Royal Mail Materials Handling Containerisation Update & Christmas Arrangements 2021 – Health & Safety Aspects

Below is a summary update on Materials Handling Containerisation Arrangements for the 2021 Christmas period. The contents of this LTB have been discussed and agreed with Royal Mail HQ, Central Containers Team, the Safety, Health & Environment Team and Head of Assets.

1. York Containers

Royal Mail has purchased an additional 133,500 Mk3 York Containers and these, along with 662,000 (Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3) York Containers already in circulation since March due to the accelerated increase in parcels into the RM Network brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic and increase in e-commerce, a total fleet of around 755,500 Yorks will be in service during the Christmas pressure period. The 133,500 Yorks purchased is the highest volume of Yorks RM has purchased in a single year which is almost double the order of 2020 (68,000 Yorks) which was then the largest order in a single year RM has made due to the increase in parcels as a result of the growth following the pandemic and changes in consumer trends. This is the largest order placed with the supplier, which took up their entire remaining capacity.  No further options to fabricate more Yorks is available with any supplier. Despite this large order of Yorks there is still a risk for the peak period of 2021 should the totality of this order not be fabricated in time linked to global supply chain and shipping issues and continuing challenging labour markets on the final assembly element so alternative arrangements and contingencies within the network have the potential to be required to maintain service should it be required as it was in 2020.

Royal Mail will be looking for Yorks to be filled with the maximum 7 layers of 4 trays (28 Max), wherever possible subject to safe systems of work, weight constraints of the container and subsequently the vehicle weight limits on to which they will be loaded to comply with Safe Systems of Work and both Health and Safety and Road Traffic Act Legislation.

York Containers primarily carry mainly stacked parcels, trays or mailbags without a sleeve or small parcels and packets in ALP (Auto-Level Packet) sleeves or cardboard sleeves.

All Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 York Containers introduced in previous years have continued to be maintained, modified and updated through rework programmes as identified by the Royal Mail Assets, Containers and Manual Handling Equipment Team in consultation with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department and as previously reported in updates to Branches and Area Health and Safety Reps. Mk’s 1, 2 and 3 amount to the vast majority of the 755,500 York Containers.

1(a) Yellow York Handle Grips

There have been a small proportion of New Yorks of the 133,500 procured this year with the Yellow hand grips opening during transit and operational use.  This was due to an injection moulding issue which has now been addressed.  The supplier K Hartwall believes this to have affected between 10-15k units, most of which have not entered the RM network.  A fix has been agreed with RM and CWU on this and will be deployed with an additional strengthening to the hand grips using a specialist tape, and new handles being deployed and fixed.  Any Mk3 Yorks found in service with faulty handle grips should be removed from service for repair, see paragraphs 10 and 14 below.

1(b). York Container ALP Sleeves – Mk2(A)

Royal Mail has purchased 30,000 Mk2(A) ALP Sleeves this year to support the increase in parcels brought on by the pandemic and increase of parcel automation. These have an increased ergonomic auto level to the Grey Mk2 ALP sleeves purchased in 2019 and is an approved asset in the operation.

1(c). York Container – Cardboard Sleeves

Royal Mail has informed us that with increasing parcel volumes and large tracked customers there may be problems with sites struggling to get sufficient numbers of ALP Sleeves to meet their operational requirements. The Central Container Team will continue to push the Zonal Areas to ensure that they clear their Delivery Offices every day and repatriations from gaining sites take place but they may still struggle to meet the demand at key locations. Royal Mail has assured CWU/HQ that they will do everything possible to ensure that Zonal Areas repatriate as many York Containers and ALP Sleeves as possible out of their Delivery Offices.  However, the business is now seeing the continued increase in parcel volumes and traffic accelerating. As a result, Zonal Areas will probably struggle to get sufficient ALP Sleeves back into their Parcel Sort Centre operations and losing Mail Centers to meet demand. As and when critical emergency situations are reached in Offices, Royal Mail has proposed and CWU/HQ has agreed that, the use of Cardboard Sleeves/York Inserts will be permitted as a last resort – with agreement with the RM CPC/Container Team as follows:

1. As a contingency supply source at Mail Centres on all mail streams (including PSMs), PSCs and RDC’s for outward dispatches and inward dispatches to DOs.
2. For outward dispatches by Mail Centres (including PSMs) and Parcel Sort Centres.
3. Before this contingency is implemented however the site must ensure that all efforts have been made to get ALPs back from their DO’s and that permission has been sought and been given by the RM Container Team.
4. Designated and approved Customer Streams to MC and DO (AMZ DI/DDU).
5. To move essential PPE and cleaning supplies through to the operation.

IMPORTANT: – If Cardboard Sleeves/York Inserts are used as a contingency, the site must ensure that:

1. The CWU Area Safety Representative and Area Processing Representative are consulted should this contingency need to be implemented.
2. That the SSoW is followed at all times, rotating duties if necessary.
3. That the mandatory cross-members and false bases must be fitted and used correctly in Cardboard Sleeved York Containers. Any Offices found not to be compliant with this instruction will be asked to investigate reasons why this has happened and furnish a report on remedial action taken with the report shared with the CWU Area Safety Representative. Such breaches of the SSoW by management will be viewed as serious!

If the demand for parcels decreases, the contingency use of Cardboard Sleeve Inserts will be withdrawn and Offices will revert back to business as usual with Cardboard Sleeves used on the agreed Amazon/Tracked Contracts only and the parcel operation must revert back to using ALP Sleeves for inward transfers to DOs and outward dispatches to Mail Centres and Regional Distribution Centres.

The cardboard MUST be in good order; the cross member and base must be inserted in compliance with the SSoW at all times as follows:

• Under no circumstances is damaged cardboard to be used and it must be discarded locally.
• Reference to the current, agreed York Container SSoW.
• Reference to the current, agreed Cardboard Sleeve York Container Additional Requirements SSOW.

1(d). York Containers – Loading Parcels of a Shoe Box Size or larger.

In previous years both Royal Mail, Tracked Customer and Amazon had concerns about the shortage of York Containers across the network and additional costs incurred by losing approximately 15% of York fill capacity when inserting Cardboard Sleeve false bases into York Containers. In line with the York Container SSoW, York Containers will be filled and stacked with parcels/packets larger than shoe box size without any form of Cardboard Sleeve or false base etc. This approach is only applied to larger items and Sleeves, Bases and Cross Members will not be removed for smaller packet items, i.e., those smaller than a shoe box size. Those packets will continue to be loaded into York Containers with either an ALP Sleeve (preferable) or a full Cardboard Sleeve with a cross-member and false base fitted. This was jointly examined and found to be the best approach.

The York Container SSoW, under the heading of ‘Approved Loads’ includes the following: ‘loose strapped bundles and boxes which are of sufficient dimensions, that they will be retained by the load retention straps and metal container framework.’

This approach has been ergonomically tested and approved prior to concluding the York Container SSoW. It makes both safety and business sense to apply this principle for larger parcels which are not suitable for loose loading into sleeved Yorks in most cases.

1(e). York Containers – Use of Shrink-Wrap/Cling-Film

The existing agreed national policy remains as follows “There is no agreement whatsoever to use “Shrink-Wrap/Cling-Film” on York Containers under any circumstances. Also, Opsflash – CPC (2008) No 167 instructs all sites that have received new trays delivered on pallets and shrink wrapped to remove and dispose of the shrink wrap immediately. There are NO circumstances where the shrink-wrapping of Yorks is acceptable. This practice must not be allowed at any RM site.

2. RSCs Rigid Stackable Container

RSCs are not intended for BAU usage inside Mail Centres and Delivery Offices and are primarily for the Distribution Centres and Parcel Sorting Centres network.  However, with a shortfall in Yorks, there may be circumstances which require flows on a contingency basis for the transfer of workflows where there is sufficient space and where risk assessment and Safe Systems of Work requirements apply.  In respect of workplace transport hazards from FLTs and crush hazards etc., specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) regulations requirements also apply in these work environments, e.g., high visibility clothing and protective footwear. RSCs may only be used in risk controlled working environments as per the Safe Systems of Work.

3. FSC Folding Stackable Containers 

As Above.

Safe information is located on a plate on the side of the container.

MCs/DOs should not receive FSCs, however, if received they should be returned to the local RDC as soon as possible.

4. ‘A’ Frame Roll Containers 

As originally reported in LTBs 838/06 and 840/06, 12,000 supermarket type ‘Roll Cage’ Containers were introduced in 2006 by the Royal Mail Group Procurement Operational Equipment Team, manufactured by ‘Palletower’ and ‘Cargo Pak’. They were strictly intended for internal use (inside Offices) and for storage purposes only, in order to free up much needed York Containers. Since their introduction, the number of York Containers has doubled and the limitations of these ‘Roll Cages’ have seen them become outmoded against the all-round far superior York Container. These containers have therefore and will continue to be run down, phased out and withdrawn from Royal Mail service.

For removals of the containers please contact: container.reporting@royalmail.com‎

5. Loose Loading of Mail Bags – Christmas 2021

Further to enquiries and concerns raised by Branches and Area Safety Reps in previous years regarding possible loose loading, Royal Mail has confirmed they will be taking a number of steps to ensure that loose loading of mail should only take place in exceptional circumstances, as a last resort due to container supply shortages.

If loose loading has to occur, local CWU Reps will be consulted and the Manual Handling/Loose Loading SSOW will be adhered to. 

Clear instructions have been issued by Royal Mail HQ CPC that should any service which is normally containerised have to be loose loaded, then the dispatching unit must inform the receiving unit in advance so that they can provide any additional staff resources and working arrangements which may be necessary to ensure health and safety standards are maintained.

Extract from Loose Loading Core Risk Assessment: 

It is a Royal Mail goal that no manual handling task will exceed risk level 2.  Mail Bags average 7kg, maximum gross weight 11kg. Lifting frequency up to 7 bags/minimum over a 30 min period (then rest). Vehicle doors are adequately maintained and must be in good working order.

Priority Services bags could exceed 11kgs but they should be clearly labelled with the weight so that special consideration can be given to lifting. NB: No Priority Services Bag exceeding 11kgs should contain more than 1 item. All equipment is used in accordance with the appropriate Safe System of Work. All staff to have received manual handling training and instruction or refresher training during the past 3 years.  All staff to understand and operate the appropriate Safe System of Work. If there are any tasks that are not listed, the manager must consult the safety team for further advice. No pregnant worker or person under 18 should undertake tasks greater than risk level 1.

6. Plastic Letter Trays

Last year RM purchased 1m trays which stayed in the system. Letter decline has meant Royal Mail has purchased an additional 600,000 trays this year as demand is no longer as high, these are already in production and will be delivered directly from suppliers during November and December.

7. Mail Bags

RM International MB4L Bags for Automation (Blue)

RM International has this year deployed a new larger blue bag for use within its Automation Streams known as the MB4L. These bags are not to be used in RM domestic postings and are designed for export only and only to be handled and used within RM International Sites.

New RM MB66 Bags for Automation (Yellow)

RM has this year deployed a new variation of the Parcel Sort Machine (PSM) known as the Solystic phase 2b within some of its Mail centers. These bags are to be used on the machine and the 11kg weight limits will remain. They are a slightly larger bag with a wider neck to allow greater parcel automation efficiency of larger parcels. They should not be used on Drop Bag Fittings (DBFs) for manual sortation. They will be yellow in colour.

8. Amazon Gaylord Pallets

Amazon Gaylord pallets will once again be used on RDC, PSC and some Inward Mail Centre traffic streams for Direct Injection traffic and approved flows.  For agreed uses and safety information on Amazon Gaylord Pallets please reference attached SSoWs.

9. Repatriation of York Containers, ALPs, Trays and Cardboard

To ensure sites are safe and clear throughout our busiest time of year with the largest volume of containers within the network, Delivery Offices are to ensure that Container repatriations regularly take place and are returned to the agreed locations. Repatriated Yorks should be fully nested and consolidated in line with the York SSoW as well as being identified on the Office’s Yard Risk Assessment.  This will ensure congestion and potential safety issues are avoided as well as ensuring Royal Mail can maintain York Container supplies to customers in order to deliver a good quality service.

We would encourage ASRs, WSR and IR Reps to report any excessive build up York Containers within their respective Delivery Offices to container.reporting@royalmail.comso that they can assist in site clearances and ensure safety and support for the operation and customer requirements.

10. Repair of Faulty & Damaged Containers, Sleeves, Trays

All damaged containers must be withdrawn and repaired before being brought back into service. The following instructions relate to the repair of the individual containers:

(a) Letter Trays

• Royal Mail has an agreement with one plastics group for the recycling of RM letter trays, for which Royal Mail receives payment.  For this to be cost effective AAC Ltd will only accept complete trailer loads of trays, equating to 5200 trays.  This process describes the use of a collection point to ensure that trays are recycled and do not build up in offices.
• Trays must be removed from use if damaged and not suitable for use if, for example:
  • There are any obvious physical defects such as breakages or holes (other than those designed).
  • The tray sides or bottom are split.
  • The handle is damaged e.g., split.
  • The label holder is damaged in such a way as to render it unusable.
• The tray is NOT deemed damaged if only:

• The barcode or barcode clip is missing.
• The tray bottom is bowed.
• Only the corners are chipped and then only if the break does not leave a jagged or pointed edge.

DAMAGED TRAYS:

SEND TO AAC via NDC

• NDC to consolidate the RSCs of damaged trays and, when a trailer is loaded to capacity, forwards them to One 51 Plastic.

(b) York Containers

Examples of damage:

• Sharp, jagged or pointed hazards.
• Anything, which prevents proper assembly.
• Anything, which prevents proper movement.
• Temporary or amateur repairs.
• Broken welds.
• Excessive corrosion.
• Damaged or missing wheels.
• Missing wheel retaining nuts, pins or clips.
• Poor brake operation.
• Damaged or defective towing arrangements.
• Missing or damaged straps or clips.
• Damaged handle grips.

The repair process is as follows:

• A number of sites have been nominated to receive a scheduled visit by a York repair team (currently RMP&FS).
• Some sites also act as a consolidation site looking after a catchment area of other offices. For example, SDC in Wishaw receives all of the damaged/strapless Yorks in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• A contact at each site has been developed and a location for the storage and repair of Yorks identified.
• Each Thursday a count of damaged Yorks is submitted by each site to the Royal Mail mhe cpc e-mail inbox and the figures are used to plan a schedule for the following week’s site visits. Some offices may have a team that visits every day whilst others will be visited by mobile teams as required. The minimum requirement is that there be 50 Yorks needing repair on site.
• A repairer can replace anything up to 100 straps per day but, if there are structural repairs also needing to be done, the overall number can reduce substantially. The repairer will check each damaged York for other possible problems and does not solely rely on the fault noted by Royal Mail staff.

Damaged Yorks may be moved, on existing services, from non-repairing sites to a consolidation site (see repair process above) to await repair. Damaged Yorks should be labelled accordingly so that the receiving site is aware.

Damaged Yorks must not, however, be used to form part of a movement order to another site and should never be sent to a customer. Neither should damaged Yorks knowingly be used to convey mail through the network.

Some straps have given the appearance of losing their elasticity but tests have been carried out at the manufacturer and replicated by our engineers in Swindon and the results show that this does not affect load retention or the safety of the York. It is not, therefore, necessary to replace such straps.

Short Strap repairs, can be carried out locally at any site. For more information contact container.reporting@royalmail.com  

(c) RSC and FSC

• Examples of damage to an RSC/FSC are as follows;

–      Sharp, jagged or pointed hazards.

–      Anything which prevents proper assembly or movement.

–      Temporary or amateur repairs.

–      Broken welds.

–      Broken side wires bent inwards or outwards.

–      Excessive corrosion.

–      Mis-aligned feet or spigots which hinder stacking.

• In these circumstances, an ‘Out of Service’ label must be attached and the nature of the problem noted on the label.
• Damaged RSCs/FSC’s should be moved to a designated area to await repair. They may only be stacked if the uprights are intact and make contact with the RSC/FSC above at all 4 corners.  They may not be stacked if to do so would leave an unstable stack.  If in doubt – DO NOT STACK.
• Damaged RSCs/FSC’s must be forwarded to NDC for onward movement to MK Stores for repair. Movements of damaged RSCs should be agreed with the local Container Equipment Manager beforehand.

(d) Auto Levelling Packet Sleeves

• A minimum of 25 sleeves will be presented for repair in a single consignment.  Sleeves are to be packed in Rigid Stackable Containers (each containing 25 sleeves).
• Clearly labelled damaged RSCs are to be returned to SWDC for onward movement back to the manufacturer Jacon.

(e) York Cardboard Sleeves

• Cardboard Sleeves are not repairable. Any damaged sleeves must be disposed of by local arrangement.
• Any re-usable parts of cardboard sleeves must be returned to Amazon; whether by direct transfer or via the nearest RDC.
• Cardboard inserts to be stored/transferred in York’s or palletised on at Regional Distribution Centre’s using good pallets.
• If held/stored onsite ahead of transfer, they must be kept under cover or protected from the weather.
• All component parts must be in good order (certainly not water damaged or torn) and ready to use. Any not meeting these criteria should be disposed of locally.
• Yorks must be individually packed i.e., no mixed component parts please. Yorks to separately contain X Member/Sides/Bases which must be stacked neatly.
• Any transfers arriving at Amazon that do not meet these criteria may be refused by the Amazon Team.

(f) Cardboard RSCs/Euro Pallet Boxes

Any damage needs to be checked. The following damage would render the Cardboard RSC unusable:

• Water damaged/wet cardboard.
• Tears greater than 25%/¼ of the length of any one side or along any seam.
• Tears in 2 adjoining corners of the tray or lid.
• Staples in the seam undone with exposed points.
• Broken Pallet Base such that the wooden planks are broken or the corner blocks are damaged such that they would not support a load.

The following would not necessarily render the Cardboard RSC/Euro Pallet Boxes unusable:

• Small holes in the side walls, for example made by the fork lift.
• Small tears, i.e., less than 25%/¼ of the length of any one side or along any seam.
• One tear in the corner of the tray or lid.

If there is any doubt as to the safe condition of the asset, then it must be considered damaged. Any damage which renders the sleeve unusable needs to be reported and the damaged part (i.e., the lid, sleeve or tray) marked with a cross from a thick marker pen. Only the damaged part needs to be marked as the undamaged parts may be used as spares.

Transport and transfer equipment must meet the receiving customer’s safety requirements.

(g) Wheeled Container Repair Process including Mini Yorks (Other than York Containers)

The following process should be used to keep wheeled containers functional:

1. When a wheeled container (other than a York) is found to be faulty, remove it from operational service and label it accordingly.
2. Log the fault with the Properties & Facilities Helpdesk on 0870 850 1000, who will give a reference number. The Helpdesk will then contact RMP&FS, who allocates the work to the local coordinator. A RMP&FS engineer then plans and completes the repair.
3. If the repair is not economical, the engineer condemns the equipment and advises the Unit Manager. The Unit Manager then decides if they want it replaced, and completes a Requisition Form ECF01 and sends it to the Asset Support Team.
4. When the repair is completed, RMP&FS invoice through the Inter Business Agreement, which is funded from the central assets budget. Area budgets are not affected.

(h) General note on containers:

If there are any surplus containers on site that are not damaged and you are unsure of where to send them, you should consult your Regional Head of Assets for Yorks, Trays and Sleeves or your Container Equipment Manager for RSCs.

Contingency Arrangements

11. Pallets – Transportation, Processing, Unloading and Stacking of Pallets

This year Royal Mail has again faced an increased requirement from bulk customers to accept and process palletised loads, including shrink/stretch wrapped palletised traffic and Cardboard Pallet Boxes from Amazon known as Gaylords. The SSoWs have therefore been reviewed to ensure sufficient up to date information and instruction is available to allow Offices and managers to control safety risks for the specific tasks and ensure the correct work methods are adopted and materials handling equipment is deployed for this increasing area of work to ensure it can be completed safely. The new, updated SSoW and associated, embedded SSoWs are attached. This includes the attached documents – Pallet Truck SSoW, DDT SSoW, Palletising of Trays SSoW, and Manual Handling SSoW.

12. Cardboard RSCs/Cardboard Euro Pallet Boxes/Amazon Gaylord Pallets/ Shrink Wrapped Pallets

As originally reported in LTB 632/05these types of containers have been successfully utilised during successive Christmas pressure periods since 2005, and were introduced to provide contingency ‘back-up’ container assets as York Container use is maximised, as opposed to using Yorks and RSCs when in short supply so these are brought into service and used during the Christmas pressure period mainly for customer use. These are used primarily in the RDC, PSC network, RM International BAU streams and used as a ‘contingency measure’ for when demand outstrips supply of Yorks and RSCs for agreed flows – as an alternative.

These variant containers are folding, heavy-duty cardboard containers with the base fixed to a standard wooden Euro Pallet.

25,000 Euro Pallet Boxes have been purchased this year and are available as a contingency back-up as an additional container type during the Christmas peak period and intended:

• For use anywhere in Royal Mail’s network and at large customer premises.
• For storage of empty bags and trays to release RSCs into the network.
• For conveyance of Customer Parcel Returns.
• For conveyance of Customer Collections.
• For conveyance of parcels within the RM network (RDCs, MCs, PSCs & Customers).
• For use in RM International BAU flows.
• For conveyance of empty bags to customers.
• For empty bags, empty trays and bags of mail.

CRSCs and Euro Pallet boxes are intended to be:

• A reusable container and serviceable for over 8 trips per usage.
• Used indoors and in the network, but NOT for external storage where they may get wet.
• Folded flat when being stored empty.

For agreed uses and safety information on CRSCs, Euro Pallet Boxes, Pallets and loads please reference attached SSoWs.

13. Operational Waste Management

Operational waste such as cardboard, shrink wrapping will increase over the peak operations as we receive increased volumes of parcels and packets from our customers.  The business as usual process for managing this within the operational sites remains unchanged with an uplift in collections by our waste providers in line with forecasted volumes.  Additional site clearances can be requested should they be required through the RM PFS helpdesk.  Details of the process have been attached with this LTB.

14. Contacts & Phone Numbers – IMPORTANT

Should Area Safety Representatives wish to discuss any issues or questions in relation to Container Control or Container Equipment, the following field managers can be contacted for all Royal Mail Container related issues:

National Team Contacts

National Head of Assets                                                            Gary Yeo – 07872 636537

National Asset Supply Chain & Containers Manager         Ian MacDonald – 07436 560875

National Asset Operations Manager (All sites below)          Clare Smith – 07872816461

Belfast, SDC, Edinburgh, Perth, Inverness and

Aberdeen, Warrington, Chester, NWDC, NWPSC

Tyneside, Darlington, Preston, Chorley, Carlisle,

Manchester, Stockport, Leeds, Bradford, York, YDC,

Sheffield, Doncaster and Hull, Nottingham, NEPSC,

East Midlands Airport, Crewe, Shrewsbury, HCN,

NHCDC, Greenford, PRDC, Jubilee, Guilford and

Woking, Derby, Coventry, Leicester, Peterborough,

Cambridge, Norwich and Ipswich, Chelmsford,

Southend, Medway, SEDC, Canterbury, Tonbridge,

Croydon, Gatwick, London Central, South Warwick,

Victoria, Romford and Whitechapel

Container Manager International                                Nalin Mandalia – 07715480197

HWDC and LAMU, Atherstone international

15. Health & Safety Processes

From a Health and Safety point of view the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department will continue our joint work with Gary Yeo RM National Asset Supply Chain Manager and Ian MacDonald RM National Container Supply & MHE Manager along with the SHE (Safety, Health and Environment) Team and the RMPFS Property Safety and Compliance Team to monitor health and safety throughout the Christmas Operations.

16. IR Aspects

The IR aspects of the Christmas pressure period are dealt with by the Postal Department.  All Operational enquiries should be addressed to the appropriate Postal Department Operational Officer.

Attachments:

These documents are accurate as of the time of sharing. The current version is always held on the SHE Knowledge Database, accessible by managers.

1. Manual Pallet Truck (MPT) SSOW v1.2
2. York and Mini -York Safe System of Work v3.2
3. Pallets SSOW v1.4
4. Shrink-Wrapping Pallets SWI v1.0
5. Cardboard Sleeve York Container Additional Requirements SSOW v1.1
6. Transport of Yorks and RSCs SSOW v1.3
7. Non-Wheeled Container SSOW v1.7
8. Operating Double Deck Trailers v1.3
9. Vehicle Load Plan – 95 Double Deck Trailer v 1.7
10. Vehicle Load Plan – Single Lower Deck Trailer Load Plan v 1.5
11. Waste Management process for cardboard, shrink wrap, pallets.
12. Operation and Use of Knives SWI v1.0.doc

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

21LTB485 Royal Mail Materials Handling Containerisation Update Christmas Arrangements 2021

Cardboard Sleeve York Container Additional Requirements SSoW v1.1

Manual Pallet Truck (MPT) SSoW_v1.2

Non-Wheeled Containers SSOW v1.7

Operation and Use of Knives SWI v1.0

Pallets SSOW v1.4

RMG Operating Double Deck Trailers (DDT) SSoW_v1.3

Shrink-Wrapping Pallets_SWI_v1.0

Transport of Yorks and RSCs SSOW v.1.3

Vehicle Load Plan-Single-Lower Deck Trailers v1.5

Vehicle_Load_Plan-95_York_Double_Deck_Trailer_v1.7

Waste Cardboard Disposal Process November 2021 ver1.4

York and Mini-York Safe System Of Work v3.2

View Online

POST OFFICE: ROAD TRAFFIC INCIDENTS (RTI’s) – DRIVER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FOR CREW MEMBERS IN CViT

Further to LTB 421/21 dated 5^thOctober.  In keeping with our agreed objective of reinforcing good driving behaviours, we have established a small Joint Working Group (JWG) involving both David Bowmaker and Rob Jones, our Supply Chain Representatives.  I am pleased to advise that a Terms of Reference has now been agreed and is attached to this LTB for your information.  I would like to thank both David and Rob for their valued assistance in this regard.

Crucially as part of the awareness campaign with the focus and emphasis on training and coaching we have been working with Post Office management regarding communication materials.  Attached to this LTB is a management briefing document used during a recent Teamtalk session and also a jointly branded handout for use during the campaign.  Both of these documents were drafted in conjunction with Post Office and we influenced the content.

Our Supply Chain Unit Reps were fully briefed on this initiative at a meeting earlier this week.

Branches and Representatives are encouraged to bring this LTB to the attention of our Post Office Supply Chain members.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 21LTB484 PO – Road Traffic Incidents (RTI’s) – Driver Awareness Campaign for Crew Members in CViT

Attachment 2 – Driver Safety TOR Final

Attachment 3 – Driver Awareness Safety Campaign

Attachment 4 – Driver Distraction

View Online

Royal Mail and Parcelforce Deliveries and Collections to/from Care Homes following the 11 November coming into force of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021:

 This LTB should be read in conjunction with LTB No. 437/2021 issued on 12 October 2021 to which this is an update and is being issued for clarification purposes.

Two internal Royal Mail communications issued earlier this week unfortunately caused a high level of confusion, misinterpreted the legal position and appeared to conflict with the agreed process for Royal Mail and Parcelforce Deliveries and Collections to Care Quality Commission (CQC) Registered Car Homes in England, covered by the new legislation from 11 November 2021. (Note: The Regulations do not apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

Discussions with the business have now resolved the matter satisfactorily with Freddie Warnock Royal Mail Group SHE Head of Safety UK Operations and Dr Shaun Davis the Royal Mail Group Global Director of Compliance and Sustainability who has communicated the following points:

• For all Care Quality Commission (CQC) Care Homes in England, covered by the new legislation, Royal Mail and Parcelforce employees must NOT enter the property under any circumstances during the course of their duties.
• The legislation does not apply to non-CQC sheltered accommodation, retirement flats, homes or villages etc or any other multi occupied site or building. In respect of these premises, deliveries and any collections will be made as normal.
• It remains the agreed position that has been shared within Royal Mail and the CWU through Letters To Branches (LTB) 437/21 covering Royal Mail and Parcelforce Deliveries and Collections to/from Care Homes in England from 11 November 2021.

In order to give managers the clarity they require, the latest list of Care Quality Commission CQC Care Homes in England has been shared with RM and PFW Operations. The premises listed will be the only ones that will NOT be accessed but Royal Mail and Parcelforce will make deliveries and collections from outside the premises, allowing employees to comply with the legislation. 

A Link to the list of care homes within the Care Quality Commission (CQC) remit is available at the below link and an ‘Excel’ electronic file copy is attached for your information: https://www.cqc.org.uk/search/services/care-homes?location=&latitude=&longitude=&sort=default&la=&distance=15&mode=html

 There are circa 1500 CQC Registered Care Homes in England.

If further checks need to be made locally regarding confirmation of a Registered Care Home then the CQC can be contacted as follows: Telephone: 03000 616161 – Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk

 Attachment: CQC Care Home list.

(Note: The new Regulations do not apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary
Outdoor Department

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
Processing, Logistics, Parcelforce, International, Quadrant Department

LTB 483-21 Collections to and from Care Homes

CQC Care Homes – 11th November 2021

View Online

POST OFFICE: NATIONAL AGREEMENT – TACHOGRAPH INFRINGEMENT MONITORING

Branches are advised we have reached a revised agreement on Tachograph Infringement Monitoring (TIMS) which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive.  The rationale for the update was that the current agreement, deployed back in 2008, focused on paper tachographs.  In line with legislation, the tachograph units in vehicles are now all digital.  Also, monitoring by Logistics UK has become more online, meaning that infringements are reported more quickly, hence the need for a new agreement.  The revised version is attached to this LTB.

We have ensured suitable protections remain in place for our members and that the focus is on having corrective not punitive measures in place.  Within the agreement there is a firm commitment to achieving the necessary standards through coaching, guidance and support to help members comply with the legal requirements.

The following Joint Statement has been agreed:

Tachograph Infringement Monitoring Process

In 2008 Post Office and CWU jointly developed a Tachograph Infringement Monitoring Process which has worked well to support drivers and ensure they are aware of the expected standards.

Much has changed since the original agreement and the vehicle tachograph units are now entirely digital as is tachograph analysis. The obligation to comply with current drivers’ hours and tachograph legislation does, of course, remain. The Tachograph’s are now monitored daily by Logistics UK and the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency (DVSA) are entitled in law to access this database on request, to identify non-conformance.   

Given these changes, Post Office and CWU have worked together and have jointly agreed an updated monitoring process for TIM moving forward. 

Infringements are brought to the attention of the individual by means of a robust reporting system via Logistics UK which means that there is no longer a week delay in raising these infringements with an individual, these can now be done on the same day. The process aims to help drivers understand all information regarding any infringements and coaching, guidance and support will be provided to help employees comply with the legal standards.    

This new approach which is designed to be corrective and not punitive will commence from 15th November. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your line manager or CWU or Unite representative. 

Russell Hancock                                                                                    Andy Furey

Supply Chain Director                                                                       CWU Assistant Secretary

Post Office

Branches should note that our Supply Chain Unit Reps were fully briefed on the agreement at a meeting earlier this week.

Finally, I would like to thank Mole Meade, Postal Executive member who was aided by our two full-time Reps David Bowmaker and Rob Jones in bringing this matter to a successful conclusion.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Attachment 1: 21LTB482 Post Office – National Agreement – Tachograph Infringement Monitoring

View Online

CWU Virtual Special General Conference 2021 – Decisions

 Please find attached copies of the results of the votes and decisions taken during the Virtual Special General Conference which was held from Sunday 7^th November – Tuesday 9^th November.

The results of the motions  have been listed by session:

CWU Anti-Racism                                 –        Motions 1 and 2

Politics/Relationship with Labour     –        Motions 3 and 4

New Deal For Workers                         –        Motions 8, 9 and 10

Recruitment and Organising               –        Motions 11, 12, 13, and 15

General Policy A                                    –        Motions 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29 and 31

General Policy B                                    –        Motions 32, 33, 34 and 35

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to Angela Niven or sent to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

21LTB481 – CWU Virtual Special General Conference – Decisions

Sunday 7th November – CWU Anti-Racism Strategy

Sunday 7th November – Politics Relationship with Labour

Monday 8th November – Building Collectivism New Deal for Workers

Monday 8th November – Recruitment and Organising

Tuesday 9th November – General Policy A

Tuesday 9th November – General Policy B

View Online

POST OFFICE: HORIZON SCANDAL – SIR WYN WILLIAMS INQUIRY – PRELIMINARY HEARING

Branches are advised that a preliminary hearing in relation to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry took place on Monday 8^thDecember, chaired by Sir Wyn Williams.  We participated in the hearing, which focussed on the following 4 four themes:

•  Second Sight Investigations Limited (“Second Sight”) 
•  Reliance upon legal advice
•  Conduct of the Group Litigation 
•  Divergences across the United Kingdom

We submitted our written response on the above to the Inquiry on 29^th October and we were also given the opportunity to expand orally at the hearing on Monday, along with other Core Participants including Post Office, the Government (BEIS and UKGI), Fujitsu, Paula Vennells, the Met Police, various legal representatives and the NFSP.  As we felt our written submission covered all relevant points, we, along with many of the other attendees didn’t feel it necessary to reiterate our clear position orally at the hearing.

Those who did speak included Sam Stein QC on behalf of 151 Core Participants represented by Howe & Co Solicitors who called for urgent compensation to be paid to the many former Postmasters involved in the Group Litigation who face financial ruin. He said Howe & Co “… wrote to Nick Read, the CEO of Post Office Limited, on 22 October pressing him for urgent compensation for all and, vitally, calling on Post Office Limited and the Government to repay the legal and funding costs deducted from compensation paid in the group litigation”.  Post Office’s response to this (via its solicitors) was as follows:

“Post Office Limited has been clear that it understands the continuing sense of injustice amongst the Claimants in the group litigation since it came to light through media reports that around 46 million of the settlement sum was applied towards the Claimants’ litigation funders and legal advisers.  Post Office Limited has been in contact with the Government in this regard and will continue these discussions on the group litigation settlement figures.”

Mr Stein responded with the following powerful statement during Monday’s hearing:

“We say this, sir: Post Office Limited and BEIS need to recognise that payment of proper and full compensation, the return of legal costs, is required now.  That means immediately and not at some unknown point in the future nor subject to continuing discussions. Post Office and Government has told us they are discussing this.  Do it: don’t discuss it, just do it”

The full transcript can be accessed via the following link:

Click to access Post%20Office-Horizon%20IT%20Inquiry%20-%208%20November%202021%20-%20Transcript.pdf

Sir Wyn Williams – Request for Formal Waiver of Legal Privilege

A key output from the hearing was that a short time after it closed, Sir Wyn Williams published a statement which indicates that Post Office, Fujitsu, BEIS and UKGI can potentially no longer hide behind legal privilege when giving evidence.  The full statement is as follows:

‘At today’s hearing I heard submissions concerning the waiver of legal professional privilege. I said that I would be making a statement which calls for a response from Post Office Limited, Fujitsu, BEIS and UKGI. Having considered the matter, whilst I may in due course target specific documents or groups of documents as the Inquiry progresses (and I do not invite responses that simply propose a document-by-document process), I am today seeking a waiver of privilege in respect of legally privileged material relevant to the Terms of Reference, as carried into effect by the Provisional List of Issues (and as supplemented by the four themes heard at today’s hearing – which everyone should understand will be investigated by the Inquiry) dated from the date of the first pilot of the Horizon IT System to the Prime Minister’s announcement to hold an inquiry on 26 February 2020. Please can Post Office Limited, Fujitsu, BEIS and UKGI provide their responses to the Inquiry not later than 4pm on 15 November 2021.’

This is obviously a significant development, which will help to address the concerns that have been raised by some key stakeholders as to the effectiveness of Sir Wyn’s Inquiry. The four named entities have just a week to respond. Following this, a further oral preliminary hearing will be held at a date between 6^thand 17^th December.

Media Coverage

The scandal continues to receive significant media coverage, including from the BBC on the day.

The journalist Nick Wallis published a fascinating article on 8^th November in which he pointed out that Sir Wyn may have “… heard enough alarming evidence and solid arguments for the need to waive privilege over the course of the day, he felt moved to act immediately.”  The article can be accessed via the following link:

https://www.postofficescandal.uk/post/sir_wyn_makes_a_decision_on_privilege

There were also stories relating to Monday’s hearing in the Guardian, Computer Weekly and the Daily Mail:

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/nov/08/wrongly-convicted-post-office-workers-need-compensation-now-inquiry-told

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252509242/Government-and-Post-Office-should-stop-discussing-Horizon-victim-compensation-and-pay-it?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10178963/Subpostmasters-compensated-wrongly-accused-theft-fraud-inquiry-hears.html

Finally, a CWU web article on the Inquiry has been published and can be viewed via:

Horizon Scandal – Inquiry Judge orders full disclosure

Further developments will be reported as appropriate.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary

LTB 479/21 – Post Office – Horizon Scandal – Sir Wyn Williams Inquiry – Preliminary Hearing

View Online

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH RMPFS ENGINEERING OR ADMIN GRADE MEMBERS

Dear Colleagues,

RMPFS Engineering and Admin Grades CWU Officials Elections

Following the positive branch ballot result for the RMPFS IR Framework Agreement we are seeking nominations for the positions below. The term of office for all these positions is a period of 2 years in line with the CWU Recognition & Industrial Framework Agreement 2021.A nomination form for all positions is attached to this LTB and are available on request from the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department. All Candidates must have the nomination of their own branch which must be agreed at a branch meeting. Completed nomination forms must be signed by the Branch Secretary and Branch Chair (or accredited deputies) and the nominee. The Form should then be returned to Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, on the following email elections@cwu.org by 29th November 2021

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES – NORTH AND SOUTH

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES:SPCScotland721, 811, 812, 891Northern Ireland818, 728, 898North East721, 722, 813, 814, 891, 892North West721, 722, 810, 856, 891, 892, 898Midlands723, 724, 856, 875, 886, 893, 894East Anglia724, 725, 813, 876, 894, 895South West & Wales723, 726, 852, 854, 863, 893, 896Thames Valley, London & South East725, 726, 727, 862, 863, 880, 884, 892, 895, 896, 897

WORKPLACE REPRESENTATIVE – LEEDS ADMIN CENTRE

The timetable for the nominations is as follows:

Nominations open: Thursday 11th November 2021
Nominations close: Monday 29th November 2021

Any ballots will be run in accordance with the CWU guidelines for Regional Engineering/Admin Representatives, which are attached for your information. In the event that a ballot is required a timetable will be notified to branches in due course.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the PTS Department quoting Ref 320 at e-mail address: khay@cwu.org

Yours sincerely
Carl Maden
Assistant Secretary

LTB 478/21

Election Guidelines 2021

National Representative Nom Form

Regional Representative Nom Form

Leeds Admin Centre Nom Form

View Online

Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 35 – November/December 2021 and Supplementary ‘Insulation Special Edition’:

Introduction

The Greener Jobs Alliance 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.

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. See details below.

The GJA came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC.

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 earlier this year and has 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’.

See attached copy of the GJA Newsletter No.35 for November/December 2021.

In this Newsletter the GJA editor predicts that we are in for a prolonged struggle. He says that every day the crisis gets worse and we have the choice of passivity and despair, or action and hope. Every day we have to ask ourselves the questions, if not us, who? If not now, when? We are now in a period of damage limitation; in which anything and everything we can do to make a difference we must do. Current plans have us on course for a catastrophic 2.7C increase. There is no excuse for anyone arguing for delays, or for someone else to take the lead. There is especially no excuse for the world’s richest countries – collectively responsible for 92% of emissions to date – trying to foist blame onto the industrialising parts of the developing world for their impertinence in wanting their people to be as well off as ours are.

The International Energy Agency states that 70% of the investment to head off climate breakdown must be made in the Global South. This makes the failure to meet the £100 billion a year pledged from the Global North without creative accounting even more obscene; especially when you consider that 71% of the capital transferred up to now has been in the form of loans that have to be paid back, that the richest 1% amassed an additional $10 trillion in wealth in 2020 alone, and that Elon Musk could pay for a year of it on his own and still have £25 billion left over from his 2020 increase.

There should be no delusions about this. Carbon emissions per head from China are just 46% that of the US, Brazil 14% and India 12%. So, the biggest, sharpest, fastest cuts in emissions have to come in the wealthiest countries with no excuses. The Prime Minister tells us that “if we don’t act now, it will be too late”, but doesn’t tell Rishi Sunak, and is quietly sitting on 40 pending fossil fuel applications that amount to three times the UK’s current annual emissions. Naked in the conference chamber with no leg to stand on.

More significantly, in the USA the way that the Republicans and the pair of fossil fuelled Democrats who vote with them have beaten down the Green New Deal parts of Biden’s infrastructure bill to just $550 billion over ten years, leaves US action now significantly adrift of its targets.

Contents GJA Newsletter 35:

1. Editorial
2. Polluters Budget
3. Government Net Zero Plan
4. Green Jobs Report
5. COP mobilisations
6. Building a Workforce for the Climate Emergency
7. EI Report Card
8. DFE strategy – unions response
9. Mock COP
10. STATS of the Month

Also see attached GJA Newsletter Supplementary ‘Insulation Special Edition’.

In this supplementary special edition, the GJA calls for Building a Retrofit Campaign as a matter of urgency.

At its recent annual conference, the Labour Party announced that, if elected, it would undertake a £60 billion programme of home retrofitting including insulation and heating. At the recent SERA AGM, Shadow Energy Minister Alan Whitehead MP explained how this would be “180 degrees different” from the Conservative’s two failed attempts to grapple with this since 2010. It will be done collectively on an area basis and managed by local authorities with FE Colleges involved in local training.

• Neighbourhoods will be designated as low carbon/efficiency zones.
• Each of these will contain a mix of tenures. Home owners will get 0% loans. Private sector landlords will be required to meet the standard before being allowed to rent out. Social housing would be done through direct grants to LAs.
• This should get all homes up to standard before 3035.

The GJA calls for:

• This programme, especially if carried out by local authority direct labour.
• Retrofitting should be ‘Free at the point of use’ and collectively managed.
• Local Authorities must be funded sufficiently to be able to coordinate retrofitting locally.
• Everybody involved needs to feel secure within a stable long-term framework.
• Everyone doing this work should be a trade union member to guarantee proper terms and conditions and adherence to Health and Safety procedures.
• The workforce doing this work should be diverse and fully reflective of the communities they are working with.

Contents GJA Newsletter Supplementary ‘Insulation Special Edition’

1. Editorial – the urgent need for a retrofit campaign Paul Atkin & Tahir Latif
2. The Scottish model Roz Foyer
3. The NEF/GND Great Homes Upgrade campaign Aydin Dikerdem
4. How we could do it Wolfgang Kuchler
5. How to train the skilled workforce we need Linda Clarke
6. Stats of the month

Further details at:www.greenerjobsalliance.co.uk

Attachments: 

• GJA-Newsletter-35-September/October 2021
• GJA-Supplementary ‘Insulation Special Edition’

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 477/21 – Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 35 – November December 2021 and Supplementary ‘Insulation Special Edition’

Att: GJA-Newsletter-35-NovDec-2021

Att: GJA-Newsletter-35-Insulation-Special-NovDec-2021

View Online

The UK National Work-Stress Network Annual Conference 2021 –‘Mental Health Debrief’ –‘Free’ Online Conference – Saturday 27 November 2021 – Theme: “What’s Stress Got To Do With It?”:

The UK Work Stress Network has announced that their Annual Conference 2021 will again be an online, one-day event this year. The organisation has decided to host the Conference online again until they feel it is safe to hold conferences again in-person. Future in-person conference plans are being worked on, but for now the UK Stress Network are pleased to be holding another Conference online.

This Conference will consist of workshops, questions, and sharing good practice on dealing with stress in the workplace and the effects it has on everyday life.

In line with CWU Conference Policy, the CWU is proud to announce its continued support and sponsorship of the UK Work Stress Network Conference and the latest edition of the organisation’s excellent ‘Work Stress Handbook’ published last year.

The UK National Work Stress Network is a Trade Unionist led organisation which is committed to the eradication of the causes of work-related stress and associated illnesses. It campaigns to advance this aim through its involvement with the Hazards Campaign and in conjunction with the TUC, European organisations and within UK Trade Union structures.

The Network calls for:

• Employers, Company Directors and Managers at all levels to acknowledge their duty of care and for their acceptance of their health and safety responsibilities to the workforce;
• Legislation and enforcement procedures to outlaw all forms of workplace stress, bullying and victimisation; also to ensure full corporate liability for workplace injury; and,
• The creation of a caring, supportive workplace culture with ‘Dignity at Work’ for all and for worker sensitive procedures for all.

The Network consists of many hundreds of like-minded people, some of whom have suffered the consequences of work-related stress. Amongst them are experienced caseworkers, counsellors, occupational health workers, Trades Union lay and paid officers and those who are just determined to see effective management which recognises the needs of the workforce as well as of business.

The Conference will examine working lives becoming much more complex and stressful. Working life is becoming more complex from all angles. Post ‘BREXIT’ and the pandemic has left the UK facing an uncertain future for the country, employment and business. Employment and other laws originating from the EU, once transferred into UK law, will almost certainly face dilution or even removal under another Conservative Government. Health and Safety laws are still in place but many employers disregard or are ignorant of the HSE Stress Management Standards.

The former Prime Minister has flagged up a greater need for better care and support particularly for mental health. The Government commissioned ‘Stevenson-Farmer’ independent review into workplace mental health concluded that the UK faces a significant mental health challenge at work and that both employers and Government must prioritise and invest far more in improving mental health. At the same time the NHS is struggling to keep up, and no extra money seems to be forthcoming. Pressures on public services continue to remain high under the enduring austerity regime. Workers face increasing demands on their time and skills.

There is relentless change at work, which in itself is intensely mentally fatiguing and stressful.

Recent research has shown that those with disabilities suffer disadvantage at a range of levels – all of which increase stress levels.

Young workers are dealing with the brave new world of zero hours contracts, and coping with the demands of more than one employer. Middle aged workers are coping with the pressures of being both a worker and a parent to children (younger and older) at home. Carers are caring for elderly parents under growing pressure. Older workers are having to work much longer than they had ever anticipated. Working life is becoming more complex from both ends of the age spectrum.

• Young workers
• Older aging workers
• Zero Hours Contracts
• Doing two jobs
• Working and parenting
• Working and being a carer
• Long hours of work
• Manual work demands

Whichever applies, the world of work has never been more stressful.

A greater recognition of mental health issues is very welcome and brings increased responsibilities for employers. It also brings more challenges for our work as health and safety stewards.

The Conference will focus on tools and strategies needed by Trade Unionists to support their members, protect themselves and get employers engaged in tackling work stress to make our work places a safer place for all.

Full details of the Conference sessions will be announced shortly.

The aim is to provide information, exchange of good practice, networking opportunities and helpful interaction to send delegates back to their workplaces with the tools needed to make the workplace safer for all.

There’s lots of information for all Conference delegates.

UK National Work-Stress Network 2021 online Conference is a ‘Free’ to attend event.

Registration here:- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conference-2021-mental-health-debrief-whats-stress-got-to-do-with-it-tickets-196960874277?fbclid=IwAR0afDqbwjcvV1dl5OnUxMpVwvC5nqrlkR_xTo2twHNkNJnmQoZiuMFonSA

Further information email:- ukstresscoordinator@gmail.com

Website:http://www.workstress.net/

This Conference is aimed at Health and Safety Representatives, Trades Union Officials and Shop Stewards, Human Resources and Health and Safety Specialists and Stress Management Consultants.

This is a very popular annual event – book early to secure a place.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 476/21 – The UK National Work-Stress Network Annual Conference Saturday 27 November 2021 – What’s Stress Got To Do With It

View Online