Royal Mail Property Facilities and Solution: Changes to Senior Leadership Team

We attach for the information of Branches a communication issued by Martin Gafsen Group Director of Property and Facilities Solutions concerning changes to the senior leadership team, issued last week.

The changes to the senior management team have no immediate effect on CWU represented grades. It is understood that the integration of management of Hard FM (engineering) and Soft FM (cleaning) will be extended to regional level as part of these changes but there will be no immediate changes to the direct management of CWU represented grades.

Any enquiries regarding the content of this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS Department, quoting reference number 320: email khawkins@cwu.org or to the Outdoor Department quoting reference 120: email address: outdoorsecretary@cwu.org.

Yours Sincerely,

Ray Ellis – Assistant Secretary                                    

Mark Baulch – Assistant Secretary          

Attachment 1 – 19LTB059 – Royal Mail Property Facilities and Solution – Changes to Senior Leadership Team

Attachment 2 – Royal Mail Comms

CWU Womens’ Conference Motion – Female Facilities in BT

In October 2018 LTB 608/2018 was issued that reported to Branches of the BTP&FS programme to improve female facilities in the 172 sites where there are currently female engineers.

I have now received an update of that programme which is being driven locally by FSMs. I attach for information the list of the 172 sites where the toilet refresh is taking place.

Whilst the refresh programme started later than anticipated and funds have been secured to finish all sites with work ongoing into the next financial year.

I have recently received a number of queries regarding closure of toilets and after making further representation on this, management continue to state that are no closure of toilets, however in some cases there will be some consolidation to a unisex block of toilets but each case will be different.  Where there is consolidation, the walls in each cubicle will be floor to ceiling and have robust locks.

If you have questions in relation to the LTB please address these to Sally Bridge, National Officer sabridge@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

Sally Bridge

National Officer                        

LTB 058.2018

LTB 058.2019 Attachment 1

CWU Women’s & LGBT Conferences 2019 – Social Events

Please note that the social events for the above Conferences will be taking place as follows:

1. CWU Women’s Conference – Social

Tuesday 5^th February 2019 at the Liner Hotel, Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool L3 5QB

The evening is entitled ‘Nightcap with the WAC’, which will be a networking opportunity prior to Conference, particularly for the assistance of first time attendees.  The event will be held in the hotel bar area from 7pm onwards.

2. CWU LGBT Conference Social 

Wednesday 6^th February 2019 at Ma Egerton’s Stage Door, 9 Pudsey Street, Liverpool L1 1JA

The pub is approximately 1 minute away from the Liner Hotel and has been booked from 7.30pm – 10pm.

We would welcome and encourage you to attend the Conference social events, as it will be an opportunity to network and bond with the WAC/LGBTAC and other delegates prior to Conference.

Yours sincerely

Trish Lavelle

Assistant Secretary

19LTB052

Building A Safer Future’ – Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety (The Hackitt Review Final Report) and Government Response & Implementation Plan

Introduction:

LTB 304/18 dated 21 May 2018 reported on the publication of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety announced by government in July 2017 following the Grenfell Tower Fire tragedy and was led by former HSE Chair Dame Judith Hackitt. Its purpose was to make recommendations that will ensure a sufficiently robust regulatory system for the future. It examined building and fire safety regulations and related compliance and enforcement with the focus on multi-occupancy high-rise residential buildings. An interim report was published on 18 December 2017 and the final report was published on 17 May 2018. Last month the government published its response to the report and stated that it will implement all the recommendations outlined in the Hackitt review as part of a tougher regulatory system for building safety.

The changes will create a stronger and more effective regulatory framework to improve building safety. This will mean tougher sanctions for those who disregard residents’ safety, more rigorous standards and guidance for those undertaking building work, and a stronger voice for residents.

Government Response – Implementation Plan:

The plans outlined on 18 December explain how the government will implement the recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt in her review of building regulations and fire safety published following the Grenfell Tower fire. “Building a Safer Future” commits the government to a programme of reform over the coming years which will:

• Take forward all of the recommendations in the Hackitt review
• Create a more effective regulatory and accountability framework to provide greater oversight of the industry
• Introduce clearer standards and guidance, including establishing a new Standards Committee to advise on construction product and system standards and regulations
• Put residents at the heart of the new system of building safety, empowering them with more effective routes for engagement and redress
• Help to create a culture change and a more responsible building industry, from design, through to construction and management

The government will establish the Joint Regulators’ Group to trial elements of a new regulatory system ahead of any new proposed legislation. The group will bring existing regulatory bodies together to work with developers and building owners, as well as seeking input from residents and tenants, to develop and test new approaches that may later feature in legislation.

In addition to setting out its plans to implement the changes called for by Dame Judith Hackitt, a full review of fire safety guidance within building regulations has also been launched. The government has issued a ‘call for evidence’ that will gather expert advice on the full range of fire safety issues to enable guidance to be revised.

The government is also inviting views from residents and those who manage buildings on how to improve fire and structural safety. Residents and building owners are invited to identify the best ways of working together to meet safety responsibilities and to share existing good practice.

The government statement said that there is nothing more important than being safe in your own home and the government is determined to improve building safety. The plan for stronger, tougher rules will make sure there is no hiding place for those who flout building safety rules. By making people responsible and more accountable for safety, the government will create a more rigorous system so residents will always have peace of mind that they are safe in their own homes.

The Hackitt Review Key Recommendations:

• A new regulatory framework focused, in the first instance, on multi-occupancy higher risk residential buildings (HRRBs) that are 10 storeys or more in height;
• A new Joint Competent Authority (JCA) comprising Local Authority Building Standards, fire and rescue authorities and the Health and Safety Executive to oversee better management of safety risks in these buildings (through safety cases) across their entire life cycle;
• A mandatory incident reporting mechanism for dutyholders with concerns about the safety of a HRBB;
• A set of rigorous and demanding dutyholder roles and responsibilities to ensure a stronger focus on building safety;
• A series of robust gateway points to strengthen regulatory oversight that will require dutyholders to show to the JCA that their plans are detailed and robust;
• A stronger change control process that will require robust record-keeping by the dutyholder of all changes made to the detailed plans previously signed off by the JCA;
• A single, more streamlined, regulatory route to oversee building standards as part of the JCA to ensure that regulatory oversight of these buildings is independent from clients, designers and contractors and that enforcement can and does take place where necessary;
• More rigorous enforcement powers. A wider and more flexible range of powers will be created to focus incentives on the creation of reliably safe buildings from the outset. This also means more serious penalties for those who choose to place residents at risk;
• Clearer rights and obligations for residents to maintain the fire safety of individual dwellings;
• A regulator for the whole of the building (the JCA) in relation to fire and structural safety in occupation; and
• A more effective testing regime for cladding with clearer labelling and product transparency

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB051 Building A Safer Future – Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety

Building-A-Safer-Future – (Hackitt Review) Implementation Plan – Governm.._

Building-a-Safer-Future – Hackitt Review of Building Regs Fire Safety .._

Royal Mail Group (RMG) – Annual Property Inspections (API)/Building Risk Assessments (BRA) Surveys – New Site Log Book Deployment Update

This update is for the attention of Area and Workplace Health and Safety Representatives regarding the new Royal Mail Site Log Book (SLB) deployment of which began in October 2018.

To date over 403 Site Log Books have been replaced by Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions (RMP&FS) as part of the Annual Property Inspection (API)/Building Risk Assessment (BRA) Survey programme with a new condensed, easier to read and use, modern version SLB. The Site Log Book and PiC Handbook have been reviewed in conjunction with each other and duplication removed.

National Design Consultancy (NDC) has been commissioned by Royal Mail Group Property Holdings & Facilities Solutions (RMP&FS) to carry out an Annual Property Inspection/Building Risk Assessment (BRA) Survey at each site. This survey forms part of Royal Mail’s rolling programme of Building Surveys.

1600 RMG sites will get a new version of the Site Log Book (SLB) during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 API programme. The old SLB had 6 volumes and 187 pages. In the new version, this has been reduced to 1 volume and 48 pages.

The National Design Consultancy (NDC), will visit approximately 10 sites per week and will brief the Person in Control (PiC), taking them through the whole process and explaining the changes, removing the old Site Log Book (SLB), sending this to archives and replacing the old version with a new modern version.

So far this has been very well received with positive feedback. All sites will have the new site logs books in place by the end of September 2019.

Attached for your information are the forms of communications sent to PiC’s. All PiC’s are expected to complete the hazard control sheet in advance of the API/SLB deployment.

The attachments include copies of the following communications, documents, briefings and associated materials being communicated across Royal Mail Group and to all Persons in Control (PiCs) ahead of the forthcoming planned site visits; e.g. PiC Briefs, instructions, procedures and deployment processes. For your information. They are:-

• Letter to PiC’s to inform them of the Annual Property/Site Compliance Inspection (API visit) and New Site Log Book(SLB) deployment. (NOTE: Prior to the API. PiCs are requested to (a) complete a Hazard Control Sheet, (b) check that the latest Fire Risk Assessment Review document is available within the website records (c) check that the Premises Fire Evacuation Plan is available within the website records and (d) during the visit PiCs will be asked to complete an Environmental Legal Register.
• API mailshot – Announcing that the Annual Property Inspection (API) is now due and a letter is being issued to site PiC outlining the arrangements for the visit. Ahead of the API/BRA Survey/SLB change over visit the PiC must download and complete a new Hazard Control Sheet in advance of the visit, placing one copy in the SLB and sending one copy to the National Design Consultancy (NDC).
• Annual Property Inspection/Building Risk Assessment/Site Log Book Deployment Plan Monitor with dates – October 2018 – September 2019.
• New SLB Deployment Procedure.
• Ops Briefing on “New Site Log Book Deployment” – For information and cascade.All Area Health and Safety Representatives will be fully consulted and involved locally with the Annual Property/Site Compliance Inspection/Building Risk Assessment visits and Site Log Book Change Over process and can attend by making local arrangements with the PiC/SHE Advisor.

If PiCs have any issues, concerns or questions ASRs should direct them to Mr. Gurkan Hasan Implementation Manager RM Property Risk, Compliance & Assurance Email: gurkan.hasan@royalmail.com Mobile: 07736 786704

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB053 Royal Mail Group (RMG) – Annual Property Inspections

API Letter of Authority 2018-19 r1

API Mailshot

Copy of API SLB Monitor _Deployment plan Oct 2018_Sept 19

Deployment Procedures for new SLBs Rev2

Ops Briefing_New Site Log Book Deployment_Sept v1 2018 (FINAL)

Site Log Book Slide PAck Briefing & Background v1 Jan 2019 Update

Template For API Letter incl. SLB Mailshot_27-12-18 – Copy

I am also pleased that at long last we have managed to get the subject matter on to the floor of the House of Commons and from here the objective will be to widen the Campaign within the Houses of Parliament and schedule meetings with ministers to take the Campaign forward.

Finally, I wish to add that I have recently received a huge level of correspondence and support from Labour MPs and MPs from all Political Parties as well as local Council Politicians where we are also campaigning locally.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB054 CWU Low Level Letter Box Campaign – BBC Breakfast Programme Tuesday 29 January 2019