Health and safety

Campaigning for higher health and safety standards at work, and opposing the employers' shortcuts

RMT To Monitor Tube Crowding As Child Falls Beneath Train In Shocking Incident

Submitted by rmtlondon on 19 March, 2015 - 14:17

Transport union RMT said today that it is step up the independent monitoring of crowding and safety on both rail and tube after a child fell between a train and the platform at Baker Street yesterday afternoon in the latest shocking incident that raises serious questions about the safety of passengers while top transport bosses repeatedly ignore union warnings.

Yesterday's incident at Baker Street follows the horrific events at Clapham South last week when a woman was dragged under a train, the continuing chaos at London Bridge and major incidents at Oxford CIrcus and Brixton.

Jubilee South Branch Motion On Proposed M Door Procedure Change

Submitted by rmtlondon on 19 March, 2015 - 00:00

Jubilee South branch passed the following motion:

This branch is concerned that once again a new procedures has been introduced on the Jubilee Line which decreases safety checks in order to avoid disruption to the train service.

The latest Jubilee Line supplement changes the procedure for responding to an 'M door alarm'. Previously a rear M door alarm would require the train driver to stop the train where it is and check the rear M door is secured before proceeding. LUL want to alter this procedure so that the train can continue to the next station and then be checked.

RMT Warned Of Overcrowding Risk Days Before Woman Dragged Under Train

Submitted by rmtlondon on 13 March, 2015 - 15:59

Union warnings of lethal overcrowding at "death trap" tube station were ignored by underground bosses.

Tube union RMT revealed today that it formally warned underground bosses of lethal overcrowding at Clapham South station in a specially convened safety meeting last week, warnings that were ignored. That most recent warning followed previous alerts flagged up by the union over the past year about death trap overcrowding ‎at stations along sections of the Northern Line.

Staff Assaulted: RMT Demands Action On London Bridge Chaos

Submitted by rmtlondon on 11 March, 2015 - 15:25

RMT demands action over assaults on staff in London Bridge chaos
RAIL UNION RMT has today written to three train operators, Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink, along with Network Rail, demanding urgent action over assaults and abuse of staff caught in the crossfire of the continuing chaos at London Bridge. Staff have been threatened, had hot coffee thrown over them and been spat at as passengers take out their anger on the station workforce.

What Does An LUL Train Drivers Periodic Medical Involve?

Submitted by rmtlondon on 6 February, 2015 - 16:05

The Train’s Health and Safety Council have received enquiries lately about what is covered in periodic age medical assessments. Below is a summary of the reply we received back from Occupational Health.

The periodic medical assessments that are undertaken include the following:

Health questionnaire:

Tests: Distance vision, near vision, colour vision, blood pressure, pulse, height weight and BMI, audiogram, mobility test, urine test (glucose, blood, protein), (blood sugar if glucose in urine or known Diabetes)

Back Pain Survey For Tube Train Drivers

Submitted by rmtlondon on 1 November, 2014 - 22:02

CALLING ALL TRAIN OPERATORS
Do you suffer from any of the following? Bad back, neck, shoulders, wrists, arms, elbows, hands or knees. If the answer is YES to any then please go to the following link below and complete the survey.

In 2013, I undertook the largest survey on the Victoria Line (attached below) with 70% of the Train Operators (both Aslef & RMT members) completing the survey. This was to establish the truth regarding this particular ill-health.

Central Line Suspended As Masonry Falls On Track

Submitted by rmtlondon on 26 July, 2014 - 22:15

The RMT's Trains Health and Safety council (THSC) have responded to an incident today which saw masonry fall onto the track at Mile End on the Central line.

The council is seeking further information on what could have been a very serious incident, and have written to LUL bosses for further details.

The Letter
Could you supply us with all the information you have on today's incident at Mile End Station. We gather that lumps of masonry, as large as a dot matrix, fell approx 10ft from the station roof to the track at the W/B starter.

Power Control Strike - Safety Information

Submitted by rmtlondon on 4 July, 2014 - 15:57
  • LUL document reveals power control strike could lead to line suspensions
  • Attached below is LUL 'change assurance plan' and information which can be displayed in depots and other relevant workplaces.

As you may be aware our power control room members are currently taking industrial action. This action started at 20.00hrs on July 1st and is scheduled to run until the 20.00hrs on July 15th.

The Train’s Safety Council met with management prior to earlier planned action by these workers to discuss how this would impact on the safety of drivers.