Network Rail - Vortok Rearguard Rollout Programme

Head Office Circular NP/238/20
1st October 2020
Our Ref: HSR/2/1
The Secretary
All Branches
All Regional Councils

Dear Colleague

NETWORK RAIL – VORTOK REARGUARD ROLLOUT PROGRAMME

Following on from the tragic manslaughter of four RMT members Colin Buckley, Darren Burgess, Gary Tindall and Chris Waters at Tebay in the early hours of 15th February 2004, a campaign was launched by RMT’s Lancaster Branch. This campaign was later taken up by the national union with the aim of ensuring that workers on the rail infrastructure were adequately protected from the chance of such a tragic event ever happening again. It is a sad reflection of the state of the GB rail industry that it has taken over 16 years for this campaign to be finally drawn to a successful conclusion.

A report from our Network Rail representatives engaged in the development of adequate protection from runaway vehicles has recently been considered by your National Executive Committee who have noted and adopted the following recommendation of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:

We note the report from the LUHSR.

The General Secretary is instructed to write to Network Rail accepting its Module 05 – Management of Runaway Risk document.

The General Secretary is further instructed to write to the Scottish safety team, the chair of the working group Peter Stone and our appointed RMT TU safety reps Craig McKnight, Colin Perry, Keven Roach, Tim Giles and the retired Jonjo Carruthers, noting their positive collaborative approach, support, input and passion.

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.

Network Rail members to be informed via email and text.

I am acting in accordance with these instructions and will keep you informed of developments.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary