Covid-19 Guide On Ventilation And CO2 Monitoring To Help Combat Airborne Covid-19 Transmissions:

The main way in which people are infected with the Covid-19 virus is through inhalation of air carrying very small fine droplets and aerosol particles that contain infectious virus. Risk of transmission is greatest within indoor, stuffy, poorly ventilated, crowded rooms, spending long periods near an infected person where the concentration of these very fine droplets and particles is greatest and the air is not being changed.

People release very fine respiratory fluid droplets and aerosol particles during exhalation. The smallest of these fine droplets are small enough to remain suspended in the air for minutes to hours if ventilation is not changing the air and can carry virus and transmit infection if inhaled by another person.

There is robust evidence supporting the significance of airborne aerosols in the transmission of the Covid-19 virus. Implementing effective ventilation systems reduces airborne transmission of Covid-19 aerosols.

Employers must adopt strategies to ensure sufficient ventilation rates and to avoid simple recirculation of air in workplaces.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors can be used as indicators of the build-up of exhaled air and serve as a simple way to monitor and optimize ventilation. Most CO2 monitors are the Non-dispersive Infrared (NDIR) type, and these are the ones that should be used. The aim is to measure CO2 levels from human breath, so testing should be done when the space has its normal users in it, doing their normal activities, and not when areas are empty or underpopulated.

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) has published very simple guidance on CO2 monitors (copy attached).

Assuring a minimum ventilation rate of 4 to 6 air changes per hour (ACH) and maintaining carbon dioxide levels below 700 to 800 ppm is advised, although the ventilation type and airflow direction and pattern should also be taken into account. The World Health Organisation also recommends ventilation rates of 8-12 litres per second per person (l/s/p). The World Health Organisation has set out a “Roadmap to improve and ensure good indoor ventilation in the context of Covid-19” and this is available at the following link: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240021280

HSE Advice
The UK Government has provided guidance available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/offices-factories-and-labs#offices-3-1 on ventilation and the use of CO2 monitors, pointing to HSE advice (copy attached). This includes: ‘Identifying poorly ventilated areas and using CO2 monitors’.

Risk Assessment

The priority is risk assessments to identify areas of the workplace that are usually occupied and poorly ventilated, prioritising these areas for improvement to reduce the risk of aerosol virus transmission.

There are some simple ways to identify poorly ventilated areas:

• Look for areas where people work and where there is no mechanical ventilation or natural ventilation such as open windows, doors, or vents.
• Check that mechanical systems provide outdoor air, temperature control, or both. If a system only recirculates air and has no outdoor air supply, the area is likely to
  be poorly ventilated.
• Identify areas that feel stuffy or smell bad.
• Use carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors. People exhale carbon dioxide (CO2) when they breathe out. If there is a build-up of CO2 in an area, it can indicate that ventilation needs improving. Although CO2 levels are not a direct measure of possible exposure to COVID-19, checking levels using a monitor can help you identify poorly ventilated areas.
• Take multiple measurements in occupied areas to identify a suitable sampling location to give a representative measurement for the space. In larger spaces it islikely that more than one sampling location will be required.
• Take measurements at key times throughout the working day and for a minimum of one full working day to ensure the readings represent normal use and occupancy.
• Recording CO2 readings, number of occupants, the type of ventilation in operation, and the time and the date will help to decide if an area is poorly ventilated.
• CO2 measurements should be used as a broad guide to ventilation within a space rather than treating them as ’safe thresholds’. Outdoor levels are around 400ppm and indoors a consistent CO2 value less than 800ppm is likely to indicate that a space is well ventilated. An average of 1500ppm CO2 concentration over the occupied period in a space is an indicator of poor ventilation. Action should be taken to improve ventilation where CO2 readings are consistently higher than 1500ppm.Where there is continuous high levels of physical activity (such as dancing, sport or exercising), providing ventilation sufficient to keep CO2 levels below 800ppm is recommended.
• Face Masks, a mitigation put in place to address droplet transmission, is also effective in reducing the chances of aerosol inhalation because aerosol concentrations are
  much higher in close proximity to an infected individual.
• The WHO, and public health agencies, still recommend maintaining physical distancing where it is possible as another mitigation. However, distancing is not always sufficient to protect against aerosols that travel a significant range. Airborne transmission of Covid-19 occurs in poorly ventilated rooms when occupants inhale infectious room air.

Ventilation and Aerosols

• Additionally, although distancing helps by moving people away from the most concentrated parts of respiratory plumes, distancing alone does not stop transmission and is not sufficient without other measures, such as ventilation. The number of people emitting infectious aerosols, and the amount of time spent in enclosed spaces and the unknown number of asymptomatic infected individuals present in specific environmental settings is an additional challenge in respiratory disease control.  Engineering measures to reduce aerosol concentrations through ventilation, disinfection, masks etc., remain critical to reducing airborne transmission risks.
• It is absolutely clear that airborne transmission is a major pathway for the spread of Covid-19. It is worth noting that measures to improve indoor air quality will lead to health benefits extending well beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Several organisations have published advice on ventilation systems and air quality. These include CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers), see:
  https://www.cibse.org/news-and-policy/august-2021/new-air-cleaning-guidance-for-reducing-covid-19-sp, and BESA (Building Engineers Services Association) and REHVA (Federation of European Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations) – see; https://www.thebesa.com/media/837805/besa-guidance-covid-19-practical-measures-for-building-services-operation.pdf).

Use of Air Cleaning and Filtration Units

• Air cleaning and filtration units which employ either high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or ultraviolet-based devices are also advocated by some organisations to help remove viruses and other pathogens and allergens from the air. However, they are not a substitute for ventilation and the HSE has been clear that employers should prioritise any areas identified as poorly ventilated for improvement in other ways before considering using an air cleaning device. Therefore, they should only be used in addition to, not instead of, adequate ventilation. Testing is still being done on filtration and UV devices. The UK Government has announced it is conducting a trial of filtration units in schools, but this is not expected to report until 2022.

Action for Reps
Below are some standards that Safety Reps will find useful when discussing this matter with management. Seek to agree these standards for ventilation rates:

– A minimum ventilation rate of 4 to 6 air changes per hour, or
– Maintaining CO2 levels below 700 to 800 ppm, or
– Ventilation rates of 8-12 litres per second per person (l/s/p).

(Note: The Health, Safety & Environment Department has raised the issue of providing CO2 monitors and improved ventilation and space standards in the RMG and POL Buildings Estates.)

Further Information:

World Health Organisation“Roadmap to improve and ensure good indoor ventilation in the context of Covid-19” March 2021 https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240021280

UK government guidance 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/offices-factories-and-labs#offices-3-1

HSE guidance 

https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation/assesssment-of-fresh-air.htm

CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers)

https://www.cibse.org/news-and-policy/august-2021/new-air-cleaning-guidance-for-reducing-covid-19-sp

BESA (Building Engineers Services Association) and REHVA (Federation of European Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning)

Click to access besa-guidance-covid-19-practical-measures-for-building-services-operation.pdf

BOHS (British Occupational Hygiene Society)
https://www.bohs.org/app/uploads/2021/09/CO2-Monitoring-and-Covid-19-Some-Basics.pdf

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 566/21 – Covid-19 Guide On Ventilation And CO2 Monitoring To Help Combat Airborne Covid-19 Transmissions

BOHS-CO2-Monitoring-and-Covid-19-Some-Basics

HSE-using-co2-monitors-to-identify-poor-ventilation

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CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR DECEMBER 2021

We have received enquiries into the departments whether the pay dates for Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions (RMPFS) are the same as the rest of Royal Mail operations.

We can confirm the dates are the same.

For clarification, please see the tables attached to this LTB, which also gives the overtime rates and varied arrangements for Scotland.

Any enquiries regarding Engineering and Admin should be addressed to the PTCSDepartment, quoting reference 301. Email address: khawkins@cwu.org and enquiries for Cleaning to the Outdoor Department quoting reference 170. Email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Carl Maden                                                                                   

Assistant Secretary

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary                                                              

LTB 565/21 – Christmas and New Year Arrangements for December 2021

Attachment to LTB 565/21

Royal Mail Group – 2021 Free Flu Voucher Scheme Offer – Update & Reminder:

This is an update on the above nationally agreed RMG 2021 Free Flu Voucher Scheme, further to LTBs 341/21, 346/21 and 414/21 which as previously reported, provided a ‘Free Flu Voucher’ to all RMG employees.

This year’s scheme is the biggest ever with, for the first time this year, 110 ‘on-site flu jab clinics’ at Royal Mail Group’s (Royal Mail and Parcelforce) largest site, along with the option of an online, downloadable ‘digital flu jab voucher’ which can be redeemed at 4,000 locations, including pharmacies and supermarkets. A third option for those members living in remote locations was to use an alternative flu jab provider, with a refundable maximum cost of £15.

Summary of the Scheme to date:

• All 110 on-site flu clinics have been completed with 233 sessions in total.
• Clinics started on 1 October 2021 – so far 7,392 vaccinations have been recorded with further numbers to be added.
• 7,414 digital vouchers have been downloaded and 2,747 have been redeemed.
• Total vaccinations to date is 10,178 versus last year’s final redeemed voucher total of 9,705.
• Multimedia communications with programme updates and promoting take up will continue through to the end of December when the scheme closes.

The move to mandatory face coverings in all RMG indoor settings and ongoing hygiene prevention reminders can support the winter health and flu campaign.

Influenza

Influenza (flu) is one of the most significant causes of illness during the winter months. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by a virus, which is highly contagious and can lead to severe ill-health. In 2017 a large number of the Royal Mail Group workforce, over 31,000 employees were affected by flu which was a 31% increase on the previous year with over 127,000 days lost to the flu. Those unfortunate enough to catch flu suffered debilitating pain, nausea, high fever, headache and muscle aches, cough, sore throat, tiredness and discomfort plus time away from work. This meant that in addition to members being unwell, the service to customers was badly affected.

Considering the risk of flu and the Covid-19 Omicron variant co-circulating again this winter, Royal Mail Group and the CWU are jointly encouraging all members to take up the opportunity to have the flu jab and in doing so reduce their risk of getting flu, becoming unwell and passing it onto family, friends and work colleagues.

REMINDER

Those members intending to utilise the ‘Free Flu Jab’ scheme and redeem their voucher have until the 31 December to do so.  Would all Area and Unit Reps please remind all members to seriously consider taking up the ‘Free Flu Jab’ offer before the closing date of 31 December 2021. Thank you.

See attached copy of the most recent RMG communication reminder.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 563/21 – Royal Mail Group – 2021 Free Flu Voucher Scheme Offer – Update & Reminder

Dec21 Flu Reminder

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Royal Mail Group – Provision of Personal Attack Alarms To Postal Workers

This is a further short update following LTBs 422/2021 issued on 6 October 2021, 435/2021 issued on 11 October 2021 and 455/21 issued on 26 October 2021.

As previously reported, agreement had been reached between the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department and Royal Mail Group for the provision of Personal Attack Alarms for CWU members and that following discussions with Royal Mail Group and ‘Dimensions’ the company’s work-wear supplier, it had been agreed that the new Personal Attack Alarms (PAAs) would be made available on the Royal Mail Group website/uniform ordering portal, following which CWU members could pre-order the item.

I’m pleased to report further progress as follows; On Thursday 21 October, the Personal Attack Alarms went live on the Royal Mail uniform ordering portal for pre-orders of the alarms and orders have to date reached 6,120 which both sides are delighted with.

As previously reported, a first initial order for 5,000 alarms was placed with manufacturers which was followed up with a second order for a further 5,000 alarms and there are plans to shortly place a third order.

The Personal Attack Alarms (PAA) are currently being tested to receive safety certification which we expect to be straightforward and shortly Royal Mail/Dimensions should be dispatching the PAA Alarms to those members who have placed orders.

A further report to Branches will be made in due course.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 562/21 – Royal Mail Group – Provision of Personal Attack Alarms To Postal Workers

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Tackling Damaged Parcel Spillages in Mail Centre, Parcel Sorting Machine (PSM) Areas – ‘Spill Kits’:

This is to remind Branches, ASRs, Engineers and Cleaners of the process for dealing with spillage incidents in Mail Centre, Parcel Sorting Machine (PSM) areas.

Following an increase in the number of spillage incidents reported in 2019/20 where parcels have been damaged and the contents spilling within the PSM, a trial of a new procedure and spill kits was introduced.

To assist PSM Offices, a poster was created and was put on display around all PSM machines. This poster is designed to reinforce the ‘Stay Calm’ process.

All PSM sites were provided with the poster along with guidance on how to address packaging issues with customers.  The guidance is a lift from the ‘Stay Calm’ guide and can also be found on the RM Intranet.

A trial of spill kits was carried out at Chelmsford MC and Warrington MC to assist with any future spillage incidents. These kits are stored in the PSM area near the manager’s station. The kits are available for use by managers and operators to assist them with the containment and clear up of spills within the PSM area.

Following the trial, feedback was collated and reviewed by the PSM Safety Forum. The kits were well received and deemed successful and were deployed to all PSM sites.

The Spill kit contains:

2x Absorbent mat (chemical sorbent multi-format compliant to BS7959-1)

1x Pair of protective gloves (complies to EN374-2:2003)

1x Disposable dustpan and brush

1x Disposal bag

1x Bag tie

1x User instructions

1x Hazardous waste disposal label 

The spill kit is not designed to replace the ‘Stay Calm’ on-line manual process. The spill kit is only designed to be used if you can answer ‘No’ to all three risk assessment questions as highlighted on the poster.

Attachment:

Damaged Parcel/Spillage Poster.

All enquiries to the CWU/HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 561/21 – Tackling Damaged Parcel Spillages in Mail Centre, Parcel Sorting Machine (PSM) Areas – ‘Spill Kits’

Damaged Parcel Poster Issue 2

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY21 001 – Spill Kits For Spills of Oil and Fuel In Yards – Oil and Fuel Spills Can Cause significant Environmental Damage: (Reminder)

Overview: 

Spills of oil and fuel in yards can cause significant environmental damage.

Description, Issue and Impact/Effect: 

There have been a number of spill incidents in RM sites recently, both from vehicles and bulk fuel tanks, e.g, a 7.5t vehicle suffered a defective fuel pump and diesel was spilt on the approach road, and in the yard. There were spill granules on site, but these were not deemed sufficient to absorb the spill, so the PPFS Helpdesk was called. The clean-up contractor did not arrive for 8 hours. Environmental incidents need to be dealt with immediately to reduce the on and off-site environmental impact.

Learning Points 

All sites where operational vehicles visit or park and/or where oil or fuel is stored should have spill kits readily available for use.

• Spill kits should be used to stop pollutants getting to vulnerable areas like drains and grassland/soil.
• Spill kits can become damaged or depleted. Check spill kits and reorder if necessary.
• Ensure an ERICA report is completed to report any spillages/environmental incidents.

Key Messages and Activity 

• Oil/fuel spill kits must be available/accessible on sites where operational vehicles are parked or visit.
• Spill kits to be deployed quickly, to prevent spillages getting into unprotected ground or drains.
• Set out and understand RMG policy at local level/check and restock/provide spill kits (available from ‘ARIBA’).
• Provide training to all operational areas that could have a spill, drivers locally, managers and PPFS cleaning staff, using ‘Stay Calm On-Line Manual’.

Area Health and Safety Reps 

This is being issued as a reminder. Would all CWU Area Health and Safety Reps please note and communicate the content of the Safety Flash, supporting the key messages and learning points, reminding members of the importance of looking after their own safety as well as the safety of work colleagues and to report all fire safety hazards and unsafe working conditions.

Attachment:

RMG SHE Safety Flash FY21 001 ‘Spill Kits’.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 560/21 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY21 001 – Spill Kits For Spills of Oil and Fuel In Yards

SHE Flash FY21 001 Spill Kits

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Post Office Ltd – 2021 Free Flu Voucher Scheme Offer – Update & Reminder:

This is an update on the above nationally agreed POL 2021 Free Flu Voucher Scheme, further to LTBs 347/21 which as previously reported, provided a ‘Free Flu Voucher’ to all POL employees.

This year’s Post Office Ltd scheme was published in LTB347/21, following discussions with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department and is part of POL’s ongoing health promotion and employee support programme. POL offered to the workforce a ‘free flu vaccination voucher’ for the fourth year running which opened in early September.

The digital flu vaccination vouchers are redeemable in 4,000 outlets and on-site flu jab clinics were provided at Post Office Limited’s 6 largest Supply Chain Units (Glasgow, Birmingham, London, Hemel Hempstead, Swindon and Sheffield).

Summary of the Scheme to date:

241 Flu vaccinations were delivered at the on-site clinics.

178 Flu vouchers activated at selected pharmacies.

Influenza

Influenza (flu) is one of the most significant causes of illness during the winter months. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by a virus, which is highly contagious and can lead to severe ill-health. In 2017 a large number of the Royal Mail Group workforce, over 31,000 employees were affected by flu which was a 31% increase on the previous year with over 127,000 days lost to the flu. Those unfortunate enough to catch flu suffered debilitating pain, nausea, high fever, headache and muscle aches, cough, sore throat, tiredness and discomfort plus time away from work. This meant that in addition to members being unwell, the service to customers was badly affected.

Considering the risk of flu and the Covid-19 Omicron variant co-circulating again this winter, Royal Mail Group and the CWU are jointly encouraging all members to take up the opportunity to have the flu jab and in doing so reduce their risk of getting flu, becoming unwell and passing it onto family, friends and work colleagues.

REMINDER

Those members intending to utilise the POL ‘Free Flu Jab’ scheme and redeem their voucher have until the end of March 2022.  Would all CWU Reps please remind all members to seriously consider taking up the ‘Free Flu Jab’ offer before the closing date. 

The move to mandatory face coverings in all POL indoor settings and ongoing hygiene prevention reminders can support the winter health and flu campaign.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 559/21 – Post Office Ltd – 2021 Free Flu Voucher Scheme Offer – Update & Reminder

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Post Office Ltd (POL) – Covide-19 Update:

Further to LTB 554/21 a further meeting took place with Post Office Ltd’s Director of Health and Safety and Head of Road Safety on Friday 17 December, following which a communication has been re-issued to the workforce in POL DMB Crown Offices and CVIT Supply Chain Units.

POL have taken the opportunity to update their internal Covid Intranet Site with instructions, guides, risk assessments and documents in collaboration with the Unions, continuing to work together to ensure that making the workplaces as Covid-secure as possible is a priority as well as providing the workforce with the most up to date information regarding Covid-19.

On Friday we discussed the announcement by the Wales Government First Minister that morning regarding the intention to re-introduce a number of restrictions with a further announcement to be made today Monday 20 December 2021.

We have agreed with POL to monitor the situation and any further announced restrictions in order to assess the impact on POL operations and what measures need to be undertaken in the organisation.

Whilst the number of positive cases in Post Office Ltd remains lower than the national average, the new Omicron variant is spreading at a rapid rate with infections doubling over the last few weeks. Given this information, it’s more important than ever that we ensure that the employer and workforce are taking all the right precautions necessary to keep each other safe.

In response to the additional risk, due to the new Covid-19 ‘Omicron’ variant, any POL employee waiting for the result of a Covid-19 PCR test, following notification that they may have been in close contact with a positive case, should not attend the workplace until they have received a negative result, unless they are exempt i.e., fully vaccinated in line with that country’s current guidance and taking daily lateral flow tests for 7 days, in which case they may return.

However, any employee with Covid-19 symptoms should request a PCR test rather than undertake a Lateral Flow Device (LCD) test and remain away from the workplace until they have received a negative result and symptoms subside.

Employees can book a Covid-19 PCR test by using this link: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Unvaccinated adults must continue to self-isolate for 10 days if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. This rule change follows a significant rise in Covid-19 Omicron variant cases in the UK with the new variant expected to become the dominant virus strain by mid-December.

As a reminder, and as agreed, ‘Face Masks/Coverings’ MUST be worn behind the counter as well as in public facing areas in POL Directly Managed Branches. All of the workforce and visitors are required to wear a face covering whilst in a Branch Office including; behind the counter (including fortress positions), serving positions, parcel hatches, in every public facing location and when moving about communal areas e.g., welfare rooms, corridors, storerooms etc.

All CVIT Supply Chain employees MUST also wear a ‘Face Mask/Covering’ when moving around the depot.

Members should always, also continue to follow good hygiene standards and practices such as keeping hands clean, using sanitiser, maintaining distancing where it’s possible and making use of the ‘Workforce Lateral Flow Tests’ that are available for all members, as agreed between POL and the Union.

To protect themselves, their family and workmates, we also jointly strongly encourage members to avoid crowds and gatherings outside of the workplace.

Following the Government announcement on Sunday, we encourage members to get vaccinated if they can and those who are extremely vulnerable should check with their GP or hospital consultant whether they can take the vaccine. Wherever possible, appointments should be booked outside of work time. However, POL recognises that this isn’t always possible and POL is committed to being as flexible as possible to support the workforce in that regard. Members should speak to their line manager if they are struggling to find a suitable appointment time.

As the Covid rules are constantly changing, we advise workers to familiarise themselves with the latest Government guidance and the latest COVID briefings sent out by the Health and Safety team. Those members requiring further clarification on the above should speak to their manager or union rep who will give advice. You can also find further details on the POL Coronavirus intranet site.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 558/21 – Post Office Ltd (POL) – Covide-19 Update

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PARCELFORCE – UNDERPINNING INCENTIVE PAYMENT

Branches and representatives will be aware that in June 2012 a new National incentive scheme was agreed, LTB 455/12 refers.

Consistent with the aforementioned agreement and arrangements in previous years Parcelforce have confirmed that the £100 lump sum (pro-rata for part time workers) for 2021 will be paid in December salaries to eligible employees.

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our members are made aware of this LTB and that it is given full publicity.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.orgquoting reference 106A.12.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

LTB 556/21

Joint Statement Underpinning Incentive Payment 2021

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TONY CONWAY – FORMER SOUTH EAST LONDON BRANCH SECRETARY, AREA PROCESSING REP AND BRANCH POLITICAL OFFICER

It is with sadness I write to advise you that Tony Conway former South East London Branch Secretary, Area Rep and Branch Political Officer, passed away last weekend.

Tony joined the GPO in 1967 and although he retired in 2002, he continued to play an active role in his Branch and the wider Labour movement.

Tony made a great contribution in representing our members, the union and the wider Labour movement.  He also played a major role in key national issues and disputes through the 1980’s and 1990’s, most notably the RRIS dispute in 1989.

He will also be remembered as somebody who had a positive influence on many of today’s CWU representatives and leaders.

I know I speak on behalf of everybody who knew Tony in saying he will be sorely missed and in offering our sincere condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary 

21LTB557 TONY CONWAY – FORMER SOUTH EAST LONDON BRANCH SECRETARY, AREA PROCESSING REP AND BRANCH POLITICAL OFFICER

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