RM/CWU National Dog Awareness Week, 3 – 9 July 2023 – Ordering Campaign Resources – ‘Door to Door’ Postcards, ‘Dog Behind The Letterbox’ Warning Cards and ‘Posting Pegs’:

Further to LTB 169/23 issued on 30 June, find attached ordering process for:

• Royal Mail/Parcelforce/CWU – ‘Dog Awareness Postcards’ – for customer ‘door to door’ drop, awareness raising campaigns.
• Royal Mail ‘Dog Behind The Letterbox’ Cards – for delivery prep sorting frame, dog hazard address slots and delivery bundles.
• Posting Pegs – to avoid fingers through the letterbox dog bite risks.

Images of all three items are attached. Details as follows:

• ‘Do You Have A Dog’ – ‘Door to Door’ Post Cards

Dalmatian image postcard which is designed to be posted to all households in an area as part of Dog Awareness Week to ask customers to ensure their dogs are kept secure and under control when the postman/woman calls. CWU ASRs and Reps should organise this locally with COMs, OPLs and RODs. The budget for printing these cards lies with the Regional Operations Manager. They are not a standard stores item.

• ‘Dog Behind The Letter Box’ Warning Cards 

This is the red coloured Alsatian image Warning Card/Leaflet which is used to identify to the postman/woman where a known dog resides. The card/leaflet is placed in the frame when prepping and can then be put with bundles as a reminder when going out on the round. Also useful to use in raising awareness of the dog bite through the letterbox hazard and reminding postmen and women – DON’T PUT YOUR FINGERS THROUGH THE LETTERBOX. Remembering that 450 postmen and women are bitten through the letterbox every year. 1000 postmen and women have had a finger or part of a finger bitten off through the letterbox in the last 5 years.

• ‘Posting Pegs’

Plastic red coloured peg for posting flat letter and postcard mail through letter boxes in order to help avoid dog bites through the letter box. The posting peg isn’t suitable for every type of mail item members deliver but works well for the items that can be delivered using this safety tool. If members can’t safely deliver mail to addresses with dogs, through the letterbox using a posting peg then they should report the matter to their manager BUT DON’T PUT YOUR FINGERS THROUGH THE LETTERBOX – is the message to members.

See attached ordering process. Would all ASRs ensure stocks of the above are ordered and local campaigns organised, concentrating attention particularly on high risk dog attack areas.

New ‘Responsible Dog Ownership – How To Keep You, Your Dog and Visitors Safe’ – Dog Control Awareness Guide/Leaflet 

CWU, Royal Mail, Parcelforce and the National Police Chief’s Council are launching our new joint ‘Responsible Dog Ownership – How To Keep You, Your Dog and Visitors Safe’ – Dog Control Awareness Guide/Leaflet during Dog Awareness Week. An electronic copy is attached which can be downloaded and printed off for local campaigning and ‘door to door’ drop initiatives in high impact dog attack problem areas. The Health, Safety and Environment Department are very pleased with this ‘Guide Leaflet’ having achieved endorsement from the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC). This now needs to be as widely circulated as possible. ASRs and Reps can drop these ‘Guide Leaflets’ into local schools, local authorities, community centres, clubs and associations, dog training schools, animal and dog charities etc. Reps can send the Guide Leaflet to local press, radio, community publications, newsletters, social media and websites etc. It’s aimed at dog owners and our customers, the UK public. The leaflets can be utilised in door to door drops, targeting high impact areas also. Get the support of the local authority and local Police. You can drop copies into local Police stations and council offices. send them to your local MP and local councillors to raise awareness also. If Area Safety Reps, Branches or Regions need printed copies they should either organise printing in bulk locally or alternatively contact the Health, Safety and Environment Department at CWU/HQ to order a supply.

Dog Awareness Week SHE WTLLs/Huddles

See attached SHE WTLL and Huddle which will be briefed to the workforce during Dog Awareness Week. These are:

• SHE Huddle FY23 037 Dog Awareness for members in Non-Operational Delivery Roles
• SHE WTLL FY23 005 – Dog Awareness Week – to all Deliveries and Collections

Social Media Slides

During Dog Awareness Week campaign social media slides will be shown across the UK in every unit on plasma screens.  See attached copies of slides.

IMPORTANT: Dog Attacks are a criminal offence in public places and on private property. The CWU fought for and won the battle to make this the law in the UK through our ‘Bite-Back’ campaign. Please give full support to Dog Awareness Week. Please ensure that all dog attacks are reported to the manager, to the Police (obtaining a crime number) and to the Royal Mail Security Helpdesk – This is the only way to stop future dog attacks happening.

The key message to members needs to be loudly reinforced, reminding them that they must stay alert and vigilant at all times, be aware of dangerous dog hazards, take no risks and avoid any contact and interaction with dogs. Plus – ‘Don’t put your fingers through the letterbox!’. 

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 173/23 – RM CWU National Dog Awareness Week 3 – 9 July 2023 – Ordering Campaign Resources

023790_ROYAL MAIL_DOG POST CARD Proof 1

DBLBOX-10k English (3)

Process For Ordering Dog Posting Cards and Pegs 2023

Dog safety flyer rm pf cwu npcc

SHE Huddle FY23 037 Dog Awareness Non-Ops Colleagues

SHE WTLL FY23 005 – Dog Awareness Week

RMG SOCIAL MEDIA SLIDES

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Royal Mail Group: National Briefing – Tuesday 25^th July 2023

A National Briefing will be held on Tuesday 25^th July 2023 in relation to the Business Recovery, Transformation & Growth Agreement and next steps.

The Briefing will commence at 11:00 and conclude no later than 15:00 at:

The Queens Hotel
New Station Street
City Square
Leeds
LS1 1PJ

Tea and coffee will be available from 10.30.

All Branches are requested to make this a priority engagement and attendance arrangements should be in accordance with normal protocols for National Briefings whilst ensuring the importance of our proportionality requirements.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department – fkelk@cwu.org or acorbett@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,                                                                      Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey                                                                               Dave Ward
A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)                              General Secretary  

LTB 172-23 – Royal Mail Group National Briefing – Tuesday 25th July 2023

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RM/CWU National Dog Awareness Week, 3 – 9 July 2023 – RMG Dog Attack Statistics by Postcode and by Delivery Office:

The top 10 postcode areas for dog attacks 2022/23 Summary:

The TN (Tunbridge Wells) postcode area had the most incidents of reported dog attacks during the year, with 65 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks.  The TN postcode area has featured in the Top Ten List for dog attacks for nine consecutive years and has again made the Top Ten list this year.  518 recorded dog attacks since 2013/14.

The BT (Belfast- Northern Ireland) postcode area placed second this year with 56 attacks. The BT postcode area is an area that has also appeared in every Top Ten List since Royal Mail began releasing Dog Awareness Week figures on yearly attacks in 2013/14. It has topped the list for attacks four times. 623 recorded dog attacks since 2013/14.

The S (Sheffield) postcode area placed third for incidents of reported dog attacks during the year, with 50 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks. This is just one incident less than last year – (51 for 2021/22). The S postcode area has also appeared in every one of the Top Ten Lists for dog attacks on postal workers since the inaugural Dog Awareness Week in 2013. There have been 607 recorded dog attacks since 2013/14.

The PO (Portsmouth) postcode area placed fourth this year with 49 dog attacks. This is the sixth consecutive year the PO postcode has featured in the Top Ten List. 455 recorded dog attacks since 2013/14.

The BS (Bristol), postcode area placed fifth, this year with 42 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks, having dropped out of the list in 2022. This is the third time the BS postcode has featured in the Top Ten List.

The SA (Swansea), postcode area placed sixth this year with 41 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks and appears in the list for the second time (2022 being the first).

The EX (Exeter), postcode area placed seventh this year with 38 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks and appears in the list for the third time (the previous two being 2019 and 2022).

The NG (Nottingham) postcode area placed eighth this year with 37 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks (the same level as the previous year). This is the third consecutive year that the NG postcode area has appeared in the Top Ten List and the eighth time since 2013.

In joint ninth place are the BN (Brighton) and OX (Oxford) postcode areas both with 34 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks.

For the BN postcode, dog attacks on postmen and postwomen were slightly down on the 37 reported in 2022.  This is the seventh consecutive year that the BN postcode has appeared on Top Ten List.

For the Oxford postcode, dog attacks on postmen and postwomen were slightly down on the 35 reported in 2022.  Oxford features in the Top Ten List for the second consecutive year.

Highest Number of attacks by postcode area:POSTCODE

AREA2022/2023

No. of attacks TN65  BT56  S50  PO49  BS42  SA41  EX38  NG37  BN34  OX34  

See attached a full Excel spreadsheet list of all delivery offices and all postcode areas with recorded dog attacks by unit and by postcode area.

IMPORTANT: The CWU HQ Health Safety & Environment Department estimates that around a thousand dog attacks go unreported each year, mostly minor attacks. Dog attacks are a criminal offence in public places and on private property. The CWU fought for and won the battle to make this the law in the UK through our ‘Bite-Back’ Campaign. Please give full support to Dog Awareness Week. Please ensure that all dog attacks are reported to the manager, and to the Police (obtaining a crime number) and to the Royal Mail Security Helpdesk – This is the only way to help stop future dog attacks happening.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB171 RM CWU National Dog Awareness Week 3 – 9 July 2023 – RMG Dog Attack Statistics by Postcode and by Delivery Office

Dog Attack Statistics 22-23

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HSE Notification of Contravention Letter – Royal Mail North West ‘Parcels Super’ Hub, Warrington:

For the information of CWU Safety Representatives, Branches and Regions, see attached copy of a HSE ‘Notification of Contravention’ letter served on Royal Mail Group HQ, following a HSE ‘Enforcement Officer’s’ visit and inspection of the new Warrington, North West ‘Parcels Super Hub’ which was carried out by Mr. Simon Bland HSE Inspector.

The HSE ‘Notice of Contravention’ letter is addressed to Mark Amsden the Royal Mail Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Chief Risk and Governance Officer.

The HSE ‘Notice of Contravention’ letter is a ‘damning’ report, and judgment on the poor safety culture and risk management failures at the fully-automated high-tech, ‘state-of-the-art, 32,000 sq. m ‘Flag Ship’ site which has only been open a year and is of such strategic importance to the business which aims to eventually process more than 600,000 parcels per day at the site.

The report includes much criticism of key safety and risk control failures and shows clearly that a number of managers in control are guilty of failures in safety, leadership and control.  The HSE Inspector made some fairly damning remarks about Royal Mail’s failure to deal with the risks and problems and Royal Mail narrowly avoided being served with a ‘Prohibition Notice’ which would have shut down operations on site.

Summary of HSE Findings:

General Finding:

• Significant contraventions of health and safety laws.
• Failure to manage health and safety and effectively comply with the law.
• Royal Mail were reminded of their duty to ensure the health and safety of employees and others.
• No management/monitoring of health and safety and no formal health and safety audits had been undertaken by the site management team or members of the corporate RMG SHE team despite the site being operational since June 2022.
• Breach of the management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
• No timescales for ‘Action List’ matters to be completed as identified by the Health & Safety Committee.
• No suitable arrangements to monitor compliance with health and safety legislation.
• Operational Shift Managers/Supervisors, involved in day to day management of health and safety were found to be (a) not competent (b) do not have the full support from key decision makers and (c) are not afforded the appropriate amount of time to carry out their health and safety functions effectively. An audit should be undertaken at the earliest opportunity in order to assist those on site in the effective management of health and safety.
• A review of managing health and safety arrangements should be carried out.

Workplace Transport – Pedestrians & Vehicles:

• Breach of Regulation 17 of The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, requiring that every workplace should be organised so that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate in a safe manner.
• Workplace Transport (Pedestrian/Vehicle Segregation). There was no effective segregation of vehicles and pedestrians with pedestrians walking in areas designated for vehicles only.
• There were unsecured or inadequately secured temporary barriers used to prevent pedestrians entering vehicle only areas.
• Pedestrians were removing the unsecured temporary barriers and taking short-cuts.
• Pedestrians were not using designated pedestrian crossing points to access work areas and instead were taking short-cuts.
• Blocked access routes to designated pedestrian crossing points.
• Pedestrians were not wearing hi-visibility clothing appropriately.

Work at Height 

• Breach of Regulations 4 and 7 of The Work at Height Regulations 2005.
• 4 – Failure to ensure that all work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a manner which is safe.
• 7 Failure by Royal Mail to select the most suitable work equipment for the task to be carried out regardless of the duration of the task.
• Stadium steps provided for use by engineers and contractors to undertake work at height on and around the conveyor system were in use without stabilising legs/bars being deployed prior to use and employees were unable to access the conveyor system whilst standing on the platform of the steps to undertake repairs or removal of blockages/jams. As a result, the equipment was being misused.
• All work at height involving use of the steps was immediately withdrawn to avoid the HSE issuing of a ‘Prohibition Notice’ and shutting down the operation.

Safe Systems of Work 

The points below were noted in relation to the failure to follow safe systems of work (SSoW):

Lock Off Tag Off (LOTO) 

‘Lock off, tag off’ (LOTO) is a safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous equipment cannot be accessed whilst in operation and that it is properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or repair work. The HSE Inspector found padlocks/keys used by operators of the York Tipper Robot Cell as part of the SSoW for the safe removal of parcels from the cell had been left unattended and the Operations LOTO Control Box for padlocks had been left open whilst the area was unattended allowing unauthorised access. Operators confirmed the removal of parcels from the York Tipper Robot Cells had previously been undertaken by members of the Engineering Team only. However, due to the frequency of the activity they were unable to attend every event. As a result, operators were designated ‘technicians’ and provided with training in LOTO as part of the SSoW. Royal Mail confirmed both operators and supervisors would receive refresher training in the LOTO procedure and the importance of padlock/key control. In addition to this, the HSE said Royal Mail should review the current SSoW to determine whether the LOTO procedure can be simplified to prevent a recurrence of this matter.

Pre-Use Checks of Safety Devices 

York Tipper Robot Cells have a number of safety related devices to ensure operators are unable to access dangerous parts of machinery. Operators confirmed they do not carry out or record checks of safety related devices such as interlocks and emergency stops prior to operating these machines. Royal Mail confirmed that the current SSoW for the operation of the York Tipper Robot Cells would be amended to include operator pre-use checks of safety related devices. These would be recorded by the operator and monitored by supervisors to ensure checks are recorded properly.

Preventing Unauthorised Access 

Members of the Engineering Team had been undertaking work on the mezzanine floors. One of the engineers confirmed that as part of the SSoW for carrying out work on the mezzanine floor, unauthorised persons are prevented from entering the area by securing chains (which incorporate signage) across various access points to the area. Chains had not been positioned across the stairwells to the mezzanine.

Royal Mail arranged for the chains to be positioned across the access routes and confirmed they would liaise with the Engineering Team to ensure engineers/contractors are reminded of the importance of preventing unauthorised access to areas where they are working. He also confirmed the mechanism for securing chains across access routes would be reviewed.

Shunting Operations 

As part of the SSOW in relation to the safe operation of shunting vehicles in the yard, only one driver is permitted to be in the cab of the shunting vehicle. The only exception to this is when the shunter driver is being trained. Prior to entering the site various vehicle movements in the yard were observed during which the HSE Inspector witnessed two drivers in the cab of a shunter vehicle. This matter was raised as part of the concern. One of the shunter drivers confirmed a colleague had accompanied him in the cab to expedite him accessing another location in the yard. He also confirmed he was aware of the requirement not to carry passengers unless part of a training activity and that other drivers had previously carried passengers to expedite their access to other locations on the yard.

Royal Mail were reminded that under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act every employer has a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees. This includes the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health. Royal Mail also have a duty under Section 3 of the Act to conduct their undertakings in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in their employment (i.e. contractors and visitors) who may be affected, are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.

Under Regulation 5(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Royal Mail are required to make and give effect to such arrangements as are appropriate for the effective control and monitoring of preventive and protective measures. This includes those measures necessary for the safe operation of machinery.

As part of managing health and safety effectively, Royal Mail should have suitable arrangements to ensure employees and contractors undertake work in accordance with the safe systems of work which have been devised and implemented.

Royal Mail to confirm what action has been taken and how they propose preventing a recurrence of these matters.

Personal Protective Equipment (Yard Marshalls) 

Royal Mail confirmed that Yard Marshalls are currently provided with Class 3 high visibility jackets and trousers but the wearing of the trousers is optional. Given the nature of their role and the environment in which they operate, their personal protective equipment should afford them maximum conspicuity. The HSE Inspector recommended a review of the relevant risk assessment and consideration to whether the wearing of hi-visibility trousers should be a mandatory requirement for Yard Marshalls.

FEE FOR INTERVENTION – Under the Health and Safety Fees Regulations 2021, Regulations 23 and 24 

The HSE will recover from Royal Mail the costs incurred for the work it does in relation to contraventions of health and safety law which are material breaches. A material breach is something an Inspector considers is serious and is confirmed in writing. The fee is based on the amount of time that the HSE Inspector has had to spend identifying the health and safety law breaches plus investigating and taking enforcement action. This includes the cost for the whole inspection visit, along with other associated work.

Royal Mail will have 30 days to pay.

Discussions have been taking place with the Royal Mail Group Director of Health and Safety at which the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department has made its views known regarding the extremely poor state of affairs and poor safety management and controls on site at the NW Hub. We will monitor the Royal Mail Safety Team and Operational Team’s remedial action progress and a Hub site visit is to be arranged.

Attachment:

• HSE Notice of Contravention

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

23LTB170 HSE Notification of Contravention Letter – Royal Mail North West ‘Parcels Super’ Hub Warrington

Royal Mail Group Limited

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