NFIR's protest against Railway Board's proposal for making Detonators as part of personal safety equipment of Asst. Loco Pilots

Registration No. : RTU/ Nnn/31/2012

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI - 110055
Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)

No. IV/RSAC/2018

Date: 03.05.2019.

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,
Sir, NFIR's protest against Railway Board's proposal for making Detonators as part of personal safety equipment of Asst. Loco Pilots - Reg.

Ref: Railway Board's Letter No. 2019/ Safety (A&R) /19/07 dated 18.04.2019.

Pursuant to the proposal of Northern Railway, the Railway Board have since sent communication to all the General Managers seeking views for making provision of Detonators as part of personal safety equipment of Asst.Loco Pilots vide Railway Board's letter dated 18.04.2019. While protesting against the arbitrary proposal of the Railway Board, the Federation places below valid points for review.
i) At present, the items/ tools being carried by ALP in his personal bag are:

Tri-colour Torch, Red and Green Flags, Working time table(s). Apart from ALP also required to carry one set of additional dress / uniform, night dress, bathroom slippers, water bottle, lunch box, trouble shooting directory etc.

Now, if detonator box is included in personal luggage, then weight of bag will increase and cause difficulty to carry while walking from crew lobby to running room and also in major yards.

(ii) Besides the above, the other complications which would arise if detonators are made part of personal equipments of Asst.Loco Pilots are furnished below:

a) As per G&SR 3.64.1 (b), the Railway Administration shall be responsible for the supply, renewal, periodical testing and safe custody of such detonators and for ensuring that their usage needs to be understood properly.

b) The detonators are explosive material, therefore to carry them in public places such as platforms circulating area etc., could be treated as violation of Anns and Explosive Act.

c) Most of the major stations are provided with metal detectors to ensure safety of public. If Assistant Loco Pilot carries detonators in his personal luggage, it would be objected by Security Personnel.

d) It will also be risky for Assistant Loco Pilots to keep detonators at their residence as it would be impossible for ALP to continuously guard detonator box during his HQ stay.

e) During Pilot/ Spare movement, ALP cannot keep detonators with him in view of the fact that carrying explosives in passenger trains is prohibited.

In view of the above, NFIR urges upon the Railway Board to kindly cancel the Railway Board's proposal dated 18.04.2019.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Copy to the Executive Director (Safety), Railway Board, New Delhi
Copy to the Executive Director (IR), Railway Board, New Delhi
Copy to the General Secretaries of Zonal Unions of NFIR
Copy to the Media Centre/ NFIR.

Source: NFIR