NETWORK RAIL: SINGLE PERSON USE OF THE PETROL YARDENE RAIL SCRUBBERS

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/119/25

22^nd July 2025

To: The Secretary

All branches 

Regional Councils 

 

Dear Colleague

 

NETWORK RAIL: SINGLE PERSON USE OF THE PETROL YARDENE RAIL SCRUBBERS 

 

I recently received a report from the Lead Officer in which he raised significant safety concerns about the practice of lone workers using the Petrol Yardene Rail Head Scrubber (84 decibels). Network Rail did not involve the local RMT safety rep in the risk assessment process and the assessment does not adequately address the risks associated with lone working in noisy environments. 

 

At its meeting on 15^th July 2025, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its H&S subcommittee from when it met to consider the Lead Officers report:

                

We note the report from the Lead Officer.

 

We instruct the General Secretary to write to Network Rail as regards:

• the lack of consultation involving RMT safety reps in the development of the Work Activity Risk Assessment (WARA) for the use of the Yardene Rail Head Scrubber

And to explain that:

• no individual should work alone in loud environments as this reduces situation awareness
• the WARA and the PPE risk assessments need to be reviewed with the involvement of local safety representatives

The General Secretary is also instructed to write to RMT members, advising that the union does not support the use of these rail scrubbers by a single-person team – and to emphasize the risks associated with lone working and the importance of using touch lookouts in noisy environments.

 

Branches and Regional Councils to be informed accordingly. 

 

                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