Val Barzey of RMT's LU Engineering branch reports on the RMT Health & Safety Advisory Conference held on 16 February:

Greg Hewitt – Chair

Greg commented that the HSE is more an Advisory body than Regulators. The aim of the government is to lift the burden of Employment laws. They intend to reduce the no. of regulations, attacking workers rights. H & S inspections have been cut across the board, inadequately enforcing the law and there has been a reduction in enforcement notices. There were 69% reduction in full inspections and 48% reduction in prosecutions.

There were 2 reviews carried out last year, Vince Cable reducing regulations and the Lord Young Review of the operation of H & S laws and the growth of the compensation culture – Common Sense Common Safety.

Alex Gordon – President

There was mention of the forthcoming events taking place:

• Weds 2 March Health and Safety Crimes - Lobby of Parliament
• Thurs 28 April – Workers Memorial Day

Supports extension of RIDDOR, 3 to 7 days.

The first conviction of industrial manslaughter was heard at Winchester Crown Court. Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings Ltd was convicted for ignoring H & S guidelines which resulted in 1 man being killed because of a trench collapse.

RSSB - pressure and fear that led to failures to report accidents especially temporary and contractual workers affected if accidents were reported.

Ian Prosser – HMRI (ORR)

The ORR believes in Excellence in H & S and their goal is the deliverance in creating this culture. Also ORR believes in creating the right culture in Business Performance. Never walk past an unsafe act or condition.

Hugh Robertson – Non Executive Director TUC

General issues of H & S - There are less enforcement action particularly occupational health issues. Muscular Skeletal Disorders (MSD) and work related stress made up 70% of the statistics on ill health.

There is a positive safety culture when Unions are involved with Safety Committees and Safety Representatives. We need to use the rights we more as H & S is under attack.

Hilda Palmer – Hazards Centre

Hilda gave an insight into how the Hazards Centre campaigns and works along side with the Unions in H & S issues. The Conference will be in early September this year. Lewis purchased DVD.

Panel Discussion – Questions and Answers and Comments

• Doncaster – Unpaid release – only two thirds in the room have been paid. S & T West coast Mainline agreed.
• Nottingham – enforce rights to release reps for meetings. Not dependant on other reps/unions.
• NR – Managing for Attendance Procedure used after assaults leads to underreporting of incidents.
• Lewis – Track reviews – Safety training reduced. Risk assessed the change on computers.
• Occupational Health gets caught up in the sickness and absence process. There is no prevention or support. Now about fit for work notes, not looking after workers.
• Workplace Safety is part of Public Safety
• The HSE has tools for the Accident Investigation Process which is part of training. The Management Maturity Model is a tool to help understanding strength and weaknesses of Duty Holder. Model on the website
• Adverse weather conditions – there were a loss of crews. ORR looking into the aspects and there are ongoing investigations. It was not acceptable to leave passengers and crews out for long periods of time.
• Birmingham -Staff pulling trolleys through trains. Electric shock caused by static shock.
• Penzance – Compound points changed over – Ian Prosser made a note
• Educating staff on H & S – Safe systems of work – members to take more action in a collective way. Look at what’s appropriate. Management have to solve the problems.
• Phase 2 BC – Isolation Assistant working on 25kv with no formal training. They should not engage in anything they are not trained to do. Mick Cash stated there are site trials taking place. NR are deskilling to cut back roles.
• NR - Under 2BC phase conditions are deteriorating. Combination of Welfare going back on the pway. IP stated that inspections and audit is what they should do. If not managed well in local areas then they will be looked into – especially fatigue. Look on the website for improvement notices.
• Strong two way communications with ORR not seen in the workplace. Meeting suggested between reps and ORR. This happens in some parts of the country.
• ORR prohibit by improvement notices which are an advisory or instruct authority.
• NR – Conductors are encouraging the use of twitter. This is misleading passengers and adding to assaults on staff.
• East Midlands Trains- contracting out catering. Limited training and safety issues with these staff.

Tony Donaghey – RMT Credit Union

Advertising the benefits of the Credit Union and encouraging Reps to grow the membership. RMT Credit Union offers savings, Christmas and holiday clubs as well as competitive loans.

Alan Pottage – Organising Unit

The Unit is there to support the activists on the ground. Cost cutting is causing H & S failures and the solution is to have a Recruitment Strategy. Sphere of Influence is forming a Plan. There are new literature printed ‘A Recruitment Guide Hints and Tips and an Organising Strategy’ which are available from the Organising Unit.

The Unit is concentrating on the Carlisle Workers – cleaners and security and also looking at the wind farming industry – Energy.

Last Year’s Motions – those which were carried - C of E Answers
1. Signaller’s Fatigue – Minimum rest periods
2. The National Health, Safety and Welfare Advisory Conference – Didn’t need a name change. Adequate already
3. RMT Branches Supporting RMT Health, Safety and Welfare Representatives – Should be a dialogue between H & S Reps and Branches
4. Attending the Health, Safety and Welfare Advisory Conference – Paid Release and Travel Facilities for All – Press through with the Regional Organisers
5. Regulation of Health, Safety and Welfare – We want legislation strengthened not diluted. Circulations gone to various publications. HSE give them feedback on RIDDOR.
6. Blacklisting of Health, Safety and Welfare Representatives- To give legal support to reps and members. RMT totally against blacklisting – Ongoing.
7. A charter for Health, Safety and Welfare Representatives – Final draft – To be dealt with next week. To be printed then distributed soon.
8. Health, Safety and Welfare, LNW Central (Operations and Customer Services) Network Rail – Item resolved – Investigation done. No more complaints received.
9. Lack of Consultation Manual Handling – Wrote to all employers for best practice. Information being collated. To be discussed on 22 Feb 2011
10. Effective Communication during Times of Disruption - To be discussed on 22 Feb 11
11. Seafarers and the Working Time Directive – Agreed for Review. Awaiting date

There were two Resolutions this year:
1. Submit 2 Resolutions from the Conference to the AGM. – Carried – 1 Abstain
2. Length of Possessions within Network Rail – Carried – 4 Against

Mick Cash – Senior Assistant General Secretary

Closes the meeting.