From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Following the recent news that G4S has grossly underemployed the number of security guards required for Olympic events, I have written to employers with members working in the London area. I have asked them to inform me of their mitigations for ensuring the safety and security of RMT members during the Olympic Games.

I am writing to you to remind you that you have the right to withdraw yourself from imminent and serious danger should you have genuine concern for your safety.

The right to refuse to work on grounds of serious and imminent danger is a legal right that individual workers hold, however pressure from management can sometimes lead to workers not exercising this right for fear of disciplinary action by management. RMT will fully support any member who exercises this procedure and is threatened by management.

Your employer has a duty under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSW) 1992 to have procedures to cover situations of “serious and imminent danger”. This procedure is called “worksafe”. Further the Employment Rights Act 1996 states that health and safety representatives and employees who invoke such a procedure should not be subjected to any detriment by exercising their rights.

Should you, as an individual, feel that as part of your duties you are placing yourself in serious or imminent danger you should comply with your employer’s policy as required by the MHSW.

• Related Stories
  • RMT Members Concerned About Olympic Security
  • LUL Refusal To Work On The Grounds Of Health And Safety Document *

*This article is for members concerned about safety during the Olympics in any transport node or workplace, but for LU members the document relevant to them has been linked as we have it available on this site.