SECONDARY PROTECTION FOR TRACK WORKERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2016 :: RMTnews 18 N etwork Rail has finally deployed equipment on worksites across Lancashire and Cumbria designed to give secondary protection for rail infrastructure workers against the risks of runaways. The equipment currently being deployed on the London North Western route, manufactured by Vortok, is called a Rearguard system a national rollout for its use is now underway. 12 years after the Tebay disaster on February 15 2004 the equipment is now mandatory where a worksite may be at risk of runaway if it sits on track at a gradient of 1 in 100 or steeper or is within five track miles of such a gradient. Network Rail will publish weekly reports on which sites should be protected by the Rearguard system and work site owner must complete documentation to highlight what measures were taken to manage runaway risk. RMT has been working with NR to look at the role of Watchman and agreement has been reached that if this task was utilised instead of deployment of Rearguard then it was necessary for the staff to hold the same competencies as for a Lookout. Further discussion is required on how these roles were to be resourced with RMT insisting that the duty would have to be covered by extra resource rather than from current team sizes. It was agreed that RMT reps and management would make a joint presentation to the Network Rail Joint Safety Council on lessons learnt from the early deployment in LNW and offer their knowledge and skills acquired recently to other routes within Network Rail to assist them with nationwide roll-out. There has also been a broad discussion on the need to win hearts and minds as in spite of being given the kit there have been instances of staff failing to deploy the equipment. Management has confirmed the steps it has taken to improve compliance. It has also been noted that the workforce have a role to play in questioning and challenging decisions if they do not feel the correct process is being adopted. RMT general secretary Mick Cash welcomed the developments following a deplorable lack of progress in the campaign to force Network Rail to provide workers with one last chance to dive away from runaway vehicles. “This campaign has been a high profile issue for the union for many years and we can thank the persistent campaigning of RMT’s Lancaster branch and their activists Tom Angus, Les Houghton and Steve Metcalfe. “Despite initial conclusions following Tebay that secondary protection posed a greater risk to the railway than could be offset against the risk to the lives of track workers, the branch continued with their campaign to secure secondary protection. “We have been determined to avoid similar consequences than those suffered by the four RMT members who lost their lives at Tebay - of Colin Buckley, Darren Burgess, Chris Waters and Gary Tindall. “We have constantly pushed Network Rail to accept that secondary protection was critical to prevent worker deaths. “There were a number of runaway incidents after Tebay that showed this was true – indeed there was scarcely a year that passed that didn’t feature a runaway of one type or another in the safety reporting of the rail industry,” he said. Treadle Unit Vortok Rearguard System Alarm Box Bracing Bar Cable Reel X 2 SECONDARY PROTECTION FOR TRACK WORKERS A THANK YOU FROM TOM Dear editor, I would like to personally thank the families of Colin Buckley, Darren Burgess, Chris Waters and Gary Tindall for their support to the Lancaster branch in our campaign to get Rearguard secondary protection. I’d also like to thank Lancaster branch members Les Houghton, Steve Metcalfe, local reps Steve Sproat and Tim Giles and Area Council Rep John Joe Carruthers. Members of the RMT executive also helped us including the late Arthur Grundy, Peter Pinkney, Craig Johnson, Kevin Morrison, Pat Collins and Michelle Rogers. My thanks also goes to staff and officers at head office; the late Bob Crow, general secretary Mick Cash and the head of health and safety Paul Clyndes. Tom Angus Retired Area Council Rep Retired Health and Safety Rep