POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE – JOINT STATEMENT

Further to LTB 054/23 dated 8^thMarch.  A further pay meeting was held with Jane Davies, Group Chief People Officer yesterday afternoon.  I was supported at the meeting by Mole Meade, Postal Executive member.  We are pleased to report a new proposal was made by Post Office, which we view broadly as a step in the right direction and we are now considering this proposal prior to our next meeting on Thursday.  The revised offer was made without prejudice and as such is a closed offer.

The following Joint Statement has been agreed and will be published this afternoon:

Joint Statement – Post Office and CWU Pay Negotiations

Following our last update on 8 March we met again yesterday and had a further constructive dialogue which included a proposal from Post Office for a way forward. This offer is now under consideration by the CWU and we plan to meet again on Thursday.

We fully understand you will want to see a positive outcome to these talks sooner rather than later and that is what we are trying to achieve.  However, matters surrounding the negotiations are complex especially as we are endeavouring to wrap up a multiple year deal to prevent delays in actioning any increase for 23/24.

Both parties are listening to each other and are attempting to find a mutual solution outcome in what can only be described as difficult circumstances.

In closing we appreciate everyone’s patience and wish to assure you that both parties are working hard to secure an agreement.

Jane Davies                                                    Andy Furey

Group Chief People Officer, Post Office              A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

We hope to make further progress when we meet again on Thursday.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

23LTB066 Post Office – Pay Dispute – Joint Statement

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HSE Launches New Asbestos Awareness Campaign – ‘Asbestos and You’:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with asbestos. The campaign is aimed at electricians, maintenance engineers, plumbers, joiners, construction and other trades and also targets younger workers. The new campaign is called ‘Asbestos and You’. The HSE also wants to reach workers who started their careers after the use of asbestos was banned in 1999.

The HSE is concerned that the length of time it takes for symptoms to develop after asbestos exposure could lead to a perception among today’s younger workers that it is something that only impacts older people who were working before the ban.

Five thousand people a year still die from asbestos related illnesses and asbestos can still be found in buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000.

Asbestos containing materials were used extensively in the construction and maintenance of buildings in the UK from the 1950s until the ban. That means workers of all ages could still be exposed to asbestos fibres today.

In launching the new campaign, the HSE statement said that asbestos exposure in Great Britain is still the single greatest cause of work-related deaths. The HSE is committed to protecting people in the workplace and reducing future work-related ill health. Everyone working today, of any age, must take the risk from asbestos seriously. Asbestos is dangerous when not maintained in a safe condition or if physically disturbed without the right measures in place to avoid fibres being released into the air. It is crucial that all workers know how to recognise the dangers and take the right actions to protect themselves and those around them from being exposed to asbestos fibres.

If asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases such as Mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer, Asbestosis, and pleural thickening. These diseases often take a long time to develop, and it can take 20 to 30 years for symptoms to appear. Tradespeople of any age are at significant risk if they disturb materials containing asbestos during maintenance works, repairs and refurbishment work on buildings. Any job, any day of the week, can potentially release lethal asbestos fibres. It’s not like dust –  you can’t see, smell, or feel the fibres in the air or on your clothes.

New HSE ‘Asbestos and You’ Quick Guide To Asbestos:

Attached is a copy of the new HSE Guide for your information. There are a number of simple, quick steps that workers can take to reduce the dangers of asbestos. The HSE has created this new guide to help explain the main risks and what to do about them, as well as legal responsibilities.

For more information about the ‘Asbestos and You’ campaign, you can visit the HSE’s website for further guidance on asbestos at this link:

Asbestos & You

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB069 HSE Launches New Asbestos Awareness Campaign – ‘Asbestos and You’

HSE-Asbestos–You-Guide-2023

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TUC LGBT+ CONFERENCE VISITORS – 29^TH – 30^TH JUNE 2023

The TUC LGBT+ Conference 2023 is being held from Thursday 29^th – Friday 30^th June 2023 at the TUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS.  The Conference sessions will be as follows:

Thursday 29^th June            11.00 – 12.45                       14.15 – 18.00

Friday 30^th June                  09.30 – 12.45                       14.15 – 17.30

The CWU are allowed a limited number of visitors to attend the above Conference and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Due to the need for extra security at all TUC Conferences, names and addresses of those wanting visitor tickets must be supplied and tickets are not transferable.

Anyone interested in attending will need to contact their Branch initially for funding, to include a £15 visitor ticket fee. The easiest way to pay the £15 fee will be for us to transfer it directly from your Branch’s account through the rebate system, therefore please contact Angela Niven on conferences@cwu.org  with details of which Branch the individual belongs to on application.  Alternatively you can send a cheque (made payable to ‘CWU’) addressed to Angela Niven at CWU HQ with a covering letter.  Please note that places will not be reserved until the £15 fee is received.

Please let me know if you would like to attend the Conference as a visitor by no later than midday on Friday 21^stApril 2023.

Any further enquiries with regards this please contact conferences@cwu.orgor Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.

Dave Ward
General Secretary

LTB 068/23 -TUC LGBT+ Conference Visitors.doc

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EUREST PAY CLAIM 2023 AND BALLOT ARRANGEMENTS

Branches will be aware that the pay review date for Eurest members was moved to April each year, in order to align with the annual review of the National Minimum Wage.

As in previous years, both parties have been committed to early discussions in 2023 to ensure that any agreed arrangements could be concluded to meet the April deadline. Discussions have been complicated this year due to the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the business and the prevailing financial climate. However, while the aforementioned issues could have presented a barrier to concluding an acceptable deal, further to positive discussions an agreement has now been reached with Compass Group / Eurest on a pay settlement for 2023.

In the view of the department, the agreed settlement is a realistic one, which rewards the ongoing commitment of our members, while also recognising the commercial realities of the aftermath of the Covid-19 period and current economic climate.

The deal is straightforward and consists of:

• A 9.68% increase in basic pay (not NDA) rates for all grades, effective 1^stApril 2023;
• The retention of the previously agreed differential on Premium / Overtime rates pitching those rates at £1 above the standard rate for each grade;
• The next pay review date will be April 2024.

For our Grade C members, the deal meets the CWU aspiration of maintaining the current level of differential over the National Minimum Wage, which we have been seeking over recent pay deals to maintain or grow.

The Postal Executive has endorsed the pay offer for recommendation to our Eurest members.  We have therefore been consulting with the SDG(S) department in relation to arrangements for an individual members’ ballot, which have now been finalised.

We can now confirm that the ballot timetable will be as follows:

Ballot Papers Dispatched:                Thursday 16^th March 2023

Ballot Closes:                                    Thursday 6^th April 2023 (first post)

Branch Secretaries are requested to ensure that our members are made aware of the content of this LTB and that every effort is made to encourage our members to use their vote when their ballot papers are received.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference 301.12.

Yours sincerely,

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

067-23 Eurest Pay Claim 2023 and Ballot Arrangements 14.03.23

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ROYAL MAIL GROUP DISPUTE – JOINT STATEMENT

Further to LTB 047/23 dated 2^ndMarch, Branches, Representatives and members will be aware that we have been involved in a new process of negotiations involving Board members and crucially these talks have been facilitated by Sir Brendan Barber.  The previously agreed Joint Statement indicated we would seek to reach an agreement by Sunday 12^thMarch. 

Whilst it is fair to say that progress has been made, it is evident more time is required to bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion.  In this regard, we have agreed the following Joint Statement that confirms a time extension for talks to continue this week. 

Joint statement from Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU): talks extended

Negotiations under a new process between the senior leadership of both RMG and the CWU facilitated by Brendan Barber (former TUC General Secretary and ACAS Chair) supported by Marina Glasgow (Chief Conciliator of ACAS) have been taking place. 

Talks continued this weekend. Progress has been made in some areas and it has been agreed to extend the talks into this week.

Both parties reiterate the importance of the full adherence to the joint statement and appendix agreed on Thursday 2nd March and the need for workplace tensions to be reduced. Both parties confirm that, as agreed, local disagreements on revisions will be referred to the fast track escalation process set out in the Annex to the joint statement and that any unagreed changes will not be implemented during this process.

We will update you as soon as we can.

We are sure it will be recognised by all that, as with all negotiations of this magnitude, the talks are not easy but we have to ensure we allow sufficient time to secure the best possible agreement.

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely                                

Dave Ward
General Secretary

Andy Furey
A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 065/23 – ROYAL MAIL GROUP DISPUTE JOINT STATEMENT

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 008 – Yard Safety Controls:

Introduction, Background and Description: 

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued RMG SHE Safety Flash FY23 008 following a recent serious injury accident involving an elderly customer who was visiting a Delivery Office in search of the Customer Service Point (CSP/caller office) when he tripped over a Van/Vehicle Wheel Stop, falling to the ground and sustaining a fractured pelvis which required surgical intervention and long term treatment. The 96 years old customer had wrongly driven into the operation yard of the delivery office, where he got out of his car with a P379 (Something For You Card) and spoke to an employee, to enquire about collecting an undelivered item. The customer subsequently turned and tripped over one of a line of vehicle wheel stops, installed to prevent ingress of vehicles into the pedestrian walkway.

The injured customer was given first aid, kept still and cared for whilst the emergency services were called and then taken to hospital by ambulance where they received emergency and ongoing treatment.

Impact/Injuries: 

Fractured Pelvis requiring surgery.

Key Messages, Learning Points and PiC/Managers Actions: 

• PiCs should brief all staff on the content of the attached SHE Safety Flash FY23 008.
• PiCs should ensure that if members of the public enter an operational yard, they should be asked to leave the yard immediately. They should not be left unattended until they have left and should be safely escorted from the yard if on foot.
• PiCs should ensure that if the Customer Service Point (CSP) is closed, that customers are made aware of the opening times of the CSP/Callers Office, so they can return to collect their item when the CSP is open.
• PiCs should review yard entrance signage to ensure it is suitable and sufficient and clearly identifies restrictions on access to the yard by the general public.
• PiCs should in consultation with CWU ASRs ensure that the Yard Risk Assessment has been undertaken, is reviewed periodically and is up to date with any tripping and other hazards reviewed.
• In cases where yards have no physical boundary fence/wall etc., PiCs should identify a suitable location to display any signs regarding restriction on access to the yard.
• PiCs requiring further advice and support should contact the local RMG SHE Safety Advisor and should consult the ASRs.

The RMG signage catalogue is attached and is also available on the RMG Intranet. A link in the RMG SHE Flash directs users to the Royal Mail Service Portal where signs can be ordered.

CWU ASR/WSR Action:

• WSRs/ASRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated and brought to the attention of all appropriate members and that actions above are deployed by PiCs/Managers.
• ASRs to concentrate attention to this matter during Workplace Safety Inspections and where necessary ensure a Yard Risk Assessment review is undertaken, removing tripping hazards and where necessary segregating pedestrian and vehicular traffic routes with barriers.

Attachments:  

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 008 – Yard Safety Controls.
• RMG ‘Signage’ Catalogue – Release 2.3

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 064/23 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 008 – Yard Safety Controls

Att: SHE Flash FY23 008 – Yard Safety

Att: Graphics Catalogue_Release 2.3

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Joint statement from Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU): talks extended

Negotiations under a new process between the senior leadership of both RMG and the CWU facilitated by Brendan Barber (former TUC General Secretary and ACAS Chair) supported by Marina Glasgow (Chief Conciliator of ACAS) have been taking place.

Talks continued this weekend. Progress has been made in some areas and it has been agreed to extend the talks into this week.

Both parties reiterate the importance of the full adherence to the joint statement and appendix agreed on Thursday 2nd March and the need for workplace tensions to be reduced. Both parties confirm that, as agreed, local disagreements on revisions will be referred to the fast track escalation process set out in the Annex to the joint statement and that any unagreed changes will not be implemented during this process.

We will update you as soon as we can.

Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 46 – March 2023:

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.

The GJA now offer three ‘on-line’ courses as follows:

1. Climate Change Awareness

This short introductory course is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to develop their understanding of the issues around climate change.  The course is divided into 4 modules.  The modules contain background information, short videos, graphs and illustrations.

• Module 1: Climate Change Explained
• Module 2: International Responses
• Module 3: Trade Union Responses
• Module 4: Getting Involved

At the end of each section, there are references and links to additional materials if you want to go further. There are no formal tests and you can work through the materials at your own pace but there are optional quizzes to check your understanding at the end of modules 1, 2 and 3.

2. A Trade Union Guide to Just Transition

Social justice must be at the heart of the development of a net-zero carbon economy. The course covers:

• The meaning and history of the term just transition
• Why it should be a priority issue
• UK and international policies and case studies
• Ideas for developing an action plan

It is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to improve their understanding of why just transition should be central to climate change policy.

3. Air Quality – a trade union issue

The following issues will be explored in this free online course. It is made up of 3 modules,

• Module 1: The Causes and Health Impacts of Air Pollution
• Module 2: The Law and Government Policy
• Module 3:  Trade Union Responses and Campaigns

Link to GJA on-line 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 and 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 46 – ‘Editorial: Car Wars’

The debate is raging over the London Mayor’s ‘ULEZ expansion plan’ to extend the zone from London’s north and south circular roads to cover the whole of the capital from August 29when it will expand to border areas of Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey and bring in a £12.50 daily fee for those drivers entering the zone with older vehicles that do not meet minimum emissions standards plus the Oxford City Council’s ‘15 minute city zones’ proposal in their ‘Plan 2040’ in which residents will be limited to drive freely around their own neighbourhoods but being fined £70 for driving into other neighbourhoods. Both have garnered significant controversy, protests, marches, petitioning and lobbying.

In this edition Editor Paul Atkin opens up with reference to debate on how we make a just transition in transport. With transport producing just under a quarter of UK emissions and no progress in cutting them for a decade, serious measures are overdue and Paul points out that this is not so much about simply shifting from fossil fuel to electric powered personally owned vehicles. 92% of journeys in the UK are still made by car but not surprising as there is insufficient investment in alternatives such as designing and reconfiguring cities to avoid commuting wherever possible, shifting to public transport, and making it cheap or free; with more widespread free travel for key workers and more flexible use of travel cards,

Paul’s dead right. Bus and train services have been privatised and over the years have been continually cut sharply, right across the country and of course the UK is the most expensive European country by far in terms of rail travel with another 5.9% increase this month. In 2019, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) released a study showing the increases in rail fares and weekly earnings in the UK. The TUC concluded that rail fares rose by 46 per cent over the past 10 years while nominal weekly earnings increased by only 23 per cent.

With the prospect of a change of government by 2024 we need workable policies for the benefit of all not just the few in the plans and campaigning of opposition parties.

Contents GJA Newsletter 46

• Editorial: Car Wars
• GJA AGM
• Ending the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Age – Winning the Transition to Electric Vehicles
• Electric vehicles and jobs
• Circular Economy for Auto Industry?
• Time to Ban SUVs?
• What our cities could look like
• Offshore oil and gas workers plan for the energy transition
• Global Ocean Treaty may block deep sea mining
• Who does National Grid work for?
• Green Bargaining UCU
• TUC guide to advocating for Retrofit
• NEU Guide to School Retrofit
• Mass lobby of Parliament
• Labour for a Green New Deal – Appeal for Volunteers for ‘Worker-Climate Team’
• Green Bites

What is a just transition?

A just transition seeks to ensure that the substantial benefits of a green economy transition are shared widely, while also supporting those who stand to lose economically – be they countries, regions, industries, communities, workers or consumers.

A rapid increase in the speed and scale of actions required to reduce the risks of climate change will create new economic opportunities.

Whilst a just transition is mainly based on environmental considerations, it is also shaped by other structural changes affecting labour markets, such as globalisation, labour-saving technologies and the shift to services.

A just transition is an integral part of many of the global commitments adopted by countries. The Paris Agreement acknowledges “the imperatives of a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities” and highlights the importance of workers in responding to climate change.

Furthermore, the just transition concept links to 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, explicitly drawing together SDGs 12 – climate action, 10 – reduced inequalities, 8 – decent work and economic growth, and 7 – affordable and clean energy.

Many countries have recognised the challenge that this transformation entails and are taking measures to protect those that are most vulnerable and affected by the changes, including across the EBRD regions.

• The European Union’s Just Transition Mechanism is integral to the EU’s Green Deal, targeted at ensuring “a fair transition to a climate-neutral economy, leaving no one behind” and aims to mobilise at least €150 billion over the period 2021-2027;
• The Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration signed by 50 countries at COP24, which states that: “a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs are crucial to ensure an effective and inclusive transition”;
• Climate Action for Jobs Initiative, co-led by the International Labour Organisation, Spain and Peru, with 46 countries committing to develop “national plans for a just transition and create decent green jobs”.
• The UNFCCC Gender Action plan, whereby parties to the UNFCCC have recognized the importance of involving women and men equally in the development and implementation of national climate policies that are gender-responsive.

GJA Annual General Meeting

This GJA AGM will take place on Tuesday 14 March 2023, 11.00-13.00

Agenda

Guest Speakers

• Niall Toru (Friends of the Earth) – National Climate Service
• Hannah David (PCS) – Green Bargaining Officer
• Hannah Markova (TUC) –
• Q&A session
• Debate
• Plan of Action 2023

This is a Hybrid Meeting.

Attending in person UCU HQ, Carlow St, Camden, Town London NW1 7LH

Register for attendance by e-mailing tahirlatif51@icloud.com.

GJA Newsletter Snippets:

Mass lobby of Parliament 1 April

On the 1 April, people across the UK are going to lobby their MPs to call for proper funding for nationwide energy efficiency in homes to lower bills and tackle the climate crisis.

The government has failed to do the quickest and cheapest thing to help lower bills – they’ve not properly insulated homes or swapped gas boilers for heat pumps. If they did, the average household would save £1800 a year! Organised by Warm this Winter, a coalition of 40 organisations including 350.org, Greenpeace, Fuel Poverty Action Group and many more. Full details at: https://campaigns.350.org/calendars/warm-this-winter?utm_source=GPUKthurs1&utm_campaign=GPUK

RMT Win Free Travel Passes for TfL Cleaners

One positive bit of news is that the RMT recently won Free Travel Passes for all 5,800 outsourced Transport for London cleaners. We need more victories like this.

Quote of the Month:

“You cannot exist unless you have the power to alter the future.,”

Graham Greene (The Quiet American)

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 063/23 – Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 46 – March 2023

Att: GJA-Newsletter-46-March-2023

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 007 – Jet Wash Electrical Fire:

Introduction, Background and Description: 

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued RMG SHE Safety Flash FY23 007 following a recent incident in which a ‘Jet Wash’ machine caught fire and caused significant damage to Royal Mail property which could have been worse had it not been extinguished.

A jet wash machine malfunctioned and started to display an intermittent electrical fault, turning itself on and off. Subsequently the motor overheated and the machine burst into flames and was destroyed. The fire was extinguished by employees on site using water.

Impact/Injuries: 

Fortunately, no employees were injured. The jet wash was destroyed and damage was caused to Royal Mail building cladding (see attached image in the SHE Flash). It was fortunate the fire was extinguished due to its proximity, close to the Royal Mail main building’s gas supply.

Key Messages, Learning Points and PiC/Managers Actions: 

• All significant fires must be reported to the fire services by calling 999 – remember get out, stay out and call 999.
• Ensure any fires extinguished are done so by a trained employee only using the correct type of fire extinguisher for the type of fire concerned.
• Electrical fires should be extinguished with Carbon Dioxide or powder fire extinguishers. Water or foam (which is water based) fire extinguishers must not be used on electrical fires. Neither should hose pipes or buckets of water be used to put out an electrical fire. Never throw water on an electrical fire because water conducts electricity and those doing this could be electrocuted. With electrical fires, also turn off the power. When there’s anything other than a minor fire don’t take any risks with your safety – remember get out, stay out and call 999.
• Ensure electrical equipment is Portable Appliance Tested (PAT tested) which is the periodic examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use. Most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination but some types of defect can only be found by testing.
• Report all defective equipment to the National Service Centre (formerly known as the RMP&FS Help Desk) on 0333 005 0312.

CWU ASR/WSR Action:

• WSRs/ASRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated and brought to the attention of all appropriate members and that actions above are deployed by PiCs/Managers.
• ASRs to concentrate attention to this matter during Workplace Safety Inspections.

Attachments: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 007 – Jet Wash Machine Electrical Fire.
• Fire Extinguisher Types and Uses Guide.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 062/23 Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 007 – Jet Wash Electrical Fire

Att: SHE Flash FY23 007 – Jet Wash Fire

Att: Types of Fire Extinguisher

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