Royal Mail Vauxhall Combo Van Serious Fire – Battery Power Lead Earthing Risk (RED TSB ISSUED):
Following a serious vehicle fire which destroyed a Vauxhall Combo van, an investigation by RM Fleet found that an incorrect battery had been supplied and fitted which was slightly taller than the correct standard battery. Additionally, the battery terminal plastic cover was missing from the battery lead. This caused the terminal to contact and arc to the underside of the vehicle bonnet and subsequently cause a fire.
RM Fleet issued a ‘RED’ Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) No 11/22 to implement a safety remedial action plan for all Vauxhall Combo battery dimensions/height to be checked and any batteries in excess of the correct maximum height to be changed in order to avoid contact with the underside of the vehicle bonnet.
See attached copy of the ‘Red TSB’ and images of the burnt out van.
Through the Red TSB process, RM Fleet Workshops are checking all Vauxhall Combo vans to ensure they are safe.
To support the campaign, would all ASRs ensure that drivers undertake their pre-use checks and observe whether there are any signs of contact and arcing between the battery terminals and bonnet underside. If so this should be reported to the RM Fleet workshops via a PMT1 and the van taken out of service for safety checking and repair.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
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