Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 006) – Tail Lift Safe Operation – Serious Accident:

Audience:

All Royal Mail Group drivers who drive and operate a tail lift fitted vehicle.

Overview and Background:

Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Group have issued ‘Safety Flash’, number FY21 006, (copy attached), which gives a summary of a recent serious accident which could have ended in a fatality. The ‘Safety Flash’ is to form the basis of a Unit Briefing to ALL ROYAL MAIL DRIVERSoperating ‘Tail Lift’ vehicles, in order to raise awareness of the potential risk of similar serious accidents involving falls from height whilst unloading vehicles.

Issue:

The Safe System of Work (SSoW) was not followed by the driver concerned as the tail lift should have been in the up-position, level with the vehicle load space bed. York containers should be pushed on to the tail lift and loading dock platform – not pulled.

Description of the Incident:

A driver was unloading York containers from a 7.5t tail lift vehicle. The driver was moving backwards, pulling a stuck York towards the rear of the vehicle load space. The tail lift had been previously lowered to the fully lowered, ground level position and as the York suddenly became free and released, the driver, pulling the York backwards, fell from the vehicle, down onto the lowered tail lift, pulling the York container with him and the York landed on top of him causing injuries.

Impact and Effect:

Hand, chest and back injuries sustained.

Key Learning Points, Management Activities and Messages to Staff:

• Communicate and display this SHE Flash on the SHE Noticeboard.
• Brief all drivers on this SHE Flash, alerting them to risk and the accident and the need to follow the mandatory SSoW.
• Drivers to follow the mandatory SSoW at all times entitled ‘Loading & Unloading Vehicles – Operation and Use of a Tail Lift’.
• Do not use a tail lift unless trained and authorised to do so.
• Do not work on the vehicle bed/loadspace with the tail lift in the down position.
• Only two Yorks are to be loaded on to a tail lift at any time.
• When unloading wheeled York containers, turn the York from inside the vehicle and push it on to the tail lift being careful to stay clear of the sides. Position the York against the floor roll stops if fitted and apply the brake on the York container.
• Position the York containers to the offside of the tail lift platform (right of the platform as facing from the ground), to maximise space available for the driver. Stand to the near side (left as facing the ground) whilst operating the tail lift controls. Hold onto a York with the other hand if needed.

Key Management Activity:

• Communicate and display the SHE Safety Flash on the SHE Notice board.
• Brief the SSOW ‘Loading & Unloading Vehicles – Operation and Use of a Tail Lift’ to all drivers operating these vehicles.

Attachment:

• Copy of RMG SHE Safety Flash FY21 006 –Tail Lift Safe Operation.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 133/21 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 006) – Tail Lift Safe Operation – Serious Accident

SHE Flash FY21 006 Taillift Operation

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RM/CWU National Joint Statement for Customer Service Point (CSP) Opening Hours and Standardisation Process

Branches will be aware, as advised in LTB 335/20 and the approach contained within the associated Joint Statement regarding the standardisation along with the continuous review of CSP Opening Hours, accordingly the Union received proposals from Royal Mail that sought to do the following;

• Standardise the opening times of all CSP Units (Enquiry Offices) across the UK
• Put CSP Units into categories dependent on traffic and footfall
• Instigate the closure of 200 CSP Units in very small and micro sized categories based on cost
• Work on a cost per parcel retrieval basis that did not fully take into account the needs of the customer, nor the perceived ambition of the company in terms of growth.

The Postal Executive rightly agreed to totally reject that approach on the basis that it was short sighted in the extreme and flew in the ‘face of the spirit and intent’ of the Pathway to Change Agreement.

National Discussions continued with Royal Mail through the joint working group where our position was articulated forcibly and in a reasoned fashion, detailing the flaws in the Royal Mail’s position. The department also reminded Royal Mail that the mind-set of the company should now change beyond all recognition and that their position was not consistent with the Pathway to Change Agreement and manifested in a negative approach to this vital service, particularly to those offices that they were looking to close. The discussions also evaluated the current variations in terms of service provision and opening hours on offer across CSP’s in order to examine the impact on staff and potential benefits of standardisation. The Discussions have also taken into account the impact of new delivery products and services being rolled out, such as in-flight 1 & 2, which have impacted FTD rates.

As a result of these discussions, we have achieved a Joint Statement, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive that has moved on considerably, regarding the position of Royal Mail and contains the following:

• The opening hours and categorisation are based on pre-Covid 19 levels
• There are no units to be closed
• Full Cognisance will be taken when revising duties as there will be many tasks that are due to be undertaken, once the office is closed to the public
• Temporary duty arrangements can be agreed until either the table top or full structural revision activity takes place in the Delivery Unit.
• A full review will take place of the changes in future and an initial 3-month touch point review will take place once the actual deployment date is known, this will also take into account future commercial opportunities and new services into CSP’s.
• There is the ability for local offices to raise anomalies that might require them to be placed in a different category or there are other local factors which will require flexibility.

We believe that the Joint Statement represents a sea change of Royal Mail thinking and will hopefully serve as an indication of how we wish to continue going forward with a constructive and optimistic manner.

As the UK now looks forward to Covid-19 restrictions being eased in line with the Government and other National Administrations’ road maps, it is an opportune time to review the opening hours of the CSPs (based on pre-Covid data) to ensure that the new BAU opening hours reflect the needs of customers and align to parcel volumes and CSP footfall, whilst also taking full consideration of the impact of the inflight product as well as other products and services going forward.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 230.03, email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch                                                                                       

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 132-21 Customer Service Point (CSP) opening hours – 30.03.21

CSP National Joint Words_300321

CSP Hours_New BAU_Final_300321 (right click – save as – to download)

LTB 335-20 – Joint Statement for CSP Opening Hours and Review Process

CSP National Joint Statement- Opening hours and Review Process

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TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL SPECIAL SERVICES AND THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TELEPHONE ACCIDENT REPORTING PROCESS WITHIN THE ROYAL MAIL SPECIALIST SERVICES (RELAY) FLEET

Branches and representatives will be aware that a process for reporting of Road Traffic Accidents by telephone has previously been agreed for deployment to all drivers in Delivery Offices, including Collection Drivers using the PDA, Network and Area Distribution functions utilising telemetry equipment and most recently in Parcelforce (LTB’s 513/15 – 565/16 – 092/17 and 323/19 refer).

The procedure was designed to enhance the processes for reporting accidents to improve the quality of the information provided, with the aim of assisting Royal Mail in dealing with 3rd Party claims. To achieve this aim, drivers are encouraged to report accidents directly to Royal Mail solicitors by telephone from the scene of the accident, or as soon after as it is safe and practical to do so, which Branches will recall remains entirely at the discretion of the driver. 

Royal Mail Specialist Services (Relay) have now requested that the PDA reporting process is made available to drivers of their vehicles. Discussions have therefore taken place with the business, which have concluded in a Terms of Reference being agreed and endorsed by the Postal Executive, a copy of which is attached for your information (Attachment 1).

In addition to the attached Terms of Reference the following supplementary documentation is also included for information:

 Attachment 2 – WTLL Road Traffic Collision Reporting Changes 

 Attachment 3 – Advice and Guidance at the Scene of an Accident 

 Attachment 4 – Making a Telephone Call from the PDA 

Branches will note that the attached RMSS specific Terms of Reference retains all safeguards included in the original agreement/s, mirrors the processes previously agreed for the Royal Mail functions and remains entirely voluntary.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgor shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 218.19

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

LTB 131/21

Attachment 1 – RMSS Telephone Accident Reporting 29.03.21.doc

Attachment 2 – WTL Telephone Reporting

Attachment 3 – Advice & Guidance

Attachment 4 – HOW TO MAKE A PHONE CALL FROM THE PDA

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TERMS OF REFERENCE BETWEEN ROYAL MAIL NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION AND THE CWU ON A TRIAL OF CURTAIN SIDE VEHICLES ALTERNATIVE GROUND OPERATING SYSTEM (AGOS) AT NHC, YDC & BM VOCS

Branches and representatives are informed that further to discussions that had taken place with the Health & Safety Department the business recently approached the department in relation to deploying changes to the process for loading curtain side vehicles, due to working at height risks associated to these vehicles.

These risks present an industry wide challenge, are not unique to Royal Mail and involve drivers standing on the exposed rear of trailers while cages are loaded by forklift. The process also requires drivers to secure the load with straps while standing within the trailer bed, leading to an increased risk of falls occurring.

Drivers could spend 30 minutes working close to the trailer edge, with the risk of falling a considerable distance. Following an accident and a review of the working at height risks, Royal Mail identified that the current method of loading and securing the load on curtain side vehicles did not meet the working at height legislation and could be improved.

Subsequent to the conclusion of their discussions with the H&S department in respect of a new process, equipment and revised SSoW, it was jointly agreed between the department and the business that that the proposed changes would require trial activity in an operational setting.

The department have therefore been engaged in discussions with the business in relation to a Terms of Reference between Royal Mail National Distribution and the CWU on a Trial of Curtain Side Vehicles Alternative Ground Operating System (AGOS) AT NHC, YDC & BM VOCS. A copy of the document, which has been endorsed by the Postal Executive, is attached for information.

Branches and representatives will note that the trial will be overseen by the Network Working Group, with all of the normal protections in relation to full involvement of the CWU in the activity have been achieved, with any further deployment of the process and equipment being subject to agreement at National level.

Colleagues are asked to note that the attached TOR also makes reference to the installation of equipment on vehicles at sites not included in the trial activity. Where this occurs the straps will be fitted but not used until the trial is completed, reviewed and agreement is made to deploy.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference: 014.14.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

LTB 130/21

Attachment 1 – TOR Alternative Ground Operating System for Curtain Side Trailers AGOS 29.03.21

Appendix A – SSoW Alternative Ground Operating System (AGOS) Curtainside Vehicle Use

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NHS & PHE – ‘Help Us, Help You’ Lung Cancer Symptoms Awareness Campaign Launched

NHS England, NHS Improvement, and Public Health England have launched a new ‘Help Us, Help You’ Lung Cancer Symptoms awareness raising campaign and have requested the support of the Union which the Health, Safety & Environment Department is happy to endorse. This campaign is part of the ‘Access’ phase of the new ‘Help Us, Help You’ theme and brand.

The campaign seeks to address the barriers that are deterring patients from accessing NHS services. This phase focuses on encouraging the public to contact their GP practice if they are worried about a cough that lasts three weeks or more, which could be a sign of lung cancer.

The NHS has introduced a range of measures to ensure the safety of patients, including COVID-Secure wards, and the ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign theme aimed at helping to reassure patients that they can receive medical care safely despite the current ongoing pandemic.

The NHS is communicating the message that they are here to see patients safely so the NHS say “Help Us, Help You”.

The ‘Help Us, Help You’ Lung Cancer Symptoms Awareness Campaign is now live, with adverts across TV, radio, and video on demand (catch-up TV).

Despite lung cancer being the third most common cancer in England, suspected lung cancer referrals remain lower than normal. As of December 2020, lung cancer referrals had reached 73% of pre-COVID levels, while referrals for all cancers were just over 100%.

That is why the NHS and PHE have launched the campaign which began last month and they want CWU Reps to get involved and spread the word to get the message out.

Last month the launch included TV and radio adverts plus an exclusive interview with cricketer Andrew Strauss, who lost his wife to lung cancer, support from TV presenter Gaby Roslin, who lost her mother to lung cancer, and activity from media medics. My own mother died of lung cancer!

The campaign highlights a cough that lasts for three weeks or more could be a sign of lung cancer and encourages anyone who has this symptom to contact their GP practice.

Branches and Health and Safety Reps can also be part of the campaign by using the key messages and a range of campaign resources now available which have been expanded as this national campaign rolls out.

Key Messages:

• If you’ve had a cough for three weeks or more, and it isn’t COVID-19, it could still be a warning sign.
• A cough for three weeks or more could be a sign of cancer. Just contact your GP practice.
• It’s probably nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable.
• Your NHS is here to see you, safely!
• Your support spreading the messages can make a difference.

Resources available:

• Campaign Toolkit
• Posters
• Social Media Statics

Lung Cancer Symptoms ‘Help Us Help You’ Website: https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/120-help-us-help-you—lung-cancer-symptoms-/resources

Attachment:

• ‘Help Us, Help’ You Poster

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 121/21 – NHS & PHE – Help Us, Help You Lung Cancer Symptoms Awareness Campaign Launched

11773 NHS Lung Cancer

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CLINICALLY EXTREMELY VULNERABLE MEMBERS – RETURN TO WORK

The devolved governments have announced Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) members will be allowed to return to work unless they are able to work from home starting from 1^st April 2020.

Members who have been shielding, who are able to and intend to start working from home, should ensure this is agreed with your manager before your due return date.

The Current Return dates are:

• England 1^st April 2021
• Wales 1^st April 2021
• Northern Ireland 12^th April 2021
• Scotland 26^th April 2021

Clinically Extremely Vulnerable members must adhere to the restrictions until the relevant date above and should receive a letter informing them shielding is coming to an end and any further guidance from the Government or NHS.

We have engaged with Royal Mail and the approach to supporting members back to work will be a very similar approach to last year as laid out in LTB 574/2020.

Attached to this LTB is the latest communication from Royal Mail at Appendix A.

At Appendix B is the document managers are expected to use when having the discussion with members who are returning to work.

We have also attached the agreed toolkit managers are expected to use in ensuring members return to the workplace safely at Appendix C.

Representatives will be aware the most important aspect of this approach is the meaningful dialogue between our member and their Line Manager to ensure our members are entirely comfortable in returning to the workplace, with any necessary adjustments put in place.

We ask all reps to ensure they familiarise themselves with the toolkit and return to work document and give this LTB maximum circulation.

All enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference 420. Email address: khawkins@cwu.org

Yours Sincerely,

Carl Maden

Assistant Secretary (Acting)

Attachment 1: LTB 128/21 – Clinically Extremely Vulnerable Members Return to Work

Attachment 2: Appendix A

Attachment 3: Appendix B

Attachment 4: Appendix C

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Virtual Special Rules Revision Conference 2021– Registration Reminder

Further to LTB 086/21 branches are reminded to register for and submit the names of the three delegates that will be attending the Virtual Special Rules Conference taking place on Saturday 24^th April 2021 by emailing eventsregistration@cwu.org before the deadline Thursday 1^stApril 2021.

The information required by CWU Headquarters to deal with the registration for the conference is as follows:

• Full Name
• Full Branch Name
• Position Held
• Email Address

Observers do not have to register but details of how they can watch the conference live on the day will be published at a future date.

We are also mindful that branches may want to familiarise themselves with the voting system that will be used on the day and to understand how the conference will be run. Taking that into account we will be running a “mock conference” prior to the event on the 24th. This will take place on Monday 19^th April at 10.30am. We will contact Branches nearer the time with details of how to attend on the 19^th but it is important that branches register for the 24^th as requested.

Any enquiries on this LTB should be directed to Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256 or email eventsregistration@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 129/21 – Virtual Special Rules Revision Conference 2021 – Registration Reminder

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ELECTION OF NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE POSITIONS

• CWU Young Workers Committee Vacancies

Further to LTB 525/20 dated 5^th November 2020 which advised of the nominations received for the Young Workers Committee, branches will be aware that there were a number of vacancies:

Postal Constituency

Midland, North West, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales and London Regions.

Telecoms and Financial Services Constituency

Eastern, Midland and South West Region.

Please refer to LTB 465/20 dated 24^th September 2020 for the nomination process guiding principles.

Accordingly we are re-advertising the vacant positions in line with the following timetable and regulations:

Nominations Open:                     30 March 2021                

Nominations Close:                     20 April 2021    

Ballot opens:                                 27 April 2021

Ballot closes:                                 18 May 2021

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

21LTB125

Young Workers Regulations 2021

Nomination Form – Postal Constituency

Nomination Form – TFS Constituency

Candidate Biographical & Consent Form 2021

CWU ‘FACTS – Coronavirus Has Not Gone Away’ Poster:

The CWU/HQ Health Safety & Environment Department is issuing a new CWU Poster – ‘FACTS – Coronavirus Has Not Gone Away’ in order to remind CWU members to maintain the current ‘COVID – SECURE’ safety precautions which remain in place and have not been withdrawn by either the Government or the employers at this stage.

Earlier this month the Government announced a ‘Roadmap out of Lockdown’ which will see restrictions lifted in 4 steps on a route back to a more normal life. The programme of relaxing restrictions will depend on a number of things such as the success of the vaccination programme, the public obeying the law, people getting tested when needed, isolating when required, and continuing to follow the ‘hands, face, space, ventilation, cleaning’ guidance.

The Government stresses that we must all remain vigilant – in particular against the threat from new Covid-19 variants and continue to protect the NHS. We must also be cognisant of the fact that most of Europe remains in ‘hard lockdown’ because of high and climbing numbers of Covid-19 cases and deaths.

In implementing this roadmap plan the Government will be guided by data, not dates, so that there is no risk of a surge in infections that would put unsustainable pressure back on the NHS and another wave of infections and deaths as is currently being seen in France, Italy, Germany, Poland and several other European countries. For that reason, all the dates in the roadmap are indicative and subject to change. There will be a minimum of five weeks between each step; four weeks for the scientific data to reflect the changes in restrictions to be analysed; followed by one week’s advance notice of the restrictions that will be eased.

Only when the Government is sure that it is safe to move from one step to the next will the final decision be made. The decisions will be based on the vaccine deployment programme, evidence showing the vaccines are effective, infection rates do not surge, whether hospitalisations and deaths are increasing and the impact of new virus variants.

In conclusion, the Government stresses that as the country moves through each of these phases in the roadmap, we must all remember that Coronavirus/Covid-19 has not gone away and remains a part of our lives. To keep ourselves and others safe, we must carry on with ‘hands, face, space’ plus cleanliness and good hygiene, avoiding crowded places, ventilation and fresh air and compliance with the ‘Covid-Secure’ measures in the workplace that remain in place. Get tested when needed. Get vaccinated when offered. If we all continue to play our part, we will be that bit closer to a future that is more familiar.

PLEASE KEEP ADVISING MEMBERS TO FOLLOW THE ADVICE IN THE POSTER (pdf copy attached).

Hard copies of the poster are being distributed to Branches and Regions.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

21LTB126 CWU ‘Facts – Coronavirus Has Not Gone away’ Poster

06546 HS Covid Poster

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ELECTION OF NATIONAL DELEGATIONS – LABOUR PARTY WOMEN’S CONFERENCE 2021

The Labour Party will be holding a stand-alone Women’s Conference which will take place on 26^th-27^th June. The conference will be held online owing to current Covid-19 restrictions and concerns about large gatherings indoors post the 21^st June. The conference enables women members to better participate in policy making and will offer the delegates the chance to meet with others and share ideas with delegates from across the movement.

The NEC has agreed the 2021 election arrangements for the National delegations listed above. Accordingly please find attached the Election Regulations, Nomination Forms, Candidates Consent and Biographical Detail Form, and Labour Party Affiliate Delegate Application Form.

Due to the current Covid 19 pandemic there are a number of areas Branches will need to consider:

Nomination Process

In respect of seeking nominations branches will need to put in place a robust system and use all reasonable methods at their disposal to publish suitable notification throughout the branch area giving members the opportunity to submit their name for nomination to the position should they choose to do so.  Following this the branch would need to put in place arrangements to hold a membership meeting to decide which candidate(s) will receive the branch nomination.

On the basis that no face to face member meetings are currently allowed then this would need to be conducted via a suitable video conference platform such as Zoom or Skype, etc. that provides the opportunity for large numbers of members to take part if required.

Additionally branches will need to allow for members who do not have video conference capability to join the meeting by phone again if they choose to do so.

The timeline for the meeting would need to be agreed in advance and notification provided to members at least 7 days prior to the meeting taking place.

Dispatch and Return of Nomination Forms to CWU HQ

Nomination forms will be sent to branches electronically via an LTB. A dedicated election email address has been set up elections@cwu.orgto which branches should return all completed nomination forms.

Nomination Forms will need to be returned by the advertised closing date to be included in the list of candidates. 

Candidates that are putting themselves forward for this conference must also complete the Labour Party Affiliate Delegate Application form attached.  Sections B, C, E, and F must be completed and the form should then be returned to CWU HQ at elections@cwu.org.

The revised system will avoid the necessity to return forms in the post system which of course may be subject to delay during the current Covid-19 crisis.

Dispatch and Return of Voting Papers

The respective constituency based voting papers will be sent by email direct to branches at the email address which we hold on file.  Branches should return the completed voting papers by email to the advertised CWU election email address.  Notification will be sent to branches confirming receipt of the voting paper, however it will the responsibility of the branch to ensure that voting papers are returned to the correct email address.

To be included in the ballot voting papers will need to have been returned by the advertised closing date and time.  

Branch Voting Recommendations

Clearly we are in unique and challenging times and whilst branches would normally arrange mandating meetings to decide which candidates to vote for in the respective elections we do not believe that this is either practical or necessary during the current crisis.  Therefore, on this occasion this decision can be made by the Branch Committee and the decision subsequently notified to members of their branch accordingly.

The timetable for the elections is:

Nominations open                             26 March 2021                                

Nominations close                             9 April 2021 (14:00)     

Dispatch ballot papers                     16 April 2021                    

Ballot closes                                         30 April 2021 (14:00)    

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary

21LTB124

Election Regulations 2021

LP Women’s Nomination Forms 2021

Labour Party Affiliate Delegate Application Form

Candidate Consent & Biographical Details