Workplace Report July 2015

Health & safety news

Victory over sewage on the tracks

Rail union RMT has won a major victory in its campaign for an end to the practice of dumping sewage on tracks by ScotRail trains.

Following talks with management and Transport Scotland officials, 40% of the ScotRail fleet will now be fitted with controlled emission tanks by the union’s target date of April 2016, with the remainder fully fitted by December 2017.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the practice of sewage dumping was “filthy, disgusting and dangerous” and praised the hard work of union reps in fighting for its elimination. He called for an end to “the scandal of sewage on our railways” across the network.

Network Rail in Scotland is arranging briefings for frontline maintenance staff and offering vaccinations to reduce the risk to staff from untreated human excrement.

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-success-on-scotrail-sewage-dumping-campaign

https://www.rmt.org.uk/campaigns/rail/no-sewage-on-the-tracks