BARRY WEST SAFETY AWARD

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2024 :: RMTnews 24 The 35th National Hazards conference meeting at Keele University presented long time RMT campaigner Barry West with a special award for his work around bus fires. “I was very proud to receive this award for the bus fires the UK campaign work I have been working on, it was an honour and I felt very humbled by what was said and why the award was made,” Barry said. Barry had also been invited to speak on catastrophic bus fires in the UK at a well- attended fringe meeting on the issue which received much interest and support from those attending, some in person and others remotely. Barry spoke at length about concerns around that a situation on a bus or a coach in which many innocent people mat lose their lives and others may be left affected by their loss as a consequence. “This matter is not a fringe issue and will hopefully progress and become a topic that will become more widespread and prevalent. “The forensic work I have undertaken within my own capabilities and knowledge work about the risk fire poses particularly for the many elderly, disabled, vulnerable individuals and children who use public transport. “There is an urgent concern about the lack of training and competence for emergency evacuation for dealing with catastrophic bus fires amongst bus drivers as a result of a lack of training by the employers. If we act now we could avoid a terrible and avoidable tragedy,” he said. He has been campaigning for many years talking to MPs, bus and coach operators, bus builders, designers, government agencies and legislators as well as other trade unions. Hilda Palmer of Hazards congratulated Barry for his incredible work in raising the very serious issue of bus fires and their astonishing number every year andputting it on the public agenda “He has made clear the risk to drivers and passengers and how little they are currently protected. As buses are used by so many people including the poorer, children, theelderly and disabled, it is alarming the ease and speed with which they catch fire. “Barry has collated reports of incidents of buses fires across the country and bus companies, investigated the causes and made this public and developed an impressive campaignwith RMTand getting other unions like the FBU, National Union of Students and teaching and school unions involved. “He has researched the issues around the construction and materials used in buses, the law and regulation of these and showed how lax they are. “He has raised these issues with Transport Ministers and with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and made clear the issues and what is needed to fix them. “Barry makes clear that non-electric buses catch fire but there is an extra risk with the batteries of electric buses which must be taken into account. “He has held meetings with drivers, passenger organisations and with bus companies and made clear his huge information base and knowledge. “Barry is a phenomenal campaigner and deserves this award which comes with the admiration and praise of the Hazards Campaign and our support for him in making buses safer,” she said. BARRY WEST SAFETY AWARD RMT regional organiser Barry West presented with award at the Hazards safety conference