High Visibility Safety Vest Trial Concludes

Bulletin 29

To RTBU Members: CSAs and Train Guards

High Visibility Safety Vest Trial Concludes

Members are reminded that Sydney Trains reasoning for this trial was due to the high visibility safety vest clashing with the new uniform, a Safe Notice was issued advising that they would trial the CSA’s performing Right of Ways without their high visibility safety vest.

There were a number of safety concerns about the new practice, so we lodged a dispute with Sydney Trains. One of the resolutions was that the new work practice of no safety vests would be restricted to seven stations which were Central, Strathfield, Town Hall, Wynyard, Parramatta, Sydenham and Chatswood. Sydney Trains ran the initial trial which they then extended for a further length in time.

During this time the RTBU distributed two surveys which coincided with the trials. The results of the two surveys were published in bulletins to members. Out of the surveys an in depth report was developed and will be used for further discussions with Sydney Trains.

The response to both surveys was very substantial and confirmed the belief that the membership from the Customer Service Sub-Division and Guards Sub-Division were unified in that the removal of high visibility safety vests was an unsafe practice that did not offer any benefit to the members or customers.

The removal of high visibility safety vests was a trial and the end date of this trial is the 6th June 2015.

As the trial has now ended members should start wearing the Sydney Trains issued High Visibility Safety Vests when performing platform duties.

Sydney Trains have now advised that a new trial will commence on the 14th June 2015 on Platforms 16/17 and 18/19 at Central for 4 weeks. The trial is to test the new improved LED batons.

If you have any further questions or comments please contact your local delegate or the RTBU office on 9264 2511.