Post Office: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Monday 19th September – Bank Holiday Arrangements

Branches are advised we have agreed the following Joint Statement with Post Office with regards to the Bank Holiday next Monday.  It should be noted this JS is applicable to Crown Office members; however, there is a very similar version (without reference to COSA) for Supply Chain.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Monday 19 September – Bank Holiday Arrangements

You will be aware Monday 19 September has been designated a full Bank Holiday.  As a consequence, the arrangements in place will mirror all normal Bank Holiday arrangements and specifically paragraph 5.3 “Bank Holiday Credits” of the Crown Office Staffing Agreement (COSA) applies. 

For those employees who are either on rest day or on annual leave on Monday 19 September, two options apply:

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Post Office – Pay Dispute 2021/22: Strike Wednesday 28th September

Following a breakdown in talks at Acas, the Postal Executive has authorised strike action for Wednesday 28th September – this is the last day action can be taken with the current mandate.  On this occasion, the strike action will involve all members employed by Post Office in Admin, Crowns & Supply Chain. 

This action is clearly also necessary as there is still no movement on the pay freeze position for 2021/22.  Post Office can afford to provide our members with a fair increase for this period yet they are simply choosing to suppress pay despite our members as Key Workers being at risk throughout the Pandemic whilst ensuring Post Office services were maintained to society.

It should be noted Post Office had no trouble finding money to pay every manager a bonus in August.  Indeed the financial target to trigger bonus payments was achieved by imposing a pay freeze (the target would have been failed had a normal pay rise been paid).  It follows self-motivated Directors have been more concerned by ensuring managers’ bonuses are paid than providing a much needed pay rise for the lowest paid workers in Post Office. 

The Postal Executive is fully cognisant of the fact that once the lifespan of the ballot has expired we will have to re-ballot our members.  Consideration will now be given to this in conjunction with our Reps with further developments in this regard being reported including a timetable for a new ballot. 

In conclusion, Branches & Reps are urged to bring to the attention of our Post Office members this further strike day, which is necessary due to the dogmatic attitude of Nick Read CEO who according to the last published report and accounts for 2020/21 was paid £415k.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

22LTB369 Post Office Pay Dispute 202122 Strike Wednesday 28th September

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Election of:

• Royal Mail Divisional Representatives (Substitute) Scotland – 2022

Further to LTB 186/22 dated 21^st April 2022, an election was due to take place for the Substitute Divisional Representative Scotland.

Due to the unprecedented workload undertaken in dealing with the Union’s National Ballots, the election process for this position was deferred.

We are now in a position to get this election underway.  Branches should note that CWU Headquarters were advised in writing from the candidate Brian Donaghy, Glasgow & District Amal of his wish to withdraw his nomination and as such we now have just have the following 2 candidates in the election:Gary ClarkScotland No 2George RossGrampian & Shetland Amal

In discussion with the Independent Scrutineer, the timetable for this election has been set as follows:

Ballot Papers Despatched:          Tuesday 20^th September 2022

Ballot Closes:                                 Tuesday 11^th October 2022 (14:00)

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

22LTB367

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Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 40 – September 2022:

Introduction

The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC. The GJA was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy. The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national Government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

GJA ‘free’ Courses:

The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps with details published in the newsletter. Link to GJA Courses:https://greenerjobsalliance.co.uk/courses/

GJA Founder Graham Petersen:

The founder GJA Secretary and Newsletter editor was Graham Petersen who is well known to the CWU and has a long standing working relationship with the Union. He is a former TUC tutor and course designer who created safety reps training courses and the successful TUC Occupational Health & Safety Diploma Course. He was the head of the Trade Union Studies Centre at South Thames College before retirement from the post and has been a visitor and guest speaker at CWU events and meetings. After 30 editions, Graham stood down at the GJA AGM last year and has handed over to Paul Atkin as newsletter editor and Tahir Latif as GJA Secretary. Graham remains a GJA Steering Group member and is now working part time for the Wales TUC having recently written a publication for them ‘Greener workplaces for a just transition – a Wales TUC toolkit for trade unionists’ which was circulated by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department.

Paul Atkin Editorial GJA Newsletter Issue 40 – “Everything they touch turns to Truss”:

In this edition Paul Atkin in his editorial focuses on Liz Truss who he describes as “Our new and unimproved Prime Minister” pointing out that Truss opposes onshore wind power generation and plans aggressive new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea and that she will try to have another go at ‘fracking’ –  motivated by the current increase in costs for oil, gas and rocketing energy costs – hitting ordinary working people, the consumers whilst producers pocket massive profits. Paul argues that going for increased oil and gas extraction is suicidal for the climate and will have no impact on household costs. Onshore and offshore wind, and solar energy generation, can be expanded far more quickly, will reduce carbon emissions and bills, but would also dent the profitability of the fossil fuel producers, for whom Truss seems nervously protective. Their profits are huge, and Truss seems to want these greedy companies to keep them. Last week, the TUC released figures showing and exposing the excess profits for UK based fossil fuel producers totally £170 billion in the next two years. A windfall tax on that at the rate currently applied in Norway (56%) would raise £90 billion. The 78% Norway is considering would raise £132 billion. And these are excess profits; so, taxing the lot at 100% couldn’t be described as unreasonable, even by opponents of public ownership. Even the lowest of these rates would pay for Labour’s proposed £26 billion investment to insulate our housing stock by 2035 three times over, with £12 billion left over to insulate the schools and hospitals also. Similarly, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that the widespread resistance to insulation is because insulated homes reduce bills by reducing demand for an otherwise profitable product.

Contents GJA Newsletter 40: 

• Editorial
• TUC Motions Round Up and Fringe Meeting
• An appeal to local authorities and TUs
• If they can do it, why can’t we? Cheap public transport fares
• Energy Professionals Survey shows no confidence in government
• National Audit Office critique of skills policy
• Joint unions action on heat
• ITUC News
• International Climate Jobs Conference
• CACCTU Activist Workshops
• LGND Worker Climate Conference
• TUC Courses
• UK100 Conference
• New on the Blog this month
• Green Bites

GJA at the TUC:

The GJA (Greener Jobs Alliance) had scheduled a co-hosted fringe meeting at TUC Conference with CACCTU (Campaign against Climate Change Trade Union Group) before the TUC was postponed until October. GLA and CACCTU will hopefully re-schedule the event at the re-scheduled TUC with speakers from the Trade Unions, Friends of the Earth, Greener Jobs Alliance and Campaign Against Climate Change. RMT and other unions will address the link between the climate and the cost of living crises.

See Page 1 of the GJA September Newsletter 40.

Link to the CACCTU Website: https://www.cacctu.org.uk/

GJA – “A trade union guide to action on local authority retrofit and energy”

In July the Climate Change Committee described the government’s record on energy efficiency as ‘shocking’. Read: ‘A trade union guide to action on local authority retrofit and energy’ – The Greener Jobs Alliance believes greater union engagement with local authorities on climate policies is essential and have published a new guide. In this guide the GJA uses their experience of working with the TUC, individual unions, and the education sector to offer practical suggestions for taking this forward.

See copy of GJA – ‘A trade union guide to action on local authority retrofit and energy’ attached.

GJA & Double Down News – ‘Mick Lynch RMT General Secretary on Rail Strikes and the Climate Crisis’

Covered by the GJA is an excellent and informative video recording of RMT general Secretary Mick Lynch. With a government aiming for managed decline of the rail network, Mick Lynch explains the RMT’s vision for an ‘integrated’ publicly owned UK Transport system of rail, bus and ferry services owned by and serving the UK public and benefitting the environment rather than ‘fat-cat’ private shareholders pocketing huge profits at the public’s expense in terms of cost, health and environmental damage.

See page 7 of the GJA September Newsletter 40.

The link to the interview: https://greenerjobsalliance.co.uk/the-future-for-rail/

Quote of the Month:

“No progressive vision of society can be built on the fossil economy because the fossil economy is death”

(Antonio Gutierres UN Secretary General)

Attachments: 

• GJA Newsletter No.40 for September 2022
• GJA – ‘A trade union guide to action on local authority retrofit and energy’

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB366 Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 40 – September 2022

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GJA-Guide-Getting-the-union-voice-heard-on-green-jobs-and-skills

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Royal Mail Group – 2022 Free Flu Voucher Scheme Offer and On-Site Clinics:

Introduction To The 2022 Scheme:

Following discussions with the company, Royal Mail Group have confirmed agreement that there will be a 2022 ‘Free Flu Voucher Offer’ this year to all employees. This is the fifth year that the scheme has been run by RMG and the scheme has been further improved and expanded. This year there will be more choice and accessibility for those members wishing to receive a Flu vaccination and we would encourage people to take up the offer.

This year’s Flu Vouchers will again be ‘digital’ and members will be given an access code number to obtain the voucher on-line with simple guidance.

Members will be able to redeem their ‘free Flu Jab voucher’ at over 4,000 locations, including pharmacies and supermarkets, which is over 2,200 more Flu jab providers than there were two years ago. Those companies participating in the Flu jab provision include Morrisons, Tesco, Lloyds, Superdrug, Well Pharmacy and ASDA.

Bookings are being taken for appointments now and it is recommended that those wishing to take up the offer either phone, call in or book an appointment online as soon as possible as appointment slots get taken up very quickly.

Respiratory illnesses are predicted to hit high levels this winter and the NHS is encouraging everyone to get their Flu vaccination during September or October to reduce the risk of catching and spreading Flu during the winter.

The Royal Mail Group Flu Voucher Scheme has this week been formally launched with letters dispatched and being delivered to all employees’ home addresses with all deliveries due to be completed this week and thereon appointments can be booked from Week Commencing Monday 19 September 2022 onwards. Vouchers can be redeemed to receive a free Flu vaccination until 31 December 2022.

Digital Vouchers:

All RMG employees will receive a letter this week which will include full details on how to download the free digital Flu vaccination voucher and arrange an appointment.

Downloading A Free Digital Flu Vaccination Voucher And Arranging An Appointment:

1. Access the Flu voucher website digitalFlu.co.ukand enter an email address (work or personal).
2. Enter the RMG company code R5M9G7and a free Flu voucher will be delivered by email.
3. Locate the Flu jab provider of choice, nearest or most convenient and book an appointment for 19 September onwards. This can be done either by phone, on-line or by calling in Booking arrangements may vary between providers but the process is simple in each case.
4. At the appointment to receive the Flu jab members will need to show their Royal Mail ID and the RMG digital free Flu voucher.
5. Redeem the voucher and receive a free Flu vaccination by 31 December 2022.

On-Site Flu Clinics In Royal Mail And Parcelforce Largest Units

On-site Flu clinics have been increased in number this year and will be available in 130 of the largest Royal Mail Group sites and a number of high risk units. The units due to have an on-site Flu clinic have been advised and provided with further information and support from RMG Occupational Health Team HQ. See attached list of Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail and Parcelforce) on-site Flu clinics.

New Recruits And Agency Staff

New recruits and agency staff will again be included this year.

Free NHS Vaccination

The Flu jab will continue to be available free of charge from the NHS for; people over 50, those at risk of severe illness from catching Flu, those with certain defined conditions and a range of children’s age groups. For further information individuals should contact their GP surgery.

Communications

A joint communication has been sent to all Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail and Parcelforce) employees and a promotion campaign has been launched via Royal Mail communication channels promoting the ‘Free Flu Voucher’ scheme with Royal Mail, Parcelforce and the Trade Unions raising awareness of the scheme and encouraging take-up. Further improvements have been made to the scheme this year, widening and easing access and hopefully this will encourage a greater take-up especially following the Coronavirus pandemic.

The 2022 RMG Flu Voucher Scheme Summary

• Digital Flu vaccination vouchers are being made available for all Royal Mail Group workers, including agency staff, redeemable at over 4,000
• On-site Flu jab clinics are to be provided at 130 of Royal Mail Group’s largest units.
• The NHS are continuing to provide a free Flu vaccination to those over 50 this year.

Conclusion and Reminder

Those members intending to utilise the ‘Free Flu Jab’ scheme and redeem their voucher have until the 31 December to do so.  Would all Area and Unit Reps please remind all members to consider taking up the ‘Free Flu Jab’ offer before the closing date of 31 December 2022.

No Local Listed Provider

Where the distance between a member’s home and the nearest pharmacy exceeds 15 miles, the Unit Manager will be able to authorise use of another, alternative Flu jab provider up to the maximum cost of £15. This is claimed through the travel and expenses process.

Influenza (Flu) 

Flu is one of the most significant causes of illness during the winter months. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by a virus, which is highly contagious and can lead to severe ill-health. In 2017 a large number of the Royal Mail Group workforce, over 31,000 employees were affected by Flu which was a 31% increase on the previous year with over 127,000 days lost to the Flu. Those unfortunate enough to catch Flu suffered debilitating pain, nausea, high fever, headache and muscle aches, cough, sore throat, tiredness and discomfort plus time away from work. This meant that in addition to members being unwell, the service to customers was badly affected. Considering the risk of Flu and Covid-19 co-circulating again this winter, Royal Mail Group and the CWU are jointly encouraging all members to consider taking up the opportunity to have the Flu jab and in doing so reduce their risk of getting Flu, becoming unwell and passing it onto family, friends and work colleagues.

Would all Area and Unit Reps please remind all members to seriously consider taking up the ‘Free Flu Jab’ offer before the closing date of 31 December 2021. Thank you.

See attached copies of: 

• RMG Free Flu Voucher Offer – Joint RMG/Unions letter to home addresses
• RMG (Royal Mail and Parcelforce) list of on-site Flu jab clinics
• RMG Flu Jab Voucher communications (2)
• NHS Flu and Flu Vaccination Information web pages

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB368 Royal Mail Group – 2022 Free Flu Voucher Scheme Offer and On-Site Clinics

Flu 2022 colleague home mailing v6

On-site flu clinics 2022

Royal Mail Group – Look Out For Your Flu Letter Comms 5 September 2022

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National Eye Health Week 19 to 25 September 2022 (NEHW) – Vision Really Matters

This year’s National Eye Health Week (NEHW) will take place from 19^th to 25^th September 2022, promoting the importance of eye health and the need for regular sight tests for all. Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don’t know how to look after our eyes! Think about preparing for a local awareness raising campaign now.

The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has continued supporting and working with the Eyecare Trust, an organisation that campaigns to raise awareness about the need for regular eye tests and that the eyes can also give a clear view of what’s occurring in other parts of the body. In fact, an eye test could reveal a life or death situation.

As well as detecting vision problems and eye diseases such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, they can sometimes also reveal whether you’re suffering from a number of serious health conditions. Getting an eye examination is a bit like getting a more extensive physical examination as there are a variety of eye and general health conditions that can be picked up in an eye examination that are essentially silent but highly treatable – if they’re picked up early.

The Eyecare Trust states that poor uptake of sight tests is probably the biggest risk to the nation’s eye health. Around 20 million people in the UK fail to have their sight tested once every two years, yet a simple sight test can detect glaucoma years before a person notices lost vision, and many childhood eye conditions which can be permanently corrected if diagnosed early enough. The Eyecare Trust is conveying the message that sight tests really are essential health checks.

Did you know?

• 2 million people in the UK are living with sight loss that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives. Half of this sight loss is avoidable.
• A sight test can detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, which can be treated if found soon enough.
• During a sight test, other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure may be detected.
• For healthy eyes, eat well, don’t smoke and wear eye protection in bright sunlight.
• Sight problems aside, eye examinations can detect a range of serious diseases.

Here’s how a simple eye test could help detect other serious medical conditions and diseases:

Diabetes

Around 750,000 people in the UK have undiagnosed diabetes, according to Diabetes UK. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes can creep up very slowly and are often dismissed as normal tiredness, or just part of growing old, but cases can be diagnosed from eye tests. High blood-sugar related to diabetes can cause problems in the small blood vessels resulting in diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. An optometrist will be able to spot early characteristic changes, such as tiny leaks from damaged blood vessels. Nowhere are the blood vessels more important than in the retina at the back of the eye and eye care professionals have a window to look at this, and they can spot very early signs of diabetes and the effect it has on blood vessels in the back of the eye. The message is that you don’t need to go blind with diabetes as it’s treatable and the key is to pick it up early. Not only that, but the sooner diabetes is detected, the sooner it can be treated or managed, meaning other potential complications – including ulcers, kidney and heart damage – can be prevented too.

High blood pressure

Effects of high blood pressure – a condition which affects one in three UK adults but is often symptomless, and is linked with stroke, heart disease and vascular dementia – can sometimes be seen inside the eye. This is because the force of blood passing through blood vessels in the retina can cause hypertensive retinopathy. Blood vessel walls may thicken, narrowing the vessels and restricting blood from reaching the retina. In some cases, it becomes swollen and its function is limited, and there may be bleeding behind the eye.

High cholesterol/cardiovascular problems

Because of the high blood flow at the back of the eye, excessive cholesterol – which is linked to cardiovascular problems – may also be spotted there, looking like deposits in the blood vessels. Changes in the patterns of ocular veins and arteries can also be linked to cardiovascular disease and stroke. Indications of strokes and other cardiovascular problems can be seen in the eyes. The back of the eye is part of the brain, so anything that can affect the brain can affect the eye – and often they affect the eye first.

Arthritis

Although arthritis is characterised by joint inflammation, autoimmune forms of the disease (like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis) can affect other parts of the body including the eyes, and the inflammation it causes can be spotted in eye tests. This inflammation (uveitis) is the same kind that can attack joints. It can slowly destroy the eye too. Arthritis is another one of the diseases where eye examinations are important, as the ocular manifestations can have grave consequences if left untreated.

Alzheimer’s disease

Although not available yet, it’s hoped that in the future a simple eye test could soon be used to identify the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are looking at whether warning signs can be detected using special computer software to analyse images of the eye. Researchers have reported that it will soon be possible to look into someone’s eyes using an inexpensive machine and discover something which may suggest a risk of developing dementia. The research promises early warning in a non-invasive way, and the test, which will identify differences in the retinal vessels, may even be able to differentiate between different types of dementia. The valuable research is continuing.

Tumours

The eye has a large blood supply relative to its size and for this reason, certain types of tumours can spread to the eye, as well as primary tumours developing there – although this is rare. Brain tumours can also be spotted in an eye test, sometimes through swelling of the optic nerve linked to pressure from the tumour.

Driving and Vision – safety and legal responsibility!

It’s important to have your sight tested if you think you may have a problem with your eyesight, in fact, studies suggest that up to one in five middle aged drivers are taking to the road with their eyesight not as good as it should be. It is not just common sense to ensure your eyesight is good enough to enable you to drive comfortably, but your safety and that of others is at risk and you will be breaking the law if it isn’t. A driver of a car or motorbike must be able to read a number plate, with symbols, 79mm high by 50mm wide, from a distance of 20 metres AND a driver should have a visual acuity of at least 6/12 with both eyes open.  This can be done with glasses or contact lenses if you usually wear them. The law also requires drivers to have a wide field of vision. Your optometrist will tell you if you may not meet the field of vision standard. Bus and Lorry drivers are required to have a higher standard of vision.  If you are not able to do this, your insurance may be invalidated. Driving with uncorrected defective vision is an offence punishable with a heavy fine, penalty licence points and possible driving disqualification. (See attached guide).

On-Line Eye Health Calculator

50% of sight loss is avoidable? Are you putting your eyes at risk? Cary out this simple, quick questionnaire to for find out if you could be doing more to keep your eyes and vision healthy. Link: https://www.visionmatters.org.uk/looking-after-your-eyes/eye-health-calculator

National Eye Health Week – Vision Matters Podcast

Sit-back and listen in as radio host, Adam Cox chats to David Cartwright from the charity Eye Health UK about why vision matters and the simple steps we should all be taking to help keep our eyes and vision healthy. This interesting podcast recording last approximately 23 minutes.

Link: https://www.visionmatters.org.uk/home/podcast

The Eyecare Trust

For more information visit:- http://www.eyecaretrust.org.uk/

Or Contact:-

The Eyecare Trust
PO Box 804
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP20 9DF

Tel: 0845 129 5001
Email: info@eyecaretrust.org.uk

The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to raise awareness of all aspects of eye health and the importance of regular eye care. The Trust’s public information and awareness raising campaigns are aimed at helping ensure that eye care is kept high on the UK public’s health agenda and provides valuable advice and information.

Attachments: 

• Eye Care for All (Top Tips) leaflet
• Minor Eye Conditions Leaflet
• Eye Health Frequently Asked Questions Leaflet
• Eye Health & The Menopause Leaflet
• All About Eye Tests Leaflet
• Eye Health Screen Users Guide 
• Is Your Vision Roadworthy Guide

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB365 National Eye Health Week 19 to 25 September 2022 (NEHW) – Vision Really Matters

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Solystic PSM Accident – Operator’s Loose Clothing Trapped in Conveyor – ‘Precautionary Safety Measure Briefing Instruction’ Issued By Royal Mail:

Following an accident which occurred last month and reported to the Health, Safety and Environment Department by our local ASR, the incident was drawn to the attention of the Royal Mail National Safety Director, Royal Mail Engineering Director plus it was referred to the Head of RMG Safety Programmes and the PSM Programme Safety Sub-Committee.

An immediate national investigation was requested along with a request for an urgent ‘National Level Safety Flash’ to be issued across the UK to all PSM offices with similar machines and other processing units, a joint investigation and a review of the SSoW/SWI (Safe Working Instructions) and operator training and information.

Briefly, the CWU ASR reported that the accident occurred as follows; there was a build-up of work on one of the conveyors and the operative who was manning the PSM station leaned over to free up the sensor beam which stops the induct conveyor when there is a build-up of work.

As he did so, the conveyor started moving and pulled his sleeve into the inductor conveyor. The OPG operative couldn’t reach the emergency stop button to stop the machine as his movement was limited by the fact his sleeve was being pulled into the machine, trapping him. Fortunately, a nearby manager heard his calls for help and pressed an emergency stop button on the PSM machine somewhere else. The emergency stop intervention possibly prevented a more severe injury to the OPG involved. The Mail Centre Management issued a local Safety Alert (copy attached).

The SSoW instructs operators not to lean across the conveyor belts whilst they are ‘moving’ – the anomaly here is the fact that the conveyor belt wasn’t moving but once the blockage had been cleared the sensor beam allowed the conveyor belt to re-stat whilst the operator was leaning across the conveyor belt. This led to lose clothing being pulled into the conveyor between the dispatch conveyor belt and the ‘Induct Station’.

Following discussions with the Royal Mail Group Head of Engineering and Fleet Safety, a full investigation has been launched and a ‘Precautionary Safety Measure Briefing Instruction’ has been issued for Solystic PSMs to Mail Centres concerned which has instructed those Mail Centres to “Remove Induct Operators’ Chairs” as an interim safety measure.

• The Briefing Instruction was cascaded to all Plant Managers last week (copy attached).
• A review of the incident is taking place with PSM manufacturers Solystics to jointly examine options for mitigating the ‘nip’ risk which occurs if staff reach across the conveyor or lean into the conveyor belt area.
• In the interim, Royal Mail Safety are highlighting the required controls around no glove wearing, avoiding reaching/leaning onto the belt and avoiding loose clothing etc., which all contribute to the nip risk.
• Induct Operators’ Seats have been removed as an ‘interim measure’ and will be locally stored whilst the investigation with the PSM manufacturer into the incident and ‘nip’ mitigation continues.

The ‘Precautionary Safety Measure Briefing Instruction’ (copy attached) covers the following:

Background:

• In light of several safety incidents, Royal Mail will be removing the chairs at the induct stations as a precautionary measure, to ensure operator safety.
• During safety investigations, the use of chairs at the induct station was identified as a contributory factor to the safety incidents, when operators rested their arm against the gap at the end of the dispatch conveyor.
• The removal of chairs is a temporary measure until a permanent solution is established with the machine manufacturer (Solystic).
• All operators should be aware of the safety standards which need to be followed when working on the induct station.
• The Safe Working Instruction has been updated to conform to the new Standard Operating Practice.

Key Messages:

• The use of chairs at all induct stations must cease immediately to reduce the risk of further safety incidents in the gap between the end of the dispatch belt and the induct station.
• Managers must remind operators that they should not lean on, or touch the induct belt whilst it is stationary or moving, as this may result in a nip incident.
• As this is a temporary measure, the induct chairs will be removed from the work area and stored securely until we have a permanent solution from Solystic.
• The induct chairs must not be used in a different work area as they were specifically designed for use with the Solystic PSM.

DO NOT LEAN ON OR TOUCH THE INDUCT BELT WHILST IT IS STATIONARY OR MOVING, THIS COULD CAUSE THE ARM TO BE NIPPED.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB364 Solystic PSM Accident – ‘Precautionary Safety Measure Briefing Instruction’

Removal of chairs linked to dispatch Belt incidents Brief v3

Romford MC – PSM Safety Alert

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POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22

Further to LTB 356/22 dated 7^thSeptember.

Branches will be aware, on 28^thMarch we declared our Post Office members had delivered a 97.3% Yes vote for strike action, with a 70.2% turnout.

The legislation dictates a ballot for strike action has a six-month lifespan.  This means the current mandate from our members expires on 28^th September.  There is, however, a small clause within the legislation that allows for a three-month extension, subject to the agreement of the employer.

Consequently, following the Postal Executive meeting held on Wednesday 7^th September, I wrote formally to Post Office requesting their agreement to extend the ballot by three months.  We are awaiting a reply.

I wanted to bring this matter to the attention of our Branches, Reps and members, as questions are starting to be asked and it was only right that clarification is provided.  Obviously, now we have a further Trade Dispute for pay 2022/23, if we have to ballot again, assuming Post Office rejects our request for a three-month extension, both pay review years in dispute – 2021/22 and 2022/23 will be the subject on the ballot paper.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

22LTB363 Post Office – Pay Dispute 2021-22

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Promoting Good Mental Health In The Workplace On Tuesday 18 October At 10:30am – A New, Free To Attend, Live, Virtual Event From The Health And Safety Executive (HSE)

Employers have a legal duty to protect workers from stress at work by undertaking a risk assessment and acting on it. Recognising the signs of stress will help employers to take steps to manage, mitigate and prevent the negative affect that stress has on a workforce.

In this event the HSE will raise awareness of the preventative measures that organisations can take to identify and manage work-related stress. The process of identifying conditions in the workplace that can cause stress and addressing them before they cause harm is the most effective way of ensuring that workers go home healthy and safe at the end of every working day. This strong focus on worker health and safety, in turn, benefits organisational performance.

This event will give participants access to HSE experts and the HSE risk management approach. NEBOSH and TSO will join to highlight official HSE training, resources, products and services. After the presentations, expert panel members will answer questions to provide further advice on how to identify and reduce risks, in order to prevent harm.

Speakers/Presenters:

• Mark Sennett CEO‘Health & Safety Matters’/Western Business Media Ltd
• Christopher Austin Head of Training and Events, Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• Jennifer Webster MSc, CPsychol, AFBPsS – Chartered Psychologist, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Risk and Human Factors Unit
• Denver Coulson Head of CampaignsHealth and Safety Executive (HSE)

Mark Sennett is the Chief Executive Officer Western Business Media and Managing Editor of Health & Safety Matters Magazine, with a circulation of more than 18,000 safety professionals. He is also the organiser of the Safety & Health Excellence Awards and is a former Web Editor of the Safety and Health Practitioner (SHP) Magazine.

Chris Austin leads the HSE’s external training and events portfolio, working alongside science, research, regulatory and policy colleagues to develop engaging and relevant solutions that help employers and industry sectors make their workplaces safer and healthier, by managing workplace risks and embedding a positive culture. He and his team also work to ensure that messages are delivered in the most impactful way throughout Great Britain and internationally, via the HSE’s own experts or its extensive network of trusted partners. Chris has gained a breadth of experience prior to joining the HSE in January 2022, having worked within and/or supported numerous public and private sector organisations including local authorities, higher education establishments, small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and multi-national companies.

Jennifer Webster’s work for the HSE centres around supporting organisations to develop a strong culture that keeps their people healthy and safe.  She has published academic papers on burnout and work-related stress and is currently part of the team at the HSE looking more widely at mental health in the workplace, especially as organisations move to more hybrid working.

Denver Coulson leads the HSE’s campaigns team, responsible for providing strategic leadership for the delivery of large-scale behaviour change campaigns to meet business objectives and strategic priorities. Working with media, external affairs, web and design, policy, insight and science, he and the team use a range of marketing channels and external partnerships to reach the relevant audiences and deliver the most impactful results. With prior experience supporting local government, and more than a decade in marketing agencies, Denver brings a multi-disciplinary approach to the HSE’s communications.

Registration for this free to attend event is by completing the form on this webpage link:  

https://events.streamgo.live/promoting-good-mental-health-in-the-workplace/register

Enquiries contact: estie@westernbusiness.media or call on 01342 314 300  

This is a virtual on-online event at 10:30am on Tuesday 18 October 2022.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB361 Promoting Good Mental Health In The Workplace on Tuesday 18 October at 10.30am – Virtual Event From The HSE

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