Royal Mail Group Safety Director Message To All Managers -“Amber Extreme Heatwave Warning” and “Level 3 Heat Health Alert Warning” issued by Government Agencies”

Royal Mail Group Safety Director Message To All Managers -“Amber Extreme Heatwave Warning” and “Level 3 Heat Health Alert Warning” issued by Government Agencies”

The CWU HQ Health Safety and Environment Dept. has raised concerns with RMG Interim Global Safety Director, requesting that Unit managers be again reminded of their risk assessment obligations. This LTB is being issued further to LTBs 213/22, 226/22, 305/22 and 306/22.

The attached message has been sent to all managers across Royal Mail Group today from the Royal Mail Group Interim Global Safety Director.
Managers have been requested to brief/share SHE Huddle FY22 022 Sun Safety with the workforce. Copy attached also.

Heatwave Temperature Warning:

The Met Office has issued an “Amber Extreme Heatwave Warning” for Sunday 17 July, Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July, highlighting adverse health effects for the public as temperatures have the potential to break records. Alongside this the UK Health Security Agency have issued a “Level 3 Heat Health Alert” in order to prepare the NHS, health professionals and emergency responders.

The Met Office forecast is that the temperatures over this period could exceed 35C or 95F and may extend beyond the 3 day period concerned.

Outdoor workers who have a lot of overall exposure to the sun (even without burning) are at increased risk of skin and eye damage, skin cancer and dehydration. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause damage to the skin and lead to skin cancer.

Given that the extremely hot heatwave weather and record high temperatures are expected to continue, the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department have requested special attention be given to ensuring that Unit and area level operational Managers in Royal Mail and Parcelforce are focussed on the Sun Safety messages and that Unit Managers complete a Severe Weather Risk Assessment for “Sun” daily to avoid unnecessary staff sun burn/sun stress/dehydration conditions which could lead to injury, illness or death.

Managers must carry out a Severe Risk Assessment in consultation with the CWU ASR ‎where the temperature and the periods of sun exposure have increased significantly as at present.

Managers have been reminded to convey the key “Stay Safe in the Sun” messages and guidance to the workforce.

For outdoor delivery and collection CWU members it is vitally important to remember that working outdoors in hot sunny weather poses health risks such as sunlight/UV ray exposure, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Managers must use the “Severe Weather Risk Assessment” (SWRA) tool to assess the controls required for the conditions the workforce are experiencing.

Full CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation is part of the SWRA process. The Manager must consult the CWU ASR/WSR on the assessment and controls as set out in the assessment process and take account of the ASR/WSR input.

ASR/WSR ACTION:

ENSURE ALL UNITS CARRY OUR DAILY SEVERE WEATHER RISK ASSESSMENTS DURING THE HEATWAVE HOT WEATHER IN CONSULTATION WITH YOURSELF AND YOUR WSRs AND THAT APPROPRIATE ACTIONS ARE TAKEN WHERE NECESSARY.
ANY NON-COMPLIANCE BY OPERATIONAL MANAGERS SHOULD BE PROGRESSED BY THE ASR VIA THE NATIONALLY AGREED RMG SHE STANDARD 5.1 ‘DISPUTES ESCALATION PROCESS’.
CONVEY THE MESSAGE TO MEMBERS – COVER UP/KEEP THE DANGEROUS SUN OFF YOUR SKIN. SHORT SLEEVED T-SHIRTS AND SHORT TROUSERS INCREASE SKIN EXPOSURE. USE SUNSCREEN. NEVER LET YOUR SKIN BURN IN THE SUN. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

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