Sun Safety RMG Communication Issued 11th May

Sun Safety RMG Communication Issued 11^th May

This week, Royal Mail Group have issued a SHE (Safety, Health and Environment) Huddle covering Sun Safety as we approach the summer months and as members on delivery and those who work outdoors for Royal Mail and Parcelforce face sunny and hotter weather.

The SHE Huddle (FY26 021) on Sun Safety, attached, highlights the following key messages:

Cover Up – Wear long, loose clothing to keep the sun off your skin. Your uniform is made from a special fabric to protect against ultraviolet radiation.
Protect your head – Don’t forget your head, face, ears and neck. Wear the wide brim hat that’s part of your uniform – it’s specially treated to protect against the sun. Remember to use sunglasses with UV protection.
Take breaks in the shade – Come out of the sun when you have the chance, especially during the most powerful ultraviolet periods.
Use sun cream – SPF 30 (Sun Protection Factor) or higher on any exposed skin; apply it half an hour before going outside, put plenty on and reapply it frequently.
Be skin safe – Report mole changes (size, shape, colour, itching or bleeding) or any other concerns about your skin to your doctor as soon as possible – don’t put it off, early treatment is important.

The RMG Huddle also covers information issued by Cancer Research UK that 86% of melanoma skin cancer cases are preventable. This statistic highlights the importance of sun safety and the potential for early detection and treatment to significantly improve outcomes for melanoma patients. Cancer Research UK further highlights the benefit of individual awareness and the importance of regular ‘skin self-examinations’.

Importantly, the Huddle also confirms that: ‘If you have a medical condition that can be exacerbated by heat, please make your manager aware’. This is a key message, and CWU members are reminded of the following advice:

Any individual who may be at increased risk in extreme heat due to age, underlying health conditions or taking certain medications should speak to their manager to discuss whether any duty adjustments are required in the event of a MET Office ‘Yellow Warning’ (and/or higher MET Office warnings).
For individuals covered under the Equality Act and with a known disability, a required duty adjustment needs to be undertaken in line with and recorded on the Disability Risk Assessment Form.
Colleagues who are new or expectant mothers also face an increased risk when working in extreme heat and should equally approach their manager. There is a separate Risk Assessment for these individuals.
These duty adjustments need to be made with the individual’s agreement and recorded on the Health Passport or relevant Risk Assessment.
The use of the Health Passport should supplement and accompany the need to also undertake the relevant Risk Assessment. The use of the Health Passport does not replace the direct need to also undertake a ‘Person Specific’ Risk Assessment (disability, young person, new or expectant mother).
For members who require these measures, it is vitally important that they also seek CWU support and assistance.

Area Safety Reps (ASRs) and Workplace Safety Reps Actions:

Area and Workplace Safety Representatives are reminded to:

Work with Operational Managers and SHE Team Management to raise awareness about Sun Safety amongst all members who work outdoors across Royal Mail Group.
Ensure that the RMG Severe Weather Guidance is followed and that SWMAs (Severe Weather Managers Assessments) are carried out as necessary and against MET Office warnings on heat. It is strongly recommended that pre-planning activity should start now, with all managers/PiCs (Person in Charge) familiarising themselves with the full Severe Weather Guidance and SWMA process in order to ensure that they are prepared for high summer temperatures.
Ensure that individuals who may be at increased risk in extreme heat due to age, underlying health conditions, who take certain medications, and new or expectant mothers are aware that new or further duty adjustments may be needed to support them in the event of a MET Office ‘Yellow Warning’ (and/or higher warnings) for heat. These duty adjustments need to be made with the individual’s agreement and recorded on the Health Passport and relevant Risk Assessment Form.

To further assist in promoting the Sun Safety message, also attached are the following:

RMG/CWU Poster – 5 workers a day get skin cancer
RMG/CWU Stay Safe in the Sun z-card leaflet
CWU Heat Illness Guide
CWU Sun Smart Poster

Further communications covering Sun Safety will be issued in due course, but where Branches and Safety Reps require any additional information on the above, or for any other enquiries in relation to this LTB, these should be referred to the DGS(P) Department at hford@cwu.org or acorbett@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 146-26 – Sun Safety RMG Communication Issued 11th May

RMG_CWU Poster 5 workers a day get skin cancer

SHE Huddle FY26 021 Sun Safety

RMG_CWU-Stay-Safe-in-the-Sun-z-card-leaflet-1

CWU Heat Illness Guide – v2 2025

CWU Sun Smart Poster – v2 2025

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