DEAL WITH TRAIN STAFF INJURIES!

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2014 :: RMTnews 13 L ast year’s RMT Health and Safety conference passed a motion regarding injuries caused to on-board train staff, including hip, knee, and ankle and back injuries. The motion was proposed by the Portsmouth branch and seconded by myself from the Northampton and Bletchley branch. I have noticed from my own members the same recurring issues. However TOC’s and Network Rail fail to recognise these injuries as work related. I don’t see how this can be the case, any injury caused in the workplace either by equipment that you are using or the area in which you are being asked to work, is surely a work related injury. The motion was specific to the Desiro units worked by our brothers and sisters operated by Southwest Trains, my members on the London Midland franchise are working the same style of Desiro units. It has been noted that the suspension on this type of unit causes swaying and lurching. During the debate I asked for the internal layout of this unit to be looked in to, our mark one stock was designed with a two- by-two seating plan, giving my members the ability to walk in a straight line through the train. However our mark two stock has three by two seating, meaning constant twisting while walking through the train carrying our revenue equipment, this is putting added strain on our knees, hips, ankles and back, as well as the jolting and vibrating from the train itself. The Desiro units that we are referring to has a conductor operating panel at every passenger door, meaning we can work the train from any location within it. Therefore TOCs are encouraging conductors to spend more time in the passenger saloon performing customer service and revenue duties. This obviously exposes the conductor to a greater risk of the injuries mentioned due to the increased time spent in the passenger saloon and being on their feet. This I’m sure is not just an issue on the two TOC’s mentioned but others nationwide, I would ask other safety reps from across the country to look in to this issue and report back to your lead officer so we can gather valuable information. We need to be asking is are these injuries caused by the rolling stock being used, if so how does it vary on different types of rolling stock, are the modern trains the cause? Has there been an increase in injuries, as in my member’s case, since a change in the rolling stock to more modern trains? Have the injuries been caused as a result of members being asked to spend more time walking through trains performing their duties? Or is it a result in the track we are operating on? With the slashing by Network Rail of its maintenance staff are the tracks being maintained to a good standard? One thing is clear the injuries are being caused by either the rolling stock we are working on, the increase in time being spent in passenger saloons or the state of the tracks we are operating on. As all of this is taking place while we are on duty and in our workplace, there is no doubt in my mind that these are work- related injuries and need to be recognise as such, just as a slip, trip or fall on a platform or train would be. DEAL WITH TRAIN STAFF INJURIES! RMT 2014 Health and Safety advisory conference ‘Tackling Workplace Stress’ Wednesday February 26 2014 Doncaster Trades Club This year’s conference is focussing on stress in the workplace. Health and safety training will take also place on Tuesday February 25 and Thursday February 27. Book your place now to avoid disappointment. Contact Stephanie Mackay at s.macKay@rmt.org.uk Wayne Moore of Bletchley and Northampton branch calls for action against on-board train injuries