Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains. Karl Marx.
BREAKING: CDC Pension schemes will come into force in August 2022. This union had a vision of an alternative to the decline of DC schemes. It is now a reality.
We will bring a full update on what this means for Royal Mail Group members in the coming days https://www.pensionsage.com/pa/CDC-legislation-to-come-into-force-on-1-August-2022.php
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) – Resources For Health and Safety Reps:
MSDs are preventable and the HSE has published a range of useful tools that will help health and safety representatives make representations regarding identified problem areas and from there raise issues through health and safety inspection and committees to work with employers and managers to reduce the levels of MSDs in the workplace.
For basic information on preventing MSDs go to:
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most commonly reported cause of occupational ill-health in the UK with over half a million workers suffering from a work-related MSD at any one time.
MSDs are prevalent in all sectors but with logistics and transport, agriculture, construction and health and social care having significantly higher than average rates.
Past TUC Safety Rep surveys have shown that it was also one of the problems most encountered by Trade Union health and safety reps with a third saying that back strains were a major concern for union members and over a quarter saying that repetitive strain injuries were a major concern.
MSD Toolkits
There are three HSE MSD toolkits that can be used by both health and safety reps and managers to help highlight high-risk tasks. These are:
Regulations
The main regulations and related guidance are also on the HSE and GOV.UK sites. These are:
Guides
There are a range of guides published by the HSE. Many of them are written for employers to tell them how to comply with the law, but they are equally of use to health and safety reps.
These include:
The HSE material will ensure that you know what employers and managers must do to obey the law.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
LTB 552/21 – Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) – Resources For Health and Safety Reps
Daily Rapid LFD Testing for Covid-19 Close Contacts Launched – Changes To Self-Isolation Rules For England Announced:
(Self-Isolation Rules For Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland explained also below and attached)
From Tuesday, 14 December the UK Government, through the Department of Health and Social Care issued new guidance in respect to changes to the self-isolation rules in England as set out below.
In summary, fully vaccinated close contacts of a Covid-19 case should take a daily lateral flow device test for 7 days instead of self-isolating. The Government state that this is designed to slow the spread of the virus.
From Tuesday 14 December, people who are fully vaccinated and identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19 – whether Omicron or not – should take an NHS rapid lateral flow device (LFD) test every day for 7 days to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
The practical move comes as Omicron variant infections are rising significantly in the UK and it is expected to become the dominant strain in the UK by mid-December. It aims to reduce pressures on people’s everyday lives by replacing the requirement for Omicron contacts to isolate for 10 days, while protecting the public by identifying asymptomatic cases and stopping the chains of transmission. Testing daily will also help us understand how and where the virus is spreading.
Close contacts of people who test positive are at higher risk of getting Covid-19 and, with 1 in 3 people asymptomatic (positive but showing no symptoms), daily testing will help ensure that the 1 in 3 infected people with no symptoms are not unknowingly passing the virus on to others.
As now, anyone whose rapid LFD test comes back positive or who develops Covid-19 symptoms should self-isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test to verify the result. If the PCR result comes back positive, they must self-isolate for 10 days from the day they took the positive rapid test or developed symptoms. They do not need to continue taking rapid tests during that 10-day isolation period once confirmed positive. If the PCR result comes back negative, they can stop self-isolation but should continue to take rapid tests for the remainder of the 7 days.
Anyone identified as a close contact with a negative rapid lateral flow device test result is strongly advised to limit close contact with other people outside their household, especially in crowded or enclosed spaces and with anyone who is more vulnerable. They should also follow government guidance on wearing a face covering and working from home where possible.
Unvaccinated adults are not eligible for this new daily testing policy, they must self-isolate for 10 days if they are a close contact of someone who tests positive for Covid-19 – Omicron variant or not – unless eligible for existing workplace daily contact testing.
The government state that they are taking this proportionate and more practical measure to limit the impact on people’s day to day lives while helping to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.
Rapid tests are freely available in pharmacies and online. In Royal Mail Group they can also be obtained through the Workforce Testing Scheme where they can be requested and will be delivered to the workplace.
People may be contacted by NHS Test and Trace by phone, email or text or they will receive a notification from the NHS Covid-19 app if they are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 and they will be advised as to what action they need to take.
They will be advised to get a box of 7 lateral flow device (LFD) test kits, free of charge from NHS Test and Trace either through pharmacies, schools, home delivery by ordering online or at the Workplace. People are encouraged to use the tests they already have at home before ordering more. People should take these tests from the day they are notified as being a close contact and report their results to NHS Test and Trace on GOV.UK or by calling 119.
Testing with isolation remains a vital tool in controlling the spread of Covid-19 and the Omicron variant given how quickly it passes from person to person. Extensive clinical evaluation shows lateral flow device (LFD) tests are accurate and sensitive enough to be used in the community and detect 80 to 90% of people that are highly infectious very quickly, so more people who are at a high likelihood of spreading the virus isolate and prevent the variant from spreading to others.
The Prime Minister confirmed on Wednesday 8 December that England will move to Plan B following the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in the UK. This means people are advised to wear face masks/coverings, work from home where possible, practice good hygiene standards – washing hands and sanitising, ventilate indoor spaces and get plenty of fresh air. Face coverings are now compulsory in most indoor venues and on public transport.
The government and NHS have expanded and sped-up the vaccination and booster programme to be delivered via 1,500 community pharmacy sites, additional hospital hubs and pop-up sites will be opening in convenient locations across the country. Extra financial support is being given to GPs, community pharmacies and primary care staff will help boost capacity and encourage more visits to those who are housebound.
Background information
Daily rapid testing applies to all contacts who are:
Under 5s are exempt from self-isolation and do not need to take part in daily rapid lateral flow device testing.
Self-Isolation Rules For Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
See attached flow charts which have helpfully been produced by the Royal Mail Group Occupational Health Team, explaining the different self-isolation rules for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which differ significantly and can be somewhat confusing as there are variations between each nation. Added to this are variations between Omricon and Non-Omricon variant infections and variations between household and non-household close contacts – so please read the flow charts carefully.
Attachments:
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Message From Dr Shaun Davis -Daily rapid testing for seven days in England 14.12.21
Grenfell Tower Fire Disaster Inquiry Update Report – Government “Hid” Fire Safety Risks to Buildings:
Introduction
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry is a British public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people and destroyed Grenfell Tower. It was created to examine the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the fire at Grenfell Tower on the night of 14 June 2017.
The Inquiry opened on 14 September 2017 and is now into week 61. It can be followed on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Website with sessions streamed live at this link: https://www.grenfelltowerinquiry.org.uk/
The Grenfell Inquiry has heard of how consecutive governments were accountable for “collusion” with the construction industry and have been accused of “deliberately covering up” the dangers posed to combustible materials before the Grenfell Tower fire, suppressing the results of investigations into previous building cladding fires, including one which occurred at Lakanal House in 2009.
Lakanal House Fire 2009 and Former Minister Eric Pickles
Southwark Council was fined a total of £570,000 for safety failures at Lakanal House, the south London tower block in which three women and three children lost their lives in 2009. London fire brigade (LFB) brought the prosecution against the council, which was landlord of the 14-storey block of flats at the time, after inspectors visited Lakanal House in the wake of the fire.
The most egregious shortcomings identified was a failure to conduct a fire-risk assessment, deficiencies in fire-resistant structures and materials between each maisonette staircase and shared internal doors, a lack of compartmentation in false ceiling structures of shared corridors and an absence of fitted intumescent strips and smoke seals on fire doors.
The fire which occurred at Lakanal House, almost a decade before that which occurred at Grenfell Tower, resulted in a coroner, Frances Kirkham, cautioning the government that all parts of a building should be examined in fire safety inspections. The Coroner recommended re-writing the fire safety guidance that construction firms and architects rely on to ensure they meet the requirements of the building regulations as well as recommending the retrofitting of ‘sprinklers’.
Eric Pickles, the Tory Government Secretary of State responsible at the time was “dismissive” of the Inquest’s findings and Coroner’s recommendations made to eliminate or reduce future risk to life, sent to the Minister under Rule 43 of the Coroners Rules. 8 years after the Lakanal House fire tragedy in which 6 died came the Grenfell Tower fire disaster with 72 deaths!
The introduction of ‘sprinklers’ had been shelved on cost grounds and there were no changes to fire safety inspections and a review of building regulation management had not been completed either.
Minister Michael Gove Admits That Government Had Not Appreciated the Importance of Fire Safety
Last month, Michael Gove current Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government admitted to MPs in the House of Commons that his department: “Will be seen to have, on a couple of occasions, not necessarily appreciated the importance of fire safety and not necessarily done everything it should have in the wake of the Lakanal House fire tragedy”. (The understatement of the decade)!
David Cameron Former PM and his ‘Anti-Health and Safety’ Agenda Needs to Be Held To Account
Michael Mansfield QC, the barrister representing a group of victims, bereaved families and survivors at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, said that former Tory Prime Minister David Cameron should appear before the Inquiry over remarks he made in 2010, when he ‘ridiculed’ health and safety as ‘red tape’, seven years before the fire. Mansfield said that Cameron should appear at the Inquiry hearing and clarify what he meant when he said he wanted to, “scrap health and safety rules that put people off”. Mansfield added that Cameron also said that “Britannia didn’t rule the waves with arm bands on”. Michael Mansfield argued that these observations were, “ridiculing and humiliating health and safety”.
In a 2014 speech to the Federation of Small Businesses the then PM David Cameron said 100 standards and building regulations were facing the ‘bonfire’ – a move which Cameron claimed would save around £60 million a year for house builders or £500 for each new home built. His announcement re-iterated the government’s deregulation agenda which included a ‘Housing Standards Review’. Cameron’s added that his wider plans included the scrapping of 80,000 pages of environmental guidance by March 2015.
Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council described Cameron’s claims, at the time, as ‘utterly reprehensible’ and more of the same poisonous political rhetoric from Number 10, devaluing regulation in a slash and burn manner with words that are damaging and irresponsible as well as misrepresenting the wishes of businesses, large and small.’
Stephanie Barwise QC another barrister representing a group of victims, survivors, bereaved relatives and former residents of Grenfell Tower said Grenfell was a “predictable victim of the unbridled passion for deregulation”. She also argued that: “Government’s response on realising the extent of the problem was to react by concealment instead of candour. The result is a prolonged period of concealment by government, which should properly be regarded as one of the major scandals of our time.”
During the next few months, a series of former government ministers and senior officials are expected to provide evidence in the Inquiry. In a response, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities stated: “The Grenfell Tower tragedy must never be allowed to happen again, and we remain absolutely committed to helping the Inquiry get to the truth. The role of central government will be considered in this module and we continue to support the Inquiry throughout its investigations.”
Footnote: David Cameron has not said whether or not he will appear at the Inquiry!
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
General Conference 2022 – Sunday 24th –Tuesday 26stApril 2022
Attached with this Letter to Branches are motion forms for General Conference 2022. Branches should note that the motion guide for submitting motions to General Conference 2022 has been attached. Submitting bodies are advised to read the guidance notes carefully prior to submitting motions to ensure your motions meet the criteria for submission.
At this stage it is expected that the Equality Day will be Monday 25th April 2022. Whilst it is hoped that the content of motions submitted by the Regions on behalf of the Regional Equality Sub-Committee will be such that it is appropriate to be placed in the Equal Opportunities section of the agenda and heard on the Equality Day, motions will not automatically be placed there unless the content of the motion allows.
Entitlements In relation to the General Conference 2022:
Branches/Regional Committees/Regional Health and Safety Sub-Committees are also reminded that the closing date for the submission of motions to General Conference is Midnight, Sunday 30th January 2022.
Motions submitted by email and any other email correspondence must be sent to generalmotions@cwu.org and no other personal email address.
Submitting bodies ***Please note the new email address***
If sending Motions by post, Branches must ensure they use a signed for service which guarantees delivery by the closing date and time.
Motions received, will be acknowledged within 72 hours. If you do not receive notification of the receipt of your motions, contact generalmotions@cwu.orgor call Angela Niven at head office on 020 8971 7256 to confirm receipt.
Branches/Regions/Health and Safety Sub-Committees/Minority Conferences and the NEC are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motions are checked before they are submitted.
Any queries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or by email to generalmotions@cwu.org
Yours sincerely,
A P Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary
LTB 547/21 – General Conference 2022 – Sunday 24th – Tuesday 26th April 2022
Coronavirus/Covid-19 – LFD Workforce Testing Scheme in Royal Mail Group – Update as of 13.12.21:
LTBs 183/21, 190/21, 197/21, 54/21 and 522/21 reported and updated Branches on the agreement reached with Royal Mail Group to introduce a ‘Workforce Home Testing’ scheme for Covid-19/Coronavirus and its progress.
This scheme is a positive, proactive way of improving ‘Covid-Secure’ safety workplace safety standards for everyone in Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail, Parcelforce, RM Engineering, RM Fleet, RM Property & Facilities Services, RM Specialist Services, RM Customer Experience etc.,) by combatting the spread and transmission of the virus in the workplace. The simple to use Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits are supplied to members at their workplace and they can then take them home to use in the privacy of their own homes. The fast result, quickly identifies those infected but asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) and gets them into self-isolation promptly.
This testing scheme firstly protects the individual and secondly reduces the risk of ‘unknown’ transmission of the virus to others, bearing in mind that many people, estimated as much as one in three, may be infected but are either ‘pre-symptomatic’ (infected but incubating and not yet showing symptoms) or totally ‘asymptomatic’ (infected by the virus but not showing or experiencing any ill effects). People in these positions will not know they have the virus but are transmitting it to others who then become ill and an outbreak can occur as more become infected from the unknown source.
Following initial discussions between the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department, Royal Mail Group and Government Agencies the BEIS (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), agreement was reached and contracts signed with the DHSC (Department of Health & Social Care) and the MHRA (Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency) in relation to securing participation in the Government’s Workforce Covid-19 Testing Programme Pilots.
A positive test early in the course of the illness enables individuals to isolate themselves, reducing the chances that they will infect others and allows them to seek treatment earlier, likely reducing disease severity and the risk of long-term disability, or death.
Since it is recognised that a third of all Covid-19 infections are transmitted by people who are not showing any symptoms, identifying infected individuals via testing while they are not symptomatic, via workforce testing in Royal Mail Group, one of the UK’s largest employers, could therefore play a major role in helping stop the virus spread.
A ‘tripartite’ agreement was reached involving the CWU, Royal Mail Group and the Department of Health and Social Care for Royal Mail to introduce a Government initiative of regular weekly Covid-19 testing for Postal Workers which involves Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Test Kits provided to staff at work which they can take home to test themselves in the privacy of their homes, using the very simple test.
Royal Mail Group secured a stock of 300,000 LFD Test Kits from DHSC (Department of Health & Social Care) with the stock now held at Royal Mail Swindon Walk Bundling Centre ready for national distribution to workplaces requesting the kits in order that staff will be able to collect and take home, twice weekly, self-testing, test kit packs and then use the free, rapid coronavirus (Covid-19) tests twice a week at home.
The Scheme has been very successful showing that to date (13.12.21) – 70 LFD Positive Covid-19 Test Results have been found from 44 Units. These are subsequently confirmed by a PCR test and therefore Covid-19 outbreaks have been avoided over a number of Units as the benefit of getting infected workers into self-isolation blocked transmission of the virus to further individuals.
In total Royal Mail Group have had 3,113 orders for 96,387 LFD Test kits.
Results so far show:
Name of Operational Sites and Offices returning Positive Test Results:
Please participate in Workforce Testing
The CWU is very strongly supporting the Covid-19 Workforce Testing and we need the help and support of every CWU Rep at all levels to encourage our members to participate and take up the testing option which is a positive benefit to all our members.
Royal Mail Group and CWU are pleased to be working with the Government to deliver a workforce home testing programme. Participation in this is voluntary and is fully supported by Royal Mail, Parcelforce, CWU/HQ and Unite/CMA HQ. We want every member to take part in regular Lateral Flow Testing to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Royal Mail Group contact for unit managers if individuals in a workplace want to participate in workforce testing:
Carole Pearce Royal Mail Group Senior Operations Solutions Manager Mob: 07860847584Email: Carole.pearce@royalmail.com
Enquiries:
Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be directed to CWU/HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
POST OFFICE: BEIS SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING & WESTMINSTER HALL DEBATE – HORIZON SCANDAL
I wish to advise Branches that there will be two parliamentary meetings held tomorrow, 14thDecember, in relation to the Horizon Scandal – these are as follows:
The CWU’s strong view is that the 555 claimants (former Postmasters who were wrongly convicted due to faults in the Horizon system) in the Group Litigation Order settled out of court in 2019 should receive fair and reasonable compensation. As the court settlement was deemed “full and final” they were not eligible to claim compensation via the HSS and as such are the biggest losers in this scandal. We believe the Government must provide the £46m they are seeking to cover their legal costs. Alternatively, the Government should compensate them properly through the HSS.
Post Office has stated it cannot afford to compensate victims of the Horizon scandal. Nick Read, CEO has called on the Government to compensate victims of the Horizon scandal, saying that Post Office “simply does not have the financial resources to provide meaningful compensation.”
If the Government refuses to properly fund compensation for victims, this could put the future of the Post Office network at risk. The BEIS response to the July FOI request mentioned above stated that, in assessing the sum of claims: “There is a risk that this would impact POL’s ability to operate as a going concern.” The Government has written down the value of the Post Office to zero due to compensation payouts over Horizon.
Bill Taylor, Head of Research, has prepared a paper in relation to the HSS which is attached to this LTB for your information. I would like to thank Bill for this quality document that summarises our concerns & objectives.
An LTB containing further detail will be published following the meetings tomorrow.
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
LTB 546/21 – Post Office – BEIS Select Committee Meeting & Westminster Hall Debate – Horizon Scandal
Ofcom Postal Review Consultation
Further to LTB 293/21 in July which advised of the Union’s submission to Ofcom’s Review of Postal Regulation – Call for inputs, Ofcom has now published a consultation on its regulatory proposals for the five year period from 2022 to 2027. Alongside these proposals, Ofcom has published its Annual Monitoring Update on the Postal Market for the financial year 2020-21. These reports can be accessed via the links below.
The CWU Research Department has produced a brief initial analysis of the positive and negative aspects of Ofcom’s proposals from a CWU perspective, as set out below. A more in-depth analysis will be undertaken which will be considered by the Postal Executive and the National Executive early in the New Year.
Positives from Ofcom’s proposals:
Negatives from Ofcom’s proposals:
The closing dated for responses to Ofcom’s consultation is the 3rdMarch 2022, with Ofcom’s final decision document expected in Summer 2022. The DGS(P) Department and Postal Executive will now in conjunction with the GS Department and Research Department work on a further response to Ofcom which will be circulated to Branches in due course.
Link to Ofcom’s Review of Postal Regulation Consultation: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/postal-regulation-review
Link to Ofcom’s Annual Monitoring Update on the Postal Market 2020-21:
Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS (P) or GS Department.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Terry Pullinger
General Secretary
Please share the CWU Christmas advert as far and wide as possible https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1470468572006674433?s=21
Link to embed video in your own tweet https://twitter.com/CWUnews/status/1470468572006674433/video/1
Facebook https://fb.watch/9TkJ2vcred/
Research Report Concludes That Face Mask Wearing ‘Cuts The Risk of Catching Covid-19 By Up To 225 Times and is more Effective Than Social Distancing’
In a recently published research report German and US researchers found that wearing a face mask can lower the risk of catching Covid-19 by up to 225 times, compared to solely relying on a three-metre social distancing rule. This is the latest report to conclude that wearing a face covering offers ‘enormously high’ protection.’
In a previous study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), an international team of researchers found face mask wearing cut Covid-19 transmission by 53 per cent and social distancing reduced the virus spread by 25 per cent. The academic paper comes after a review of six real-world studies on masks, concluding that widespread face mask use can cut Covid infection rates.
The latest research paper, published in the journal PNAS, measured the size and amount of respiratory particles that exhaled with various masks on.
It found a 90 per cent chance of catching Covid-19 if a person stands across from an infected person for five minutes and neither wear a mask, even with a gap of three metres in place.
However, it would take 30 minutes for the risk to be that high if someone was to wear a face mask, even if it does not fit ‘perfectly’ on the face.
Experts from the Universities of Göttingen and Cornell who did the study said their finding “makes face masks more important than social distancing”.
This latest research paper, published in the journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), measured the size and amount of respiratory particles that come out of people’s mouths with various masks on.
Scientists calculated the risk of a person inhaling respiratory particles from various distances and lengths of exposure.
The scientific researchers and authors of the latest study found that the risk of infection without wearing masks is enormously high after only a few minutes, even at a distance of three metres, if the infected persons have the high viral load of the Covid-19 virus.
Masks were last week made compulsory in England again on public transport, shops and other indoor settings in response to the new highly infectious Omicronvariant, which was first identified in South Africa.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) state that face coverings can reduce the risk against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, reducing the spread of droplets and aerosols carrying Coronavirus (COVID-19). This limits the amount of the virus being released when people talk and breathe.
Ventilation is also important! Someone who has Coronavirus breathes out small particles (aerosols) of the virus. Adequate ventilation reduces how much virus is in the air, so it reduces the risk of breathing in the virus. In ‘stuffy’ poorly ventilated rooms the amount of virus in the air can build up, increasing the risk of spreading Covid-19, especially if there are lots of people in a crowded room. Good ventilation helps prevent the spread of Covid-19 by introducing fresh air into indoor spaces while removing stale air. Letting fresh air into indoor spaces can help remove air that contains virus particles and help prevent the spread of the virus.
Finally, hand washing! – To prevent the spread of Covid-19, people should also regularly wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer when they can’t use soap and water. Clean hands BEFORE and AFTER: Touching eyes, nose, or mouth, entering and leaving a public place, touching items or surfaces that are frequently touched by other people, such as doors, handles, tables, tools, equipment, trolleys etc.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
LTB 545/21 – Face Mask Wearing Cuts The Risk of Catching Covid-19 By Up To 225 Times
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 