Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 006 – Domestic Drivers Hours Rules:

Introduction, Background and Description: 

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued RMG SHE Safety Flash FY23 006 following recent visits to Royal Mail/Parcelforce Units having identified several instances where drivers’ hours are not being monitored. This has the potential to leave Royal Mail/Parcelforce and drivers in breach of Domestic Drivers Hours Rules.

In England, Scotland and Wales, these rules limit the daily amount of driving in a van to 10 hours per day, and drivers who drive vans for 4 hours or more in a day must not work for more than 11 hours in total. There are also requirements for rest periods. Similar limits apply in Northern Ireland.

The Domestic Drivers Hours procedure is in place to protect drivers and businesses, by identifying duties with the potential to breach rules and monitoring driving time to ensure that this does not happen.

Impact/Injuries: 

• Fines for exceeding drivers’ hours rules range between £300 and £2400 per offence, and Royal Mail Group would face an investigation and may face enforcement action and prosecution for Operators Licence Offences by the Department of Transport, Traffic Commissioners.
• Exceeding drivers’ hours also risks drivers’ safety. The rules are in place to limit driver fatigue, which is one of the main causes of fatal collisions.
• ‘BRAKE’ the road safety charity state that tired drivers have slower reaction times and suffer from reduced attention, awareness, and ability to control their vehicles. Research suggests driving tired can be as dangerous as drink-driving. Fatigue is a major cause of road crashes in the UK and 10–20% of all crashes are estimated to be caused by driver fatigue.
• ‘RoSPA’ (The Royal Society For Prevention of Accidents) state that driver fatigue is a serious problem resulting in many thousands of road accidents each year. Research shows that driver fatigue may be a contributory factor in up to 20% of road accidents, and up to one quarter of fatal and serious accidents. These types of crashes are about 50% more likely to result in death or serious injury as they tend to be high speed impacts because a driver who has fallen asleep cannot brake or swerve to avoid or reduce the impact.
• HSE Guidelines, ‘Driving at Work’, state that “health and safety law applies to on-the-road work activities as to all work activities and the risks should be effectively managed within a health and safety system”. Therefore, employers must assess the risks involved in their staff’s use of the road for work and put in place all ‘reasonably practicable’ measures to manage those risks.

Key Messages, Learning Points and PiC/Managers Actions: 

• PiCs/Managers must use the Domestic Drivers Hours procedure, ensuring that all duties have been assessed for compliance with drivers’ hours rules and that driving time is monitored where appropriate. Duties should be reassessed annually or where a change is made e.g., duty revisions.
• PiCs/Managers must check records to ensure that the above is in place and close any gaps.
• PiCs/Managers allocation of Scheduled Attendance or overtime to employees must take Domestic Drivers Hours rules into account.
• PiCs/Managers should ensure that drivers are made aware of Domestic Drivers Hours rules and must not exceed them.
• Drivers should raise any questions or concerns with their manager.

CWU ASR/WSR Action:

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

Attachment: 

• Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 006 – Domestic Drivers Hours Rules.
• UK – GB Domestic Drivers’ Hours Rules.
• Royal Mail – British Domestic Driver Hours Monitoring in Delivery Offices.
• Royal Mail Power Point Presentation on GB Domestic Drivers Hours Rules.
• Royal Mail Drivers Hours Monitoring Sheet (Excel).
• Royal Mail Delivery Average Call Rate & MPH Driving Time Certificate (Excel).

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 061/23 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 006 – Domestic Drivers Hours Rules

Att: SHE Flash FY23 006 – Domestic Drivers Hours

Att: GB Domestic Drivers’ Hours Rules

Att: Driver Hours Process v3.1

Att: Driver Hours – Comms Pack v5.1

Att: Driving Hours Monitor 2020 – To Be Completed

Att: Average Call Rate Driving Time_Master (1) (1)

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CWU Low Level Letterbox Campaign:(CWU Response to the Government Public Consultation on ‘The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill – Reforms to National Planning Policy’ – ‘Letterbox Heights’):

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has conducted a public consultation seeking views on proposals to develop new and revise current national house building planning policy. This consultation seeks views on the government’s proposed approach to updating to the National Planning Policy Framework.

The government’s stated position is a commitment to ‘levelling up’ across the country, building more homes to increase home ownership, empowering communities to make better places, restoring local pride and regenerating towns and cities.

Also the ‘Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill’ is currently before the Houses of Parliament and is intended to put the foundations in place for delivering the government’s plan which includes an infrastructure which mandates new developments to meets clear design standards amongst other things.

Local Planning Authorities will have a statutory duty to follow the National Planning Policy Framework which guides local decision makers on the government’s national policy within the new planning system as soon as possible.

The intention is to allow government to swiftly deliver the government’s commitments to building 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s with enough of the right homes in the right places, incentivising local authorities to adopt plans in order to realise the housing supply benefits as soon as possible.

As the Public Consultation is dealing with a review and revision of the planning and building regulations, a response to the Consultation has been made by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department concentrating on our long established policy of enshrining a ‘minimum’ height for letterboxes and ‘banning all low level letter boxes’.

Secondly, we have been in dialogue with Baroness Angela Smith of Basildon, Leader of the opposition for Labour in the House of Lords and Baroness Susan Hayman of Ullock, who has tabled an amendment, number 476 to the Bill which would include a minimum letterbox height in law. The government are being pressed to accept the amendment prior to the debate in the House of Lords.

We have also been in contact with Vicky Ford MP (Con. Chelmsford) to flag up amendment number 476 in the House of Lords, requesting that Vicky Ford asks for government support for the opposition amendment and for the government to accept amendment 476.

Below is a copy of the CWU response to the above Consultation, centring on an amendment to the Bill, legislating to introduce a new legal minimum letterbox height.

The response also makes reference to the House of Lords, Amendment number 476 to the Bill which would insert a new Clause in respect of a legal “minimum letterbox height” of 70cm from the ground. The CWU is urging the government to support it.

Finally, we have additionally approached the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the matter of legislating on the introduction of a minimum letterbox height, in line with CWU policy.

———————————————————————————————

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

28 February 2023

H.M. Government
Planning Policy Consultation Team
Planning Directorate
Planning Policy Division Department for Levelling Up
Housing and Communities Floor 3
Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Department For Levelling Up, Housing & Communities – Open Public Consultation on The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: Reforms to National Planning Policy: – CWU Response – “Letterbox Heights” (CWU Low Level Letterbox Campaign)

This is the response of the Communication Workers Union to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) consultation on the ‘Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill.’

Royal Mail provides the UK’s Universal Postal Service, delivering 8 Billion Letters at ‘one price all destinations’ and 1.5 Billion Parcels a year to the UK’s 31,000,000 addresses, plus all election letters and during the pandemic Royal Mail workers additionally collected and delivered up to 1,000,000 Covid-19 Test Kits a day at peak and handled up to a 40%

increase in Parcels at peak – across the country during ‘lockdown’. Delivering economic and social benefits to the communities, companies, businesses and organisations served as a key objective for the Royal Mail Group which is also one of the UK’s largest contributors to the UK economy.

The Communications Workers Union has been campaigning to outlaw low level letterboxes for many years due to the occupational health and safety risk posed to Postmen and Women by letterboxes positioned at the foot of dwelling front doors. (see attached CWU campaign flyer/leaflet).

The CWU has been striving for the European Standard (EN13724) to be added to U.K building regulations – this requires letterboxes being at a height safely accessible to postal workers, significantly reducing possible injuries such as, dog bites, fingers being trapped or back strain caused when bending excessively and repeatedly to reach ground level letter boxes. (See attached copy of European Regulation: EN 13724 for Post Boxes).

This issue was first raised by the Union as far back as 1958 when the British Standards Agency deemed it appropriate that letter boxes be at a proper height. Unfortunately it was not enshrined into UK building standards Law.

In 2002 the European Standard EN 13724 was introduced and this states that for “ergonomic and safety reasons” the centreline of the letter box aperture should be at a height between 700 mm/70 cm (2 ft. 3.5 inches) 1700mm/170 cm (5ft 7inches).  Unfortunately, once again, it was not enshrined into UK building standards Law.

In January 2019, Vicky Ford Conservative MP for Chelmsford, Essex introduced a Private Members’ Bill in the UK Parliament, in support of the CWU campaign, namely the ‘Low-Level Letter Boxes (Prohibition) Bill. This was unusually heard before a full House of Commons on Wednesday 16 January 2019. The Bill was supported by all political parties and was unanimously accepted by the Government and MPs.

The Housing minister at the time Kit Malthouse MP gave Vicky Ford MP an assurance that the change would be made to introduce a letterbox minimum height and her bill was withdrawn. (See attached BBC News Report).

Additionally, the government’s Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC), the statutory body that provides expert advice to the Secretary of State on building regulations, standards for design, construction, including health, safety, welfare and convenience of people etc. indicated their support and announced that it will be reviewing low level letter boxes on new build properties. (See attached BBC News Report).

Sadly, four years have passed since MP Vicky Ford’s Bill was passed in the House of Commons with no material progress despite continual lobbying of Ministers and continual promises from ministers.

With around 200,000 houses a year being built, and no regulation on letter box height in place, the problem of low level letterboxes continued to be exacerbated. Indeed the CWU, has to continually make representations, piecemeal, to a huge number of developers, house builders and local authorities across the UK, asking them to cease the installation of low level letter box design front doors to new homes. Some are understanding and supportive and some just ignore our plea.

So – over half a century later and several high profile campaigns later the problem still exists.

The CWU has campaigned relentlessly for the UK Government to implement the specifications set out in current European Standard (EN 13724) covering private letter boxes, outlawing low level letter boxes by enshrining the EU standard into UK Law.

The Union would stress that it does not expect householders or businesses to change any existing front doors – rather we have asked that government will see merit in minimalizing the risk of injury to CWU members by passing legislation to cover the manufacture of all new and replacement doors – fitted to new houses and developments as well as replacement and refurbishments etc.

Low level letter boxes have been outlawed in many European countries. For example the Republic of Ireland banned all low level letterboxes as far back as 2001.

CWU members in Royal Mail deliver to each of the 31,000,000 UK addresses daily, and the CWU feel the time has come to standardise letter box height and safe design well above ground level.

The problems with low level letterboxes is that back injuries to postmen and women occur each year in Royal Mail and delivering to low level letter boxes at the base of a house front door forces postal staff to stoop to ground level whilst carrying mail items and this can cause back strain. Low Level Letter boxes also present an increased risk of dog bites when the mail is pushed through the aperture at ground level.

Royal Mail postal workers had 18,000 back-related injuries and absence spells in 2021/2022, sustaining back problems connected wholly or in part because of the act of bending and stooping to deliver mail into low level letterboxes. Fingers are also more easily trapped and injured in low level letterboxes, as well as significantly increasing the risk of being bitten by dogs. 2,000 – 3,000 dog attacks on postmen and women occur across the UK annually and 1000 postman and women have had a finger injured or bitten off in the last 5 years through the letterbox.

The Union has the full support of Royal Mail Group as well as many influential bodies and organisations during its campaign including the HSE, National House-Building Council, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services.

The ‘Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: Reforms to National Planning Policy’ offers an opportunity to finally deal with this long outstanding matter and the CWU suggests that the Part 12: Miscellaneous section of the bill should include a new clause, after Clause 214, that The National Planning Policy Framework stipulates that in regards to Letterbox heights, the centreline of the letter box aperture should be at a height between 700 mm/70 cm (2 ft. 3.5 inches) 1700mm/170 cm (5ft 7inches), in line with European Standard (EN 13724).

This would benefit the health and wellbeing of CWU Members including over 90,000 Royal Mail Postmen and Postwomen across the UK as well as to a lesser extent politicians and electoral candidates delivering leaflets and any other organisation including charities, schools, clubs, companies and organisations leafleting.

The CWU notes that in the House of Lords, Amendment 476 to the Bill would insert a new Clause in respect of “minimum letterbox height” of 70cm from the ground. The CWU would urge the government to support it.

Yours sincerely

From Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Member TUC Union Health and Safety Specialists Committee
Email djoyce@cwu.org | Direct line 020 8971 7365
Communication Workers Union, The communications union
Headquarters 150 The Broadway | Wimbledon | SW19 1RX
T 020 8971 7200 | F 02089717300 | www.cwu.org | @CWUNews

———————————————————————————————-

Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: Reforms to National Planning Policy 

Amendment 476 [HL]
After Clause 214, insert the following new Clause—
“Letterbox height: England
In this section “local authority” means—

• a district council in England;
• a county council in England for an area for which there is no district council;
• a London borough council;

the Common Council of the City of London.
A local authority within subsection (1)(a) or (b) may, by order, direct that
dwellings may not include a letterbox which is less than 70cm from the ground.”

Member’s explanatory statement 

This would allow local authorities in England to direct that dwellings may not
include a letterbox which is less than 70cm from the ground.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB058 CWU Low Level Letterbox Campaign – CWU Response to the Government Public Consultation on ‘The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill’

HM Government Planning Policy Consultation Team

Ban-Low-Level-Letter-Box-Flier

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Workers’ Memorial Day – 28^th April 2023– Theme ‘Trade Unions Organising For Fundamental Safety’:

Background:

The purpose behind Workers’ Memorial Day has always been to “remember the dead: fight for the living” and Unions are asked by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), European Trade Union Confederation, TUC, STUC, WTUC, ICTU, the Hazards Campaign, FACK (Families Against Corporate Killers) to focus on both areas, by considering events or memorials to remember all those killed and injured through work but at the same time ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated. International Workers’ Memorial Day remembers those who have been killed, injured or who have contracted an industrial disease at or because of work but at the same time ensuring that we continue to do all we can to make sure such tragedies are not repeated.

The message is that the best way of protecting workers is by building trade union organisation, recruiting members, pressing employers to invoke better health and safety standards and risk controls and campaigning for stricter enforcement by the HSE and Local Authorities with higher court penalties for those employers and bosses breaching health and safety laws.

Workers’ Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world.  International Workers’ Memorial Day is held on 28 Aprileach year to remember workers who have died, been injured or made ill due to hazards at work. It was formally recognised by the Labour Government led by Gordon Brown in 2010 following a consultation in 2009. The Conservative Government led by Theresa May confirmed continued recognition of Workers’ Memorial Day in October 2017.

Theme

In 2023 the theme for the day is “Trade Unions Organising For Fundamental Safety”.

The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has promoted Workers’ Memorial Day amongst our Health and Safety Representatives, Branches and Regions via regular reports and LTBs.

Post ‘Brexit’ Tory Government Health and Safety Deregulation Threat – “Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill”

The UK saw major change in the 70’s with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the formation of the HSE, followed by the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977, followed by a plethora of European Health and Safety Directives transposed into UK Health and Safety Regulations through the 80’s and 90’s. But what’s going to happen after Brexit? Which UK health and safety legislation will be affected and how? And when? Brexit presents the Tory right-wing opportunists with a new rationale for undermining health and safety law and enforcement through de-regulation, a drift towards an extreme form of self-regulation, further HSE budget cuts, enforcement and inspection cuts and post-Brexit now raises an imminent threat of the UK entering a ‘race to the bottom’. Previous Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Michael Gove Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government have called for the removal of the Health and Safety Regulations and Jacob Rees-Mogg Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency of the United Kingdom has said that the UK could slash safety standards “a very long way” after Brexit! The 2021 EU/UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement may enable the UK to evade its formal health and safety responsibilities under the treaty because of the lack of the prospect of significant retaliatory ‘rebalancing’ measures. With the Tories “Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill” on the horizon, should minimal health and safety requirements cease to apply in the post-EU era, then the UK Government will be free to repeal existing health and safety laws and pursue a system of self-regulation that will allow health and safety standards to fall even further behind those of other developed economies. Add this to the UK’s appalling record in observing ILO workplace health and safety instruments – in total, the UK Government has ratified only 6 of a total of 35 ILO ‘up-to-date’ health and safety protocols and conventions. There are a total of 74 countries that have ratified more ILO health and safety conventions than the UK. This is scarcely what should be expected of a supposedly world leading economy currently engaged in negotiating trade deals with the world beyond the EU 27. It does not appear anything is going to change on this front and the Trade Unions may have some major battles ahead in defending and protecting health and safety!

Anti-Union, multi-millionaire Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has already drawn a furious reaction from Unions by unveiling new planned anti-strike laws to enforce ‘minimum service levels’ in key sectors. The planned legislation will allow bosses and his big business friends and supporters to sue unions and sack employees who go on strike and refuse to work. The Labour Party has said it would repeal the anti-trade union legislation if Labour form the next government, setting out clear dividing lines with the Conservatives on workers’ rights in the run-up to the next general election. Sunak has no idea or appreciation of the struggles of low paid workers battling the cost of living crisis and soaring energy costs. Sunak is the richest ever UK Prime Minister with a total worth of £730 million. He is twice as rich as King Charles III and dwarfs the net worth of his predecessor Boris Johnson who is only worth £1.7 Million. Sunak owns four luxury properties worth £18.5 million, including a luxury apartment in California. What does he care about the workers?

Poster

A CWU Workers’ Memorial Day poster has been produced and 100 A3 size colour posters will be distributed to all 10 Regional CWU Health and Safety Sub Committees for onward distribution and these can be put up in workplaces to promote the day. Branches and Regions can order further copies from the Health, Safety and Environment department if required or alternatively print them off locally. A pdf of the poster is attached to this LTB.

Hazards Magazine

The Union continues its long standing relationship with and support for the Hazards Campaign and Hazards Magazine. We have a half-page WMD advert in the Hazards Magazine WMD Special Edition and 10 copies will be distributed to each Regional health and safety sub-committee in due course. Further copies can be ordered and purchased directly from Hazards Magazine. Contact is:- Jawad Qasrawi Email: sub@hazards.org – Tel: 0114 201 4265.

CWU Conference

As Branches, Health and Safety Reps and Regional Health and Safety Committees will know, the Union has, on five previous occasions, commemorated Workers’ Memorial Day (WMD) at ‎Annual Conference as WMD fell during Conference Week after the move of Conference to the end of April. This will not occur this year due to the postponement of Conference until October.

What Safety Reps and Branches and Regions Can Do:

Branch and Regional Reps and Officers will be able to participate and support WMD events around the UK and will need to note this and make local arrangements to attend the many events taking place across the UK.

Once again the CWU will continue its support of this important commemorative day in the calendar and would urge CWU Branches, Reps and Regions to give their support to local and regional WMD events.

Please therefore:

• Find out what is happening in your area on 28 April. The website below will list all the local activities the TUC knows about, but you can also check with the Union Branch, local trades council, local council and other Union contacts in the area as not all events will be on the TUC list as there are so many;
• If nothing is happening locally then consider organising a local event with other Safety Reps in your area or region. It can be a commemorative rally, a workplace meeting or just a small get-together;
• Organise a minute’s silence in the Branch area workplaces on the day;
• Ask the local council, or any other public body, to fly official flags at half-mast on the day. Remember that the day is officially recognised by the Government;
• Arrange an event such as planting a memorial tree in a public place, putting up a plaque, dedicating a sculpture, a piece of art, or a bench, to remember workers who have been killed at their workplace or in the community;
• If you are planning any events for the day, or you want to raise awareness about Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April, then it is important you consider how you can best use local media both before and on the day to promote it;
• Ask local religious centres to include Workers’ Memorial Day in their worship on the day;
• Distribute purple ‘forget-me-not’ ribbons, the symbol of Workers’ Memorial Day;
• Let people know about anything that happened in your area on the day.

WMD Materials/Resources (Ribbons and Stickers)

For resources for Workers’ Memorial Day including ribbons and car stickers please contact the ‘Greater Manchester Hazards Centre’ at: mail@gmhazards.org.uk.

TUC List of Events and Resources

The TUC is compiling a list of WMD events taking place across the country and the list will be updated over the coming weeks. Some of these events will also feature a minute’s silence at noon, or a suitable time. The events will either be on Friday 28th April or will take place on the weekend of 29/30 April. More details are available from TUC HQ at: https://www.tuc.org.uk/workers-memorial-day-0 

“Trade Unions Organising For Fundamental Safety”

Every worker should know they have the right to expect that everything is done to keep them safe at work –

and CWU says NO to a Tory post-Brexit bonfire of EU Safety Laws through the
“Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill”

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB059 Workers’ Memorial Day – 28th April 2023 – Theme ‘Trade Unions Organising For Fundamental Safety’

6924 – Workers Memorial Day 2023 A3

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Openreach SD UK Operations – Restricted Duty Engineers

Branches will be aware of discussions that took place with Openreach SD UK Operations (SD UK Ops) regarding the application of the Restricted Duty process.   These discussions have been specifically aimed at improving the way our members are treated if they are in need of restricted duties, as well as ensuring that all steps are taken to avoid our members being subject to the enhanced AJS process.   In short, to retain people in their existing roles with adjustments limiting the need to initiate the AJS process.

The National Team (NT) is pleased to report that significant progress has been made and the details of the new approach are contained within the attached slides.

The new approach ensures the key focus is on the engineer’s capabilities and what they can do rather than their restrictions and medical conditions, whether temporary or permanently restricted.   You can see the details of the process contained within the slides.  This is a brief summary below:

• Managers have a discussion with restricted engineers on what they can do, based on a defined set of criteria; this is submitted on a data capture tool which maps the identified capabilities across to suitable work types.
• Engineers are placed into a Resource Pool where, with support from operational and resourcing leads, suitable available work types in their location are identified, in conjunction with the line manager.
• This is supported by a national Restricted Duties Forum, including operational leads and HR, to ensure a consistent approach across all people and better visibility of potential work available.  The support forum will meet regularly to review cases where the temporary work is ceasing and reallocation is needed, where there is a change in engineer capability or where there is a natural review point, guided by OHS referral.
• In instances where all internal workstreams have been depleted, and no appropriate avenue is applicable; following meaningful discussions with the local CWU representative and the impacted team member, Openreach will investigate and consider if any third party/contractor workstreams could provide a fitting opportunity. If there is suitable work available, further to the above conversations, Openreach would offer this to accommodate the restricted engineer (with consideration of minimum contractor flexibility).
• The CWU can offer support through this process and Openreach recommend involvement at the earliest possible stages.
• Where the engineer has no physical capability on a permanent basis and desk opportunities have been exhausted, the company would initiate support through the enhanced AJS process – there are nochanges to the current AJS process, Openreach SD UK OPS will only move to AJS once this restricted duties process has been exhausted.

As the process embeds, Openreach SD UK Ops will hold review meetings with the CWU to discuss the implementation at a national level and whether there are any opportunities for improvement.   These will take place every 6 weeks for the first 3 months, and then move to quarterly.

The NT recognises that by implementing this new approach to restricted duties, we are providing better visibility to engineers with a more consistent support right across Openreach SD UK Operations.  The steps outlined in this LTB and correspondence from the company provide a welcome platform for resolving both current and potentially new Restricted Duty cases.

Yours sincerely,

Fiona Curtis
Acting Assistant Secretary

LTB 060/23 – Openreach SD UK Operations – Restricted Duty Engineers

Att: Restricted Duties

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UK Weather Warnings of Snow and Ice – Royal Mail Severe Weather Preparation Advice Reminder:

Introduction and Background

The UK Met Office has issued Amber and Yellow Warnings regarding snow and ice in various parts of the country as follows; Temperatures are falling. Icy patches may cause travel disruption and delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers. Bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times possible – some rural communities could become temporarily cut off. Power cuts may occur and other services may be temporarily affected. Untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable with a chance of injuries from slips and falls on snow-covered or icy surfaces. The Met Office warn that heavy snow is likely in the East Midlands, North East England, North West England, Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber, Central, Tayside & Fife, Northern Ireland, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde and Wales.

The news is that the so called UK ‘Arctic plunge’ may last for some time so all ASRs should check the weather maps for your area and regional/local weather forecasts and ensure, working with the SHE Advisors and OPLs/COMs/Transport Manager, that ‘Severe Weather Risk Assessments’ are carried out for all Units. The snow, freezing temperatures and wintry conditions could continue in the lead-up to spring.

Severe Weather Preparation and Risk Assessment Requirements:

All Royal Mail and Parcelforce Managers have received the message that it is important that prior to any severe winter weather, preparation takes place for conditions that may be faced.  Managers need to ensure that the workforce has the correct equipment needed to work outdoors in severe weather.

Managers need to ensure that they have reviewed the ‘Severe Weather Preparation Checklist’ and carried out the required activity. They need to download a copy of the Severe Weather Risk Assessment (SWRA) and save to a dedicated folder to use as required. Managers should familiarise themselves with the severe weather risk assessment so that they know how to use it as the situation arises. This must be carried out in consultation with CWU ASRs.

All staff must be briefed to remind them of their requirement to order the correct uniform personal protective clothing and footwear for use during winter conditions.

ASR – Be Proactive:

As always ASRs should be proactive and not wait for Managers to approach them to consult on the SWRA. Make contact with COMs, OPLs, SHE Advisors, Depot Managers, Transport and Distribution Managers, MCMs etc. Mobilise WSR to support also.

To assists ASRs, attached find 4 documents for information and reference and to assist in discussions with managers as well as bringing the information to their attention as need be.

SHE Huddle FY22 052 – Severe Weather Preparation

This was prepared to remind managers of their responsibilities and support to achieve compliance. SHE Huddle FY22 052 instructs Managers to:

• Ensure that they have reviewed the Severe Weather Preparation Checklist and carried out the required activity. Download and carry out a Severe Weather Risk Assessment.
• Brief employees to remind them of their requirement to order the correct uniform for use during the winter.
• Access the Severe Weather Instruction, Guidance, Risk Assessment and Severe Weather Preparation Checklist in RMG SHE Standard 5.1.7 ‘Severe Weather’.

SHE Instruction 5.1.7 Risk Manaement – Severe Weather Guidance:  

This guidance is for all managers in all functions and will help to manage the operation during periods of severe weather.  Managers will need to assess the impact of various weather conditions and ensure that suitable controls are put in place to reduce the risk.  The aim is to keep the operation running where safe to do so but in extreme weather, ceasing operations may be necessary to keep the workforce safe.

Severe weather is defined as any weather condition that could significantly increase the risk to the workforce whilst performing their job. This includes the following weather types:

• Snow
• Ice
• Heavy rain/floods
• Fog
• High winds
• Sun/high temperatures

The likelihood of accidents and ill health can increase significantly during severe weather. This can include:

• Road Traffic Collisions
• Slips/Trips/Falls
• Effects from the sun/heat e.g., sunburn and heat exhaustion

This guidance covers the following steps to successfully managing severe weather:

• Severe Weather Preparation Checklist
• On the day assessment of weather conditions
• Potential generic hazard controls
• Communication

RMG Gritting Contract Overview:

Please find attached a copy of the gritting contract communication that was shared on the intranet, through SHE News and Workplace week commencing 26^thSeptember as a reminder of the gritting controls.

SHE Huddle FY22 053 – Yard Risk Assessment and Yard Safety:

Yard Safety and specifically accurate and full completion of the site Yard Risk Assessment is vital. SHE Huddle FY22 053 was released to highlight some recent weaknesses identified by Health and Safety Enforcing Authority Officers. The huddle prompts PIC’s to review their Yard Risk Assessment after reading the learning identified in the briefing.

Yards are potentially some of the most high-risk areas that Royal Mail and Parcelforce has within the business. When completing the Yard Risk Assessment, it is vital that Managers fully consider all the hazards and the risks that exist. Royal Mail has previously been prosecuted and fined over Yard Safety failures and accidents plus the business has been served with a number of Enforcement/Improvement notices for risk assessments not being suitable and sufficient and hazards not having been considered as well as pedestrian walkways not being adequate and failure to segregate pedestrians and vehicle traffic. CWU ASRs must be involved and consulted in good time on risk assessments and control measures. This is particularly important in bad weather conditions.

Attachments:

• SHE Huddle FY22 052 – Severe Weather Preparation
• SHE Instruction 5.1.7 Risk Management – Severe Weather Guidance:
• RMG Gritting Contract Overview:
• SHE Huddle FY22 053 – Yard Risk Assessment and Yard Safety:

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB057 UK Weather Warnings of Snow and Ice – Royal Mail Severe Weather Preparation Advice Reminder

SHE Huddle FY22 052 Severe Weather Preperation

Severe Weather Guidance Sept 2022

September Gritting and Snow Clearing Refresh Comms

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BBC News Report – Dog Attacks – 34% Increase Recorded By Police:

A BBC Story has today been shown on BBC News and has been published on the BBC News Website reporting that the number of dog attacks recorded by police in England and Wales has risen by more than a third in the past five years the BBC investigation reports.

Last year, there were nearly 22,000 cases of out-of-control dogs causing injury. In 2018, there were just over 16,000.

The UK’s dog population is estimated to have risen by only 15% in that time.

Police say they’ve seen more reports of dangerous dogs as a result of specific work by specialist officers.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) says forces across the UK have been focusing on attacks.

The BBC’s findings are based on 37 responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made to all 43 police forces.

Dogs which cause death or injury to a person or an assistance dog must be recorded by police – but other incidents, for example a dog attacking another animal, or nuisance and anti-social dogs, don’t have to be. As a result, these may not be included in the FOI figures.

It was also not possible to include comparable data for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The BBC’s FOI figures suggest reported dog attacks may have grown at about twice the rate of the number of new pet dogs.

Estimates vary – but an annual survey by the vet charity PDSA says there has been a nearly 15% increase in dog numbers UK-wide – up from 8.9m in 2018, to 10.2m in 2022.

The number of dogs removed from their owners by police has also risen, according to the FOI data obtained by the BBC. Nearly 3,500 dogs were seized in 2022 across 33 force areas – up 36% from 2018 figures.

Number of Dog Attacks (England and Wales)

• 2018 – 16,394
• 2019 – 16,984
• 2020 – 17,375
• 2021 – 19,623
• 2022 – 21,918

Note: The cost to the NHS of treating dog attacks is £71m a year (Sunday Times 5 February 2023)

A South Yorkshire Police specialist dog legislation officer said “It’s busier than we’ve ever known and there’s been an increase in dog numbers since the time before the Covid pandemic lockdown. Some have not been socialised as much as dogs would have been before – in terms of puppy training or training classes, or being used to people coming to the home address. That can impact upon the dog and create stress. Having seen the effects of these dog attacks, I make no apology for seizing dogs where there is a risk.”

There have been two fatal dog attacks so far this year. A dog walker was mauled to death in Caterham Surrey and a four-year-old girl was killed by a family pet dog in Milton Keynes. (Note: There have been 14 people killed in dog attacks in the UK in the last 14 months. 63 have been killed since 1981 in the UK).

The report features CWU member postwoman Sarah King who had a finger bitten off through the letterbox whilst delivering mail in Rotherham in January 2022. Sarah was featured on the TV and website and did a great job getting across the plight of postal workers and CWU members. Sarah needed several surgical procedures and now has a prosthetic finger. A year down the line and Sarah is still suffering with physical discomfort and psychological issues. Sarah didn’t go out for a long time and is still seeing a counsellor and has flashbacks. The dog owner was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control. He was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation. Sarah said that all dog owners should put up warning signs outside their homes and have either a separate external letterbox, or a letter cage for mail attached inside the front door.

• See attached copy of the BBC Website Report.
• Link to BBC Website Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64798162

The following letter was received from the BBC Senior Reporter involved in the story and Report:

From: Emily Unia
Sent: 08 March 2023 10:38
To: Dave Joyce
Cc: Press Officer;
Subject: RE: Dog Attacks – Dog Control Law and Enforcement Inadequacies and Dog Attacks on Postal Workers:

Hi Dave, 

I want to thank you for all the help that you gave me with getting this story to air. It wouldn’t have happened without your input, particularly connecting us with Sarah King, who has been in all our coverage today.  

My sincere apologies again, for not being back in touch sooner.  

Regards
Emily Unia
BBC Senior Reporter

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB056 BBC News Report – Dog Attacks – 34% Increase Recorded By Police

BBC Article Dog Attacks

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TO:      ALL BRANCHES WITH ROYAL MAIL PROPERTY & FACILITIES SOLUTIONS LIMITED   (RMPFSL) ENGINEERING MEMBERS

Dear Colleagues,

ROYAL MAIL PROPERTY & FACILITIES SOLUTIONS LIMITED (RMPFSL) – ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDY – PHASE 2

During the RMPFSL pay negotiations the company wanted to make the agreement conditional on accepting the Engineering Transformation Project.  We could not accept this position as the full intention and potential outcomes of the project could not be identified.

During further negotiations, including a session facilitated by Acas in February 2023, we agreed with RMPFSL the Engineering Transformation Project will be subject to separate negotiation, with a separate agreement.  As part of this negotiation, we agreed there would be feasibility studies to scope what could be possible within any final agreement.

The first phase of the feasibility study has been implemented and is constantly being jointly reviewed.

We have now agreed a Terms of Reference (TOR) for the next feasibility study.  The TOR for the feasibility study – phase two and the joint statement are attached to this LTB.

In line with the TOR, the feasibility study will last for four weeks and there will be regular reviews with full CWU involvement and a decision after four weeks to cease, extend or roll out the study.

We will provide feedback and next steps after the final review.

Any enquiries to this LTB please contact: The PTCS Departmentreference 301, email address: khay@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Carl Maden

Assistant Secretary

LTB 055/23 – Royal Mail Property Facilities Solutions Limited (RMPFSL) – Engineering Feasibility Study Phase 2

Attachment: Attachment 1 to 23LTB055 – Terms of Reference for Feasibility Study – 03.03.23 Final Signed

Attachment: Attachment 2 to 23LTB055 – Joint Statement 08.03.2023

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UN Anti-Racism Day 2023 – Saturday, 18th March

Further to LTB 023/23 we are writing to Branches to remind them of the details for the forthcoming UN Anti-Racism Day march on 18th March 2023, which will take place simultaneously across the UK in London, Cardiff and Glasgow.

A number of Branches have indicated their interest in participating and traditionally the CWU has had a strong presence at this important rally.

The organisers have asked that those who are planning to attend the London rally meet at midday. Cardiff and Glasgow assembly times are 11am. Speeches are planned from the beginning culminating with more speeches in Parliament Square for the London rally.

Stand Up To Racism has also laid on a number of coaches and information on these can be found on one of the attached flyers. All the relevant details can be found on the attached. We look forward to seeing you there.

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to equality&education@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward
General Secretary  

Kate Hudson
Head of Equality, Education & Development

LTB 053/23 – UN Anti-Racism Day 2023 – Saturday, 18 March

London Resist Racism Flyer

Travel Flyer

Glasgow Resist Racism Flyer

Cardiff Resist Racism Flyer

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POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE – JOINT STATEMENT

Further to LTB 046/23, Branches are advised that the Union held a further meeting with Jane Davies, Group Chief People Officer yesterday afternoon.  We are pleased to report both parties have agreed the following Joint Statement, which is being published this afternoon:

Joint Statement – Post Office and CWU Pay Negotiations

 Following our last update dated 2^nd March.  A further positive meeting on pay was held yesterday during which we continued our discussions on exploring various options on a without prejudice basis.  We are pleased to report progress was made; however, there is still more analysis to be undertaken by both parties on the “modelling” and the overall shape of a potential agreement.  We plan to meet again later this week. 

We will write to you once again to update you as and when further developments occur.  In the meantime, we are unable to provide any details until we have concluded an agreement.  However, please be assured both parties are working towards reaching a swift resolution and we once again thank you for your patience. 

Jane Davies                                             Andy Furey
Group Chief People Officer                        A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Post Office

Further developments will be reported.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

23LTB054 Post Office – Pay Dispute – Joint Statement

RMG/CWU Clarification on Re-engagement for Joint Revision Activity in Collections

Branches and representatives will be aware that the recently communicated LTB 047/23 – National Joint Statement – A New Process for Talks gives the following commitment in Para 9.

Revision activity and re-engagement in Parcelforce and other functions will be in line with the spirit and intent of this statement and will be subject to urgent separate discussion with the respective CWU national officers and Royal Mail functional directors.

Urgent discussions have therefore been taking place with the Collections function to finalise clarification that specifically focuses on a number of key topics that are required in order to move forwards with Collection Revision planning and implementation. Discussions have concluded with a document being agreed and endorsed by the Postal Executive, a copy of which is attached for your information.

The document ensures that our representatives are able to input and challenge in respect of proposed or deployed revision activity. The document also refers back to and reaffirms commitments given in previous agreements in respect of revision activity and ensures that all related people issues have been addressed.

In addition, Annex A to the document addresses the approach to include workload in Delivery where Postboxes have moved to Collection on Delivery.

It is also confirmed that the previous National Collections JWG structure will be re-established to ensure future collection associated activity can be progressed jointly.

Given the extremely tight timelines associated to the activity representatives are requested to engage with management with immediate effect in order to progress discussions/activity
in line with the principles of the National Joint Statement and attached clarification document.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the relevant department:

Processing/Collections: Davie Robertson, email: dwyatt@yahoo.co.uk quoting ref: 721.04

Deliveries/Collections: Mark Baulch, email: njones@cwu.orgquoting ref: 555

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson                                        
Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary

LTB 052/23 – Collections Revision Re-engagement 08.03.23

Final Collections Revisions Re-engagement (Signed) – 08.03.23

Annex to Agreement – JS Collections Approach – 09 April 2021 FINAL V1.0

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