RMT Claims Network Rail Failing Maintenance Workers On Basic Welfare

The RMT union has launched a sharp criticism of Network Rail, claiming maintenance patrol workers are being left without proper access to basic welfare facilities — a situation it says could breach health and safety law.

A survey conducted by the union, gathering responses from more than 120 members across several regions, paints what it describes as a picture of systemic failings. According to the findings, 72% of respondents said they rarely or never have access to suitable toilet facilities while on patrol. A further 71% reported they are never provided with clean, private washing or changing facilities during breaks.

Concerns extend to welfare vehicles, with nearly 70% of workers rating hygiene standards as poor or very poor. Around the same proportion said they regularly depend on public amenities such as petrol stations or fast-food outlets because no dedicated facilities are available to them while working.

Only 3% of those surveyed believe existing arrangements comply with legal requirements under health and safety and Construction (Design and Management) regulations. More than two-thirds indicated they have experienced, or could potentially experience, health problems linked to inadequate welfare provision. Meanwhile, 87% signalled support for union-led action aimed at securing immediate improvements, including the reinstatement of local welfare support roles.

The union argues that conditions have worsened since the introduction of the Modernising Maintenance programme. Just 3% of respondents believe welfare standards have improved under the restructuring, while 38% said they have significantly deteriorated. RMT contends that staffing reductions and the removal of local welfare roles have undermined planning standards and led to inconsistent documentation of welfare arrangements in Safe Work Packs.

RMT is calling for guaranteed access to adequate toilet and washing facilities during patrols and fault response work, proper planning and documentation of welfare provisions in all Safe System of Work Packs, the reinstatement of local welfare support roles, an independent compliance review under health and safety and CDM regulations, and urgent improvements to vehicle hygiene and food preparation standards. The union has warned that failure to address the issues promptly could result in industrial, regulatory and legal escalation.

RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said:

“Rail workers carrying out safety-critical duties should never have to rely on petrol stations or fast-food outlets to access a toilet. These findings show that basic welfare facilities are not being provided consistently or adequately. That raises serious questions about compliance with health and safety law which is something we are urgently taking up with the employer. Modernising Maintenance has stripped away vital local support and reduced staffing to unacceptable levels. Productivity targets cannot come before workers’ health, safety and dignity. Network Rail must act immediately to guarantee proper toilet, washing and rest facilities and ensure full compliance with its legal and frankly moral obligations to their workforce.”

Image: Network Rail