Network Rail: Close Call Targets

Our Ref: HSR/2/11

Head Office Circular: NP/5/22

7th January 2022

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

NETWORK RAIL: CLOSE CALL TARGETS

 

I write to inform you that your National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 6^th January 2022, to consider a report and related correspondence from the Lead Officer relating to close call targets. This arose from a recent meeting of the NWR National Maintenance Council, where RMT objected to targets for the number of reported close calls.

 

The report adopted by the NEC is as follows:

 

We note the report from our Lead Officer and the correspondence from Network Rail which includes the following clarification:

 

“We want people to raise close calls where they identify any material risk. Targeting for a specific number does open up the risk of low-quality reports being made. Consequently, we do not support specific targets set as a performance-based objective for the number of close calls raised”.

“I should note that, demonstrable evidence of engaging in the end-to-end Close Call process, without being target specific may form evidence that supports wider safety related objectives being met”.

 

Therefore, we instruct the General Secretary to inform Network Rail of our acceptance and to circulate this to affected members.

 

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.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary

www.rmt.org.uk/healthandsafety