Re: Royal Mail – PiC (Person In Charge) Cover in the Event of Industrial Action by Unite/CMA Members – Health & Safety Duty of Care

Re: Royal Mail – PiC (Person In Charge) Cover in the Event of Industrial Action by

Unite/CMA Members – Health & Safety Duty of Care

The Health, Safety & Environment Department have had a number of enquiries from Area

Health and Safety Reps regarding the impending Unite/CMA Industrial Action scheduled

to take place from mid-day Tuesday 31 May to mid-day Wednesday 1 June in respect of

there being no Person in Charge present in operational units and therefore compromising

Royal Mail’s health and safety legal duties, duty of care, risk management, ensuring the

safety of the workforce and dealing with emergency situations etc.

This has been discussed with Royal Mail and the Royal Mail Group, Logistics Head of Health

and Safety has detailed the approach being taken by Royal Mail as follows:-

“During any periods of Industrial Action where there may be a short period where the PiC is

not on site. How this is managed is Referenced in the RM PiC Handbook, extract below;

Unsupervised Sites

In some Cases units will be in use without a manager present at the location for

Example to provide access for drivers and vehicles. In these circumstances, you

or a deputy PiC must be available by means of telephone call to deal with any

issue that arises on site. The relevant telephone numbers must be displayed

prominently on site.

In recognition of this, and to mitigate any risk, we have created a Safety One Pager, which

will be issued to all those who are supporting during this time. In each region, either a Head

of SHE or SHE Manager will be available on the phone (numbers have been published), and I

(Lisa Durrant Mail Group, Logistics Head of Health and Safety will be in CPC (Central Postal

Control). I hope this helps, and gives you sufficient reassurance to allay any fears amongst

your members. As ever, happy to discuss further if necessary.” Regards Lisa Durrant

Attached for your information:-

Ø Copy of the above reference communication from Royal Mail Group, Logistics Head of

Health and Safety.

Ø Copy of the Safety ‘One Pager’ Guidance.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Click on the link below to view the attachment

safety-one-pager-may2016 (1)