being carried as a passenger in these vehicles.

RMT have asked Network Rail to withdraw these vehicles until they have been suitably modified but Network Rail have refused to take this course of action, they will only say the vehicles will be altered by the end of September.

RMT believe these unmodified vehicles represent a significant risk to staff who may be asked to work or travel in them and as such believe our members would be within their legal rights to implement the Worksafe procedure.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW), Regulation 8(1) employers have a duty to establish procedures to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger to persons at work, such procedures are sometimes known as Worksafe Procedures.

RMT have published a leaflet outlining your rights and this is available on the RMT website at: http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/serious-and-imminent-dangers/

Network Rail provide a link to the Worksafe procedure on the Safety Central website: https://safety.networkrail.co.uk/safety/worksafe/

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely
 
Mick Cash
General Secretary