SHORT NOTICE ALTERATION OF T3 POSSESSIONS INTO LINE BLOCKAGES

Our ref: HSR/2/26

Head Office Circular: NP/51/24

23^rd February 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

SHORT NOTICE ALTERATION OF T3 POSSESSIONS INTO LINE BLOCKAGES

 

Your Signalling & Operations Grades Conference submitted the following resolution:

 

It has been brought to the notice of the Branch and they want to outline to this Conference that T3 Possessions are being converted at short notice into line blockages, so that trains can be passed through.

 

This can happen one or two, or more times a night.

 

Being the fact it is against Rules and Regulations it is putting signalling staff under undue pressure and could affect their mental health wellbeing.

 

We want the General Secretary to take this up with Network Rail and outline this is not good operational practise and it is a Health and Safety matter.

 

At its meeting on 22^nd February 2024, your National Executive Committee resolved as follows:

 

We note and thank the Signalling & Operations Grades Conference for their resolution.

 

We further note that the practice of short notice conversion of T3 Possessions to line blockages is unacceptable and as the resolution points out contrary to Rules and Regulations notably the 019 Standard.

 

We instruct the General Secretary to write to Network Rail informing them that this practice is unsafe and contrary to Network Rail standards and procedures and that this practice must cease.

 

We further instruct the General Secretary to inform members that if they feel they are being pressurised into an unsafe act that they should invoke the company WorkSafe Procedure.

 

Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.

 

I am acting in accordance with these instructions. Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Michael Lynch, 

General Secretary