Network Rail Life Saving Rules Policy

Our ref: HSR/2/29

Head Office Circular: NP/63/23

31^st March 2023

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

NETWORK RAIL – LIFE SAVING RULES POLICY

 

I have received correspondence from the Lead Officer in which he explains that Network Rail (NR) have not complied with their own standards, nor have they provided adequate training to demonstrate competence for contingency staff used during RMT industrial action.

 

At its meeting on 30^th March 2023, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety sub-committee:

 

The General Secretary is instructed to write to Network Rail to explain that they are not complying with their standards - nor are they providing adequate training to ensure competency for contingency staff.  This is illustrated by the number of safety events that have taken place - caused by contingency staff - during the RMT Industrial Action which started in June 2022. 

 

The General Secretary to explain that these incidents have not been investigated correctly – as NR want to cover up the shortfall in training and competence by closing most of the investigations out at Level 1 (which means that trade union observers are not there to verify the behavioural and learning out comes).

The General Secretary also write to ORR as regards the above. 

I am acting in line with these instructions.

 

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

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Michael Lynch,

General Secretary