RSSB CONSULTATION 19-005: REVIEW OF EMERGENCY PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/180/25

23rd October 2025

To: The Secretary

All branches 

Regional Councils 

 

Dear Colleague

 

RSSB CONSULTATION 19-005: REVIEW OF EMERGENCY PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS

 

I write further to head office circular NP/118/25, dated 22^nd July 2025 in which I explained that I had responded to RSSB consultation “Review of Emergency Protection Arrangements” outlining my concerns.  Subsequently RSSB said they would be delaying the implementation of the rule book change they had originally planned for September while they underwent further discussion with RMT.  

 

In connection with this the Lead Officer met with RSSB who then wrote to me to confirm arrangements made at the meeting. Given this the matter returned to your NEC (National Executive Committee), and at its meeting on 16^th October 2025 your NEC noted and adopted the following report from its H&S subcommittee:

 

We note the correspondence on file.

 

We note that the RSSB will work with our lead safety representative in order to add the use of detonators as the final line of defence under the hierarchy of controls proposed for the revisions of Rule Book. 

 

The General Secretary is instructed to continue to work closely with the RSSB with a view to join campaigning wherever possible.

 

Branches and Regional Councils to be notified.

 

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