NETWORK RAIL PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING (PPC) TRIAL RESULTS

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/058/25

28^th March 2025

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

 

NETWORK RAIL – 

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING (PPC) TRIAL RESULTS   

 

I write in relation to a report I received from the Lead Officer about Network Rails trial of Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) in January/ February 2025. When protective T-shirts were tested over seven weeks at four managed stations in London and a station in Leeds—along with the Kent Mobile Operation Managers (MOMs). The trial included 60 station volunteers and three MOM volunteers, with data collected through three surveys at pre-trial, mid-point, and end-of-trial intervals. Concerns regarding the trial include:

-       inconsistencies in response rates

-       small data sample 

-       problems re compatibility of the vest with uniform and HV vests

-       that it was held during winter months so thermal issues could not be fully evaluated

-       that the introduction of protective clothing could be used as a justification for increased lone working. 

 

Your National Executive Committee, at its meeting on 27^th March 2025, noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety sub-committee:

 

We thank Chris Knibb and Sanna Jensen for the work they have done on Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) Trial Results. We note that PPE, while important to the protection of workers, is at the bottom of the five levels of actions of the hierarchy of control to reduce or remove hazards. 

 

We instruct the General Secretary to write to Network Rail to obtain an explanation of how the company intends to deploy this PPC and to inform them that we will not accept any policy changes that result in staff being expected to work alone more frequently as a consequence of wearing protective clothing. 

 

            I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

Eddie Dempsey

General Secretary