ORR’s REVIEW OF THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF H&S INTERVENTIONS

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/126/25

30^th July 2025

To: The Secretary,

All Branches and Regional Councils

 

Dear Colleague

 

ORR’s REVIEW OF THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF H&S INTERVENTIONS

 

In a presentation to the RMT, Richard Hines (Chief Inspector of Railways) has described this review as the coming together of his health & safety and economic teams.

 

There would be no change to ORR’s obligations under the H&S Act. It is about the way ORR works under a constrained funding environment.

 

Next steps

 

ORR will engage with the HSE and the office of Nuclear Regulation.

 

ORR is currently working on web content (H&S by Design).

 

As regards strengthening its engagement with Network Rail, ORR conceded that there is always room for improvement. There will be a review at the end of 2025/ beginning of 2026.

 

Key takeaways

 

• There is no change to legal requirement re: compliance
• There is a real focus on greater collaboration
• There will be no fetters on ORR inspections
• A detailed, credible plan, Safety by Design, is being prepared through collaborative efforts
• There will be an update at the end of Q2
• There will be a detailed, more granular review at the end of Q4

 

At its meeting on 29^th July 2025, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its health and safety subcommittee:

 

We note ORR’s key findings and next steps document on file.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to write to ORR noting its key findings and next steps and to consider the findings of the review at the end of Q2 and bring any matters of importance following said review to the attention of this NEC. 

 

The General Secretary is further instructed to reiterate this union’s view that costs and benefits should not be discussed in the same breath as health & safety.

 

Branches and regional councils to be advised.

 

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 

www.rmt.org.uk/healthandsafety

 

 

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/127/25

30^th July 2025

To: The Secretary,

All Branches and Regional Councils

 

Dear Colleague

 

LONDON UNDERGROUND LTD 4LM SIGNALLING UPGRADE – SMA8 SAFETY CONCERNS

 

RMT has made a formal complaint to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) regarding the failure of London Underground to:

 

• Adequately consult with its trade union appointed H&S representatives in a timely manner
• Provide information to its trade union appointed H&S representatives in a timely manner
• Prepare its staff for the changes to their working practices
• Prepare its staff for changes to the technology and methodology they will be using in the Neasden to Wembley Shared Interoperable Area 
• Act diligently and with due regard to the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 which govern their responsibilities to the Health & Safety of their staff and customers.

At its meeting on 29^th July 2025, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its health and safety subcommittee:

 

We note the reports on file from the lead officer and the response from the company. We also note RMT’s complaint to the ORR and that the relevant ORR team is looking into the issues raised by this union will respond fully to us as soon as it is in a position to do so.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to seek an updated report from the lead officer upon receipt of a full response from the ORR and to place back before this NEC.

 

London Underground Limited branches and regional councils to be advised.

 

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