Received from: TSSA
Merged into composite C05
Congress notes with serious concern the growing reports that transport workers, particularly those working on stations and platforms, are being exposed to dangerously high levels of airborne dust, harmful fumes, and poor air quality. Numerous studies, including those on the underground and rail networks, have revealed particulate matter and toxic fumes from train braking systems, diesel engines, and maintenance activities at concentrations significantly above recommended health limits.
This prolonged exposure places our members at increased risk of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, and other long-term health complications. Workers are often confined to poorly ventilated environments with limited protection or monitoring in place.
Congress believes every worker has the right to a safe and healthy working environment. The current lack of enforceable air quality standards, effective ventilation, and real-time monitoring on stations and platforms is unacceptable.
Congress calls on the TUC to:
i. lobby government and transport authorities to introduce legally binding, higher quality air quality standards for dust and fumes in transport environments, in line with recommendations from the WHO and the Institute of Occupational Medicine
ii. demand urgent investment in ventilation, air purification, and monitoring systems
iii. ensure trade unions are fully consulted in safety planning and environmental health reviews.
We must act now to protect the health and safety of all transport workers.
Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association
AMENDMENT
Add “Workers including” after “protecting” in title
In the first paragraph, add “workers including” after “reports that”
After “exposure places” delete “our members” and add “transport workers”
In the 4th paragraph after “real-time monitoring”, add “in workplaces including”
In bullet i. delete “transport environments” and replace with “workplaces”
In the final paragraph, after “safety of all”, add “workers including”.
Royal College of Podiatry