Royal Mail Group Estate – Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)

Royal Mail Group Estate – Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC):

As many will be aware, the building material ‘Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete’ (RAAC) has been widely reported on, in the news, in recent months with public concern growing about this construction fabric, which is fully understandable given the potential safety and health issues involved with it especially as many schools, hospitals and public buildings have been found to contain it.

The question now being raised with the CWU HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department by CWU Reps, Branches and members is – is there any RAAC in Royal Mail Group estate buildings and if so, what is Royal Mail Group, and particularly Property and Facilities Services doing to ensure it’s safe and not a risk to the workforce?

The issue was raised initially in early October with a meeting and correspondence taking place with Elizabeth Lloyd Royal Mail Group Director Health and Safety, Stuart Davies Director of Property & Facilities Management RMG P&FS and Clare Brooks Property Risk and Assurance Lead RMG P&FS.

When we met the Business, they fully acknowledged our concerns and Royal Mail Group have now outlined their strategy and confirmed they have commenced a building inspection programme in addition to the other routine property inspections such as asbestos re-inspections, fire risk assessments etc. The building inspection programme includes assessing the condition and location of any RAAC panels and fabric. They have confirmed that the business continues to take safety of the workforce seriously and will work jointly at local level engaging with CWU and Unite/CMA Union representatives and will follow expert advice and undertake any remedial works required to keep the workforce safe.

Royal Mail Group have engaged competent chartered structural engineers to undertake building fabric surveys and investigate the presence and condition of RAAC. These competent organisations will provide recommendations for any remedial works required, should RAAC be identified. A similar building fabric ‘High Aluminium Concrete’ (HAC) may also exist in some buildings and this will likewise be investigated and checked if found. The business will follow all current guidance on this risk and take appropriate action based upon the expert recommendations. This is the same process that is undertaken for any other property compliance inspection which is undertaken regularly within the properties. Royal Mail Group have assured the CWU HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department that they will follow all expert advice and continue to undertake any remediation works required to provide the workforce with a safe working environment, and that CWU ASRs and Unit representatives will be engaged in the activities to mitigate and remediate any risks and be kept fully informed.

The Royal Mail Group Director of Health and Safety has given CWU HQ a written assurance that the business takes its health and safety responsibilities very seriously and is following the “identify, assess and manage” guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to manage the risk of RAAC in the Royal Mail Group Estate. Royal Mail Group are aware of the possibility of it being present and have contingency plans in place to address it if it is found. The Director has added that Royal Mail Group is aware of the need to be particularly careful in areas where asbestos containing materials are present. The Director has assured CWU HQ that the business’s asbestos management procedures are thorough and all the surveying teams (building and structural) are provided with the building’s asbestos registers, as well as other property hazard information required to enable a comprehensive, suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks.

The Director of Health and Safety and Director of Property and Facilities Services will remain in touch with the CWU HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department on this and other health and safety matters going forward.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 305/23 – Royal Mail Group Estate – Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)

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