Network Rail Life Saving Rules

Our Ref: HSR/2/29
Head Office Circular: NP/166/22
4th August 2022
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

NETWORK RAIL (NR) - LIFE SAVING RULES

Your NEC (National Executive Committee) met on 2nd August 2022 to consider a report from its health and safety sub-committee, relating to correspondence they received relating to NR life saving rules. This came about following my request that NR give assurances that their lifesaving rules will not be breached by their use of contingency workers during RMT strike action. In their response NR explained that they always take their safety accountabilities very seriously, especially during industrial action, achieving this by managing their contingency plans in a way that comply with their Health and Safety Management System including the Live Saving rules.

When the NEC met on 2nd August, they noted and adopted the following report from their health and safety sub-committee:

We note the response on file from Network Rail.

The General Secretary is instructed to write to the company noting the irony of its response given the breaches of Life Saving rules that took place during RMT industrial action in June.

The General Secretary is further instructed to place this matter before the National Safety Council to inspect under the legislation the conditions that are in place for contingency staff and to report any deficiencies to the appropriate authorities and this NEC.

Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.

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

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary