Network Rail - Drug and Alcohol Standard Working Group

Our ref: HSR/1/1
Head Office Circular: NP/71/21
2nd March 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

NETWORK RAIL – DRUG AND ALCOHOL STANDARD WORKING GROUP

Network Rail’s Drug and Alcohol standards NR/L1/OHS/051 and NR/L2/OHS/00120 are due to be updated and submitted to the Strategic Safety Group in July 2021.

The company has identified five key areas for change:

Drug panel to be expanded to include Tramadol and Ketamine
Instant testing methodology to be utilised
Pre-employment testing to be expanded to include non-safety critical staff
Random D&A programme to increase scale of testing to 100% of employee headcount
Rehabilitation programme to be updated and made fit for purpose

Following receipt of proposals from Network Rail from its Drug and Alcohol Standard Working Group, at its meeting on 23rd February 2021, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub Committee:

We note the report from the General Secretary.

The General Secretary is instructed to write to Network Rail strongly objecting to the 100% testing regime, as there is no evidence that it is required. We have concerns about the whistleblowing element of the proposals and require further details on the testing regime.

The General Secretary is further instructed to confirm to Network Rail that RMT will be represented at the Working Group.

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.

I am acting in accordance with these instructions and will keep members advised of any developments.

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

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary