NHSBT National Organ Donation Week – 20th – 26th September 2021

Once again this year the CWU will be supporting the NHSBT (NHS Blood and Transplant) National Organ Donation Week.

The aim of the week is to ensure that the overwhelming public support for organ donation continues to grow and the NHS has more organs made available for transplants, so saving more lives.

NHS Blood and Transplant supports any initiative which leads to more organ donors and more lives being saved.

The NHSBT National Organ Donation Week – 20th – 26th September provides an excellent opportunity to support the campaign to continue to build the national conversation, awareness and support for organ donation, helping to make it a normal and expected part of end of life care.

Every day the nation needs donors to help those in desperate need of a transplant. NHSBT see the CWU as a valued partner and they need our ongoing support to help us promote the positive nature of organ donation and to reiterate the message that we support organ donation and want more people to act today by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register and telling their family they want to donate. NHSBT know from those that have supported organ donation that these conversations make it easier for grieving families at a difficult time.

Further information is available at the following NHSBT Website link: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/get-involved/organ-donation-campaigns/

The Organ Donation Law Across The UK and Crown Dependencies: 

Although the law on organ donation has changed in England, Scotland, Wales and Jersey plus it’s due to change in Northern Ireland, Guernsey and the Isle of Mann, individuals registering their wishes makes it easier for grieving families at a difficult time.

England

English organ donation law has changed. All adults in England are now considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

Wales

The legislation for Wales is ‘deemed consent’. This means that if you haven’t registered an organ and tissue donation decision, you will be considered to have no objection to becoming a donor.

Northern Ireland 

The current legislation for Northern Ireland is to opt in to organ and tissue donation; people can do this by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register and sharing the decision with their family. People can also record a decision not to be a donor. Following consideration of the issue, in 2020 the health minister announced his intention to pursue a change to an ‘opt-out system’ for organ donation, as is already seen in England, Scotland Wales and Jersey. A public consultation demonstrated widespread support for an opt-out system and in July 2021 the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill began the formal legislative process through the Northern Ireland Assembly.  If the bill proceeds successfully through the required stages, it is hoped it will receive Royal Assent before the end of the current government’s mandate in May 2022. At this point the bill would become an act but implementation of the new law would not take place until sometime later when public promotion and training have taken place.

Jersey

In April 2018 the Jersey States Assembly passed legislation that saw the island move towards a deemed consent, ‘opt out’ system as in England, Scotland and Wales. The new legislation took effect on 1st July 2019.

Guernsey

Guernsey currently has an ‘opt in’ system for organ and tissue donation which requires people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. However, Guernsey’s Human Tissue and Transplantation (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Legislation was enacted in May 2020, which will introduce a deemed consent ‘opt out’ system. The new law will not come in to force until an Ordinance has been passed, so the consent process in Guernsey remains one of ‘opt in’ for the time being.

Isle of Man

The current legislation in the Isle of Man is to ‘opt in’ to organ and tissue donation, by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register. However, In October 2020, Members of the House of Keys unanimously backed the Human Tissue and Organ Donation Bill 2020 which will change the system to ‘opt out’. The bill will now continue through the legislative processes before it can receive Royal Assent and be enacted.

NHSBT Organ Donation Week Campaign Guide:

For Organ Donation Week the NHSBT have said a key focus will be on paediatric donation and encouraging families to have the conversation and leave their loved ones certain about their organ donation wishes.

Further information can be found in the NHSBT Organ Donation Campaign Guide.  The guide includes:

• The recording of the NHSBT campaign briefing session
• Top tips on engaging with schools, including links to the resources and letter template
• How to get involved in the Heart Walk
• A guide for lighting up pink
• Key messages
• Resources – including how to create a QR code to measure your activity

The campaign guide is available at the following NHSBT Website link: https://sway.office.com/e9lnib4bbFV5Cjbk?ref=Link

Other resources are also available on request.

NHSBT Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Strategy (‘Organ Donation and Transplantation 2030: Meeting the Need’)

Recently published by NHSBT is the new ten‑year vision strategy for organ donation and transplantation in the United Kingdom. The Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation strategy combines the focus of previous strategies and sets out a ten-year vision for deceased and living donation and transplantation in the UK. It outlines the key areas that need to be addressed as the UK continues to save and improve more lives through organ donation and transplantation after 2020. It also sets out the actions to support and maximise the potential for living donation, as well as focusing on areas for research and innovation.

The Strategy reports that the last decade has seen significant progress in organ donation and transplantation in the UK, during which deceased organ donation rates have increased by 56%. Through the selflessness of organ donors and their families, combined with the generosity of living donors 56,000 patients are currently alive with a functioning transplant. These incredible achievements were made possible through the NHS and a commitment to deliver improvements.

There are still thousands on the transplant waiting list, and lives are lost every day, due to a lack of available organs. Organ Donation and Transplantation: Meeting the Need sets out the strategy for the next 10 years, to build on the successes of the past and deliver further improvements. The strategy will only be a success if it supports and benefits everyone in need of a transplant.

Whilst progress has been made, an unacceptably large number of people from a Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background still spend far too long on the transplant waiting list because of a lack of suitable organs. The strategy aims to do more to engage with the diverse populations across the UK, empowering them to lead the promotion of living and deceased organ donation.

One of the key foundations for Meeting the Need is the strength of the public support for organ donation. To reflect this support, three of the Governments in the UK have already changed the law on consent or authorisation for deceased donation to one of ‘opt out’, rather than ‘opt in’. The fourth has recently consulted on the change. The anticipation is that these law changes could lead to hundreds of additional lives saved or improved every year, through increasing the number of organs available for transplantation.

The challenge for the coming years is to make sure that the transplant service can keep pace with this increase. This strategy therefore sets out the aims to ensure that every organ that can be safely transplanted is used to save or improve someone’s life. It also sets out the actions to support and maximise the potential for living donation, which is vital for ensuring that as many people as possible receive the transplant they need.

Research and innovation are vital components of this strategy. The UK is a pioneer in developing and adopting new techniques and technology in donation and transplantation and will continue to look to the future and lead the way, so that the benefits of this strategy will be felt well beyond the next decade. The improvements of the last ten years have taken commitment, passion and hard work to deliver. There is no sign of this dedication to delivering improvements wavering. The actions set out in this strategy are ambitious, but through continuing to work together, even more lives will be saved every year through the gift of organ donation.

A copy of the Strategy Report (‘Organ Donation and Transplantation 2030: Meeting the Need’) is attached.

Organ Donation and Transplantation Strategy Webinar Recordings

Following the publication of the NHSBT Organ Donation and Transplantation Strategy, a series of webinars were organised in July to explain the Strategy. The Webinars also covered the Transplant Activity Report (TAR) and its headline figures.

The three webinars covered three areas and were:

• New NHSBT Strategy Webinar – This webinar focused on the transplantation aspects of the 2030 Strategy covering the vision for: living and deceased donor transplantation, organ utilisation, recipient outcomes and research and innovation.
• Deceased Donation Webinar – This webinar covered the current situation of deceased donation, the hopes for the next 10 years, and maximising donation potential.
• Stakeholders and Partners Webinar – This webinar is an introduction to the new 2030 Strategy for all of the NHSBT’s charity sector and organisational partners. It gave an overview of current UK donation and transplantation trends and focus on NHSBT’s priorities for the coming 10 years.

Each have broadly similar information but are focused on the needs of different audiences. The Webinar recordings can be accessed at the following link:https://sway.office.com/89ZSxxVy1r5DDGBb?ref=email

Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Minority Ethnic Transplant Activity Report

On the 19th of August, a new report was published by NHS Blood and Transplant that showed the impact of Covid-19 on organ donation and transplantation amongst Black, Asian and Mixed Race and Minority Ethnic patients, and in particular the effects of a reduction in living donation.

NHSBT have published this supplementary report on the Organ Donation Website alongside the Transplant Activity Report, published earlier this year. The report outlines how the pandemic has had a significant impact on the numbers of living donor kidney transplants that could be performed, and as a result, the number of life-changing transplants, able to take place.

While 444 patients were able to receive a transplant from a living donor over the year – an extraordinary achievement in the midst of a pandemic – this was still a drop of 58% compared to the previous year.

NHSBT ran a webinar that covered:

• An overview of the key stats from the report, a reflection of the activity delivered over the last year to engage diverse audiences.
• NHSBT approach for the year ahead.
• An overview of NHSBT community investment scheme for living donation.

The Webinar recordings can be accessed at the following link: – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m7zHFO0utGbU1LV1UCayN15wDtZYdQKm/view

A copy of the NHSBT Organ and Transplantation data for Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities Report for 2020/21 is attached.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 379/21 – NHSBT National Organ Donation Week – 20th – 26th September 2021

Att: organ-donation–transplantation-meeting-the-need-2030-NHSBT-Strategy

Att: bame-transplant-activity-report-2020_2021

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Pathway to Change Agreement – Culture and the Interim Trust Survey Headline Results

Further to LTB 319/21 that was circulated on 4^th August 2021 Branches will recall that the next phase of the interim Trust Survey commenced on 16^th August 2021 for the North West England, Home Counties North, East and North Scotland and South Wales SDL areas.  Two small managerial areas also took part in the survey.

The headline results were supplied to the DGS(P) Department on 31^st August 2021 following the closure of the interim survey the day before and are attached for the information of Branches and Representatives. These were also shared and discussed at the Culture Main Negotiating Group meeting on 1^st September 2021 and at the Postal Executive on 7^th September 2021.  The overall return rate for this interim survey was 66% compared to the previous Big Trust Survey of 48%.  In terms of the actual trust score which is based on five particular questions, this was 70%.

Branches will be aware that as a move towards improving culture and the working environment, the Union has highlighted the need for action plans to be agreed in each workplace in order to address the issues that have been raised together with agreed definitive timelines for resolution.  To date the feedback from the field has been mixed in relation to the number of action plans that have been agreed by SDL (or equivalent) area.  In an attempt to address this matter Branches will recall that two questions were asked as part of the interim Trust Survey regarding the level of awareness that agreed action plans exist as well as how many people thought progress was being made against the action plan.  The headline results from the first interim survey illustrate that this is 67% and 87% respectively across the returns from the areas that took part.

Whilst the level of consciousness about agreed action plans may be seen as a positive, this figure means that around a third of those who took part in the survey are not aware of an action plan in their unit or on their particular shift.  There is also an obvious lack of information from those who didn’t return the survey.

The detailed unit by unit figures within the four SDL areas that took part in the interim trust survey have been received in the DGS(P) Department.  These will now be circulated to the relevant Divisional Representatives and the Postal Executive member attached to each of the Divisions in question.  This data will be able to be used to inform meetings at a Divisional level and can then be broken down and supplied to the appropriate Area Representatives to use in talks with their managerial counterpart.  The provision of these figures will help to ensure that joint remedial action can be planned for those units who have no agreed action plan or are failing to make progress in meeting the timelines for resolving issues that have been raised.

In line with our current policies this will then start to provide a structured approach towards ensuring that local CWU Representatives are empowered to conclude agreements that improve the workplace culture.

The DGS(P) Department is currently in dialogue with the company in order to arrange a presentation to the Divisional Representatives who cover the four SDL areas where the interim survey was held together with their managerial interfaces.  Both parties then have the relevant background headline material to enable them to shape their own joint initiatives in the field.  The intention will be to repeat this after future interim survey results are returned from additional SDL areas and Business units.

The next interim survey is to commence on 13^th September 2021 to those in Northern Ireland and West Scotland, Yorkshire, Essex and Anglia, Home Counties South and Fleet and Engineering.  It will be interesting to see how the results from these areas and business units compare to the previous Big Trust Survey when considering the overall picture and strategy going forward.

Branches will be aware that the Trust Survey by itself is not the panacea to resolving every cultural issue.  The results do however provide an indicator as to what is wrong in each particular workplace or shift and in tandem with an agreed action plan can help in the process of making things better.

As previously advised, Postal Executive members Shelley Banbury and Katrina Quirke continue to meet with management on a weekly basis and are currently in discussions around additional function specific questions that can be asked concerning the correct implementation of our national agreements.  Once such questions have been agreed and incorporated this will also provide useful additional information that can then be utilised to drive further improvements to culture and the working environment in line with the joint commitments in our national agreements.

There is also time for the Union to jointly shape the question set for the next national Big Trust Survey that is due to be launched towards the end of March 2022.

Finally, I would like to thank all Representatives for ensuring that our members have become involved in the Trust Survey questionnaires and please be assured that the matters raised will be addressed.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)     

LTB 378/21 – Pathway to Change Agreement – Culture and the Interim Trust Survey Headline Results

Attachment to LTB 378/21 – Trust Check-in_August_Headline Results

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 013) – Reversing Vehicles:

Audience:

All Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail, Parcelforce, RMSS, RMPFS etc.,) drivers.

Overview and Background:

Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Group have issued ‘Safety Flash’, number FY21 013, (copy attached), which urgently reinforces the important message to all drivers of the vital need for care and safety requirements when reversing a vehicle in order to prevent future, similar accidents.

Description, Issue, Impact and Effect:

An accident recently occurred when a Royal Mail van reversed from a delivery point into a nearby side road. After delivering a parcel to an elderly woman customer, the driver was unaware and did not see the elderly customer leave the house and walk behind the van, as it was reversing. The van struck, knocked down and injured the victim who sustained multiple injuries, including a broken nose, 2 fractured fingers and was hospitalised.

The driver relied on the van side mirrors but did not follow the ‘GOAL’ (Get Out And Look) principles. The victim was hospitalised with serious multiple injuries.

Key Management Activities, Learning Points and Messages to Drivers:

• Communicate, brief staff and display the SHE Safety Flash on the SHE notice board.
• Remind Drivers of ‘GOAL’ – ‘Get Out And Look’.
• Avoid reversing where possible.
• If unable to avoid reversing, walk past the rear of your vehicle when getting in, to identify any hazards.
• Turn off the radio and wind down the driver’s window to listen out for potential hazards.
• Check the mirrors whilst undertaking the reversing manoeuvre and keep listening.
• Reverse slowly.
• If a hazard is heard or seen, or if the driver is unsure if the way is clear, stop the vehicle and ‘Get Out And Look’ (GOAL) completing a check around the vehicle.

Attachment:

• Copy of RMG SHE Safety Flash FY21 013.

Conclusion – Key Activity – Unit PiC Action Required

Unit PICs to ensure the SHE Flash is cascaded/briefed/shared with all drivers and is clearly displayed in key locations.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 377/21 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 013) – Reversing Vehicles

Att: SHE Flash FY21 013 Reversing Vehicles

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 012) – Double Deck Trailers Load Restraint Straps Safe Stowage:

Audience:

All Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail and Parcelforce) staff who operate, drive, load and unload ‘Double Deck Trailers (DDTs).

Overview and Background:

Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Group have issued ‘Safety Flash’, number FY21 012, (copy attached), which urgently advises all staff who operate, drive, load and unload ‘Double Deck Trailers’ to adhere to the DDT Safe System of Work (SSoW) and to ensure correct and safe stowage of straps/buckles and that all damaged straps are replaced.

Description, Issue, Impact and Effect:

Load restraint straps not correctly stowed away can become entangled in the moving, upper deck, causing significant damage to the trailer and straps and buckles, preventing safe use of the trailer and leading to damaged trailers being removed from service, failing services and costly repairs/downtime.

Key Management Activities, Learning Points and Messages to Drivers:

• Communicate and display the SHE Safety Flash on the SHE notice board.
• Straps not correctly secured after use can become entangled in the moving upper deck, significantly damaging vehicle.
• When releasing a load restraint strap, stow it away correctly to prevent it becoming entangled in the moving deck.
• The trailer moving deck is designed to lift 12t in weight, if a strap is entangled it can rip the load restraint out of the floor anchor point, causing the deck to tilt and damage.
• Stow straps away correctly to prevent entanglement in the moving deck.
• Report defective straps for their replacement.
• Ensure vehicle maintenance checks importantly identify damaged straps requiring replacement.

Attachment:

• Copy of RMG SHE Safety Flash FY21 012.

Conclusion – Key Activity – Unit PiC Action Required

Unit PICs to ensure the SHE Flash is cascaded/briefed/shared with all DDT drivers, loaders/unloaders and is clearly displayed in key locations.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 376/21 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 012) – Double Deck Trailers Load Restraint Straps Safe Stowage

Att: SHE Flash FY21 012 DD Trailer Strap Stowage

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 011) – Vehicle Breakdown and Recovery Operations – Falls From Height Injury Accident Risks:

Audience:

All Royal Mail Group drivers.

Overview and Background:

Royal Mail Group Safety Health and Environment Group have issued ‘Safety Flash’, number FY21 011, (copy attached), which urgently advises all drivers with a broken down vehicle NOT to participate in the recovery operation which must be left to the trained recovery vehicle crew, in order to avoid accidents whereby drivers risk falls from height, either from the broken down vehicle cab once it has been either driven or winched on to the vehicle transporter/ recovery truck or from the elevated recovery vehicle platform/bed.

Description and Issue:

RMG drivers (Royal Mail, Parcelforce, RMSS, RMP&FS etc.,) must not drive defective vehicles on/off vehicle recovery/transporters. The defective vehicle should be placed onto the recovery transporter vehicle by the recovery agent’s staff. No assistance should be given by driving or steering the defective vehicle on or off the transporter. The ‘Mandatory’ Safe Systems of Work must be followed at all times by drivers.

Impact and Effect:

Fall from height injuries which can be serious.

Key Management Activities, Learning Points and Messages to Drivers:

• Communicate and display the SHE Safety Flash on the SHE notice board.
• In the event of a broken down, immobilised vehicle that requires recovery by a vehicle transporter – falls from height must be prevented.
• Never drive the defective vehicle on or off the recovery vehicles.
• Never assist in steering a defective vehicle on/off the transporter – keep clear.
• Never climb onto the bed of the recovery vehicle – only recovery crew should undertake such tasks.
• Only trained recovery agents should load and unload casualty vehicles.
• All drivers must adhere to the RMG Driving SSOW and PFW OFS-001_02c SSOW on Collection and Delivery Work.
• Be aware when climbing on board breakdown/recovery vehicles. When climbing the cab steps, this should be undertaken using 3 points of contact and different makes of vehicle may have more steps than are found on the RMG fleet vehicles.

Attachment:

• Copy of RMG SHE Safety Flash FY21 011.

Conclusion – Key Activity – Unit PiC Action Required

Unit PICs to ensure the SHE Flash is cascaded/briefed/shared with all drivers and is clearly displayed in key locations.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 375/21 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash (FY21 011) – Vehicle Breakdown and Recovery Operations – Falls From Height

Att: SHE Flash FY21 011 Vehicle Breakdown

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Postal Department Industrial Training Update

Further to LTB 330/21 circulated on 11^th August 2021, Branches will recall that following Covid the database of industrial tutors required updating. Current tutors were requested to confirm that they are happy to continue to deliver this industrial training and further volunteers were also asked to register their interest.

The attached document lists the trainers, who provided this information to the DGS(P) Department by close of play on Friday 3^rd September 2021. They are divided into three categories corresponding to the three main courses previously held –  Conduct, Attendance and Industrial Relations Training.

Branches will also appreciate that in order to stress test the revised Industrial Relations Framework containing the recent changes to the Dispute Resolution Process from the Pathway to Change national agreement, pilot courses will now be held as well. These are scheduled to take place later this month, after which the course material will be evaluated. Once that process is complete, the intention will be to hold a ‘Train the Trainer’ event in October, for the tutors listed to deliver this particular course. The date(s) for this session will be circulated in due course.

Although the Postal Executive are conscious of the increasing demand for face to face training, it remains important for this to be completed as safely as possible and with the most up to date material available. Once the tutors have been trained, we will be able to roll out the revised Industrial Relations Framework training package to new Reps at pace and hopefully equip them to develop solutions to issues that arise in their workplace.

The Postal Department Education and Training Sub-Committee, including members from the Equality, Education and Development Department, will continue to meet to consider potential changes that need to be incorporated in both the Conduct and Attendance training, in light of the current talks on policy under paragraph 2.9 of the Pathway to Change national agreement. Further updates will be provided on this particular aspect of the Postal Department industrial training portfolio in due course.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

LTB 374/21 – Postal Department Industrial Training Update

LTB 374/21 – Attachment – Postal Department Industrial Training (download)

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Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (Version 8)

Further to LTB No. 222/2021, Royal Mail Group informed CWU/HQ that following the substantial changes to and removal of Covid-Secure restrictions by the UK Governments (in England – week commencing 19 July 2021, Northern Ireland – 26 July 2021, Wales – 7 August 2021 and Scotland – 9 August 2021), as reported in other Letters to Branches, the previous Coronavirus Q&A series of updates were ceased by Royal Mail Group and following a review of the content, Coronavirus Q&A documents have been re-started from issue 1 and so on.

I attach for your information Version 8 of the Royal Mail Group, Managers’ Coronavirus/Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance document, issued by the business on 18 August 2021.

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

The Coronavirus Guidance, Version 8 Q&A document has been shared with the Union’s Health, Safety & Environment Department and is hereby circulated for information and reference purposes for CWU Regions, Health and Safety Reps, Branch Reps, Divisional IR Reps and members.

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 on the RMG Coronavirus portal.

Contents List: 

1. Shared Vans
2. Social Distancing
3. Face Coverings
4. Self-Isolation, Testing, Vulnerable Colleagues and Enforcement Visits
5. Cleaning, Facilities & CSP Cash Handling

Any enquiries regarding this LTB or feedback on the RMG Q&A document should be directed to Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer. Issues received in connection with the attached which are appropriate to other CWU/HQ Departments will be passed on by the appropriate National Officer.

Attachment:

• RMG Coronavirus Guidance Questions and Answers V8

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 373/21 – Royal Mail Group – Latest Updated Coronavirus Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Guidance Document (V8)

Att: Coronavirus Guidance Questions v8

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CIR Business Awards – Royal Mail Group – Winners of ‘Resilient Workforce Award’ 2021 – In Recognition of The Amazing Response Of The Workforce In The UK Postal Service Operation During The Covid-19 Pandemic:

Royal Mail Group have won the ‘Resilient Workforce Award 2021’ at the CIR Annual Business Awards.  This new award category recognises the company’s most important asset – its workforce. The judges looked for evidence of business continuity practices that put people at the heart of the organisation’s continuity planning as well as demonstrating involvement, communications and the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding the workforce, as a vital asset.

Royal Mail Group entered the ‘Resilient Workforce Award’ to recognise the amazing response of the workforce in the UK Postal Service operation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Royal Mail Group was recognised for the collective response of the employer, trade unions and workforce, working through the Covid-19 pandemic as a UK essential service over the last 18 months.

The CIR Business Awards – ‘Resilient Workforce Award’ 2021 was awarded to Royal Mail Group at a ceremony held at the central London Marriot Hotel Conference Suite. Freddie Warnock, Royal Mail Group’s Head of Safety Operations received the award with representatives from the trade unions invited to be present.

Post Presentation Comments:

Dr Shaun Davis RMG Global Director Safety, Health, Wellbeing, Compliance and Sustainability said “The Award highlighted the trust that was built as the business responded to the challenges of Covid to keep our people safe as we continued to deliver for the nation.”

Dave Joyce CWU National Health and Safety Officer said, “I’m delighted to see some well-deserved public recognition of the heroic commitment and dedication of UK front line CWU grade postal workers in Royal Mail and Parcelforce – in keeping the country connected and resiliently maintaining the postal service during the Covid-19 pandemic by delivering for the nation, not only a normal service but one which saw record levels of traffic passing through our network. The country, the Government and the NHS depended on us and we delivered, proving that Royal Mail is the best in the world. I would personally like to dedicate this award to those colleagues who were Covid victims and are sadly no longer with us.”

Gary Sassoon-Hales NEC Unite/CMA said “The award was a fantastic recognition of the contribution made by everyone in Royal Mail.”

Jeff Lewis RMG Head of Business Protection said “It was great to win which helps to further build Royal Mail’s reputation for our operational resilience.”

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 372/21 – CIR Business Awards – Royal Mail Group – Winners of ‘Resilient Workforce Award’ 2021

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Gas Safety Week 13-19 September 2021:

The CWU is proud to again be supporting Gas Safety Week this year, 2021. The eleventh 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 2021 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 2021 

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 371/21 – Gas Safety Week 13-19 September 2021

Att: Gas Safe Week 2021 A5 Postcard Leaflet

Att: Gas Safe Week 2021 A3 Poster

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