RSSB Research Project T1188: Analysis of air quality on board trains

Our Ref: HSR/1/3
Head Office Circular: NP/367/21
30th September 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

RSSB RESEARCH PROJECT T1188: ANALYSIS OF AIR QUALITY ON BOARD TRAINS

I write to inform you that your National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 23rd September 2021 to consider a report from the LNER Lead Officer and Lead RMT Health and Safety Representative. This report related to a LNER briefing delivered by the Company’s Head of Safety & Environment Anthony to union full time officers and LNER Safety Representatives, to advise them on the steps the Company were taking to address the findings of RSSB report “Analysis of Air Quality on Trains T1188”.

The report adopted by the NEC is as follows:

We note the correspondence from our LNER Lead Officer and Lead H&s Rep, relating to recent publication of RSSB T1188 report, “Analysis of Air quality on Board Trains”.

We are concerned that the impact on rail workers is not overlooked in research which has shown that air quality was ‘poorer than desired’ on some trains using diesel power.

Given this we instruct the General Secretary to write to RSSB to request RMT involvement in steps RSSB will take to comply with action the Government have commissioned to improve rail air quality, following the publication of RSSB report.

The General Secretary is also instructed to write to all ROs to find out if their TOCs use diesel trains, particularly, Class 800s, and if they do to provide the NEC with a report as regards the issue of diesel pollution on board trains.

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised accordingly.

I am acting in accordance with this instruction and will keep you advised of developments.

Please bring the contents of this Circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary