Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 012) – Double Deck Trailers Load Restraint Straps Safe Stowage:

Audience:

All Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail and Parcelforce) staff who operate, drive, load and unload ‘Double Deck Trailers (DDTs).

Overview and Background:

Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Group have issued ‘Safety Flash’, number FY21 012, (copy attached), which urgently advises all staff who operate, drive, load and unload ‘Double Deck Trailers’ to adhere to the DDT Safe System of Work (SSoW) and to ensure correct and safe stowage of straps/buckles and that all damaged straps are replaced.

Description, Issue, Impact and Effect:

Load restraint straps not correctly stowed away can become entangled in the moving, upper deck, causing significant damage to the trailer and straps and buckles, preventing safe use of the trailer and leading to damaged trailers being removed from service, failing services and costly repairs/downtime.

Key Management Activities, Learning Points and Messages to Drivers:

• Communicate and display the SHE Safety Flash on the SHE notice board.
• Straps not correctly secured after use can become entangled in the moving upper deck, significantly damaging vehicle.
• When releasing a load restraint strap, stow it away correctly to prevent it becoming entangled in the moving deck.
• The trailer moving deck is designed to lift 12t in weight, if a strap is entangled it can rip the load restraint out of the floor anchor point, causing the deck to tilt and damage.
• Stow straps away correctly to prevent entanglement in the moving deck.
• Report defective straps for their replacement.
• Ensure vehicle maintenance checks importantly identify damaged straps requiring replacement.

Attachment:

• Copy of RMG SHE Safety Flash FY21 012.

Conclusion – Key Activity – Unit PiC Action Required

Unit PICs to ensure the SHE Flash is cascaded/briefed/shared with all DDT drivers, loaders/unloaders and is clearly displayed in key locations.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 376/21 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 012) – Double Deck Trailers Load Restraint Straps Safe Stowage

Att: SHE Flash FY21 012 DD Trailer Strap Stowage

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 011) – Vehicle Breakdown and Recovery Operations – Falls From Height Injury Accident Risks:

Audience:

All Royal Mail Group drivers.

Overview and Background:

Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Group have issued ‘Safety Flash’, number FY21 011, (copy attached), which urgently advises all drivers with a broken down vehicle NOT to participate in the recovery operation which must be left to the trained recovery vehicle crew, in order to avoid accidents whereby drivers risk falls from height, either from the broken down vehicle cab once it has been either driven or winched on to the vehicle transporter/ recovery truck or from the elevated recovery vehicle platform/bed.

Description and Issue:

RMG drivers (Royal Mail, Parcelforce, RMSS, RMP&FS etc.,) must not drive defective vehicles on/off vehicle recovery/transporters. The defective vehicle should be placed onto the recovery transporter vehicle by the recovery agent’s staff. No assistance should be given by driving or steering the defective vehicle on or off the transporter. The ‘Mandatory’ Safe Systems of Work must be followed at all times by drivers.

Impact and Effect:

Fall from height injuries which can be serious.

Key Management Activities, Learning Points and Messages to Drivers:

• Communicate and display the SHE Safety Flash on the SHE notice board.
• In the event of a broken down, immobilised vehicle that requires recovery by a vehicle transporter – falls from height must be prevented.
• Never drive the defective vehicle on or off the recovery vehicles.
• Never assist in steering a defective vehicle on/off the transporter – keep clear.
• Never climb onto the bed of the recovery vehicle – only recovery crew should undertake such tasks.
• Only trained recovery agents should load and unload casualty vehicles.
• All drivers must adhere to the RMG Driving SSOW and PFW OFS-001_02c SSOW on Collection and Delivery Work.
• Be aware when climbing on board breakdown/recovery vehicles. When climbing the cab steps, this should be undertaken using 3 points of contact and different makes of vehicle may have more steps than are found on the RMG fleet vehicles.

Attachment:

• Copy of RMG SHE Safety Flash FY21 011.

Conclusion – Key Activity – Unit PiC Action Required

Unit PICs to ensure the SHE Flash is cascaded/briefed/shared with all drivers and is clearly displayed in key locations.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 375/21 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 011) – Vehicle Breakdown and Recovery Operations – Falls From Height

Att: SHE Flash FY21 011 Vehicle Breakdown

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Postal Department Industrial Training Update

Further to LTB 330/21 circulated on 11^th August 2021, Branches will recall that following Covid the database of industrial tutors required updating. Current tutors were requested to confirm that they are happy to continue to deliver this industrial training and further volunteers were also asked to register their interest.

The attached document lists the trainers, who provided this information to the DGS(P) Department by close of play on Friday 3^rd September 2021. They are divided into three categories corresponding to the three main courses previously held –  Conduct, Attendance and Industrial Relations Training.

Branches will also appreciate that in order to stress test the revised Industrial Relations Framework containing the recent changes to the Dispute Resolution Process from the Pathway to Change national agreement, pilot courses will now be held as well. These are scheduled to take place later this month, after which the course material will be evaluated. Once that process is complete, the intention will be to hold a ‘Train the Trainer’ event in October, for the tutors listed to deliver this particular course. The date(s) for this session will be circulated in due course.

Although the Postal Executive are conscious of the increasing demand for face to face training, it remains important for this to be completed as safely as possible and with the most up to date material available. Once the tutors have been trained, we will be able to roll out the revised Industrial Relations Framework training package to new Reps at pace and hopefully equip them to develop solutions to issues that arise in their workplace.

The Postal Department Education and Training Sub-Committee, including members from the Equality, Education and Development Department, will continue to meet to consider potential changes that need to be incorporated in both the Conduct and Attendance training, in light of the current talks on policy under paragraph 2.9 of the Pathway to Change national agreement. Further updates will be provided on this particular aspect of the Postal Department industrial training portfolio in due course.

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)

LTB 374/21 – Postal Department Industrial Training Update

LTB 374/21 – Attachment – Postal Department Industrial Training (download)

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Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 8)

Further to LTB No. 222/2021, Royal Mail Group informed CWU/HQ that following the substantial changes to and removal of Covid-Secure restrictions by the UK Governments (in England – week commencing 19 July 2021, Northern Ireland – 26 July 2021, Wales – 7 August 2021 and Scotland – 9 August 2021), as reported in other Letters to Branches, the previous Coronavirus Q&A series of updates were ceased by Royal Mail Group and following a review of the content, Coronavirus Q&A documents have been re-started from issue 1 and so on.

I attach for your information Version 8 of the Royal Mail Group, Managers’ Coronavirus/Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance document, issued by the business on 18 August 2021.

At the commencement of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak, Royal Mail Group established a ‘Business Pandemic Team’ which includes all national heads of department and this team meets regularly to review the situation across Royal Mail Group and to issue update Questions and Answers information communications to all managers, which is cascaded throughout the business.

The Coronavirus Guidance, Version 8 Q&A document has been shared with the Union’s Health, Safety & Environment Department and is hereby circulated for information and reference purposes for CWU Regions, Health and Safety Reps, Branch Reps, Divisional IR Reps and members.

The Q&A documents are circulated to all RMG managers and are also available to access through a link on the Royal Mail Group ‘Intranet’, in the ‘Managers Update Messages’ section on the RMG Coronavirus portal.

Contents List: 

1. Shared Vans
2. Social Distancing
3. Face Coverings
4. Self-Isolation, Testing, Vulnerable Colleagues and Enforcement Visits
5. Cleaning, Facilities & CSP Cash Handling

Any enquiries regarding this LTB or feedback on the RMG Q&A document should be directed to Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer. Issues received in connection with the attached which are appropriate to other CWU/HQ Departments will be passed on by the appropriate National Officer.

Attachment:

• RMG Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers V8

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 373/21 – Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (V8)

Att: Coronavirus Guidance Questions v8

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CIR Business Awards – Royal Mail Group – Winners of ‘Resilient Workforce Award’ 2021 – In Recognition of The Amazing Response Of The Workforce In The UK Postal Service Operation During The Covid-19 Pandemic:

Royal Mail Group have won the ‘Resilient Workforce Award 2021’ at the CIR Annual Business Awards.  This new award category recognises the company’s most important asset – its workforce. The judges looked for evidence of business continuity practices that put people at the heart of the organisation’s continuity planning as well as demonstrating involvement, communications and the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding the workforce, as a vital asset.

Royal Mail Group entered the ‘Resilient Workforce Award’ to recognise the amazing response of the workforce in the UK Postal Service operation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Royal Mail Group was recognised for the collective response of the employer, trade unions and workforce, working through the Covid-19 pandemic as a UK essential service over the last 18 months.

The CIR Business Awards – ‘Resilient Workforce Award’ 2021 was awarded to Royal Mail Group at a ceremony held at the central London Marriot Hotel Conference Suite. Freddie Warnock, Royal Mail Group’s Head of Safety Operations received the award with representatives from the trade unions invited to be present.

Post Presentation Comments:

Dr Shaun Davis RMG Global Director Safety, Health, Wellbeing, Compliance and Sustainability said “The Award highlighted the trust that was built as the business responded to the challenges of Covid to keep our people safe as we continued to deliver for the nation.”

Dave Joyce CWU National Health and Safety Officer said, “I’m delighted to see some well-deserved public recognition of the heroic commitment and dedication of UK front line CWU grade postal workers in Royal Mail and Parcelforce – in keeping the country connected and resiliently maintaining the postal service during the Covid-19 pandemic by delivering for the nation, not only a normal service but one which saw record levels of traffic passing through our network. The country, the Government and the NHS depended on us and we delivered, proving that Royal Mail is the best in the world. I would personally like to dedicate this award to those colleagues who were Covid victims and are sadly no longer with us.”

Gary Sassoon-Hales NEC Unite/CMA said “The award was a fantastic recognition of the contribution made by everyone in Royal Mail.”

Jeff Lewis RMG Head of Business Protection said “It was great to win which helps to further build Royal Mail’s reputation for our operational resilience.”

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 372/21 – CIR Business Awards – Royal Mail Group – Winners of ‘Resilient Workforce Award’ 2021

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Gas Safety Week 13-19 September 2021:

The CWU is proud to again be supporting Gas Safety Week this year, 2021. The eleventh annual Gas Safety Week sees organisations from across the UK working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Gas Safety Week is an annual safety week to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. It is coordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas.

The week aims to raise awareness amongst householders and landlords, about the importance of having their gas appliances serviced on an annual basis. 5000 organisation across the UK signed-up last year pledging to work together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances. Unsafe gas appliances can put lives at risk from gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO2) poisoning.

This year, Gas Safety Week is addressing how we keep safe as a community, especially during these challenging times, plus a whole range of gas safety matters throughout the week, from tackling illegal gas work to reminding people to avoid DIY when it comes to gas appliances and instead leave it the experts – registered engineers who are legally qualified to make sure your appliances are working safely and efficiently.

It’s vital that people make sure their gas appliances are safety checked every year, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Anyone working on gas appliances while not being Gas Safe registered is working illegally.

Check your gas safe appliances every year
Gas appliances should be safety checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered
Agents, landlords and tenants can find and check an engineer at www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

Check your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card
Make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the card.

Carbon monoxide (CO) 

Carbon monoxide has no colour, smell or taste, and it can kill quickly. Help protect your family by arranging an annual gas safety check with a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer, and install an audible CO alarm.

For more info on CO visit GasSafeRegister.co.uk

In supporting the 2021 Gas Safety Week, we are reminding Branches, Safety Reps and Members in a joint awareness campaign with RoSPA, HSE and the ‘Gas Safe Register’ to alert people to the importance of Gas Safety in the home.  In the UK, 21 million households use gas for heating, hot water and cooking. There are approximately 7,500 unregistered gas fitters actively working in the UK today with 250,000 illegal gas jobs done every year by unregistered gas fitters.

Badly-fitted and poorly-serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, explosions, fires, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Dangerous gas work can kill and people have died and have been injured through Carbon Monoxide poisoning and other incidents. Carbon Monoxide symptoms can be mistaken for flu, food poisoning, viral infections and tiredness.  A carbon monoxide alarm costs around £15 to £20 – every home should have CO Alarms and Smoke Alarms – but they are not a substitute for regular servicing.

The ‘Gas Safe Register’ is the Government approved registration scheme for gas engineers in the UK, Isle of Man and Guernsey. There are more than 120,000 Gas Safe Registered engineers. There are more than 60,000 Gas Safe Registered businesses. All gas appliances need regular servicing and a gas safety check every year (or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions). All landlords and housing associations are legally obliged to ensure that all gas appliances and related pipes and flues within their rental properties are checked every 12 months for safety. They must issue a copy of the certificate to the tenant within 28 days of the test and give a copy to any new tenants moving in.

Not all gas engineers can work on all gas appliances. Gas Safe Registered engineers carry an ID card that shows the type of gas work they are legally registered and qualified to do e.g. cooker, boilers, gas fires etc.

Dangerous DIY – One in three people would fit a gas appliance themselves to save money. This is extremely risky and dangerous.

If you suspect an illegal gas worker report it to Gas Safe Register:

Gas Safe Register
PO BOX 6804
Basingstoke
RG24 4NB
0800 408 5500
Website: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/reportillegal

‘Gas Safe Register’ also offers technical support for registered gas engineers. Call the technical helpline on 0800 408 5577, or visit the ‘Gas Safe Register’ Website at:

www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk

‘Gas Safe Register’ replaced the ‘CORGI’ gas registration scheme as of April 9, 2009. Corgi ID cards are no longer valid. You can check card ID details instantly online. Only ‘Gas Safe Register’ registered engineers can work on gas and fit, fix and service boilers, gas fires and most types of gas cookers in your home – it’s the law. Keeping the public safe from dangerous gas work is ‘Gas Safe Register’s top priority. If someone other than a ‘Gas Safe Registered’ engineer carries out gas work in your home, you are risking the safety of both yourself and your family, other residents, visitors and your property.

Simple search and identity check

Finding a Gas Safe Registered engineer is easy. You can find an engineer in your area online at the ‘Gas Safe Register’ website: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk – or by calling the free helpline: 0800 408 5500. Every engineer on the Gas Safe Register carries an ID card with their own unique licence number. The back of the ID card lists what gas appliances your engineer is qualified to work on. The message from Gas Safe Register is clear: Before you have any gas work done in your home, make sure you ask for the ID card and check the front and back.

Gas Safe Register’s top ten tips: Great advice for Gas Safety Week 2021 

1. Have all your gas appliances, including boilers, gas cookers and gas fires, safety checked annually.
2. Always use a Gas Safe Registered engineer to fit, fix and check gas appliances in your home – it’s the law and will help keep you safe.
3. Always ask to see an engineer’s Gas Safe ID card and check the back of the card to ensure they are qualified to carry out the specific type of gas work you need.
4. To find a Gas Safe Registered engineer in your area, call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500 or go to GasSafeRegister.co.uk.
5. Recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.
6. Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly e.g. lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.
7. Buy an audible carbon monoxide alarm for your home and make sure it is located near to your gas appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance. Carbon monoxide can leak from appliances and kill.
8. Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose e.g. don’t use a gas oven to heat a room or use a gas barbeque inside the house.
9. Always ensure there is enough ventilation for your gas appliances to allow them to burn correctly and make sure you are not blocking any air vents that provide an air supply to the gas appliance.
10. Anybody working with gas has to be Gas Safe Registered by law. To report someone working without registration, call Gas Safe Register on the free phone number 0800 408 5500.

Did you know?

• Every year thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a highly poisonous gas. You can’t see it, taste it, or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning.
• Gas Safe Register found almost 5 million people across the UK are putting themselves at risk by employing illegal gas fitters who aren’t properly qualified. 65% of all gas jobs carried out by illegal fitters were unsafe, with 1 in 5 so dangerous they had to be disconnected immediately.
• 3 in 4 victims of illegal gas work hired the worker following a friend’s recommendation and 1 in 4 found them through an advert, wrongly assuming they were registered. In all cases the householder did not check the credentials of the worker before the work was carried out – you should always check the official Gas Safe Register.
• Although there is awareness that gas appliances need to be safety checked annually, 43% of Britons don’t do it, and 10% have gas appliances which have never been checked.

Further Information

Gas Safe Register
200 Cedarwood
Chineham Park
Crockford Lane
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG24 8WD

Consumer enquiries:
0800 408 5500
enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk

Engineer enquiries
0800 408 5577
register@gassaferegister.co.uk

Attached Materials

• Gas Safety Week Leaflet (pdf)
• Gas Safety Poster (pdf)

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 371/21 – Gas Safety Week 13-19 September 2021

Att: Gas Safe Week 2021 A5 Postcard Leaflet

Att: Gas Safe Week 2021 A3 Poster

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Average Pay on Annual Leave (Holiday Pay) in Royal Mail Group – Joint Statement for Back Pay Arrangements (Christmas Peak Period) Covering SA Rate Payments for Pre-Scheduled Overtime & part-time to full-time Uplift

Further to LTB 294/21 circulated on 16^th July 2021, Branches and Representatives will recall that, just prior to the Branch ballot, an issue was highlighted during a social media Q&A session that related to the Christmas peak (Period 9) and in particular the pre-scheduled, non-contractual overtime being paid at scheduled attendance rate as well as temporary variations of contract.

The potential consequence was that this practice may prevent some members from meeting the regularity threshold of the six-month qualifying periods where Period 9 was included. Branches and Representatives will know that Christmas is the only time of the year where there is a wholesale adjustment to the National Scheduled Attendance Agreement in Royal Mail and Parcelforce although in the latter the arrangements are covered in the Autumn Pressure Agreement.

Therefore, in order to resolve this matter and obtain an agreed joint clarification of how this discrepancy can be resolved for the back pay calculation as well as in the future a series of meetings were held between the DGS(P) Department and the business.  During those talks it became apparent that whilst Royal Mail Group were able to use the PSP system to distinguish between scheduled attendance hours and those paid as pressure, they do not yet have the ability to separate the pre-scheduled hours paid over Period 9 as non-contractual scheduled attendance.

It was recognised early in the talks that the immediate problem this presented related to the manual calculation of back pay.  As there is already a demand from members to know when back payments will be made, this aspect had to take priority.  In addition, consideration was also given to scheduled attendance and bank holiday pay over Christmas, the part-time qualification for the Christmas supplement where there had been an agreed variation of contract and the underpin payment arrangements.

Whilst the matter under discussion was originally highlighted in relation to full-time, it also became evident that there is a significant impact upon part-time. Using 2019 as a representative year, due to Covid being prevalent in 2020, the statistics show that in excess of 6,600 part-time employees increased their hours in Period 9 with close to 4,000 varying their hours to full-time and above for more than two weeks.

The business originally proposed that Period 9 was removed altogether for everyone from the back pay regularity threshold.  This was rejected as without further clarification and guidelines there would undoubtedly have been an adverse impact on many members who then would have seen their normal rate overtime hours performed in Period 9 removed from the back pay calculation.

There have been a number of complexities to these talks however I am now pleased to report that at a meeting on 26^thAugust 2021 the attached Joint Statement was endorsed by the Postal Executive.

Branches will see that there is now an agreement to define the process for the calculation of back pay and in particular the impact of Period 9.  The estimated date for these payments to be made is late September/early October although a further clarification of the exact dates will be provided in the coming weeks.  In terms of the calculation itself, there are now conditions attached to the removal of Period 9.  This means that a failure to meet the regularity threshold due to the alternative pay arrangements during this period will not mean a disqualification from the regularity test.  Furthermore, if a member qualifies in the remaining monthly periods (7, 8, 10, 11 and 12) then for Period 9 any overtime hours paid as normal overtime rate or all part-time single rate overtime outside of agreed temporary contract variations are included in the calculation.

Members who have performed pre-scheduled overtime during the Christmas Period will meet the regularity test but earnings from hours paid at scheduled attendance rate will be excluded from the average pay calculation.  This is due to having received the higher pay rate and the average of the SA they have performed being paid to them for the Christmas Period Bank Holidays.  This principle will also apply to part-time members who by local agreement have a temporary increase to their conditioned hours to full-time for a minimum of two weeks in the Christmas Peak Period and qualify to receive the full amount of the £100 Christmas supplement and the £100 Colleague Share (underpin) payment.

National negotiations will now be held to agree a process for the calculation going forward including how Period 9 features and may well have to involve both Davie Robertson and Mark Baulch’s Departments. The data that emanates from the back pay calculations will help to inform these talks and the aim will be to reach a conclusion by 31^stOctober 2021, after which a further update will be provided to Branches.

Negotiations will also continue at a national level in order to be able to identify those hours above pre-scheduled overtime levels paid as ad-hoc overtime for LGV drivers.  It has been agreed that YDC will be used as a test unit where such data can be jointly evaluated. The objective will then be to reach agreement for a process that can be overlaid nationally.

Branches will recognise that the terms of the main national agreement centre on an agreed definition for the regularity of overtime together with the associated reference periods.  The agreement will prove significantly beneficial to our part-time members especially if used in conjunction with the national joint statement for resourcing, and recruitment and Branches are encouraged to utilise the terms of both agreements together.

When originally negotiating a national agreement of this magnitude, Branches and Representatives will know that it was never going to be possible to accommodate every single individual duty pattern.  Whilst the attached Joint Statement now provides further clarification around the calculation of back pay, it is possible that other issues may also emerge as this data is analysed.  Branches will recall that the main national agreement provides for joint reviews after six and twelve months.  It is therefore the intention to pick up any other outstanding issues that are identified as part of this activity at that stage.

Branches and Representatives will be advised of further developments as they occur.  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)      

LTB 370/21 – Average Pay on Annual Leave (Holiday Pay) in RMg – Joint Statement

Attachment to LTB 370/21 – Joint Statement – Annual Leave (Holiday Pay) Back Pay 120821 Signed 060921

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Improving Access to National Agreements and Information – DGS(P) Department Sharepoint Facility

Branches will be aware that in order to ensure Local Representatives have quick and easy access to information particularly in relation to revision activity, we have recently created a sharepoint facility that has a link to the CWU website and can be accessed through the use of a password.

Since the Pathway to Change national agreement was concluded earlier this year, there has been a drive to empower Local Representatives to reach agreements and develop local solutions. The Joint Dispute Resolution Training (Industrial Relations Framework) has highlighted this approach.

In order to build upon this work and to provide additional support at pace, the DGS(P) Department has been working with the Communications Department to develop a DGS(P) sharepoint site. Within this sharepoint there are various agreements and updates that relate to the deployment of the National Pathway to Change Agreement and the aspects that the DGS(P) Department are working to implement or those that have already been deployed.

There is also a quick link to the Four Pillars Agreement which is still relevant and complemented by the Pathway to Change Agreement and a huge part of our current direction and policy.

Branches and Representatives should be aware that the DGS(P) sharepoint can be accessed through the following link using the password **********. Those using a smart phone will also be able to use this to view the relevant information.

https://www.cwu.org/reps/national-agreements/share-point/

It is the intention to continue to add material to this sharepoint as and when further developments occur and new national agreements or Terms of Reference that relate to the DGS(P) Department are concluded.

In addition, Representatives will be able to download postal recruitment material whilst those industrial trainers that have attended the relevant train the trainer events will be able to view the most up to date and relevant industrial training material.

I am confident that the DGS(P) sharepoint facility will prove to be a useful tool in providing a swift link to our national agreements and other information from the Department and ultimately help representatives in the workplace. I would therefore encourage Branches to give this LTB the widest possible circulation so that all Unit Representatives are aware of this resource.

In closing I would like to thank Divisional Representative Bob McGuire and the Communications Department for their help in bringing this to fruition.

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)

LTB 369/21

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RMPFS IR FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

Further to the National briefing earlier this week, Branches should be aware the Ballot for the above agreement will commence on Tuesday the 7^th of September 2021 and will close on Tuesday the 21^st of September 2021.

The Ballot papers will be sent to Branches electronically and the number of members in each Branch will be included on the Ballot paper.

The agreement has the endorsement of the Postal Executive and we would urge all Branches to participate in the Ballot.

Any queries to the content of the above should contact the Outdoor department quoting reference 120 email address njones@cwu.org or the PTCS department quoting reference 320 email address khay@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Carl Maden                                                           

Assistant Secretary                      

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary

LTB 365/21 – RMPFS IR Framework Agreement

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The Highway Code Revisions And Updates:

Introduction

The Highway Code undergoes regular revisions and with over two thirds of CWU members driving as part or all of their job plus the majority driving to/from work, it’s important to be aware of the latest version of the Highway Code book. While some revisions may be moderate, others will cover changes to important laws such as drink driving limits, and safety regulations.

Background – Highway Code For England, Scotland And Wales.

The Highway Code first appeared in 1931 and has been updated as vehicles, driving practices and laws have changed. The Highway Code UK covers England, Scotland and Wales. The aim of The Highway Code is to make the roads safer for everyone. The Official DVSA Highway Code can be browsed on line here:- https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/highway-code-road-safety and the booklet can purchased online from the DVSA for £2.50 here:-https://www.safedrivingforlife.info/shop/official-dvsa-highway-code/ It can also be purchased from many online retailers and most bookshops.

The Highway Code For Northern Ireland

There is a separate edition for Northern Ireland. On the NI Direct Website is a complete pdf version of The Highway Code (NI) that can be downloaded, as well as its individual sections. The link is:- https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/highway-code

The Highway Code Book (Summary)

The Highway Code Book is broken down into specific sections for different road users and instances:

• Rules for pedestrians.General guidance for people on foot, including how to cross the road, understanding different types of crossings and how to use them.
• Rules for powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters.Covers which types of mobility vehicles can be used on the road as well as on the pavement, and the rules to follow in each case.
• Rules about animals.For people using horses and horse-drawn vehicles, as well as people with dogs and other animals.
• Rules for cyclists.Laws for cyclists to follow, including how to handle junctions and roundabouts.
• Rules for motorcyclists.Covering legal requirements such as helmets and other safety issues, carrying passengers and driving at night.
• Rules for drivers and motorcyclists.Covers rules about vehicle conditions, towing, passenger safety, drink driving and more.
• General rules for all drivers and riders.Covers general rules and guidance, including signalling, stopping, speed limits and lane driving.
• Using the road.General rules on how to use the road safely, such as overtaking, junctions, roundabouts and crossings.
• Road users requiring extra care.A special section for especially vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
• Driving in adverse weather conditions.How to handle rain, fog, ice, high winds and storms.
• Waiting and parking.Rules on parking, waiting and parking enforcement.
• Rules on using motorways safely.
• Breakdowns and incidents.What to do in the event of a breakdown or traffic incident.
• Roadworks, level crossings and tramways.Guidance on how to navigate these specialised areas.
• Light signals controlling traffic.Understanding traffic lights, motorway signals and lane control signals.
• Signals to road users.How to signal correctly, and understanding others’ signals.
• Signals by authorised persons.Understanding arm signals from police and other authorised officials.
• Traffic signs.Understanding the myriad signs you’ll encounter on the road.
• Road markings.Helping you understand the different road markings and what they mean.
• Vehicle markings.What various vehicle markings mean, including hazard warning plates.

Those are the main areas. Additional sections give more detail on a range of subjects including penalties, first aid and other forms of guidance. There’s a lot to cover, but it’s important that drivers study it carefully and absorb as much as they can.

The Drink Drive Limit

There are strict alcohol limits for drivers, but it’s impossible to say exactly how many drinks this equals – it’s different for each person. The limits in Scotland are different to the rest of the UK. See below. The golden rule is don’t drink and drive and secondly beware of ‘the morning after effect’.Level of alcoholEngland, Wales and Northern IrelandScotlandMicrograms per 100 millilitres of breath3522Milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood8050Milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine10767

The Highway Code And Road Signs

The Highway Code has a large section on traffic signs, and covers the majority of them. There’s a lot of different road signs to remember, some are commonplace (speed limit signs, for example) or self-explanatory (the Stop sign), others are comparatively rare or could seem insignificant unless you know exactly what the symbols and colours mean. However, a full guide to every sign is available in a book entitled ‘Know Your Traffic Signs‘. The Highway Code has a section detailing the signs that give orders, warnings, directions, information, as well as signs you’ll encounter at road works. It’s vital to memorise these as fully as possible, because if you don’t know what to do in response to a road sign it could cause an accident.

The Highway Code And The Law

Some elements of The Highway Code are legal requirements, and breaking these rules is a criminal offence that can be met with a fine, penalty points, loss of driving license or in some cases a prison sentence. Legal requirements are clearly marked with the words MUST or MUST NOT. Other guidelines in The Highway Code are not legally binding, but they will help drivers become safer drivers. Just be aware that if drivers don’t adhere to rules that have advisory wording in them and they are being prosecuted for a driving offence, then The Highway Code can be used against those drivers in court and will be taken seriously by judges.

Penalty Points, Fines And Driving Bans

Full details can be found at:- https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/penalty-points-fines-bans

The Highway Code Revisions

To regularly monitor updates you can visit Gov.UK’s Highway Code updates page:- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/updates Attached find a list of revisions with some details for the period 2015-2021. The full details can be found on the Gov.UK’s Highway Code updates page at the above link.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 367/21 – The Highway Code Revisions and Updates

Att: The Highway Code Updates – 2015-2021

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