Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash – Loading Bay Traffic Lights

Introduction:

A Safety Flash has been issued by the Royal Mail Group Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Team (Copy Attached), following several recent ‘near-miss’ instances where drivers/shunters have driven off a loading dock when the traffic light was on ‘RED’, resulting in indoor staff, equipment and mail/parcels falling from height into the yard.

SSoW Failures:

The ‘Mandatory’ Safe System of Work was not being followed when the ‘near-miss’ incidents occurred. The LGV drivers and shunter drivers involved in these incidents were not adhering to the loading dock traffic light control system and pulled away from the loading bay dock against a ‘Red Light Signal’. There were also ‘Key Control’ failures which enabled the incidents to happen.

Impact and Effect of the Incidents: 

Risk of serious injury to loading/unloading bay staff, falling from height whilst loading/unloading containers, mail and parcels.

Key Message set out in the Safety Flash are:-

Where loading/unloading bay dock traffic lights are in use:-

·       Green lights = vehicles can move on or off the loading dock.

·       Red Lights = no vehicle movements on or off the loading dock.

·       Drivers to ensure they check the traffic lights and are looking at the correct set of lights for the loading dock in question.

·       If no lights are showing – the driver should report this to management.

Key Learning Point set out in the Safety Flash is:-

• All drivers must adhere to the loading dock traffic light systems.
• Vehicles must not drive off from a loading dock when a red light is displayed.
• Drivers must complete the appropriate checks of trailers/rear of vehicles and ensure the dock leveller and loading dock doors are retracted and closed prior to departing.

Key Managers Activities to be completed:-

All Unit Managers (PICs) are to:-

• Unit PIC to review current vehicle key control procedures to ensure they are robust.
• Unit PIC to ensure that vehicle keys are not handed back to drivers unless dock levellers have been retracted and the bay doors closed.
• Unit PIC to ensure Yard Rules have been cascaded/shared with all employees and are clearly displayed in key locations.
• Unit PIC to deploy targeted SMATs to confirm the compliance to standards and procedures.

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

departing from loading bay docks. Additionally, carry out inspections focusing on compliance with the SSoWs, loading dock and yard rules and the key PIC/management action on vehicle key control.

A copy of RMG SHE Safety Flash ‘FY20 014-Loading Bay Traffic Lights’ is attached.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 430/20 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash – Loading Bay Traffic Lights

SHE Flash FY20 014 -Loading BayTraffic Lights

Terms of Reference for Phase 2 of Inflight & Redelivery Enhancements Training & Pilot

As Branches are aware the highly competitive parcels market continues to grow with customers
demanding more from Royal Mail in terms of extra features on the parcels that are carried. Royal
Mail is introducing new product features available on Royal Mail Tracked 24 & 48 and Special
Delivery Guaranteed to support receiving customers who want more control over delivery of
their items.

As part of the Inflight & Redelivery Project, Branches will recall that receiving customers will be
able to request a change to the date or location of their expected parcel delivery before the first
delivery attempt. Redelivery services will also be enhanced to allow receiving customers to
request a redelivery before the first delivery attempt.

The original plan from Royal Mail was to launch in full a suite of Inflight and Redelivery
enhancements in May 2020 i.e.: –
• Deliver Different Day
• Post Office Local Collect
• CSP Local Collect
• Deliver to Preferred Neighbour *
• Deliver to Safeplace*
• Next Day Redelivery
*denotes not available of Special Delivery Guaranteed.

However, due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on operational resources and the need
to maintain social distancing, in late March 2020 the operational training programme for
Workplace Coaches and frontline delivery staff to deliver the full suite of Inflight and Redelivery
enhancements was put on hold.

The Joint Statement and subsequent Annex issued in May 2020 enabled the successful launch
of Phase 1 – ‘Deliver to Preferred Neighbour’ and ‘Deliver to Safeplace’ in June 2020, capitalising
on the outdoor elements of the inflight functionality as a rapid response. This was part of several
measures in addition to those already introduced, in order to keep frontline delivery members
and customers safe during lockdown whilst also helping to minimise social contact.

Phase 2 of the project looks to deploy the indoor elements of Inflight functionalities – ‘Post Office
Local Collect’, ‘CSP Local Collect’, ‘Deliver on Another Day’ and ‘Next Day Redelivery’ in October
2020. As the country comes out of lockdown with more people starting to return to their
workplace, these features will provide additional flexibility to customers on how and when they
receive their parcels, further supporting the first time delivery rate and improving the positive
delivery experience for customers.

Phase 2 Pilot and National Deployment Plan

At this stage we have agreed with Royal Mail to the pilot deployment only and the National
training approach in line with the timescales as outlined below.

Pre-lock down over 90% of work place coaches were trained. For the majority, this is a refresher
session and for the 10% that have never received this training, the Project Team will take them
through the full training pack in detail.

Workplace coach training is currently being organised and started (via Skype) on the 24th August
and is due to be completed by the 25th September. The training of frontline colleagues will take
place between 31st August and 9th October.
Royal Mail and the CWU via the Local Joint Working Group will jointly conduct a pilot in the South
Yorks & Lincolnshire Area over a 4-week period as follows:-

• Pilot in the North Lincolnshire OM area – 14th September to 25th September
• Expand pilot to the remaining units in the South Yorks & Linc Service Delivery Leader
area – 28th September to 9th October.
• National launch to be determined and agreed following a full Joint National Review of the
Pilot.

The ‘Ready for Delivery’ scan start time, no earlier than 04:00 remains unchanged, however,
the RFD scan time will move to 02:00 temporarily in recognition of the current and various
challenges and difficulties faced in the operation due to Covid -19 and the measures necessary
and in place within units. It is recognised that the 04:00 RFD Scan standard is a starting point
and the future aspiration is to provide customers with Inflight Choice up to the point of delivery
in line with what competitors offer, however, this will be dependent on the provision of a delivery
manifest and will be subject to further National discussion.

During the pilot there will be monitoring of volume, process compliance, along with monitoring
and capturing any additional task times and frequency of these due to the increased activity,
such as nominated day, deliver to POL outlets along with any customer contact/complaints etc.
The Pilot will also include the involvement of IE study work for any new tasks the service
generates. The Pilot will also take fully into account the current pandemic and its impacts
including USO performance and traffic volumes etc. before National joint confirmation and
agreement to the National Launch. Weekly calls will be set up between the project team and
CWU representatives to review information, monitor progress and resolve any issues arising
from the field.

Health & Safety and Safe Systems of Work

It is reaffirmed that Health & Safety and SSOW are of paramount importance to both Royal Mail
and the CWU, accordingly there will be full involvement in order to ensure that the necessary
SSOW are in place and that all issues arising in this respect will be proper to the relevant RM
safety experts and the CWU National Health & Safety Department.

Review/ Summary

Royal Mail and the CWU will jointly review progress against set criteria during the pilot phase.
The pilot will be subject to National joint review in order to resolve any issues highlighted arising
from it and in order to jointly confirm and agree the roll out timescales for the National
deployment.
Royal Mail and the CWU both understand the importance of being able to offer the additional
Inflight delivery options to customers as it offers them convenience and leads to a positive
shopping experience.

Following the deployment of Inflight Phase 2 both parties will, after 1 month, conduct a touch
point National review in order to ensure any upfront issues identified are quickly resolved. A
further Joint National Review will take place 3 months from launch in order to review what the
effect and impact is on the operation, in terms of additional workload and time, associated with
the new process and that this will then be taken into consideration within the agreed planning
and resourcing tools. This will also be underpinned by a study involving Industrial Engineers in
order to determine and establish the correct time identified for the tasks involved.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 535,
email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,
Mark Baulch
CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 429-20 TOR for Phase 2 of Inflight Redelivery Enhancements Training Pilot

TOR for Phase 2 of Inflight Redelivery Enhancements Training Pilot

RECRUITMENT – MEMBERSHIP RECORDS DEPARTMENT

Branches will be aware that due to the decisions made around access to 150 The Broadway that the Membership Records Department was not able to function to its full capacity.  A number of Membership Records Department staff have been working from home and have continued to support Branches and members, however for several weeks now some staff have returned to work, on a limited basis, into our HQ building.

Having reviewed our operation in this particular work area the purpose of this this LTB is to advise Branches that as from Tuesday 1^st September 2020 the Membership Records Department will be in a position to start accepting and processing paper application forms.

Where possible Branches are still asked to join new members via the Join Union link as this is the quickest way to ensure new members are placed onto the database.  Alternatively and if possible new members can join up themselves via the website: https://www.cwu.org/join-us/join-online/

Any other changes to existing member’s records can be done via the OLS system or by emailing membership@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

20LTB428

Royal Mail Review of Future Catering Provision Tender Activity (Quadrant Joint Venture) – Contract Announcement

Branches and representatives are advised that further to LTB 371/20 the department has now been informed by Royal Mail that the Review of Catering Services has been concluded and that the commercial contract for the provision of catering services to RMG has been awarded to Compass Group.

We understand that both Royal Mail and Compass Group and Quadrant will be issuing communications today to announce the outcome of the tender activity.

The new 5-year contract will commence from 1st October 2020 until October 2025 and will maintain the current operational model and service offering to our Royal Mail members. Existing Quadrant facilities and services will be unaffected by the transfer of contract and all Quadrant members will continue in their current roles under the terms of the new contract. Royal Mail has indicated that in 2021 the new contract will include a revised look and feel with new menus across all catered sites.

Branches will be aware that since 1998 catering provision has been the subject of a Joint Venture (JV) between Royal Mail and Compass Group, with the catering operation and our members solely managed by Quadrant Catering, a trading entity of Compass Group.

We have been informed that as part of the contractual negotiations a decision has been taken by the parties to dissolve the Quadrant Joint Venture and that Compass Group have won the new contract on a more traditional commercial basis. The CWU did not support the dissolution of the JV, however the decision to do so was taken between RMG and Compass Group and the CWU was not party to those discussions.

While effectively our Quadrant members have been employed by Compass Group as part of the Joint Venture, the dissolution of that Joint Venture will mean that Quadrant will cease to trade and employees will move to sole employment with Compass Group. This will necessitate formal discussions in line with the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE) Regulations.

The department has had an initial meeting with Compass Group/Quadrant in advance of formal TUPE discussions commencing. Those initial discussions have been extremely positive and the department has received assurances on the following issues:

• That all Quadrant Employees will be eligible to automatically transfer to employment in Compass Group.
• That all current roles and attendance patterns will be unaltered and that there will be no headcount reduction as a result of the contractual change.
• That all current Terms and Conditions and continuity of service will automatically flow through to employment with Compass Group.
• That the CWU will remain the recognised trade union and that all National agreements will remain in place.
• All of the above points will be confirmed as part of the formal TUPE process.

In addition to the formal TUPE consultation activity with Compass Group the department has also commenced discussions with Royal Mail Group to agree arrangements to ensure that the decision to dissolve the Joint Venture does not have any material adverse effect on our Quadrant members.

Where necessary it has been agreed that those discussions will be tripartite involving the CWU, Royal Mail and Compass Group. This will also include discussions on Pension entitlements, which are not considered “in scope” with regard to TUPE Regulations.

Clearly today’s announcements will bring some clarity around the new contract and reassure our Quadrant members in terms of their employment security. However, we fully understand that even with the assurances already given our members will want to understand the implications of the TUPE process. These discussions are not bound by commercial confidentiality and will now move at pace ahead of the Service Transfer date. Regular updates will be provided to our Quadrant members as further details are confirmed.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference: 311.02

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson 

Assistant Secretary

20LTB427

CWU ONLINE FESTIVAL/ENGAGEMENT EVENT – 28^TH, 29^TH AND 30^TH SEPTEMBER 2020

The lockdown and ongoing Covid restrictions have presented the CWU with major challenges in both the day-to-day and strategic operation of the union.  However, despite this, the Union and all our Representatives can be proud of the way of the way we have maintained the focus of the union on all aspects of our work during these very difficult times.

One positive to come out of this period has been the increased use of video platforms by all Unions to hold meetings and engage workers across the movement and once again the CWU has been at the forefront of utilising this technology in the most effective way.

Although the CWU will always prioritise face to face meetings, we must also recognise that some form of Covid restrictions will continue to apply for a considerable time and therefore it’s crucial that we continue to look at new and innovative ways of building engagement at all levels.

With this in mind and given the understandable absence of any Conference or Branch gathering in recent months, the purpose of this LTB is to advise branches that the NEC has agreed to hold a 3-day online (via Zoom) CWU Engagement Festival/event, on the 28^th, 29^th, 30^th September 2020.  This will enable us to bring all CWU Branches together and provide the platform for important debates and discussions across the whole union.

The event will be themed around how we build representation, the strength of the union and indeed the whole movement, in a post Covid environment.  The event will enable Branches, Representatives and activists to discuss and debate the key issues that have surfaced as a result of Covid and that are bound to have a major impact on our industries, the wider world of work, the economy and the very nature of politics in the UK and internationally.

We will work with Branches to maximise participation in the event and encourage all participants to come forward with their own ideas on our future and the future of trade unionism.  We want to make it clear that this is an informal event and it is not designed to replicate or substitute for a Conference, Policy Forum or a standard National Briefing, rather it will be structured to provide high quality and informative sessions with the opportunity for meaningful and constructive engagement with Branches.  We are working with Chris Webb and our Communications Team to ensure the event will be highly interactive and innovative.

Further details on the structure of the event are as follows:-

• The event will be held over 3 days on the 28^th, 29^th and 30^th
• The event will be structured around 9 separate sessions (3 per day), with appropriate breaks in-between

• Branches will be invited to register for the event (details to follow) and will be able to select, pick and choose different representatives to participate in the various sessions. There will be no limit on attendees for any Branch or session and we will work with our Branches to maximise their attendees, ensuring new reps/activists are encouraged to take part and that overall participation reflects the gender, ethnicity and diversity of the union.
• The programme for the event will cover important and contemporary topics linked to the Covid theme. The provisional programme is set out at Appendix A (this is subject to change).

• Although the event covers general union topics, we are scheduling 2 industrial roundtables providing the opportunity for the DGS (P) & DGS (T) to give an update on current industrial issues. These roundtables will be held at the same time with Branches being allocated to their respective industrial constituency.
• We will be inviting high profile speakers to participate and these will be announced in due course.

To summarise, the NEC believe this is the right moment to take our online engagement activity to another level.  In the coming weeks we will be developing the programme and further information will be sent out in due course, including details on registration, more information on the programme, alongside any appropriate documentation that will facilitate discussion and debate.

Any general queries should be addressed to jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

20LTB426 – CWU ONLINE FESTIVAL – ENGAGEMENT EVENT – 28TH, 29TH AND 30TH SEPTEMBER 2020 

APPENDIX A

CWU ONLINE FESTIVAL/ENGAGEMENT EVENT – 28^TH, 29^TH AND 30^TH SEPTEMBER 2020 – PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME 

(THIS PROGRAMME IS BEING DEVELOPED FURTHER AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE, INCLUDING TIMINGS.  FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE SENT OUT IN DUE COURSE)

DAY ONE – 28^TH SEPTEMBER

10:00-12:00 – Opening of the event, post Covid challenges and direction of the CWU – Karen Rose President and General Secretary

12:00-12:30 – Lunch

12:30-14:30 – The Future World of Work and New Deal for Workers – General Secretary and Andrew Towers (GS Team)

14:30-16:30 – Industrial Roundtable – DGS (P) and DGS (T) (separate breakout rooms)

DAY TWO – 29^TH SEPTEMBER

10:00-12:00 – Unions after Covid-19 – Including new CWU App and New Opportunities to grow – General Secretary, Ray Ellis, Amie Retallick (Comms Team)

12:00-12:30 – Lunch

12:30-14:30 – CWU Political Engagement – General Secretary and Liam Young (GS Team)

14:30-16:30 – CWU Against Racism – Kate Hudson/Team

DAY THREE – 30^TH SEPTEMBER

10:00-12:00 – Climate Change/Green New Deal, Safe Working Environment – Tony Kearns and Dave Joyce

12:00-12:30 – Lunch

12:30-14:30 – Future CWU Communications strategy – Chris Webb

14:30-16:00 – Summary of event and next steps – General Secretary and Karen Rose President

Disability Confident Scheme

We are pleased to attach our department’s latest factsheet which focuses on the government’s Disability Confident Scheme, some of you will remember its predecessor, the Two Ticks Scheme.

Our department is aware of a number of cases where members with disabilities are facing difficulties in the workplace linked to their disability.  For those employers that have the disability confident status, it is worth reminding them of their commitments as outlined in the attached factsheet.

Any queries on this LTB should be directed to Equality&Education@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Kate Hudson

Head of Equality, Education & Development

20LTB425 – Disability Confident Scheme

Disability Confident Scheme Factsheet

RM/CWU – National Joint Statement for Customer Service Point Opening Hours and Review Process Resulting from The Coronavirus Pandemic

Further to LTB 335/20 which outlined the review process in regards to the above, further discussions have taken place with Royal Mail over the last few days in regards to the issue of CSP Opening Times. In line with the National Joint Statement the temporary change in CSP opening times have been under regular joint CWU/RM review since these measures were put in place and introduced from the start of the Covid –19 Pandemic. Based on operational feedback, changes to government guidelines, more people returning to work and a recent increase in customer visits to CSPs, the decision has been taken to continue the gradual increase in CSP opening hours.

Accordingly, the joint statement which is attached has been agreed with Royal Mail which further extends the planned CSP opening hours across the week from Tuesday 1st September onwards as outlined below;

• Very large and Large CSPs will open on Thursday from 8:00-20:00
• Medium and Small CSPs will open on Thursday from 08:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00
• Very Large and Large CSPs will open on Wednesday from 08:00-12:00
• Very Large and Large CSPs will open on Sunday from 11:00-15:00
• Large and Medium CSPs will open for an additional hour on Saturday, from 08:00-14:00
• The majority of CSPs will open and close one hour later across the week.

As outlined and supported through the sharing of National data during the Joint Review Process Information on CSPs suggests that currently Thursdays are the busiest days for customers collecting their items, for this reason Thursday will have the longest CSP opening hours in the immediate future, however this aspect and trend will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis in addition to all of CSP opening hours in line with the National data.

Attached to this LTB is the file which confirms the new opening times for CSP’s in detail. Local Managers and CWU representatives are requested to ensure that both parties jointly review the CSP size and Proposed hours. It is also recognised that there needs to be flexibility applied as there may be a requirement to review individual CSP opening times where there are reported safety or customer issues with the current arrangements. Any safety issues with the opening hours or arrangements should be dealt with jointly and reviewed nationally with any safety issues addressed where necessary. In addition, due to local circumstances due to Covid – 19 and any further Government advice these aspects may also need to be considered within the locality.

The National Joint statement also contains the commitment that the resourcing process necessary to increase the opening hours will be carried out jointly between the Local Dom/CWU Representative in each unit in line with National agreements including the IR Framework through the weekly resourcing meeting whilst also taking any individuals issues into account.

The CSP opening times will continue to be jointly monitored on an ongoing basis between Royal Mail and CWU on a National basis. Both parties will continue to review the CSP opening times and the impact on service and this will also be carried out in line with the necessary Government and relevant health authority advice and guidance. It is agreed that the review will include the data and necessary information to scope the viability for a further phased increase in opening hours.

Given these circumstances the approach outlined in the Joint Statement along with the commitments contained within it as part of an ongoing review provides the basis of progressing this issue and we would ask that any issues that are being experienced are dealt with jointly and raised to us in order to inform the ongoing National Review.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 600, email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Baulch

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 424/20 – JS For CSP Opening Hours and Review Process Resulting from the Coronavirus
CSP National Joint Statement- Opening hours and Review Process 20.08.20
Copy of CSP Opening Hour Change 01-09-2020

Phil Bentham, Postman, Barrow-in-Furness DO and Mark Cremer, Postman, Lancing DO – Recent Deaths

We have received a number of enquiries in relation to the sad and tragic deaths of Phil Bentham, Postman, Barrow-in-Furness DO and Mark Cremer, Postman, Lancing DO. Sadly, both members died in separate incidents in different parts of the UK during last week’s heatwave.

CWU HQ wishes to express its condolences and deepest sympathies to the families, friends and work colleagues of our two members who died in sad circumstances and we fully understand the grief and anxiety amongst Phil and Mark’s work colleagues in their respective Delivery Units where emotions are naturally running high. To this end the Union is supporting the local Representatives and working closely with the two Branches concerned.

The exact cause of death of both Phil and Mark is yet to be determined and this will be subject to the normal procedures which may involve post-mortem examinations and coroner’s inquests. Accordingly, we are not in a position to comment further until such time as investigations have been completed by the appropriate medical and, if necessary, the judicial authorities and their respective conclusions published.

Representations to Royal Mail

As Branches would expect, representations have been made to Royal Mail at the most senior level following these deaths. Specifically, concerns have been raised in relation to the important health and safety issues that need to be addressed in respect of working outdoors in excessively hot weather conditions. In particular, the issue of sun safety and dehydration risks to the outdoor workforce has been escalated several times over the last few months. We have of course also taken up this matter previously when similar hot conditions have been experienced.

Whilst it is unknown as to exactly what the causes of death were, the Union has requested a full joint Royal Mail/CWU investigation to examine whether or not there were any deficiencies in the Royal Mail “Severe Weather Risk Assessment” process and if more can and should be done to protect the outdoor delivery workforce, including taking into account any underlying medical conditions that individual employees may have which warrant consideration.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advise UK employers, that when working outdoors the effects of the weather in the environment can potentially have a serious impact on an employee’s health, if the risks have not been considered or properly managed and controlled. The HSE also warns that too much sunlight is harmful and advises employers to provide free access to cool drinking water in order to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion and sun stroke.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) advise that hot weather means the body has to work harder to keep its core temperature at normal levels, and this puts extra strain on the heart, lungs and kidneys. This means people can be at greater risk if they have a heart condition. The BHF stress that it is particularly important to stay cool and hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to make up for the fact that people are sweating more than usual and stop your blood pressure from dropping too much.

The Union is seeking the agreement and support of Royal Mail in discharging fully its Health and Safety at Work duty of care to the outdoor workforce by ensuring that all Delivery Office Managers undertake Severe Weather Risk Assessments in hot, heatwave weather, in full consultation with our CWU Area Health and Safety Representatives. Where necessary Delivery Office Managers should make adjustments, modifications, reductions or cancellations to deliveries and they should follow the advice of the HSE.

Despite our representations there has unfortunately been little or no bottled water provision made for staff out on delivery in many units, even though Water Fountains being switched off (as a Covid-19 precaution) during the pandemic. The Union has been pressing Royal Mail for this to be addressed as a priority. In this regard further developments will be reported.

Branches and CWU Area Health & Safety Representatives are encouraged to make the necessary representations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our members at all times and especially during periods of extreme or severe weather conditions. In this respect if difficulties are encountered, these should be reported to CWU headquarters immediately.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey                  Mark Baulch                                       Dave Joyce
Acting DGS(P)             Assistant Secretary Outdoor         National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 422/20 – Phil Bentham, Postman, Barrow-in-Furness DO and Mark Cremer, Postman, Lancing DO – Recent Deaths

POST OFFICE: SUPPLY CHAIN – RELOCATION OF PORTSMOUTH CVIT UNIT

Branches are advised that the Post Office has announced this morning the relocation of the Portsmouth Supply Chain CViT Unit to Nursling industrial Estate near Southampton, impacting upon 14 employees. It is important to note there will not be any redundancies associated with the relocation and that the work will remain in-house with no outsourcing. In this regard, please see the attached Joint Statement.

Recent discussions have been held with Post Office management and we have been fully consulted on the move, which we believe to be positive for the following reasons:

• There are a number of serious Health & Safety concerns surrounding the Portsmouth site (the former RM Mail Centre which was vacated a number of years ago) due to the landlord falling behind on repairs. This has led to a full time H&S warden overseeing and trying to resolve the problems in the building in the interests of our members.

• Post Office management is led to believe the landlord has a strong desire for the Post Office to move out of the building as he has other development plans in mind. This has led to the lack of interest in fixing the problems within the building and the resultant H&S issues.

The new site is 22 miles west of the current location (a 30 minute drive from the Portsmouth Unit) and is currently used by Loomis – it will therefore be a shared site with Loomis. The Post Office has agreed that any Excess Travel Expenses will be paid to our members up to a ceiling of £20k in line with MtSF.

There is also a Crown Post Office situated within the same site as the Portsmouth CViT Depot. Seemingly this is not affected as part of the move and management have provided the following reassurance within the Joint Statement.

“This move will not affect the DMB operation currently housed at the site.”

Mole Meade, Postal Executive member and Rob Jones, Supply Chain Rep, are leading on this matter and will be engaging with the members throughout the consultation alongside Craig Dapson, Unit Rep. Rob has been to the Portsmouth depot this morning supporting the members and I am grateful for his assistance.

In conclusion, we fully support this positive move to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our members. We are pleased the Post Office has identified a new, much safer site within a reasonable travelling distance and that all parts of the process of moving will be conducted in line with MtSF.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

LTB 421/20 – Post Office – Supply Chain – Relocation of Portsmouth CViT Unit

HSE To Carry Out Welding Inspections To Check on Compliance With New Welding Fumes Controls Designed To Reduce Lung Cancer Risks:

The HSE has issued a reminder to all employers that they must protect their workers’ health by controlling the risks from welding fumes.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a programme of inspections in February this year which was interrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic. However, the intention now is to continue the programme as a key objective aimed at improving and maintaining health and safety standards and the HSE Field Operations Inspectors will review health and safety standards across the country, visiting businesses and encouraging employers to visit the ‘HSE Revised Guidance Website Pages’ to remind themselves of the changes to control standards.

HSE has stated that to protect workers’ health, employers must ensure they have adequate controls in place to avoid or reduce exposure to welding fumes. Employers should be using local exhaust ventilation where effective and provide suitable respiratory protective equipment where necessary to protect workers from inhaling fumes.

The HSE inspections follow a safety alert that was issued last year after new evidence showed that exposure to mild steel welding fumes can cause cancer and the HSE updated its guidance to reflect this.

Scientific evidence from the International Agency for Research on Cancer shows that exposure to mild steel welding fumes can cause lung cancer and possibly kidney cancer in humans.

The HSE has stated that employers and workers must know the risk. Welding work must be planned and the right controls used when welding activity is carried out. If they are not used, the HSE will use enforcement action against offenders to bring about improvements.

The HSE added that it is their mission that all workers are protected and are not made ill or killed by their work. Everyone should be able to leave work and go home healthy and safe. By law employers must protect their workers by controlling the health risks from welding fumes. This applies to specialist welders and workers who do some welding, no matter how small the amount.

A number of CWU members employed in various engineering functions use welding equipment, to which the new guidance is very relevant and applicable to their employers.

The HSE Welding Fumes Guidance is attached (with links to further detailed information).

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

20LTB419 HSE To Carry Out Welding Inspections To Check on Compliance With New Welding Fumes Controls Designed To Reduce Lung Cancer Risks

HSE – Welding Fumes Guidance