Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 54)

I attach for your information Version 54 of the Royal Mail Group, managers’ Coronavirus/Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers guidance document, issued by the business on 14 September 2020.

At the commencement of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak, Royal Mail Group established a ‘Business Pandemic Team’ which includes all national heads of department.  This team meets regularly to review the situation across Royal Mail Group and to issue updates to Questions and Answers, information and communications to all managers, which is cascaded throughout the business.

Attached is a copy of the Q&A document (version 54), which has been shared with the Union. It is hereby circulated for information and reference purposes for CWU Health and Safety and Branch IR Reps.

The Q&A documents are circulated to all RMG managers and are also available to access through a link on the Royal Mail Group ‘Intranet’, in the ‘Managers’ Update Messages’ section.

Please note that changes and additions from the last version are highlighted in ‘Yellow’.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department continues in dialogue with the Royal Mail Group Safety Health & Environment Team to raise additions and amendments to the Q&A document.

Any enquiries to this LTB or feedback on the RMG Q&A document should be directed to Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer.

Attachment:

• Royal Mail Group Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers V54 

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 453/20 – RMG – Updated Coronavirus Covid-19 – FAQs and Answers Guidance Document (Version 54)

Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers v54 (002)

Postal Organising/Recruitment Strategy – Motion 81

Further to LTBs 064/20, 089/20, 128/20 and 133/20 issued on 17^th March 2020.

Having carefully monitored the situation regarding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and in light of the new Government restrictions due to be implemented on Monday 14^th September 2020.

We can confirm that the Postal Organising/Recruitment Strategy event which was due to take place in Liverpool on Thursday 22^nd October 2020 has been postponed.  We are confident that colleagues will understand and appreciate the reason behind this decision and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Postal Branches can be assured that meeting the terms of the conference policy contained in Motion 81 remains a key objective of the Postal Department.  Organising remains central to the Department’s overall agenda going forward especially as we believe this will assist in reducing the number of non CWU members currently employed in Royal Mail Group.  Colleagues can also be assured that this event will be rescheduled at a time when it is safe to do so.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department and/or  Lynn Browne, Senior Organiser lbrowne@cwu.org as appropriate.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)                           

LTB 450/20

The barrier to change in Royal Mail isn’t the union or our members – it’s managements lack of ambition

General Secretary Dave Ward for Tribune Magazine in response to the Royal Mail AGM this week

https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/09/the-barrier-to-change-in-royal-mail-isnt-the-union-its-the-management

CWU/Royal Mail Joint Statement Covering Annual Leave Planning (April 2021 to March 2022)

Dear Colleagues,

As with previous years, the following National Joint Statement has been agreed in order to assist representatives when discussing and concluding 2021-22 annual leave arrangements with local managers, which should be concluded in line with the Way Forward Agreement by 31st October 2020.

Whilst the attached Joint Statement mainly reflects previous year’s arrangements and guidelines, the particular focus this year has been on the process for local parties to use, to assist in reaching agreement on local Annual Leave plans.

Equally, these agreed arrangements also reflect and references wider agreements reach on Annual Leave planning, covered in the ‘Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU in regards to a joint review of Annual leave Arrangements’ (set out in LTB 409, issued on the 4^th of July/19); and the ‘Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU on Annual leave for 2020/2021 Leave Year’ (as set out in LTB 345/20 issued on the 1^st of July/20).

As with previous year’s arrangements, particular attention is drawn to Branches regarding the following:

The “Annual Leave Calenderisation Work Aide” information/guide tab will assist managers and Reps in undertaking the correct process to establish leave demand and populate the work aide accordingly, whilst stressing the point that the Work Aid is a guide and should therefore be used as such.

The focus is on concluding a robust and reliable Annual Leave Plan/Agreement that includes all individuals’ legally contractual leave entitlements, as its primary driver, whilst also identifying extra leave slots in low traffic periods over and above those agreed to facilitate the taking of additional leave and therefore maximising choice of leave slots for individuals.

The existing National agreements, guidelines, agreed tools, procedures and processes are in place to support resourcing on an ongoing basis and are not affected by this Joint Statement. They remain firmly in place and will in fact be used to support the process and assist in providing a balanced approach to year-round leave allocation and resourcing.

Managers and Reps will also need to establish the total number of owed weeks above the leave year’s contractual entitlement, which need to be documented in your agreements and arrangements agreed locally and put in place to deal with it.

The Joint Statement also sets out a clear process for Operational Managers and Area Delivery Representatives to provide evidence of local agreements on their office’s Annual Leave plans to their respective Delivery Director and Divisional Representatives, which should be completed by the end of October/start of November.

Additionally, set out below is guidance that has previously been communicated to representatives but is worth repeating especially for representatives entering into leave agreements for the first time:-

It is essential when entering discussions that CWU representatives establish and allocate the unit’s contractual entitlement first which will in turn identify the number of leave reserves required to enable reliable resourcing.

‘Vacancies and leave reserve vacancies should remain under constant review to ensure adequate resource is available to meet customer, the annual leave plan and operational requirement’.

When establishing leave demand this needs to include all staff contractual leave, Bank Holiday credits for annual leave that coincides with Bank Holidays and rest days that fall on a Bank Holiday, purchased leave, and any leave days carried over from the previous year. Your DOM should have this information in their Manpower Plan (and recorded on the PSP) and you should check this information to ensure all ‘contractual’ and ‘carried over’ leave has been captured.

The number of weeks can be checked through this calculation below and should be cross-referenced with the number of leave weeks in PSP and that are in the Annual Leave Calenderisation aide and the relevant adjustments made.

For example:

If the above added up to 600 weeks to be allocated and covered and 2 weeks were closed for Christmas Pressure the number of leave reserves to cover AWD would be 12, (600 divided-by 50) = 12. Add to this the leave reserves leave 12 @ 5 weeks = 60 weeks would mean another leave reserve (60 divided-by 50) = 1.2.

In this example, that would mean that a minimum of 13 leave slots a week for 50 weeks should be available. If you then agree to open up, say, another 3 slots, due to agreed absorption through the summer weeks, then in the period from June to August, the number of open slots available should be 16.

This is just one flat line example. Units may decide not to employ against all 13 reserves and convert some to S/A, or overtime. This is subject to local discussion and agreement.

As a consequence of providing additional leave slots in the summer period, there may be leave gaps in the ‘winter’ period, notwithstanding other absence, which you may need to discuss and agree a plan to deal with. There could be more people available in the unit, bearing in mind traffic/workload traditionally increases during this period. This should be dealt with via weekly resourcing meetings and subject to agreement.

Branches should progress any disagreements in regard to Managers refusing to fully engage and adhere to these guidelines in establishing annual leave plans/agreements through the IR Framework as appropriate.

Further National discussions continue with Royal Mail regarding the impact of owed/carried over annual leave, and talks remain ongoing in relation to a wider review of the Weekly Resourcing Agenda. Branches and Representatives will continue to be updated in due course.

Finally, it is also relevant to remind Branches that in the ‘Joint Statement between Royal Mail and the CWU in regards to a joint review of Annual leave Arrangements’ set out in LTB 409/19, that the following additional clarity was give around the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and displaying annual leave plans on workplace notice boards:

It has been highlighted that there may be some confusion since GDPR came into force.  The confusion relates specifically to displaying annual leave plans on notice boards and whether this is still permissible.  To be clear, displaying annual leave plans on notice boards does not contravene GDPR, as the sharing of names against annual leave slots is not considered as ‘sensitive personal data’.  It is in fact essential for units to display annual leave plans on notice boards, so that there is a common understanding of the annual leave plan.  Please ensure annual leave plans continue to be displayed on notice boards in all units.

Any queries to the content of the above, please contact the Outdoor Department, reference: 445, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch

Assistant Secretary

LTB 438/20 – JS Covering Annual Leave Planning (April 2021 to March 2022)

Annual Leave Joint Statement 09.09.20

Copy of Annual Leave Calenderisation Work Aid

This year is CWU Humanitarian Aid’s 25th Anniversary and to mark this important milestone the charity is holding an online event on Thursday 10th September at 6pm to 7.15pm.

They have a great line up of speakers, including Dave Ward, General Secretary, Angela Rayner MP and volunteers who will speak about their involvement and experiences working with the charity.

As well as the speakers, they will be showing videos from their supported school in Africa and from Victoria Dunford, CEO and founder of Mad-Aid.

The guest speakers are:

· Dave Ward, CWU General Secretary
· Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and new CWUHA patron
· Steve Fitzpatrick, CWU Ireland, General Secretary
· Julia Upton, CWU NEC
· Jan James, CWU Branch Official (New Convoy Driver)
· Jimmy O’Connor, CWU Ireland Trustee
· Becky Crook, CWUHA Trustee
· Ian Young, CWUHA Trustee

To watch the event live, please click on http://www.facebook.com/CWUHA Please note you don’t need a facebook account to enjoy the event – just click on the link.

You can also watch via the CWU HA YouTube and Twitter accounts.

Dave Ward
General Secretary

World Suicide Prevention Day 2020 – 10 September 2020

Join in on World Suicide Prevention Day:

World Suicide Prevention Day, which first started in 2003, is annually held on September 10 each year. Organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the purpose of the day is to raise awareness, promote worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. 2020 marks the 18th World Suicide Prevention Day.

WHO and IASP work with governments and other partners to ensure that suicide is no longer stigmatised, criminalized or penalised. WHO’s role is to build political action and leadership to develop national responses to prevent suicide, strengthen national planning capacity to establish the core building blocks of such a national response, and build the national capacities to implement these responses.

Nearly 3000 people on average commit suicide daily, according to WHO. For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives. About one million people die by suicide each year. Behind these statistics are the individual stories of those who have, for many different reasons, questioned the value of their own lives. Additionally, the tragic ripple effect means that there are many, many more people who have been bereaved by suicide or have been close to someone who has tried to take his or her own life. And this is happening in spite of the fact that suicide is preventable. Suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death which is influenced by psycho-social, cultural and environmental risk factors that can be prevented through worldwide responses that address these main risk factors. There is strong evidence indicating that adequate prevention can reduce suicide rates.

Every year organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how people can create a world where fewer people die by suicide. In the UK over 70 suicide prevention and mental health groups under the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA) collectively campaign to raise awareness of suicide prevention and together, ask governments in the UK and Ireland to make suicide prevention a priority, and help raise awareness about how people can each support each other better.

In 2018, in the UK and Republic of Ireland, more than 6,800 people died of suicide. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy. The number of people taking their own lives in England has jumped more than a quarter in two years according to provisional figures collated by the Office of National Statistics. The data compares the final three months of 2019 with the same period of 2017. It shows that there were 1,413 deaths attributed to suicide recorded during that time. According to statisticians, the suicide level reached 11.4 deaths per 100,000 people in late 2019 – which is a 19-year high. The statistics show the number of suicides among men in England has hit almost 4,000 during 2019 compared with around 1,200 women. The number of suicides in England has been growing in recent years according to statistics with 75% of victims being male with the biggest rise among men in their 50s. The figures claim that 2019 saw the highest suicide figures for 5 years and Office of National Statistics (ONS) statistics have confirmed this week that the level of suicides has risen for the first time in five years, to 11.2 deaths per 100,000 in the population.

And we know that suicide is preventable, it’s not inevitable.

But not being okay is still widely stigmatized, and governments can still make better, more ambitious plans to prevent suicide.

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 each year and aims to promote worldwide action to prevent suicides. Various events and activities are held during this occasion to raise awareness that suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death.

World Suicide Prevention Day gives organisations, government agencies and individuals a chance to promote awareness about suicide, mental illnesses associated with suicide, as well as suicide prevention. Events and activities in various countries for World Suicide Prevention Day include:

• The launch of new government initiatives to prevent suicide.
• Conferences, open days, educational seminars or public lectures.
• Media programmes promoting suicide awareness and prevention.
• Memorial services or candlelight ceremonies to remember those who have died from suicide.
• Organising cultural or spiritual events, fairs or exhibitions.
• Launches of publications about suicide awareness and prevention.
• Training courses about suicide, depression and mental health awareness and first aid.

Many of these initiatives are celebrated in various countries worldwide. Some of these events and activities are held at a local level, while others are nationwide. Many communities around the world reaffirm their commitment to suicide prevention on World Suicide Prevention Day.

What Trade Unionist can do:

• Raise awareness that suicide is preventable.
• Improve education and training about suicide and mental health issues.
• Spread information about suicide awareness.
• Decrease stigmatisation regarding suicide.
• Write to the Minister demanding more government attention and action to tackle suicide:

Nadine Dorries MP
Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria St
Westminster
London
SW1H 0EU

‘Take a Minute, Change a Life.’ 

Taking a minute can change a life was the theme of the 2017 World Suicide Prevention Day. These words are at the heart of suicide prevention and worth reminding ourselves of. Each one of these individuals is part of a community. Some may be well linked in to this community and their workplace and Union Branch, and they’ll have a network of family, friends and work colleagues or school mates. Others may be less well connected, and some may be quite isolated. Regardless of the circumstances, communities, workmates, first aiders and Union Reps for example have an important role to play in helping support those who are vulnerable. As members of communities, it is our responsibility to look out for those who may be struggling and distressed, check in with them, and encourage them to tell their story in their own way and at their own pace. Offering a gentle word of support and listening in a non-judgemental way can make all the difference.

People who have lived through a suicide attempt have much to teach us about how the words and actions of others are important. They often talk movingly about reaching the point where they could see no alternative but to take their own life, and about the days, hours and minutes leading up to this. They often describe realising that they did not want to die but instead wanted someone to intervene and stop them. Many say that they actively sought someone who would sense their despair and ask them whether they were okay.

Sometimes they say that they made a pact with themselves that if someone did ask if they were okay, they would tell them everything and allow them to intervene. Sadly, they often reflect that no one asked.

The individuals telling these stories are inspirational. Many of them recount reaching the point where they did try to take their own lives, and tell about coming through it. Many of them are now working as advocates for suicide prevention. Almost universally, they say that if someone had taken a minute, the trajectory that they were on could have been interrupted.

Life is precious and sometimes precarious. Taking a minute to reach out to someone – a complete stranger or close family member, a friend or work colleague – can change the course of their life.

No one has to have all the answers; People are often reluctant to intervene, even if they are quite concerned about someone. There are many reasons for this, not least that they fear they will not know what to say. It is important to remember, however, that there is no hard and fast formula. Individuals who have come through an episode of severe suicidal thinking often say that they were not looking for specific advice, but that compassion and empathy from others helped to turn things around for them and point them towards recovery. Another factor that deters people from starting the conversation is that they worry that they may make the situation worse. Again, this hesitation is understandable; broaching the topic of suicide is difficult and there is a myth that talking about suicide with someone can put the idea into their head or trigger the act. The evidence suggests that this is not the case. Being caring and listening with a non-judgemental ear are far more likely to reduce distress than exacerbate it.

Resources:

CWU Guide to Work and Suicide

See attached pdf copy of the popular CWU ‘Guide to Work and Suicide’ for CWU Reps.

BITC Suicide Prevention Toolkit

This Suicide Prevention Toolkit, helps senior leaders, line managers, HR and occupational health professionals identify staff members who may have suicidal feelings and gives practical advice on how to deal with a crisis situation. It was produced in partnership with Public Health England and supported by the Samaritans. The toolkit is aimed at employers to help embed suicide prevention strategies in their organisation’s health and wellbeing policies, guide the approach to supporting those at risk and act as a resource to provide support across the workforce and it gives guidance on a workplace suicide prevention programme. CWU Reps will find a lot of interesting and useful information in the toolkit. Employers are in a unique position to help employees understand the importance of wellbeing and good mental health, and the knowledge of how to keep safe and well and how to spot the signs of being unwell. This toolkit is designed to help organisations adopt a strategy to reduce the risk of a suicide that will have an impact on the workplace. In this context, the term ‘workplace suicide’ is understood to be a suicide in or outside the workplace. (See copy attached).

Zero Suicide Alliance Booklet 

The Zero Suicide Alliance campaign wants to shatter this stigma by getting more people talking about suicide, sharing thoughts, offering support. They state that there are more of us affected by it than you think. Because it’s only when we start talking about suicide that we realise how many of our friends, neighbours and colleagues’ lives have been touched by it. The Zero Suicide Alliance campaign aims to get people together and start a conversation and to help friends and work colleagues to understand that it can affect anyone, and what we can all do to help in raising awareness and educating EVERYONE about the part we can all play in suicide prevention. The concise 10 page booklet gives some good basic 5-step advice on keeping physically and mentally well; staying active, eating well, limiting alcohol, avoiding drugs and staying social. A copy of the Booklet is attached. The ZSA Poster is also attached to display.

Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) On-Line Suicide Prevention Training:

ZSA provide a range of awareness training options, which provide a better understanding of the signs to look out for and the skills required to approach someone who is struggling, whether that be through social isolation or suicidal thoughts. The ZSA ‘FREE’ on-line suicide prevention training course will teach you how to recognise the warning signs and safeguard

someone that could be contemplating suicide – It takes 20 minutes to complete and is available at: www.zerosuicidealliance.com.

Also available at the ZSA Website are FREE newsletters, videos and resources such as posters, e-mail banners, screen-savers and other campaign material to help spread the word and raise awareness.

The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is supporting the ZSA campaign as part of the Union’s overall Mental Health Strategy and is urging all CWU Reps to access and complete the on-line training.

Mental Health First Aid Training

The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has been raising awareness and promoting Mental Health First Aid Training for CWU Reps since the courses became available in the UK in 2007 and would continue to encourage CWU Reps to attend the 2-Day Course.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) came to England in 2007 and was developed and launched under the Department of Health and National Institute for Mental Health in England as part of a national approach to improving public mental health. Mental Health First Aid England was launched as a community interest company in 2009. The CWU National HQ Mental Health Strategy Group have taken this forward to develop our own in-house network of MHFA Trainers across all regions of the UK, providing courses where required. For further information contact either the CWU Regional Secretary or CWU/HQ Equality, Education & Development Department.

Please Visit these Websites:

• The International Association of Suicide Prevention: iasp.info/wspd (provides a Suicide Toolkit and Suicide ‘What you can do’ support guide)
• The Samaritans website: samaritans.org/(lots of information, support guidance, annual suicide statistics, reports, 24 hour helpline)
• World Health Organization: http://www.who.int (suicide fact sheet and other information available)
• The Official World Suicide Prevention Day Facebook Event Page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/world-suicide-prevention-day/605931673628490/

Conclusion:

Mental health, stress, depression and anxiety are at epidemic levels in the UK and suicide rates are a big concern. Better support for people experiencing mental health problems would help prevent suicides and enable people to lead fulfilling lives with manageable conditions. However, lack of support means many people are growing increasingly desperate. It needs to be made easier for people to find help without shame or stigma at work as well as at home and in the community. We also need to raise awareness generally to ensure those in distress are recognised and signposted to get professional help and support before it’s too late.

Remember – On September 10th, we are working towards the common goal of preventing suicide but it’s not just for one day!World Suicide Prevention Day is the annual focal point and effort needs to continue all year round. The information in this LTB will allow Health and Safety Reps, Branches, CWU Regional Health and Safety Sub-Committees, Joint Health and Safety Committees etc., to organise and run their own local awareness raising initiatives to their own timetable and agenda. Show your support by raising awareness through workplace, branch, regional, area or community action. You can find out what local activities have been scheduled or initiate activities yourself. We need to make sure that clinicians and other service providers care enough about it to make suicide prevention their core business. And we need to make sure that communities care enough about it to be able to identify and support those who may be at heightened risk. We also need to ensure that we are caring ourselves!

Finally, if there is anyone you are concerned about, take a minute to check in with them. It could change their life.

Where to go for help:

The Samaritans

The report advises those struggling to cope and needing someone to talk to, to either:-

• Call Samaritans on their Helpline 116 123 or
• e-mail jo@samaritans.org or
• visit Samaritans website: https://www.samaritans.org/

Samaritans are available round the clock, every single day of the year, providing a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel, whatever life has done to them. If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans will listen and won’t judge or tell you what to do! For urgent support call – 24 Hours a Day.

Contact Details For Samaritans England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland:

Samaritans Central Office England

Central Office telephone: +44 (0)20 8394 8300
Central Office email: admin@samaritans.org
Central Office postal address: The Upper Mill, Kingston Road, Ewell, Surrey KT17 2AF

Samaritans in Ireland
Ireland Office telephone: +353 1 6710071
Ireland Office email: ireland@samaritans.org
Ireland Office postal address: 4-5 Usher’s Court, Usher’s Quay, Dublin 8

Samaritans in Scotland
Scotland Office telephone: +44 (0)131 556 7058
Scotland Office email: scotland@samaritans.org
Scotland Office postal address: CBC House, 24 Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG

Samaritans in Wales
Wales Office telephone: +44 (0)29 2022 2008
Wales Office email: wales@samaritans.org
Wales Office postal address: Floor 2, 33-35 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9HB

Attachments:

• CWU Guide to Work and Suicide
• BITC Suicide Prevention Toolkit
• Zero Suicide Alliance Guidance Booklet
• ZSP Poster

World Suicide Prevention Day – Thursday 10 September 2020

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 446/20 – Word Suicide Prevention Day 2020 – 10 September 2020

CWU GUIDE WORK AND SUICIDE v2 January 2018

BITC-Suicide-Prevention-Toolkit-2020

Zero Suicide Alliance Booklet-talking-to-someone-who-might-be-suicidal

ZSA-Suicide-Poster

Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash – Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) – Electric Tow Tractor Battery Explosion and Fire

Introduction and Background:

A Safety Flash has been issued by the Royal Mail Group Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Team (copy attached), following a recent incident in a Mail Centre when an Electric Tow Tractor ‘wet cell’ battery exploded and caught fire during charging.

Description of the Incident and Key Issues: 

A large MHE Electric Tow Tractor battery exploded and caught fire during charging, as a result of a failure in basic battery routine maintenance. The ‘wet cell’ battery was not regularly inspected, checked and topped up with water. The liquid levels in the battery ran dry and it overheated. The battery cover had not been raised to allow venting of gases. This caused a build-up of trapped volatile Hydrogen gas and the battery cables and securing clamps had significant corrosion. As a result, the ‘wet cell’ battery dried out and exploded during charging and caught fire.

Key Management Activities and Learning Points:

• Brief employees who charge batteries on the correct procedures to follow. Batteries must be topped up with distilled or deionised water and be left well ventilated during charging.
• Brief those who undertake battery charging duties about the process when battery charging and maintenance schedule to follow.
• Clear battery maintenance guidelines need to be given to those responsible for undertaking maintenance of batteries to avoid future failings.
• Print and display the Briggs Charging Guidance notice on the wall next to the battery charging point in the unit.

Attachments:

• Copy of RMG SHE Safety Flash FY20 015 ‘Battery Charging Fire’
• Copy of the Briggs Battery Charging Guidance (Briggs Battery Bay Sign)

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 445/20 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash – Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) – Electric Tow Tractor Battery Explosion and Fire

SHE Flash FY20 015 – Battery Charging Fire

Briggs Battery Bay Sign

Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash – Suspect Parcels & Packages – Dealing With Incidents Correctly

Introduction:

A Safety Flash has been issued by the Royal Mail Group Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Team (copy attached), following a recent ‘Suspect Parcel’ incident at a Mail Centre. The Mail Centre experienced an unnecessary and prolonged evacuation and shut down following the failure of Mail Centre Management to follow the correct process for responding to suspect parcels as set out in the Royal Mail Group ‘Stay Calm’ manual.

Background and SSoW Failures:

A Mail Centre employee handled a parcel leaking a white powder, which later caused a skin reaction to her hands. Emergency services were called for an ambulance, without going through the correct risk assessment process or calling Central Postal Control (CPC).

Impact and Effect of the Incident:

The emergency services (Police, Fire & Rescue Service and Ambulance Service) are aware that Royal Mail Group has long experience and a high level of knowledge in dealing with suspect parcels and hence, they tend to assume that if Royal Mail or Parcelforce report a suspicious item, it is serious, and will rapidly attend the site, evacuate the building and bring in their Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) Units with specialist enhanced command support vehicles which includes scientific analysis equipment, infrared spectroscopes, radiation survey meters, gas detectors, specialist personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination equipment etc. This takes many hours and causes unnecessary stress and anxiety to all staff on site. In the case in question a huge presence of Police, Fire and Rescue and Ambulance vehicles and crews were in attendance and involved in what was a minor incident.

Key Managers’ Activities and Learning Points set out in the Safety Flash are:

All managers are expected to complete the ‘suspect parcel e-learning programme’ which provides a simple to follow guide to risk assess different types of suspicious items and how to respond appropriately.

·       PICs and Line Managers should ensure their management team have completed the e-learning programme.

·       Managers to refer to ‘Stay Calm’ on line which provides full advice and guidance at https://staycalm.online/

·       If Managers are in any doubt, and before any office calls 999 (unless for an obvious emergency), CPC must be contacted to help guide the office through the ‘suspect parcel’ risk assessment process. The direct number for CPC is: 0345 266 1060.

·       When dealing with a suspect package the following initial questions should be asked (1) Has there been any physical reactions to the item? (2) Are there any physical signs that the item may be suspicious?  (3) Does the item appear to have been sent maliciously?

Area Health and Safety Reps 

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 when dealing with suspect and leaking parcels and packages.

Please find attached a copy of the ‘Stay Calm Manual.’ Managers would typically access this through the intranet.

The ‘Stay Calm Manual’ is the Royal Mail Group’s guidance and information on specific incidents (including fires and managing an evacuation, gas leaks, floods, severe weather, suspect items and many others) and it is now available online. The online version of the manual is accessible to anyone with a laptop, tablet or mobile phone.

To access the site, go to: http://staycalm.online/. Once on the site, you can access the Stay Calm guidance by clicking on the on-site response (PiC or operational manager on site dealing with an incident). This will allow you to scroll through the site to the following areas:

• Evacuation guidance
• Incident specific guidance
• Preparing for an incident

(Please note the CPC and business response pages are password protected, so you won’t be able to access those).

Any Management enquiries can be directed to:

Chris Wisken
Business Protection Manager
mobile: 07801092488
email: chris.wisken@royalmail.com

Attachments:

• RMG ‘Stay Calm Manual’
• RMG SHE Safety Flash ‘FY20 016-Suspect Parcels’

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 444/20 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash – Suspect Parcels & Packages – Dealing With Incidents Correctly

Stay Calm Manual

SHE Flash FY20 016 -Suspect Parcels

Gas Safety Week 14-20 September 2020

The CWU is proud to again be supporting Gas Safety Week this year, 2020. The tenth annual Gas Safety Week sees organisations from across the UK working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Gas Safety Week is an annual safety week to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. It is coordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas.

The week aims to raise awareness amongst householders and landlords, about the importance of having their gas appliances serviced on an annual basis. 5000 organisation across the UK signed-up last year pledging to work together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances. Unsafe gas appliances can put lives at risk from gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO2) poisoning.

This year, Gas Safety Week is addressing how we keep safe as a community, especially during these challenging times, plus a whole range of gas safety matters throughout the week, from tackling illegal gas work to reminding people to avoid DIY when it comes to gas appliances and instead leave it the experts – registered engineers who are legally qualified to make sure your appliances are working safely and efficiently.

It’s vital that people make sure their gas appliances are safety checked every year, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Anyone working on gas appliances while not being Gas Safe registered is working illegally.

Check your gas safe appliances every year
Gas appliances should be safety checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered
Agents, landlords and tenants can find and check an engineer at www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

Check your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card
Make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the card.

Carbon monoxide (CO) 

Carbon monoxide has no colour, smell or taste, and it can kill quickly. Help protect your family by arranging an annual gas safety check with a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer, and install an audible CO alarm.

For more info on CO visit GasSafeRegister.co.uk

In supporting the 2020 Gas Safety Week, we are reminding Branches, Safety Reps and Members in a joint awareness campaign with RoSPA, HSE and the ‘Gas Safe Register’ to alert people to the importance of Gas Safety in the home.  In the UK, 21 million households use gas for heating, hot water and cooking. There are approximately 7,500 unregistered gas fitters actively working in the UK today with 250,000 illegal gas jobs done every year by unregistered gas fitters.

Badly-fitted and poorly-serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, explosions, fires, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Dangerous gas work can kill and people have died and have been injured through Carbon Monoxide poisoning and other incidents. Carbon Monoxide symptoms can be mistaken for flu, food poisoning, viral infections and tiredness.  A carbon monoxide alarm costs around £15 to £20 – every home should have CO Alarms and Smoke Alarms – but they are not a substitute for regular servicing.

The ‘Gas Safe Register’ is the Government approved registration scheme for gas engineers in the UK, Isle of Man and Guernsey. There are more than 120,000 Gas Safe Registered engineers. There are more than 60,000 Gas Safe Registered businesses. All gas appliances need regular servicing and a gas safety check every year (or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions). All landlords and housing associations are legally obliged to ensure that all gas appliances and related pipes and flues within their rental properties are checked every 12 months for safety. They must issue a copy of the certificate to the tenant within 28 days of the test and give a copy to any new tenants moving in.

Not all gas engineers can work on all gas appliances. Gas Safe Registered engineers carry an ID card that shows the type of gas work they are legally registered and qualified to do e.g. cooker, boilers, gas fires etc.

Dangerous DIY – One in three people would fit a gas appliance themselves to save money. This is extremely risky and dangerous.

If you suspect an illegal gas worker report it to Gas Safe Register:

Gas Safe Register
PO BOX 6804
Basingstoke
RG24 4NB
0800 408 5500
Website: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/reportillegal

‘Gas Safe Register’ also offers technical support for registered gas engineers. Call the technical helpline on 0800 408 5577, or visit the ‘Gas Safe Register’ Website at:

www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk

‘Gas Safe Register’ replaced the ‘CORGI’ gas registration scheme as of April 9, 2009. Corgi ID cards are no longer valid. You can check card ID details instantly online. Only ‘Gas Safe Register’ registered engineers can work on gas and fit, fix and service boilers, gas fires and most types of gas cookers in your home – it’s the law. Keeping the public safe from dangerous gas work is ‘Gas Safe Register’s top priority. If someone other than a ‘Gas Safe Registered’ engineer carries out gas work in your home, you are risking the safety of both yourself and your family, other residents, visitors and your property.

Simple search and identity check

Finding a Gas Safe Registered engineer is easy. You can find an engineer in your area online at the ‘Gas Safe Register’ website: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk – or by calling the free helpline: 0800 408 5500. Every engineer on the Gas Safe Register carries an ID card with their own unique licence number. The back of the ID card lists what gas appliances your engineer is qualified to work on. The message from Gas Safe Register is clear: Before you have any gas work done in your home, make sure you ask for the ID card and check the front and back.

Gas Safe Register’s top ten tips: Great advice for Gas Safety Week 2020 

1. Have all your gas appliances, including boilers, gas cookers and gas fires, safety checked annually.
2. Always use a Gas Safe Registered engineer to fit, fix and check gas appliances in your home – it’s the law and will help keep you safe.
3. Always ask to see an engineer’s Gas Safe ID card and check the back of the card to ensure they are qualified to carry out the specific type of gas work you need.
4. To find a Gas Safe Registered engineer in your area, call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500 or go to GasSafeRegister.co.uk.
5. Recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.
6. Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly e.g. lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.
7. Buy an audible carbon monoxide alarm for your home and make sure it is located near to your gas appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance. Carbon monoxide can leak from appliances and kill.
8. Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose e.g. don’t use a gas oven to heat a room or use a gas barbeque inside the house.
9. Always ensure there is enough ventilation for your gas appliances to allow them to burn correctly and make sure you are not blocking any air vents that provide an air supply to the gas appliance.
10. Anybody working with gas has to be Gas Safe Registered by law. To report someone working without registration, call Gas Safe Register on the free phone number 0800 408 5500.

Did you know?

• Every year thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a highly poisonous gas. You can’t see it, taste it, or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning.
• Gas Safe Register found almost 5 million people across the UK are putting themselves at risk by employing illegal gas fitters who aren’t properly qualified. 65% of all gas jobs carried out by illegal fitters were unsafe, with 1 in 5 so dangerous they had to be disconnected immediately.
• 3 in 4 victims of illegal gas work hired the worker following a friend’s recommendation and 1 in 4 found them through an advert, wrongly assuming they were registered. In all cases the householder did not check the credentials of the worker before the work was carried out – you should always check the official Gas Safe Register.
• Although there is awareness that gas appliances need to be safety checked annually, 43% of Britons don’t do it, and 10% have gas appliances which have never been checked.

Further Information

Gas Safe Register
200 Cedarwood
Chineham Park
Crockford Lane
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG24 8WD

Consumer enquiries
0800 408 5500
enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk

Engineer enquiries
0800 408 5577
register@gassaferegister.co.uk

Attached Materials

• Gas Safety Week Leaflet (pdf)
• Gas Safety Poster (pdf)

Yours sincerely,

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 443/20 – Gas Safety Week 14-20 September 2020

Att 1 – 31877_GasSafeWeek2020_A3_Poster

Att 2 – 31877_GasSafeWeek2020_A5Postcard_Leaflet