SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2013 :: RMTnews 20 Over 130 delegates at RMT’s annual health and safety conference called for the union to launch a campaign across all grades to tackle the issue of slips, trips and falls, one of the biggest health and safety in the industry. AJ Yates South London Rail branch called for a cross company campaign to highlight how exposed members are whilst going about their daily duties. “It can range from conductors crossing footbridges with their ticketing machines to S&T staff crossing the tracks with their testing gear. “All members could face financial hardship through an accident at work caused from a slip, trip or fall often due to poorly maintained walkways or lack of inspections,” he said. Slips and trips are the most common cause of major injuries at work and 95 per cent of major slips result in broken bones and they can also be the initial causes for a range of other accidents. According to the Health and Safety Executive(HSE),slips and trips are, on average, 33 per cent of all reported major injuries. A TUC survey of safety representatives revealed that slips and trips are a major problem in 84 per cent of the workplaces surveyed in just one year HSE revealed that 46 people died in 2005/06 and 3,351 suffered major injuries as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. Lead RMT Network Rail health and safety rep Alan Clews said that slips and trips was a big problem so the union had proposed a grass roots campaign to deal with it called ‘bottom up’. “We are seeking to raise awareness among local reps by holding workshops and facilitate training,” he said. Long hours Conference agreed that excessive hours were being worked in the transport industry which was having a detrimental effect on the health and family life of workers. Steve Wallace, Fort William branch said that this was due to the savage cuts being inflicted on the industry “Poor management of resources and the bullying culture that is evident when it comes to budgets and time restraints to get the job done was also playing a role,” he said. Conference called on the union to put the issue of excessive hours of work on the agenda of all regional organisers when they met management to secure better staffing levels. A campaign was required to inform members of the effects of long hours on their health “We could have a poster campaign along the lines of the Highway Code on speed limits only in hours worked 50,60,70,80. “This would show the effects it can have on the body and how these excessive hours can lead to shorter lives and cause accidents,” he said. Welfare for track workers Conference was deeply concerned about the lack of welfare facilities for track workers and the lack of planning by Network Rail in temporary worksites. Steve Wallace said that management had stated that work vans are to be used as messing facilities SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS A well-attended health and safety conference held training sessions, discussions and debates to keep workers safe at work