FAO Royal Mail Group Members

RE: SICK ABSENCE DUE TO CORONAVIRUS – COVID 19

The department wrote to Royal Mail on 9th March to discuss assurances around what will happen in the event of members having to self-isolate due to coronavirus. A response was received on 12th March and a meeting took place on 13th March 2020. A further discussion has taken place today.

Whilst advice will change on a regular basis going forward around self-isolation, we wanted to ensure members are not put in a position where they could be faced with the decision to come to work and risk spreading the virus or taking the proper medical advice and stay at home. A major part of the decision making process in the above scenario will be whether they can afford to stay at home and also have the security of knowing they will not be have the absence counted under the Attendance Agreement.

We welcome the sick pay being paid to members within their first year of employment and see this as a positive way forward. This was confirmed in Royal Mail’s Communication sent out on Friday 13th March 2020.

We have also spoken to Royal Mail about discounting absences within the Attendance Agreement relating to coronavirus. Royal Mail’s response to discounting absence due to coronavirus is below.

Will absences due to coronavirus be counted within the attendance procedure?

Answer: We would expect the vast majority of coronavirus absences to be discounted from the normal attendance procedure. However, in the event coronavirus absences are for an excessive duration or repeat in nature further investigation may be required.

Where members have to take time off to look after dependents they will be able to take annual leave, unpaid time off or be able to work flexibly.

These terms apply to everyone within Royal Mail group, including RMPFS members. Parcelforce have similar arrangements in place, through a separate communication.

Carl Maden
Acting Assistant Secretary

Royal Mail Group – Coronavirus Precautions & Hygiene – Supply Shortages of Gloves, Sanitizer Wipes, Soap, Detergents and Paper Towels:

The Health, Safety & Environment Department continues to work in liaison with the Royal Mail Safety, Health & Environment Team, Royal Mail Assets and Royal Mail Procurement Teams as well as Royal Mail Property & Facilities Services (RMP&FS) during the current Coronavirus outbreak.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has been heavily inundated with various enquiries and questions on the Coronavirus Covid-19 Pandemic on top of our existing extremely heavy workload and commitments being dealt with by our small department. Please bear that in mind and that instantaneous replies are not always possible. However, rest assured all matters of importance are being dealt with.

As an added precaution and taking account of various advice received, Royal Mail Group agreed to provide Antiseptic/Sanitizer Wipes and Gloves, as branches will know.

Royal Mail Assets and Procurement advised us that demand for antiseptic wipes has hugely outstripped supply across the UK, and following a period of increased buying, Royal Mail Group were unable to keep up with demand, so exhausted all of the Company’s supplier’s stocks of wipes across the UK.

Royal Mail Group Assets and Procurement have confirmed that they have purchased:

• 336,200 Alcohol wipes between 11th February 2020 & 4th March 2020 
• 182,500 pairs of gloves between 24th January 2020 & 4th March 2020 

As we know, there is now also a well-publicised national shortage of wipes, gels etc. and Royal Mail Group have now exhausted all their supplier’s stocks.

Royal Mail Procurement have been actively looking for alternative suppliers, but this is a UK national shortage, which we understand is a nationwide position and not a Royal Mail position of choice. However, Royal Mail are continuing to talk with existing and new potential suppliers and are awaiting confirmation on back orders.

Currently Royal Mail do have a supply of gloves in stock. Suppliers have advised Royal Mail Group that they do not have the same concerns over glove supply, as they do with Antiseptic Wipes. There are also other glove lines that Royal Mail can switch to, if there becomes a shortage of the current type. At this point, the suppliers are not envisaging the glove supply running out. That being said there is a high demand for small sizes, which is affecting stocks and Royal Mail is looking for confirmation on this and identifying if there are alternative styles, or other suppliers to bridge the gap.

With regards to Sanitising Gel & Dispensers, the current position of Royal Mail Group is that their Health & Wellbeing and the Safety Health and Environment Risk & Improvement Team’s decision is not to provide sanitising dispensers and gel. Their conclusion is that it is far more effective and efficient to promote regular handwashing with soap and water as they conclude that Royal Mail is not a high-risk environment, in comparison to hospitals or care homes where Sanitising Gel is used as standard. The CWU Health, Safety & Environment has challenged them in respect of the availability of hand washing facilities out on Royal Mail and Parcelforce Deliveries.  

In relation to ‘Face Mask Requirements & Regulations’ Royal Mail state that their advice from the World Health Organisation and UK Agencies guidance on this, is that these are only effective and beneficial to stop the spread of the virus for:-

• People who are ill, coughing and sneezing to reduce them from spreading the virus to others.
• People who are caring for, or in close contact with someone who is infected. People who are healthy, only need to wear a mask if they are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.

Additionally, many masks being sold to the public are ineffective for Virus protection for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are not effective against respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 and won’t stop the wearer from inhaling small airborne particles, which can cause infection. Nor do these masks form a snug seal around the face. Most experts only recommend surgical masks for people who already show symptoms of coronavirus, in order to help prevent spreading the virus around by protecting others nearby when the infected person coughs or sneezes. Royal Mail Group policy therefore, based on expert advice, is not to issue face masks for protection during flu pandemics, therefore RMG would not be issuing masks as PPE against Coronavirus.

The very latest update is as follows as of yesterday evening 12 March 2020.

Ø  Suppliers are being scoped all over the UK.

Ø  There is an ample supply of gloves to meet demand.

Ø  300 Boxes containing half a million antiseptic wipes have arrived and will be despatched on a priority basis.

Ø  Soap, detergents and paper towel supplies have also be replenished.

Ø  Royal Mail Assets expect to have better provisions and stocks over the next two weeks by when suppliers expect to meet Royal Mail’s demands. 

The Health, Safety & Environment Department will be meeting Royal Mail Assets and Royal Mail Procurement on Monday, to discuss a number of things including an update on this important issue. Further updates will be issued to Branches in due course.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer  

LTB 125.2020

Coronavirus Precautions Hygiene E4-DJ-lmp

On the final weekend of the ballot General Secretary Dave Ward calls for the public to get behind postal workers. We have to do our bit by returning the biggest vote possible.

Please share this as widely as possible

https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/03/we-need-our-posties

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13 March 2020
In light of coronavirus we have made some temporary changes to our Operational Delivery processes for the delivery of any parcels which cannot be posted through a letterbox, or items that require a signature. These temporary changes are effective immediately, until further notice.

Please brief your teams using this WTLL brief at the earliest opportunity.

Manager conference calls and RMTV
Manager conference calls with Ricky McAulay, Shaun Davis and Sally Ashford will be held at 11am and 10pm on Monday 16 March 2020 to explain this in more detail. Please dial in to hear the latest.

An RMTV Special will go live on Saturday 14 March 2020. Please watch this with your teams. You can access it here now.

Changes to Operational Delivery Processes
For “Non-Signed” for parcels (1C/2C, RM24/48, T24/48)
Scan the parcel as delivered but do not press submit
Leave the parcel on the doorstep, knock on the door and step back two metres
When the customer comes to the door tell them they have a parcel there
Witness the customer taking the parcel inside
If the customer takes the parcel inside the postman or woman should press submit
If the customer refuses to take the parcel inside, then the postman or woman should:
Retrieve the parcel
Update the PDA status to “Undelivered – No Answer”, and
Leave a “Something For You” card so that the parcel can be collected at a later point
Do not show the parcel as “Refused”

For “Signed” parcels including letter formats (Signed For, T24/48 with signature, International)
Scan the parcel as delivered but do not sign yet
Leave the parcel on the doorstep, knock on the door and step back two metres
When the customer comes to the door, tell them they have a parcel there and inform them that we will not be collecting the usual signature, but we will require the customer’s name and must witness the customer taking the parcel in
Input the customer’s name as normal. When the signature box appears, input “CV19” but do not press Done until the customer picks up the parcel
If the customer takes the parcel inside the postman or woman should press Done
If the Customer refuses to take the parcel inside, then the postman or woman should:
Retrieve the parcel
Update the PDA status to “Not Delivered – No Answer” and
Leave a “Something For You” card so that the parcel can be collected at a later point
Do not show the parcel as “Refused”

For “Special Delivery” parcels, including letter formats
Scan the parcel as delivered but do not sign yet
Leave the parcel on the doorstep, knock on the door and step back two metres
When the customer comes to the door tell them they have a parcel there and inform them that we will not be collecting the usual signature, but we will require the customer’s name and must witness the customer taking the parcel in
Input the customer’s name as normal. When the signature box appears, input “CV19” but do not press Done until the customer picks up the parcel
If the customer takes the parcel inside the postman or woman should press Done
If the customer refuses to take the parcel inside, then the postman or woman should
Retrieve the parcel
Update the PDA status to “Not Delivered – No Answer” and
Leave a “Something For You” card so that the parcel can be collected at a later point
Do not show the parcel as “Refused”

For “Age Verification” parcels
Knock on the customer’s door, walk back two metres and scan the parcel
Advise the customer that they have an “Age Verification” parcel that we can leave on the doorstep without the usual signature, but must still verify the persons age and witness them taking the parcel inside
Ask the customer to open the door or stand in a window and undertake the “Challenge 25” check
If the customer does not look over 25 the postman or woman should ask the customer to provide ID that proves their age. The customer can either show this to the postman or woman at a safe but visible distance or as an alternative through a window
If the customer looks over 25 or produces the relevant ID, the postman or woman should ask the customer for their name and advise them to step back
They should then input the customer’s name into the PDA, when the signature box appears the postman or woman should input “CV19” without pressing Done and should place the parcel on the doorstep
When the customer takes the parcel indoors the postman or woman should press Done
If the customer does not provide the relevant ID/proof of age then the Postman or woman should:
Refuse to deliver the parcel
Update the PDA status to “Undelivered – Failure to Produce ID”, and
Leave a “Something For You Card” so that the parcel can be collected at a later point

Key questions
Does this apply to all parcels and items requiring a signature?
Yes. These new processes apply to all parcels and items requiring a signature that are delivered in the UK.

Do these changes only apply when we suspect the receiving customer has coronavirus?
No. These new temporary processes apply to delivery to all customers.

When do these changes come into effect?
These changes are effective immediately, until further notice.
The situation regarding the spread of the coronavirus is fast-moving. The safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, members of the public and the communities in which we operate is paramount.

Please look out for regular email updates and make use of the intranet information page.

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This information has been sent to specific colleagues within Royal Mail Group. Please do not share unless otherwise instructed. © Royal Mail Group 2019.

On the last weekend of the most crucial ballot in history here is a message from our part-time members. We stand as one union

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Royal Mail Group – Coronavirus Precautions & Hygiene – Supply Shortages of Gloves, Sanitizer Wipes, Soap, Detergents and Paper Towels:

The Health, Safety & Environment Department continues to work in liaison with the Royal Mail Safety, Health & Environment Team, Royal Mail Assets and Royal Mail Procurement Teams as well as Royal Mail Property & Facilities Services (RMP&FS) during the current Coronavirus outbreak.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has been heavily inundated with various enquiries and questions on the Coronavirus Covid-19 Pandemic on top of our existing extremely heavy workload and commitments being dealt with by our small department. Please bear that in mind and that instantaneous replies are not always possible. However, rest assured all matters of importance are being dealt with.

As an added precaution and taking account of various advice received, Royal Mail Group agreed to provide Antiseptic/Sanitizer Wipes and Gloves, as branches will know.

Royal Mail Assets and Procurement advised us that demand for antiseptic wipes has hugely outstripped supply across the UK, and following a period of increased buying, Royal Mail Group were unable to keep up with demand, so exhausted all of the Company’s supplier’s stocks of wipes across the UK.

Royal Mail Group Assets and Procurement have confirmed that they have purchased:

• 336,200 Alcohol wipes between 11th February 2020 & 4th March 2020 
• 182,500 pairs of gloves between 24th January 2020 & 4th March 2020 

As we know, there is now also a well-publicised national shortage of wipes, gels etc. and Royal Mail Group have now exhausted all their supplier’s stocks.

Royal Mail Procurement have been actively looking for alternative suppliers, but this is a UK national shortage, which we understand is a nationwide position and not a Royal Mail position of choice. However, Royal Mail are continuing to talk with existing and new potential suppliers and are awaiting confirmation on back orders.

Currently Royal Mail do have a supply of gloves in stock. Suppliers have advised Royal Mail Group that they do not have the same concerns over glove supply, as they do with Antiseptic Wipes. There are also other glove lines that Royal Mail can switch to, if there becomes a shortage of the current type. At this point, the suppliers are not envisaging the glove supply running out. That being said there is a high demand for small sizes, which is affecting stocks and Royal Mail is looking for confirmation on this and identifying if there are alternative styles, or other suppliers to bridge the gap.

With regards to Sanitising Gel & Dispensers, the current position of Royal Mail Group is that their Health & Wellbeing and the Safety Health and Environment Risk & Improvement Team’s decision is not to provide sanitising dispensers and gel. Their conclusion is that it is far more effective and efficient to promote regular handwashing with soap and water as they conclude that Royal Mail is not a high-risk environment, in comparison to hospitals or care homes where Sanitising Gel is used as standard. The CWU Health, Safety & Environment has challenged them in respect of the availability of hand washing facilities out on Royal Mail and Parcelforce Deliveries.  

In relation to ‘Face Mask Requirements & Regulations’ Royal Mail state that their advice from the World Health Organisation and UK Agencies guidance on this, is that these are only effective and beneficial to stop the spread of the virus for:-

• People who are ill, coughing and sneezing to reduce them from spreading the virus to others.
• People who are caring for, or in close contact with someone who is infected. People who are healthy, only need to wear a mask if they are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.

Additionally, many masks being sold to the public are ineffective for Virus protection for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are not effective against respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 and won’t stop the wearer from inhaling small airborne particles, which can cause infection. Nor do these masks form a snug seal around the face. Most experts only recommend surgical masks for people who already show symptoms of coronavirus, in order to help prevent spreading the virus around by protecting others nearby when the infected person coughs or sneezes. Royal Mail Group policy therefore, based on expert advice, is not to issue face masks for protection during flu pandemics, therefore RMG would not be issuing masks as PPE against Coronavirus.

The very latest update is as follows as of yesterday evening 12 March 2020.

Ø  Suppliers are being scoped all over the UK.

Ø  There is an ample supply of gloves to meet demand.

Ø  300 Boxes containing half a million antiseptic wipes have arrived and will be despatched on a priority basis.

Ø  Soap, detergents and paper towel supplies have also be replenished.

Ø  Royal Mail Assets expect to have better provisions and stocks over the next two weeks by when suppliers expect to meet Royal Mail’s demands. 

The Health, Safety & Environment Department will be meeting Royal Mail Assets and Royal Mail Procurement on Monday, to discuss a number of things including an update on this important issue. Further updates will be issued to Branches in due course.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer  

LTB 125.2020

Coronavirus Precautions Hygiene E4-DJ-lmp

We need this final video everywhere

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) – NHS Updated Advice for the Public as of today 13 March 2020, including ‘Stay at Home’ Advice

Introduction

The NHS have updated their advice to the public regarding Coronavirus Covid-19 which is set out below and includes the ‘stay at home’ advice.

Number of Cases

As of this morning approximately 30,000 people have been tested in the UK for Coronavirus (Covid-19), of which 29,200 were confirmed negative and 600 were confirmed as positive. 10 patients who tested positive for Coronavirus Covid-19 have died.

Main Symptoms to look out for are:

• Fever (high temperature).
• Cough.
• Shortness of breath/breathing difficulties.

Updated NHS Advice 

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways.  It’s caused by a virus called Coronavirus.

Stay at home if you have Coronavirus symptoms. 

Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

• A high temperature/fever.
• A new, continuous cough.
• Shortness of breath/breathing difficulties.

Do not go to a GP surgery, Pharmacy or Hospital.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.

See below ‘Advice about Staying At Home’.

Urgent Advice: Use the NHS 111 Online Coronavirus service if:

• You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home.
• Your condition gets worse.
• Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days.

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

How coronavirus is spread

• Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how Coronavirus spreads from person to person.
• Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.
• It’s very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.

How to avoid catching or spreading Coronavirus

Do

• Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds.
• Always wash your hands when you get home or into work.
• Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
• Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Don’t

• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Treatment for Coronavirus

There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus.

Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.

Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness.

You’ll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered.

NHS Stay at Home Advice – Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

Tips for staying at home

It’s important to stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading.

Do

• Try to keep at least 2 metres (3 steps) from other people in your home, particularly older people or those with long-term health conditions.
• Ask friends and family and delivery services to deliver things like food shopping and medicines – but avoid contact with them.
• Sleep alone if possible.
• Regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Try to stay away from older people and those with long-term health conditions.
• Drink plenty of water and take everyday painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, to help with your symptoms.

Don’t

• Do not have visitors (ask people to leave deliveries outside).
• Do not leave the house, for example to go for a walk, to school or public places.

Urgent advice: Use the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service if: 

• You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home.
• Your condition gets worse.
• Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days.

Use the 111 Coronavirus service.

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB124

BT Workplaces and Coronavirus – COVID-19

The CWU have met with BT’s Property and Facilities Services team to be briefed on the ramp up of workplace cleaning in the face of the Coronavirus COVID-19 that is becoming of increasing concern across the country.

BT have stressed that the current advice is to use common sense and follow the good hygiene practice that is being widely publicised and available on the BT Today homepage; wash hands thoroughly and be thoughtful of colleagues by not overusing or removing consumable items such as soap, paper towels, hand sanitiser and toilet rolls.

BT have a Threat Assessment Response Group (TARG) which is a Director led command group and forum made up of senior managers from across the business. In this instance it is taking medical advice from Dr Richard Caddis, the BT Chief Medical Officer.

At present there are 150 key sites that are inhabited by the greatest proportion of BT staff across the country and enhanced cleaning in these locations will be heavily increased. Those locations with a full-time housekeeping presence will have more frequent checks on washroom areas and consumables. The enhanced cleaning will focus on breaking the chain of infection by targeting the cleaning of workplace touchpoints where there is an increased probability of contamination. This includes common areas, corridors, lifts, doors, desks and keyboards.

BT has access to dedicated specialist Electrostatic cleaning machines across the country that can be deployed quickly to deep clean any workplace where confirmed cases arise. Deep clean scenario testing is already underway to assess the potential impact arising from multiple deployment requirements. The deep cleaning focuses on decontamination of the workplace to allow safe re-occupation.

A toolkit of information is being prepared by BT which will include fact sheets, FAQs and guidance and this will be provided to branches as it becomes available.

Yours sincerely,

Brendan O’Brien
Assistant Secretary

122.2020