Re: Severe Heat Red Weather Warning – Distribution and Collections Drivers

Re: Severe Heat Red Weather Warning – Distribution and Collections Drivers:

This is a further update to LTBs 310/22, 308/22, 306/22, 305/22 226/22 and 213/22.

This LTB should be read in conjunction with LTB 310/22 and the attachment to that LTB.

Following a number of enquiries from ASRs and Branches regarding Collections
and Distributions Drivers, the issue was subject to further discussions this morning with Royal Mail Directors and from there a further additional message has now been issued to
All managers from the Operations Director Ricky McAulay and Safety Director Phil
Graham (see copy attached).

Further to the previous message to all Managers regarding the Met Office’s red weather warning, in place for Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July, the additional message issued today to Managers confirms that the guidance issued applies to all staff – and includes all collections and distribution drivers (including drivers of 7.5 tonne trucks).

Managers should check the Met Office website and recall all colleagues including drivers to the office if the temperature reaches 35 degrees C or above.

Drivers should return to their base as soon as possible, and be given further guidance based on the Severe Weather Risk Assessment which should be undertaken in consultation with CWU ASRs and WSRs.

Managers have been told to work with the affected workforce and CWU Safety Reps in periods of high temperatures and allow staff to make personal judgements throughout the day.

All workers should be advised to cover up, drink plenty of water, take breaks in the shade, apply sunscreen – and return to the office if at any time they feel unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 311-22 – Severe Heat Met Office Red Weather Warning For 18 and 19 July 2022

Red weather warning – collections and distribution drivers including 7.5.._

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18/07/2022 0

Re: Severe Heat – Met Office Red Weather Warning For 18 and 19 July 2022 – Royal Mail Group Message To All Managers/PiCs from Ricky McAulay RM Operations Development Director and Phil Graham RMG Interim Safety Director

Re: Severe Heat – Met Office Red Weather Warning For 18 and 19 July 2022 – Royal Mail Group Message To All Managers/PiCs from Ricky McAulay RM Operations Development Director and Phil Graham RMG Interim Safety Director:

This LTB reiterates the e-mail sent directly to all CWU ASRs yesterday morning, Sunday 16 July 2022.

I would firstly refer all Branches to the contents of LTBs 308/22, 306/22, 305/22 226/22 and 213/22.

Consultation discussions have been taking place with Royal Mail Group on Friday, Saturday and Sunday regarding the current heat wave red warning issued by the UK Met Office and the implications for the Royal Mail Group workforce as a whole, both indoor and outdoor but for the outdoor workforce in particular who will be most affected.

A communication was issued yesterday by Royal Mail Group Directors on the imminent Met Office “Red Weather Warning” and the need for the implementation of the ‘Severe Weather Risk Assessment’ (SWRA) process in all Offices on a daily basis.

A copy of the Royal Mail Group communication is attached for your urgent and priority attention. (Note: Parcelforce Worldwide and Royal Mail Property and Facilities Solutions have issued their own badged versions of the communication).

The communication sets out the businesses’ approach to dealing with the Red Warning heat wave situation and gives a clear national steer to managers /PiCs with full CWU ASR/WSR involvement locally.

When temperatures reach the Met Office ‘Red level Warning’ temperature limit of 35C or 95F, all outdoor work will stop at that point and everyone must be back at the Office.

When ‘Amber level Warnings’ are in place, a SWRA local risk assessment is to be carried out and decisions on delivery and collection adjustments as necessary decided upon locally.

As an example, a lot of Delivery Offices will be going out 2 hours earlier and finishing at mid-day. Other examples of possible adjustments are; reducing weight, reducing delivery spans and cutting off, reducing/limiting walking distances, using vans with mico-loops, shortening delivery walks/rounds etc, etc – to be decided on locally in consultation with CWU Reps through the SWRA process.

Some areas are affected by the Red Warning more than others and the Red Warning does not apply to many parts of the UK. The Manager/PiC needs to check the Met Office Website which indicates the geographic area where the Red Warning is in place. The Website also gives hourly temperature forecasts and up to date information on any changing warnings levels and affected areas. An hour by hour forecast is given and temperatures get worse as the day goes on, in later afternoon in most cases.

Personal Judgement and if Unwell due to the Heat, Return To The Office

“Severe Weather Risk Assessment” (SWRA)

The SWRA is to be completed daily with ASR/WSR involvement. Managers must carry out a Severe Weather Risk Assessment (SWRA) in consultation with the CWU ASR/WSR to assess the controls required for the conditions the workforce are experiencing that day and ‎where the heat, temperature and the periods of sun exposure have increased

significantly as at present, take appropriate action to mitigate any risks.

Vulnerable Workers and Pregnant Workers

Vulnerable workers with underlying health issues and pregnant workers are to be individually risk assessed to ensure their health and wellbeing is protected.

“Stay Safe in the Sun”

For outdoor delivery and collection workers/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 have been reminded to convey the key “Stay Safe in the Sun” messages and guidance to the workforce.

CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation

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. The red weather warning communication re-emphasises the CWU ASR/WSR involvement.

ASR/WSR ACTION:

Ensure all Units carry out daily Severe Weather Risk Assessments during the heatwave in consultation with the ASR/WSR and that appropriate fit for purpose risk control actions are taken.
Any non-compliance by Unit managers should be progressed by the ASR via the nationally agreed Health and Safety Disputes/Escalations process as set out in RMG SHE Standard 5.1.
Convey the ‘Sun Safety’ messages to members repeatedly as follows; – Cover Up/Keep the dangerous sun rays off your skin. Use Sunscreen/sunblock on any exposed skin and avoid sunburn which can lead to skin cancer. Take extra breaks in the shade. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Sunburn and Dehydration are dangerous. Outdoor staff to make personal judgements throughout the day and return to the office if at any time they feel

unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.

Ensure that all vulnerable workers with underlying health issues and pregnant workers are individually risk assessed to ensure their health and wellbeing is protected whilst working in the current weather.

Attachments:

Message from Ricky McAulay and Phil Graham – red weather warning 16.07.22
RMG SHE Huddle FY22 022 ‘Sun Safety

Regards and Best Wishes.

Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 310-22 – Severe Heat Met Office Red Weather Warning For 18 and 19 July 2022

Message from Ricky McAulay and Phil Graham – red weather warning 16 July.._

SHE-Huddle-FY22-022-Sun-Safety-1

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18/07/2022 0

Message from Ricky McAulay and Phil Graham: red weather warning 16 July 2022

17/07/2022 0

RE: Severe Heat – Met Office Red Weather Warning 18-19 July 2022 – Royal Mail Group Message To All Managers/PiCs from Ricky McAulay RM Operations Development Director and Phil Graham RMG InterimSafety Director

Communication Workers Union
Dave Joyce National Health & Safety Officer
150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX
Tel: 020 8971 7365/7308 E-Mail: djoyce@cwu.org
17 July 2022

IMPORTANT

To All ASRs – Special Attention

Dear Colleagues,

RE: Severe Heat – Met Office Red Weather Warning 18-19 July 2022 – Royal Mail Group Message To All
Managers/PiCs from Ricky McAulay RM Operations Development Director and Phil Graham RMG Interim
Safety Director:

I would firstly refer you all to the contents of LTBs 308/22, 306/22, 305/22 226/22 and 213/22.

Consultation discussions have been taking place with Royal Mail Group on Friday, Saturday and Sunday regarding the
current heat wave red warning from the UK Met Office and the implications for the Royal Mail Group workforce as a
whole indoor and outdoor but for the outdoor workforce in particular who will be most affected.

A communication has now been issued by Royal Mail Group Directors on the imminent Met Office “Red Weather
Warning” and implementation of the ‘Severe Weather Risk Assessment’ (SWRA) process. A copy of the communication
is attached for your urgent and priority attention.

This communication sets out the businesses’ approach to dealing with the Red Warning heat wave situation and gives
a clear national steer to managers /PiCs with full the CWU ASR/WSR involvement locally.

When temperatures reach the Met Office ‘Red level Warning’ temperature limit of 35C or 95F, all outdoor work will
stop at that point and everyone must be back at the Office.

When ‘Amber level Warnings’ are in place, the SWRA local risk assessment is to be made and decisions on delivery
adjustments decided upon locally.

As an example, a lot of Delivery Offices will be going out 2 hours earlier and finishing at mid-day. Other example
possible adjustments are; reducing weight, reducing delivery spans and cutting off, reducing/limiting walking
distances, using vans with mico-loops, shortening delivery walks/rounds etc, etc – to be decided on locally in
consultation with CWU Reps.

Some areas are effected more than others and the Manager/PiC needs to check the Met Office Website which
indicates the geographic area where the Red Warning is in place. The Website also gives hourly temperature
situations and up to date information on any changing warnings levels, temperature and affected areas. An
hour by hour forecast is given as temperatures get worse as the day goes on, in later afternoon.

Personal Judgement and if Unwell due to the Heat Return To The Office

The communication instructs Managers to make sure they work with their staff and CWU Safety Reps in periods
of high temperatures and to allow staff to make personal judgements throughout the day and return to the
office if at any time they feel unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.
“Severe Weather Risk Assessment” (SWRA)
The SWRA is to be completed daily with ASR/WSR involvement. Managers must carry out a Severe Risk
Assessment (SWRA) in consultation with the CWU ASR to assess the controls required for the conditions the
workforce are experiencing and ‎where the heat, temperature and the periods of sun exposure have increased
significantly as at present, take appropriate action to mitigate any risks.

Vulnerable Workers and Pregnant Workers

Vulnerable workers with underlying health issues and pregnant workers are to be individually risk assessed to
ensure their health and wellbeing is protected.
“Stay Safe in the Sun”
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 have been reminded to convey the key “Stay Safe in the Sun” messages and guidance to the
workforce.
CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation
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. The red weather warning communication re-emphasises the CWU ASR/WSR involvement.
ASR/WSR ACTION:
Ø Ensure all Units carry out daily Severe Weather Risk Assessments during the heatwave in
consultation with the ASR/WSR and that appropriate fit for purpose risk control actions are
taken.
Ø Any non-compliance by Unit managers should be progressed by the ASR via the nationally
agreed Health and Safety Disputes/Escalations process as set out in RMG SHE Standard 5.1.
Ø Convey the ‘Sun Safety’ messages to members repeatedly – Cover Up/Keep the dangerous
sun off your skin. Use Sunscreen/sunblock on any exposed skin and avoid sunburn which can
lead to skin cancer. Take extra breaks in the shade. Drink plenty of water throughout the day
to stay hydrated. Sunburn and Dehydration are dangerous.

Attachments:

Ø Message from Ricky McAulay and Phil Graham – red weather warning 16.07.22
Ø RMG SHE Huddle FY22 022 ‘Sun Safety

Note: Parcelforce and RMP&FS versions of the communication are also being issued to reinforce the message
and they will be circulated in due course.

Regards and Best Wishes.

Yours sincerely
DJ

17/07/2022 0

ROYAL MAIL: FINANCE & HR (INCLUDING LEGAL) – ANNUAL BONUS PAYMENTS 2021/22 AND FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS

ROYAL MAIL: FINANCE & HR (INCLUDING LEGAL) – ANNUAL BONUS PAYMENTS 2021/22 AND FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS

Branches are advised that we have reached an agreement with Adrian Porter, Director of Reward and Performance, to pay the following bonuses to CWU members in both Finance & HR (including Legal):

Finance £400
HR & Legal £331.55

These payments, which are pro-rata for part-timers, will be made with July salaries. Joint Statements to this effect are attached to this LTB and are being published today.

The bonus payments above are less than we would have hoped for. This is due to a number of measures associated with the Balanced Scorecard not being met. As a consequence, we have been able to negotiate revised arrangements for the current financial year and beyond. In essence the maximum bonus that could be paid to our Finance/HR members has been fixed for a number of years since the inception of the schemes and as such the value has effectively reduced.

Against this backdrop we have agreed with Royal Mail to double the value of the scheme from the start of this financial year as follows:

Finance – New potential maximum bonus £2000 (up from £1000)
HR (including Legal) – New potential maximum bonus £1500 (up from £750)

It should be noted that the enhanced bonus monies available are linked to the achievement of various measures associated to the Balanced Scorecard.

Naturally our members will be pleased with the doubling of the potential monies available, especially as it is normal to receive better payments than this year. Whilst we are aware the members will be disappointed with the outturn for the last year, hopefully the prospect of earning a significantly better bonus in the future will ameliorate the situation overall.

Against the prevailing environment across Royal Mail, the Postal Executive is supportive of these enhanced arrangements and has endorsed the package including the bonus payments for the last year.

Finally, I am pleased that Royal Mail has recognised the need to improve the value of the bonus payments going forward and I look forward to reporting on more favourable figures for our members in the future.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

22LTB309 Royal Mail – Finance & HRS (including Legal) – Annual Bonus Payments 2021-22

Attachment 1 to 22LTB309 – Finance

Attachment 2 to 22LTB309 – HRS&S

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15/07/2022 0

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.

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.

Attachments:

Message From Phil Graham RMG Safety Director
Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) Huddle FY22-022

‎Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 308-22 – Royal Mail Group Safety Director Message To All Managers -Amber Extreme Heatwave Warning and Level 3 Heat Health Alert Warning issued by Government Agencies

July 14th Amber heatwave warning

SHE-Huddle-FY22-022-Sun-Safety-1

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POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 – STRIKE ACTION

POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 – STRIKE ACTION

Firstly, may I thank all of our Crown members who supported the strike on Monday 11th July in such overwhelming numbers. Also my appreciation goes to our Reps and Branches for supporting our members along with their efforts in raising the profile of the dispute across local media and of course amongst the wider movement.

Once again I’m pleased to report we gained good media coverage with our reasons for the dispute featuring in all press articles with plenty of powerful quotes from the union. Unsurprisingly as has been the case previously Post Office made no attempt whatsoever to justify or defend their pay freeze policy. Indeed this was also the case in respect of internal communications in the lead-up to the strike.

Admin & Supply Chain Strike – Thursday 14th July

Tomorrow our Admin & Supply Chain members will be on strike (third occasion). From all reports received we are anticipating another excellent response from members who understandably are angry with the dismissive attitude of Post Office. To put this into perspective, Post Office are quick to self-publicise how much money is transacted across the Post Office network each month. Only this week they have highlighted cash deposits and withdrawals for June remained steady at over £3 billion and this was the fourth successive month where over £3 billion had been transacted.

Clearly Post Office is making a lot of money on the back of “cash”. Indeed the statistics above are important as our Crew members primarily deliver and collect these monies from Post Offices supported by our Cash Centre members who process significant volumes of cash. It follows that our members should be sharing in this success and their efforts should be recognised in a tangible way with a fair pay rise.

The bottom line is Supply Chain members provide vital support services for the 11,500 network of Post Offices with the transacting of cash integral to the long term viability. Without our members performing such an important support role, this, success wouldn’t happen. In essence Post Office can evidently afford to provide a decent pay rise but they are simply choosing not to do so. This situation is not lost on our members and that is why tomorrow’s strike is necessary.

Finally Branches and Reps are encouraged to support our Supply Chain picket lines.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

22LTB307 Post Office Pay Dispute 2021-22 Strike Action

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13/07/2022 0

Royal Mail Group – Sun Safety and Severe Weather Risk Assessment Process

Royal Mail Group – Sun Safety and Severe Weather Risk Assessment Process:

Further to LTBs 213/22 and 305/22, temperatures have now risen to the highest of the year and are forecast to remain high and increase further as the current heatwave continues. These record temperatures, intense sunlight and exposure to high UV ray levels bring dangers!

The Met Office has yesterday extended an ‘Amber Extreme heat warning’, as temperatures look to build later this week and early next week for much of the UK. The Amber Warning, which has been issued for Sunday (17 July) and Monday (18 July), highlights likely adverse health effects for the public, not just limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat. Temperatures could be in excess of 35°C in the southeast, and more widely around 32°C within the warning area. These high temperatures could extend further into next week and an extension of this rare, extreme warning covers most of England and Wales and will be considered in the coming days. High Temperature records for the UK could be broken.

All CWU Reps and members need to be alert and aware of those health risks!

Sunburn and Sunstroke – is painful and hurts you in more ways than one. The danger goes far beyond any short-term pain, redness and discomfort, because after the sunburn fades, lasting damage remains. Heatstroke an quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. Sunburn accelerates skin aging and is a leading cause in the majority of Skin Cancer cases. A Sun Tan is not a sign of good health – it’s a sign of serious skin damage!

Skin cancer – is the most common form of cancer in the UK, and rates continue to rise with 100,000 new cases diagnosed each year and 2,500 deaths. The main cause of skin cancer is exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Dehydration – can cause organ damage and failure, seizures, fainting, heatstroke and shock.

IMPORTANT ADVICE TO ALL MEMBERS WORKING OUTSIDE:

Cover Up – minimise skin exposure – avoid sunburn.
Protect Your Head – wear a hat with a broad rim.
Take regular breaks in the shade.
Use sunscreen/sunblock.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Royal Mail Group – ‘Protect Yourself In The Sun’ Materials

See attached RMG ‘Protect Yourself in The Sun’ – ‘Plasma Screen Shot’ currently being displayed, the joint Royal Mail Group/CWU/IOSH poster and staff pocket card/leaflet which are to be briefed to staff, displayed and distributed by PiCs and Managers to all staff.

‘Mandatory’ Severe Weather Risk Assessment Process

Royal Mail Group have issued RMG SHE Huddle message “Sun Safety FY22 022” and used ‘Workplace- Social Media’ to send out sun safety messages,. RMG have also issued articles on the RMG intranet home page on Sun Safety reminding managers of their responsibilities. Yesterday RMG issued the attached (July Sun Safety Message) on the “My Royal Mail” website. A series of plasma screen slides have been displayed on all the screens in all Units around RMG and the subject has been posted on the weekly “RMG SHE News.” The topic has also been covered in Q&A video clips released by CEO Simon Thompson and more recently by Zareena Brown Chief People Officer.

See attached RMG SHE Huddle/Staff Briefing FY22 022 (Sun Safety) and Royal Mail Managers Briefing July 2022 (Supporting colleagues to stay safe in the sun).

Importantly – both documents instruct that; Managers must complete a Severe Weather Risk Assessment when temperatures reach the high 20s to record the controls that have been implemented. This includes additional advice and support for managing the operation in the hot weather.

PiCs/Managers must complete a Severe Weather Risk Assessment daily in hot, sunny weather and must record the controls that have been implemented to protect the workforce. All PiCs/managers were instructed to familiarise themselves with the Severe Weather Risk Assessment in order to ensure that they are prepared for the current high summer temperatures which the country is currently experiencing.

A supporting pack of sun safety information, including the attached z-cards and posters to display and distribute in units, has been made available to PiCs on the RMG ‘Sharepoint’ site for downloading and printing, under severe weather so they should have been arranging for the information to be shared and displayed. Any enquiries should be directed to the local RMG Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Advisor.

Under The Severe Weather Risk Assessment (SWRA) Managers Must:

Carry out a SWRA daily and consult/involve the ASR.
Suspend deliveries and collections if appropriate to do so.
Communicate the SWRA results to all staff.
Must not manipulate the SWRA to justify sending out deliveries or collections where it is clearly unsafe to do so.
Managers must take whatever action is necessary to safeguard employees by removing risks and reducing risks to a tolerable level.

See attached SWRA Extracts for actions in the case of a ‘Yellow Warning’, ‘Amber Warning’ and ‘Red Warning’

Attachments:

RM/PFWW/CWU/Unite/IOSH ‘Protect Yourself and Stay Safe In The Sun’ Poster
RMG ‘Protect Yourself and Stay Safe in The Sun’ Plasma Screen Shot
RMG/CWU/IOSH ‘Stay Safe in The Sun’ Pocket Card/Leaflet

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 306-22 – Royal Mail Group Sun Safety and Severe Weather Risk Assessment Process

Royal Mail Managers Sun Safety Briefing July 2022

SHE Huddle FY22 022 Sun Safety

Sun Safety AUG17

Stay Safe in the Sun Cards

RM PLASMAS Sun safety

SWRA Red Warning

SWRA Red Warning – Action

SWRA Amber Warning

SWRA Amber Warning – Action

SWRA Yellow Warning

SWRA Yellow Warning – Action

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CWU ‘Be Sun Smart & Skin Safe’ Campaign – Skin Cancer & Dehydration Risks

CWU ‘Be Sun Smart & Skin Safe’ Campaign – Skin Cancer & Dehydration Risks:

Temperatures have now risen to the highest of the year and record levels bring dangers with sunlight exposure and dehydration. We want Reps and members to be aware of those risks!

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, and rates continue to rise.

100,000 new cases are now diagnosed each year, and the disease kills over 2,500 people each year in the UK – that’s seven people every day.

Whilst we are getting better at understanding how skin cancer works, we still have a long way to go. On average, someone who dies from skin cancer typically loses 20 years of their life, and rates of malignant melanoma are rising faster than any other type of common cancer.

Types Of Skin Cancer

There are three types of skin cancer: malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Details are as follows;

Malignant Melanoma

Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment cells of the skin. If it is treated early, the outlook is usually good. It is not contagious.

Melanomas can come up in or near to a mole, but can also appear on skin that looks quite normal. They develop when the skin pigment cells (melanocytes) become cancerous and multiply in an uncontrolled way.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is one of the non-melanoma skin cancers. It is the second most common type of skin cancer in the UK.

Squamous Cell Carcinomas can occur on any part of your body, but are most common on areas that are exposed to the sun, such as your head and neck (including the lips and ears) and the backs of your hands. Squamous Cell Carcinomas can also crop up where the skin has been damaged by X-rays, and also on old scars, ulcers, burns and persistent chronic wounds. Squamous Cell Carcinomas are not contagious.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

A Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is a type of skin cancer. There are two main types of skin cancer: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. BCC is a non-melanoma skin cancer, and is the most common type (> 80%) of all skin cancer (skin cancer incidence is < 1%) in the UK. BCC are sometimes referred to as ‘rodent ulcers’.

Basal Cell Carcinomas mainly affect fair skinned adults and are more common in men than women. Apart from a rare familial condition called Gorlin’s Syndrome, Basal Cell Carcinomas are not hereditary. However, some of the things that increase the risk of getting one (e.g., a fair skin, a tendency to burn rather than tan, and freckling) do run in families.

UV Ray Exposure

UV exposure is the main preventable cause of skin cancer, so here are a few tips on how to stay safe in the sun:

Clothing

Clothing should always be the first line of defence against damage from the sun, with sunscreen being used in addition to clothes, including a hat, t-shirt and UV protective sunglasses. Clothing provided by RM and BT has a high UV ray protective rating.

Find The Right Sunscreen

Use a sunscreen of SPF30 (SPF stands for ‘Sun Protection Factor’) and refers to the level of protection against UVB radiation, linked to skin cancer. Look for a four or ideally five star UVA rating on the bottle which will help protect from UVA radiation, associated with skin ageing. You may also find that the UVA rating is represented by the letters ‘UVA’ inside a circle. (BT provides sunscreen free – Royal Mail does not – The Union has a long standing claim for Royal Mail to provide it to all outdoor staff free and a fresh claim has been submitted to the CEO and COO).

Reactions to sunscreen are rare and can be a result of a sensitivity or allergy to any of the many ingredients used in these products. The GP surgery can advise on alternatives.

For those with sun allergy-prone skin, they can keep safe and protected in the sun with various sun allergy protect sunblock creams and gels, sunscreens for the face and body with broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection. Sun allergy protect sunscreen has been specially formulated to meet the needs of sun-allergic skin, including the likes of Polymorphous Light Eruption.

Get Your Timing Right

Skin needs time to absorb sunscreen, so apply generously about 20 to 30 minutes before going out. Reapply frequently at least every two hours, as it can come off when sweating or through rubbing.

Seek Shelter/Shade

The sun tends to be strongest in the middle of the day, so find some shade typically between 11am and 3pm, especially if you are very fair skinned. Just 10 minutes of strong sunshine is all it takes to burn pale skin. Take breaks in the shade.

Water

Drink plenty of water and avoid dehydration. Obtain and use a red Royal Mail refillable water bottle and use it regularly.

CWU ‘Sun Smart & Skin Safe’ Posters And Leaflets

See attached CWU leaflet and poster. Branches, Regions and Health and Safety Committees can purchase additional posters and pocket fact cards/leaflets from the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department Tel: 0208 971 7365.

IMPORTANT ADVICE TO ALL MEMBERS WORKING OUTSIDE:

Cover Up – minimise skin exposure – avoid sunburn.
Protect Your Head – wear a hat with a broad rim.
Take regular breaks in the shade.
Use sunscreen/sunblock.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Royal Mail Group – ‘Protect Yourself In The Sun’ Materials and ‘Mandatory’ Severe Weather Risk Assessment Process

See attached RMG ‘Protect Yourself in The Sun’ – ‘Plasma Screen Shot’ currently being displayed, plus the joint Royal Mail Group/CWU/IOSH poster and staff pocket card/leaflet to be displayed and distributed by PiCs to all staff.

Managers must complete a Severe Weather Risk Assessment daily in hot, sunny weather and must record the controls that have been implemented to protect the workforce. All PiCs/managers were instructed to familiarise themselves with the Severe Weather Risk Assessment in order to ensure that they are prepared for the current high summer temperatures which the country is currently experiencing.

Under The Severe Weather Risk Assessment (SWRA) Managers Must:

Carry out a SWRA daily and consult/involve the ASR.
Suspend deliveries and collections if appropriate to do so.
Communicate the SWRA results to all staff.
Must not manipulate the SWRA to justify sending out deliveries or collections where it is clearly unsafe to do so.
Managers must take whatever action is necessary to safeguard employees by removing risks and reducing risks to a tolerable level.

Attachments: