CWU ANNUAL CONFERENCES 2018
The date and venue for next year’s General and Industrial Conferences are as follows:
• Sunday 22nd April to Thursday 26th April 2018
Conferences will be held at the Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth.
Further details will be issued regarding the timetable of the relevant conferences.
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Chris Tapper in the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department on telephone number 020 8971 7331 or email ctapper@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
 
TONY KEARNS
SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY 
 
 
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 440/17 – CWU Annual Conferences 2018

Royal Mail Outdoor Workers – Provision Of Water Bottles or Bottled Water in Hot Weather:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
At the request of the Health, Safety and Environment Department, the Royal Mail Safety Health and Environment Team have issued further updates on “Sun Safety” via internal communications and to managers on how and when to order water bottles or bottled water. 
The RMG SHE Team has issued updated guidance on the “Sun Safety” policy through Courier and via WTLLs on staying safe in the sun in June and July. This followed the RMTV launch on the topic in April and there will be another episode later in the summer, in August. 
With regard to the provision of water bottles or bottled water where required, Delivery Offices can request them through the “Demand Challenge” process, via the region, unless they are one of the few remaining units where cycles are still in use, in which case they can order water bottles via Pashley Cycle Stores.
The RMG Head of Health has also issued the following advice to all Managers in a recent communication that was circulated:-
Hydration – water plays a critical part of maintaining a healthy body. Experts recommend drinking 8-10 glasses of water each day to maintain good health. Almost every cell in the body requires water to function, even more so during periods of increased activity or when temperatures rise. Drinking facilities can be found in all Royal Mail sites for both indoor and outdoor workers.
During hot weather, managers should complete a severe weather risk assessment. Provision of water should be considered and where deemed necessary bottled water may be purchased locally.
Area Health and Safety Representatives should use the above information in local representations where necessary and problems should be progressed via the Health and Safety Disputes Escalation process as set out in RMG SHE Standard 5.1.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

Attachment 1 – LTB441/17 Royal Mail Outdoor Workers – Provision Of Water Bottles or Bottled Water in Hot Weather:

The HSE Post Implementation Review of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012:
To: All Branches 
Dear Colleagues, 
Background:
This is a review carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that is required by regulation 35 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The review examines whether the regulations have been, and continue to be, the most effective means of minimising Asbestos exposure to workers and the public arising from work on buildings that contain Asbestos.
The purpose of a post implementation review (PIR) is to evaluate the existing regulatory framework, rather than to examine government policy regarding Asbestos.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) set minimum standards for the protection of employees and others from the risks related to exposure to Asbestos.

The HSE statistics state that on average, twenty workers die every week from Asbestos related diseases, including construction workers, carpenters, electricians, facilities maintenance workers, painters and decorators etc, all of whom could come into contact with deadly Asbestos as they go about their day-to-day work.

Asbestos can be found in walls, ceilings, fabric or structure of a building, as well as a host of other places like floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roof panels, wall boards, roof spaces, lagging, insulation, boilers, boiler rooms, heating systems, toilet cisterns, guttering soffits etc. It can be disturbed by basic maintenance work like drilling holes and sanding and once disturbed, the microscopic fibres can be lethal if breathed in, causing lung disease and cancer.

Report Conclusions Summary:
The report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) highlights the positive impact and influence of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR2012) on workplace Asbestos control and safety as well as an estimate that the financial benefit of the impact of the Regulations has been £28.8 Billion.
The Post Implementation Review reinforces the extent to which the regulations have achieved their initial objectives and assesses the costs and benefits that might be attributed to them.
In this respect the review provides an interesting evaluation of how the legislation has been implemented and an indication of how the regulations are working.
Overall the report demonstrates how CAR2012 has met its objectives and has helped to achieve a high level of compliance. The report also contains an interesting cost benefit analysis and an economic evaluation of the measures designed to prevent exposure to Asbestos fibres in the workplace.
Analysis carried out by HSE epidemiologists estimates that the fall in exposure to Asbestos between 1980 (the rough date of introduction of Asbestos control measures) and 2015 will lead to 25,700 fewer deaths from mesothelioma and lung cancer in the 100 years between 2001 and 2100. 
By applying HSE estimates of the costs to society of work-related cancer, the report calculates that by preventing this number of cancer cases, the present value of the benefits of the regulations to society is £20.9 billion. In addition, taking into account the time lag and legacy health effects associated with asbestos diseases, when this scenario is rolled forward to cover the 2016 – 2115 period, the benefit value rises to £28.8 billion. 
Although the report points out that not all of these prevented deaths can be attributed to the regulations, the figures nevertheless provide a clear indication of the scale of the considerable impact that regulations have had in controlling workplace exposures far more successfully than in the past. 
Moreover this positive influence is particularly emphasised when the benefits are measured in relation to the compliance costs for business, which the reports puts at hundreds of millions of pounds each year or as high single billions over the 100 year, 2016 – 2115 period. 
The research, analysis and evidence discussed in the review therefore provides the unequivocal conclusion that CAR2012 has met its objectives and has helped to achieve improving level of compliance. 
This progress will have also obviously been assisted by an increasing number of cases prosecuted by the HSE and Local Authorities as well as Government moves via the Sentencing Council to increase many of the maximum fines available to the Courts, as well as making imprisonment for offenders more widely available. 
Report Recommendations:
As a result of the overall findings by the HSE, the report recommends that that no major amendments are required to the provisions of CAR2012 and that the regulations successfully strengthen the protection given to those who might otherwise be exposed to fibres from Asbestos containing materials (ACMs). 
However, the report does highlight some areas where it says that minor improvements might be introduced including exploring the possibility of changing the frequency of medical examinations for those undertaking licensed asbestos work, from every two years to every three years. Something the Trade Union will not support.
In addition, it is suggested that greater clarity around the distinction between licensable, non-licensable and notifiable work with Asbestos would be an advantage, as would better information on the responsibilities of duty holders in non-domestic premises and the provision of practical examples of written work plans.
Overall, whilst improvements would undoubtedly provide some welcome clarifications going forward, the firm outcome of the HSE review is that CAR 2012 continues to provide a robust and effective regulatory framework that is effectively protecting workers from the risks associated with exposure to Asbestos fibres.
TUC Response:
Although the TUC and all UK Unions welcome the retention of the Regulations that we helped to shape, the TUC has labelled the HSE’s Post Implementation Review report as being ‘complacent’. The opportunity to look at the possible effect of improving controls has been missed completely. The proposal to reduce the frequency of the legally required medical examinations of those undertaking the highest risk ‘licensed’ work from every two to three years is seen by the TUC and all the UK Trade Unions as unjustified and irresponsible.
A key concern is the repeated statement in the HSE document that the 5,000 UK deaths a year linked to Asbestos are the result of past exposures when the carcinogen was “less well-regulated than today”. The fact is that there is clearly an ongoing high level of under-reporting of Asbestos exposure as many workers are not likely to be aware of their exposures as was confirmed in a previous 2014 HSE survey (see summary attached).
The TUC, CWU and all UK Unions policy is that employers should be required to remove the millions of tons of Asbestos that is still in place in Workplaces, including schools. Asbestos can be found in millions of workplaces and homes. Over 50,000 people have died in the UK from Mesothelioma as a result of Asbestos exposure, tens of thousands more have died from lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases. Tens of thousands more will die because of past exposure. How many more will die over and above that will depend on what we do from now, going forward. The fact that government and regulators see the status quo as the best option is a damning indictment of the UK health and safety system. 
HSE Asbestos Information:
A new HSE web app can be downloaded at:- www.beware-asbestos.info/news and further information on Asbestos is available on the HSE’s special Asbestos Website pages at:-www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos. 
Attachments:
• Copy of the HSE “The Post Implementation Review of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012).
• Copy of the HSE Survey of Tradespeople undertaken by Censuswide on Asbestos Knowledge (2014).
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 437/17 The HSE Post Implementation Review of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Post Implementation Review

HSE Survey of Tradespeople

CWU Four Pillars of Security Campaign – Bulletin No. 9
Further to LTB 417/17, attached is Bulletin No. 9 concerning the Four Pillars of Security campaign.
The attached Bulletin has also been shared with Divisional, Regional and Area Representatives – as will all future Bulletins.
As previously advised, it is imperative that every Branch ensures that each Bulletin is forwarded to Unit/Local/Shift Representatives via email and if necessary by physical means without delay.
The co-operation and assistance of all Branches in this regard is greatly appreciated.
Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.
Yours sincerely

Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Email Attachments – Click to download
·   LTB 434/17 – CWU Four Pillars of Security Campaign – Bulletin No. 9
·   Attachment 1 to LTB 434/17 – CWU Four Pillars of Security Campaign – Bulletin No. 9

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Some pictures from another successful Four Pillars meeting held this time at Boston Delivery Office.

RMG Road Safety Communications Campaign July 2017 – Safety First – Driver Distractions – WTLL Message on PDA Sat/Nav Function Correction:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
This LTB is being issued as an update to LTB 394/17.
The Road Safety – Fatal Distraction Campaign Week original WTLL issued to the field (copy attached to LTB394/17) states in the 'Actions' section, under 'Using a PDA', that "The satellite navigation function must not be used." This is an error by RMG that has now been corrected after being raised by the CWU. A revised, updated version 2 of the WTLL has now been issued and which states “Do not operate the Sat/Nav function whilst driving”. See copy attached.
The RMG National Road Safety Manager has confirmed that this has been picked up and an amended wording was uploaded to the WTLL database (see attached). The PDA Sat/Nav function can be used, but must not be operated whilst driving.
There have been a handful of queries, which have been responded to directly to clarify. The RMG Regional SHE field teams have been informed of the error and circulated with the amended WTLL so that they can deal with any queries.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

Attachment 1 – LTB431/17 RMG Road Safety Communications Campaign July 2017 – Safety First – Driver Distractions – WTLL Message on PDA Sat/Nav Function Correction:

Attachment 2 – WTLL – Road Safety Fatal Distraction campaign

Work Time Listening and Learning (WTLL) Sessions – Safety Messages & Maximum Number of Items:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
During recent joint Royal Mail Group (RMG)/CWU Joint Safety Campaign Weeks on Dangerous Dogs, Fire and Road/Driver Safety, an important part of each campaign week is obviously ‘joint communications’ and the subject matter headlining WTLL workforce briefings. A number of ASRs have pointed out that the WTLL sessions have at times been swamped with a number of subjects to the extent that safety messages are being lost in the morass.
The issue has been raised with RMG Comms and a positive response has been received which is summarised as follows:-
• RM Comms have taken the ASRs feedback on board.
• WTLLs will be limited to 3 items per week to ensure managers and consequently CWU members aren’t bombarded with heavy content and key messages aren’t lost.
• The vast majority of the time, one of the 3 items will be a safety brief.
• Any overload is coming from local level and should be raised with local management.
• A safety segment is included in RMTV weekly which doesn’t happen for any other business function.  
• RM Comms are making efforts to condense messages so that managers are not overloaded and to avoid duplication.
• When Work Time Listening and Learning (WTLL) was re-launched, RM Group Comms made it clear that WTLL briefs should only be sent through the national channel. If a manager is receiving briefs from any other source, they do not have to share them!
In conclusion, if any ASR feels that members are being swamped with WTLL subjects and safety messages are being lost then it should be raised at the H&S Committee and if no progress is made then it should be progressed through the health and safety disputes escalation procedure as per RMG SHE Standard 5.1. Thanks to those ASRs who raised this issue.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

Attachment 1 – LTB430/17 Work Time Listening and Learning (WTLL) Sessions – Safety Messages & Maximum Number of Items:

What is the Solution to Dangerous Dogs? – Dog Law Symposiums Announced – Runcorn 13 Nov 2017 & London 19 Feb 2018
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues, 
Introduction
Following a highly successful his 2016 and 2017 series of Dangerous Dogs Law seminars, the UK’s top Dangerous Dogs Law Lawyer Trevor Cooper of Cooper & Co Solicitors (“Dog Law”) has announced that he will Chair two Symposium events entitled "What is the Solution to Dangerous Dogs?" Each symposium will be a day-long event and they are likely to produce a lively debate and will have a selection of high profile panelists from the dog law and dog control world. The dates and locations announced are to be Monday 13th November 2017 in Runcorn in the north west of England and Monday 19th February 2018 in London. 
Background
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 has been in force for 26 years in Great Britain. Despite this, the number of incidents where dogs have acted dangerously appears to be rising leaving many victims in their wake. Are we witnessing a rise in dangerous dogs, an increase in irresponsible dog owners, or is there some other reason? When incidents take place the media often demand “Something must be done!” However, no one has yet found the answer/s. What is the solution to dangerous dogs? In this symposium Trevor Cooper is bringing together a broad range of experts to explore options to prevent future incidents. Those interested are invited to attend and make their voice heard – they want to hear from people. Alternatively, attendees are welcome to come along to listen to the debate and draw their own conclusions. Each of these symposia will be held between 10am and 4pm at hotel venues in the Runcorn area on 13th November 2017 and South West London on 19th February 2018. Beverages and lunch will be provided together with a certificate of attendance. 
“What is the solution to dangerous dogs?”
Trevor Cooper invites those interested to come and join the debate the subject with the expert panel, chaired by specialist Doglaw solicitor Trevor Cooper.
Runcorn – Monday 13th November 2017 10am-4pm
South West London – Monday 19th February 2018 10am-4pm
Cost £195 + VAT (£234) per person (including beverages and lunch)
Panelists
CHAIR Trevor Cooper – Leading Solicitor in England & Wales specialising in the Dangerous Dogs Law with 30 years’ experience and knowledge of civil and criminal Dog Law matters, Consultant for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and frequently in demand for Radio and TV interviews on Dog Law issues. Sarah Fisher – Dog Trainer, Behaviour Counsellor/Advisor and author of “100 Ways to Train the Perfect Dog” and “100 Ways to Solve Your Dogs Problems”.
Carolyn Menteith – Dog Trainer, Instructor and Behaviourist. TV & Radio personality. Co-Chair of ‘Into-Dogs’.
Elvira Meucci-Lyons – Youth and community engagement & education programmes.
Patrick O’Hara – Head of the Status/Dangerous Dogs Unit for Metropolitan Police. Deputy Lead for National Police Chiefs Council Dangerous Dogs Working Group.
Pamela Rose – Barrister with expertise in dangerous dog cases.
Mel Rushmore -Bull Breed Advisory Service.
Peter Tallack -Dangerous Dogs Advisor for DEFRA, ACPO, College of Policing. Former Met Police Dog Handler
Neil Burton – Chair of the National Dog Warden Association
Michael Webb – Head of Policy and Public Affairs Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
Further Information From:
Tracy Chacksfield-Maidment
Cooper & Co Solicitors
The Old Boiler House, Menzies Road,
Whitfield, Dover, CT16 2HQ
T: 01304 755557
E: tracy@doglaw.co.uk 
Attachment:
Symposium Event Leaflet & Application Form. 
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 428/17 What is the Solution to Dangerous Dogs? – Dog Law Symposiums Announced – Runcorn 13 Nov 2017 & London 19 Feb 2018

symposiums Application From

Dangerous Dog Laws 2017 – New DVD by UK Top Dangerous Dogs Lawyer Trevor Cooper ('Dog-Law' – Cooper & Co Solicitors)
To: All Branches 
Dear Colleagues,
Cooper & Co Solicitors (“Dog Law”) with the UK’s top Dangerous Dogs Law Lawyer Trevor Cooper have announced that a new Dangerous Dog Laws 2017 DVD is now available to buy.
Those wishing to purchase an up-to-date DVD explaining the principle dangerous dog laws as they apply in England and Wales, specialist ‘Dog-law’ Solicitor Trevor Cooper ("The Legal Beagle") has a new 2hr 10min presentation available which explains the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the Dogs Act 1871 and the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.  
• The DVD costs £9.99 (including P&P)
• It is supplied with an electronic booklet
• Available exclusively from ‘Dog-Law’ (Cooper & Co Solicitors)
• The new DVD follows on from the successful series of seminars delivered by Trevor Cooper across the UK earlier this year. 
For further information, please feel free to call Cooper & Co Solicitors on 01304 755 557 or email: tracy@doglaw.co.uk
Or contact them:- Cooper & Co Solicitors
The Old Boiler House Menzies Road Whitfield Dover CT16 2HQ Telephone Number: 01304 755 557
Email: info@doglaw.co.uk 
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 427/17 Dangerous Dog Laws 2017 – New DVD by UK Top Dangerous Dogs Lawyer Trevor Cooper ('Dog-Law' – Cooper & Co Solicitors)

“Dangerous Dogs” for Professionals Seminar – Last Event at Bath Saturday 28 October 2017 – Cooper & Co Solicitors (“Dog Law”)
To: All Branches 
Dear Colleagues,
This LTB is issued further to LTB 596/16 in which we announced the 2017 series of seminars organised by Cooper & Co Solicitors (“Dog Law”) with the UK’s top Dangerous Dogs Law Lawyer Trevor Cooper of Cooper & Co Solicitors.
Following on from the successful series of seminars across the UK earlier this year, Trevor Cooper has been invited to Bath on Saturday 28th October 2017 to run his Professional Seminar one last time in 2017. To remind you, this is a half day seminar which is good value for money at only £75 per person (the price includes course materials, beverages and VAT). This time we will start at 13.00 for registration and finish at 17.00. Attached is the leaflet below for course contents and details of how to book, alternatively please feel free to call Coopper & Co Solicitors on 01304 755 557 or email: tracy@doglaw.co.uk
These popular seminars for professionals are half day talks concentrating on ‘dangerous dog’ offences and the legislation dealing with such attacks and prosecutions. These half day seminars are attended by Police Officers, Dog Wardens, Lawyers and others involved in dealing with Dog Control and Dog Law. The seminars are highly recommended to CWU Representatives wanting to learn more about the Law in this area following the changes achieved by the CWU ‘Bite-Back’ Campaign of course. These Seminars cover subject matter including:-
• The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014
• Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (which applies to any dog that is dangerously out of control), including the extension of the Act and defences.
• The operation of the new ‘Householder Case’ defence and when it may be applicable
• Increased prison sentences where a victim is injured or dies
• New offence if a dog attacks an assistance dog
• Addition of a ‘fit and proper person test’
• The ‘Robinson-Pierre’ ruling and consider its impact on cases.
• Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) (the law that deals with pit bull terrier type and other banned dogs)
• The Index of Exempted Dogs
• The ‘fit and proper person’ test
• The ‘Sandhu’ ruling and its impact on changing keepership of a registered dog
• The Dogs Act 1871 and does it have any future?
• The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 and how does it fit in with the new changes?
• Registration and coffee will be available with the seminar commencing at 1pm and due to finish around 5pm.
Programme timings are approximate. Content is subject to change.
Cost of attending these Seminars is £75.00 inclusive of VAT.
Dog Law offer their services to those interested in hosting their own daytime seminar. Trevor Cooper is in big demand but happy to consider requests to schedule seminars, subject to availability. Those interested can email tracy@doglaw.co.uk and they will send out information. Dog Law are also offering to take bookings for those wishing to host an evening or weekend seminar with Trevor Cooper. These evening or at a weekend seminars will last between 3 to 4 hours. For more information email info@doglaw.co.uk or contact them:- Cooper & Co Solicitors
The Old Boiler House
Menzies Road
Whitfield Dover
CT16 2HQ
Telephone Number: 01304 755 557.
Attachment: ‘Dog Law’ – Bath Seminar Leaflet & Application Form
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 426/17 “Dangerous Dogs” for Professionals Seminar – Last Event at Bath Saturday 28 October 2017 – Cooper & Co Solicitors (“Dog Law”)

Update on Dangerous Dogs