Our ref: HSR/2/23
Head Office Circular: NP/261/22
7th December 2022
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS
Dear Colleague,
NATIONAL H&S ADVISORY CONFERENCE AND TRAINING
21st and 22ND FEBRUARY 2023
PARK INN BY RADISSON, NORTH STREET, YORK, YO1 6JF
I write further to my previous circular (NP/236/22 dated 27thOctober) regarding the above Conference to:
- Give you updated information as regards Conference speakers, training and hotel accommodation
- to let you know that closing dates for completed nomination forms for conference delegates, for receipt of resolutions for the conference, and for nominations for RMT Safety Rep of the year have all been extended to Monday 9th January 2023
As I explained in my previous circular there are changes to this year’s conference that I hope will improve it as a learning and networking opportunity for RMT Safety Reps - and that reps who haven’t attended the conference before, or who haven’t attended for a while will be encouraged to do so.
In a break from tradition the conference is moving from Doncaster to the historic railway city of York. The conference hotel, Park Inn Radisson, is a short distance from the train station and is a venue big enough to hold the training on one site. We have taken advantage of being together at the same time and in the same place, by organising an early evening drinks reception at the hotel on 21st February, which will give reps a useful opportunity to network with each other.
Conference
The theme of this year’s conference is fatigue. The panel speakers on this subject will include Shelly Asquith, TUC Health and Safety Policy Officer, and Anna Vereker, Principal Human Factors Specialist at RSSB and a fatigue specialist from the Health and Safety Executive.
Also, Ian Prosser, ORR Chief Inspector of Railway, will attend conference to speak about the role of the regulator, particularly in respect to its role in investigating incidents caused by contingency staff during this year’s RMT industrial action.
There will be a variety of different health and safety stalls at the conference including: Thompsons solicitors, Body mapping, Pancreatic Cancer, Hazards Magazine, CIRAS, Railway Benevolent Fund, women’s occupational health and safety and information on recruiting more young RMT safety reps.
A nomination to RMT Safety Rep of the Year award will be given to a rep who has given outstanding service to RMT. Branches should complete the Safety Rep of the Year award nomination form (as attached) and return it to healthandsafety@rmt.org.uk
by Monday 9th January 2023.
Resolutions
Branches and Regional Councils are also invited to submit suitable resolutions, relevant to health and safety within the transport industry as a whole. Resolutions must be submitted to Head Office healthandsafety@rmt.org.uk by the closing date of Monday 9th January 2023.
Conference training will take place the afternoon before the conference at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel on Tuesday 21st February, in another break from tradition, in addition to offering training on the conference theme - fatigue, there will also be training on other h&s topics: Introduction/refresher to Risk Assessment, Introduction/refresher to Safety Representative and Safety Committees and Health and Safety at Work Act, Workplace environment – Particularly looking at Clean air at work/ Working in extreme weather, ORR’s Risk Management Maturity Model (RM3) and Women’s occupational health and safety (I recently sent a letter to all women safety reps promoting this training). Also, in a change from recent conferences, the training will be delivered by RMT h&s activists, trade union h&s specialists and RMT tutors.
Upon registration delegates will be asked to indicate their preferred training option. Training places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, and we will do our best to meet delegates’ preferred training option. However, to avoid overcrowding, it may be necessary to allocate to another training option.
Given the above I hope that you/your branch safety reps will want to attend the Conference, the details of which are as follows:
The Park Inn by Radisson can accommodate a maximum of 60. Delegates are encouraged to book accommodation at the earliest opportunity
The hotel offers a discounted event bed & breakfast rate for RMT delegates; after clicking onto the link to the hotel here:
1. Using the panel search for your room:
• Dates, number of rooms and number of guests per room (max two), Promotional code (RMT2023)
• Then click check availability
2. Choose room. Guarantee with a credit card and submit your email and contact details.
3. Reservation confirmation will be emailed directly to you
4. Cancellation permitted up to 72 hours prior to arrival
* Please note that online you will only be able to book for the 20th, 21st and 22nd. For any additional dates you will have to contact the hotel on eventplanning.york@parkinn.com
We have also arranged an overspill hotel for accommodation, which is the Doubletree by Hilton York.
Nominations to attend Conference
Branches and Regional Councils are invited to nominate General or Shipping Grades members to attend conference who are, where possible, accredited Health and Safety Representatives. A nomination form is attached and may be photocopied, if necessary. Completed nomination forms should be returned by emailto Head Office (m.santamera@rmt.org.uk) the closing date has been extended to Monday 9th January 2023. Please ensure that your email address is appended to your form.
There is no limit on the number of delegates any one Branch may nominate. Branches are advised that it is appropriate that, where necessary, delegates’ expenses can be funded from the Branch Management Fund or by Regional Council as appropriate. In line with AGM item No. 64, 2005, delegates should attempt to secure paid release from their employer. In cases where paid release is not secured, and branches have insufficient funds, they can apply to Head Office for a £35 delegate fee for up to six delegates. Delegates must be nominated by the branch to receive this fee.
In terms of timings, the provisional timetable is for arrival from 13.00 for the training on the Tuesday (lunch provided), with training to follow between 14.00 and 17.00. The following day’s Conference is scheduled to take place between 09.30 and 16.30. Delegates are kindly requested to ensure that their return transport allows for them to attend until the close of Conference.
The agenda and final conference arrangements will be sent to Branches and delegates in the New Year 2023.
Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.
Yours sincerely
Michael Lynch
General Secretary