Air Quality

The theme of last year’s RMT H&S Advisory Conference “clean air at work” so impassioned reps that that they went back to their branches and regional councils to discuss it and subsequently sent in resolutions calling for more action from RMT on air quality issues.

In relation to this the RMT National Executive decided on a range of action points – one of which was to purchase air quality measuring device for safety reps to use to find out what levels of pollution RMT members are being exposed to in their workplaces.

The article below gives some information about the devices and offers other advice about tackling air pollution at work.

TUCAN (the Trade Union Clean Air Action Network) recommended we purchase Qingping Air Monitor Lite - an easy to use and reliable monitor. These monitors are now available on loan from your Regional Office.

You will find brief instructions contained with the monitor. In addition to this a rep from RMT Health Safety and Advisory Conference has trialled the device and provides the following advice: n The Quingping Air Monitor Lite Device is simple to use and is adequate for RMT safety reps to gather enough data to initially challenge the Companies they work for if need be. n There is an accompanying App - Quinping+ that can be downloaded for Apple and Android devices. This App only connects to the device via WiFi which means using the App in the field is very hit and miss. It’s difficult to find the device on public WiFi on a busy train. The only benefit the App gives is the storage of historical data. This is not a big problem as readings can be stored manually in a notepad or on a spreadsheet. n The device has a simple on/off button on the back and a groove on top of the device that is touch sensitive so you ‘swipe’ to cycle through the various monitoring modes, which are:

CO2, PM 2.5, PM 10, Temperature and Humidity n The battery is long lasting, it will operate for over a week from a single charge n The air monitor is enough to gather readings that, if concerning, would give RMT safety reps enough to insist our employers carry out their legal duties of Risk Assessing our workplaces for Air Quality.

Other actions you should be taking to tackle the issue of air pollution at work: n Risk assessments, risk assessment should be “suitable and sufficient” n Safety committee meetings, ensure diesel fume pollution is discussed at health and safety committee (or a clean air subcommittee). n Measuring air quality, if employers are measuring air quality make sure that that staff are wearing personal monitoring and that the research is carried out by independent occupational hygienists. n Ventilation, ensure there is adequate ventilation. For more information see HSE advice at bit.ly/45g6yR4

Inform us at: healthandsafety@rmt.org.uk if after having readings that cause concern your employer fails to take steps to address this problem.

All employers where RMT has recognition have been written to to highlight the health impact (for example, loss of concentration) of diesel pollution on staff, and for employers to ensure they set up working group and inform workers of findings of monitoring and the health impact of air pollution.

RMT has asked employers to monitor for PM10 (particulate matter) and PM2.5 and to carry out risk assessments and to involve RMT safety reps in the risk assessment process.