The HSE Post Implementation Review of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012:
To: All Branches 
Dear Colleagues, 
Background:
This is a review carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that is required by regulation 35 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The review examines whether the regulations have been, and continue to be, the most effective means of minimising Asbestos exposure to workers and the public arising from work on buildings that contain Asbestos.
The purpose of a post implementation review (PIR) is to evaluate the existing regulatory framework, rather than to examine government policy regarding Asbestos.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) set minimum standards for the protection of employees and others from the risks related to exposure to Asbestos.

The HSE statistics state that on average, twenty workers die every week from Asbestos related diseases, including construction workers, carpenters, electricians, facilities maintenance workers, painters and decorators etc, all of whom could come into contact with deadly Asbestos as they go about their day-to-day work.

Asbestos can be found in walls, ceilings, fabric or structure of a building, as well as a host of other places like floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roof panels, wall boards, roof spaces, lagging, insulation, boilers, boiler rooms, heating systems, toilet cisterns, guttering soffits etc. It can be disturbed by basic maintenance work like drilling holes and sanding and once disturbed, the microscopic fibres can be lethal if breathed in, causing lung disease and cancer.

Report Conclusions Summary:
The report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) highlights the positive impact and influence of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR2012) on workplace Asbestos control and safety as well as an estimate that the financial benefit of the impact of the Regulations has been £28.8 Billion.
The Post Implementation Review reinforces the extent to which the regulations have achieved their initial objectives and assesses the costs and benefits that might be attributed to them.
In this respect the review provides an interesting evaluation of how the legislation has been implemented and an indication of how the regulations are working.
Overall the report demonstrates how CAR2012 has met its objectives and has helped to achieve a high level of compliance. The report also contains an interesting cost benefit analysis and an economic evaluation of the measures designed to prevent exposure to Asbestos fibres in the workplace.
Analysis carried out by HSE epidemiologists estimates that the fall in exposure to Asbestos between 1980 (the rough date of introduction of Asbestos control measures) and 2015 will lead to 25,700 fewer deaths from mesothelioma and lung cancer in the 100 years between 2001 and 2100. 
By applying HSE estimates of the costs to society of work-related cancer, the report calculates that by preventing this number of cancer cases, the present value of the benefits of the regulations to society is £20.9 billion. In addition, taking into account the time lag and legacy health effects associated with asbestos diseases, when this scenario is rolled forward to cover the 2016 – 2115 period, the benefit value rises to £28.8 billion. 
Although the report points out that not all of these prevented deaths can be attributed to the regulations, the figures nevertheless provide a clear indication of the scale of the considerable impact that regulations have had in controlling workplace exposures far more successfully than in the past. 
Moreover this positive influence is particularly emphasised when the benefits are measured in relation to the compliance costs for business, which the reports puts at hundreds of millions of pounds each year or as high single billions over the 100 year, 2016 – 2115 period. 
The research, analysis and evidence discussed in the review therefore provides the unequivocal conclusion that CAR2012 has met its objectives and has helped to achieve improving level of compliance. 
This progress will have also obviously been assisted by an increasing number of cases prosecuted by the HSE and Local Authorities as well as Government moves via the Sentencing Council to increase many of the maximum fines available to the Courts, as well as making imprisonment for offenders more widely available. 
Report Recommendations:
As a result of the overall findings by the HSE, the report recommends that that no major amendments are required to the provisions of CAR2012 and that the regulations successfully strengthen the protection given to those who might otherwise be exposed to fibres from Asbestos containing materials (ACMs). 
However, the report does highlight some areas where it says that minor improvements might be introduced including exploring the possibility of changing the frequency of medical examinations for those undertaking licensed asbestos work, from every two years to every three years. Something the Trade Union will not support.
In addition, it is suggested that greater clarity around the distinction between licensable, non-licensable and notifiable work with Asbestos would be an advantage, as would better information on the responsibilities of duty holders in non-domestic premises and the provision of practical examples of written work plans.
Overall, whilst improvements would undoubtedly provide some welcome clarifications going forward, the firm outcome of the HSE review is that CAR 2012 continues to provide a robust and effective regulatory framework that is effectively protecting workers from the risks associated with exposure to Asbestos fibres.
TUC Response:
Although the TUC and all UK Unions welcome the retention of the Regulations that we helped to shape, the TUC has labelled the HSE’s Post Implementation Review report as being ‘complacent’. The opportunity to look at the possible effect of improving controls has been missed completely. The proposal to reduce the frequency of the legally required medical examinations of those undertaking the highest risk ‘licensed’ work from every two to three years is seen by the TUC and all the UK Trade Unions as unjustified and irresponsible.
A key concern is the repeated statement in the HSE document that the 5,000 UK deaths a year linked to Asbestos are the result of past exposures when the carcinogen was “less well-regulated than today”. The fact is that there is clearly an ongoing high level of under-reporting of Asbestos exposure as many workers are not likely to be aware of their exposures as was confirmed in a previous 2014 HSE survey (see summary attached).
The TUC, CWU and all UK Unions policy is that employers should be required to remove the millions of tons of Asbestos that is still in place in Workplaces, including schools. Asbestos can be found in millions of workplaces and homes. Over 50,000 people have died in the UK from Mesothelioma as a result of Asbestos exposure, tens of thousands more have died from lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases. Tens of thousands more will die because of past exposure. How many more will die over and above that will depend on what we do from now, going forward. The fact that government and regulators see the status quo as the best option is a damning indictment of the UK health and safety system. 
HSE Asbestos Information:
A new HSE web app can be downloaded at:- www.beware-asbestos.info/news and further information on Asbestos is available on the HSE’s special Asbestos Website pages at:-www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos. 
Attachments:
• Copy of the HSE “The Post Implementation Review of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012).
• Copy of the HSE Survey of Tradespeople undertaken by Censuswide on Asbestos Knowledge (2014).
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 437/17 The HSE Post Implementation Review of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Post Implementation Review

HSE Survey of Tradespeople

CWU Four Pillars of Security Campaign – Bulletin No. 9
Further to LTB 417/17, attached is Bulletin No. 9 concerning the Four Pillars of Security campaign.
The attached Bulletin has also been shared with Divisional, Regional and Area Representatives – as will all future Bulletins.
As previously advised, it is imperative that every Branch ensures that each Bulletin is forwarded to Unit/Local/Shift Representatives via email and if necessary by physical means without delay.
The co-operation and assistance of all Branches in this regard is greatly appreciated.
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)
Email Attachments – Click to download
·   LTB 434/17 – CWU Four Pillars of Security Campaign – Bulletin No. 9
·   Attachment 1 to LTB 434/17 – CWU Four Pillars of Security Campaign – Bulletin No. 9

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Some pictures from another successful Four Pillars meeting held this time at Boston Delivery Office.

RMG Road Safety Communications Campaign July 2017 – Safety First – Driver Distractions – WTLL Message on PDA Sat/Nav Function Correction:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
This LTB is being issued as an update to LTB 394/17.
The Road Safety – Fatal Distraction Campaign Week original WTLL issued to the field (copy attached to LTB394/17) states in the 'Actions' section, under 'Using a PDA', that "The satellite navigation function must not be used." This is an error by RMG that has now been corrected after being raised by the CWU. A revised, updated version 2 of the WTLL has now been issued and which states “Do not operate the Sat/Nav function whilst driving”. See copy attached.
The RMG National Road Safety Manager has confirmed that this has been picked up and an amended wording was uploaded to the WTLL database (see attached). The PDA Sat/Nav function can be used, but must not be operated whilst driving.
There have been a handful of queries, which have been responded to directly to clarify. The RMG Regional SHE field teams have been informed of the error and circulated with the amended WTLL so that they can deal with any queries.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

Attachment 1 – LTB431/17 RMG Road Safety Communications Campaign July 2017 – Safety First – Driver Distractions – WTLL Message on PDA Sat/Nav Function Correction:

Attachment 2 – WTLL – Road Safety Fatal Distraction campaign

Work Time Listening and Learning (WTLL) Sessions – Safety Messages & Maximum Number of Items:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
During recent joint Royal Mail Group (RMG)/CWU Joint Safety Campaign Weeks on Dangerous Dogs, Fire and Road/Driver Safety, an important part of each campaign week is obviously ‘joint communications’ and the subject matter headlining WTLL workforce briefings. A number of ASRs have pointed out that the WTLL sessions have at times been swamped with a number of subjects to the extent that safety messages are being lost in the morass.
The issue has been raised with RMG Comms and a positive response has been received which is summarised as follows:-
• RM Comms have taken the ASRs feedback on board.
• WTLLs will be limited to 3 items per week to ensure managers and consequently CWU members aren’t bombarded with heavy content and key messages aren’t lost.
• The vast majority of the time, one of the 3 items will be a safety brief.
• Any overload is coming from local level and should be raised with local management.
• A safety segment is included in RMTV weekly which doesn’t happen for any other business function.  
• RM Comms are making efforts to condense messages so that managers are not overloaded and to avoid duplication.
• When Work Time Listening and Learning (WTLL) was re-launched, RM Group Comms made it clear that WTLL briefs should only be sent through the national channel. If a manager is receiving briefs from any other source, they do not have to share them!
In conclusion, if any ASR feels that members are being swamped with WTLL subjects and safety messages are being lost then it should be raised at the H&S Committee and if no progress is made then it should be progressed through the health and safety disputes escalation procedure as per RMG SHE Standard 5.1. Thanks to those ASRs who raised this issue.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

Attachment 1 – LTB430/17 Work Time Listening and Learning (WTLL) Sessions – Safety Messages & Maximum Number of Items:

What is the Solution to Dangerous Dogs? – Dog Law Symposiums Announced – Runcorn 13 Nov 2017 & London 19 Feb 2018
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues, 
Introduction
Following a highly successful his 2016 and 2017 series of Dangerous Dogs Law seminars, the UK’s top Dangerous Dogs Law Lawyer Trevor Cooper of Cooper & Co Solicitors (“Dog Law”) has announced that he will Chair two Symposium events entitled "What is the Solution to Dangerous Dogs?" Each symposium will be a day-long event and they are likely to produce a lively debate and will have a selection of high profile panelists from the dog law and dog control world. The dates and locations announced are to be Monday 13th November 2017 in Runcorn in the north west of England and Monday 19th February 2018 in London. 
Background
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 has been in force for 26 years in Great Britain. Despite this, the number of incidents where dogs have acted dangerously appears to be rising leaving many victims in their wake. Are we witnessing a rise in dangerous dogs, an increase in irresponsible dog owners, or is there some other reason? When incidents take place the media often demand “Something must be done!” However, no one has yet found the answer/s. What is the solution to dangerous dogs? In this symposium Trevor Cooper is bringing together a broad range of experts to explore options to prevent future incidents. Those interested are invited to attend and make their voice heard – they want to hear from people. Alternatively, attendees are welcome to come along to listen to the debate and draw their own conclusions. Each of these symposia will be held between 10am and 4pm at hotel venues in the Runcorn area on 13th November 2017 and South West London on 19th February 2018. Beverages and lunch will be provided together with a certificate of attendance. 
“What is the solution to dangerous dogs?”
Trevor Cooper invites those interested to come and join the debate the subject with the expert panel, chaired by specialist Doglaw solicitor Trevor Cooper.
Runcorn – Monday 13th November 2017 10am-4pm
South West London – Monday 19th February 2018 10am-4pm
Cost £195 + VAT (£234) per person (including beverages and lunch)
Panelists
CHAIR Trevor Cooper – Leading Solicitor in England & Wales specialising in the Dangerous Dogs Law with 30 years’ experience and knowledge of civil and criminal Dog Law matters, Consultant for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and frequently in demand for Radio and TV interviews on Dog Law issues. Sarah Fisher – Dog Trainer, Behaviour Counsellor/Advisor and author of “100 Ways to Train the Perfect Dog” and “100 Ways to Solve Your Dogs Problems”.
Carolyn Menteith – Dog Trainer, Instructor and Behaviourist. TV & Radio personality. Co-Chair of ‘Into-Dogs’.
Elvira Meucci-Lyons – Youth and community engagement & education programmes.
Patrick O’Hara – Head of the Status/Dangerous Dogs Unit for Metropolitan Police. Deputy Lead for National Police Chiefs Council Dangerous Dogs Working Group.
Pamela Rose – Barrister with expertise in dangerous dog cases.
Mel Rushmore -Bull Breed Advisory Service.
Peter Tallack -Dangerous Dogs Advisor for DEFRA, ACPO, College of Policing. Former Met Police Dog Handler
Neil Burton – Chair of the National Dog Warden Association
Michael Webb – Head of Policy and Public Affairs Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
Further Information From:
Tracy Chacksfield-Maidment
Cooper & Co Solicitors
The Old Boiler House, Menzies Road,
Whitfield, Dover, CT16 2HQ
T: 01304 755557
E: tracy@doglaw.co.uk 
Attachment:
Symposium Event Leaflet & Application Form. 
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 428/17 What is the Solution to Dangerous Dogs? – Dog Law Symposiums Announced – Runcorn 13 Nov 2017 & London 19 Feb 2018

symposiums Application From

Dangerous Dog Laws 2017 – New DVD by UK Top Dangerous Dogs Lawyer Trevor Cooper ('Dog-Law' – Cooper & Co Solicitors)
To: All Branches 
Dear Colleagues,
Cooper & Co Solicitors (“Dog Law”) with the UK’s top Dangerous Dogs Law Lawyer Trevor Cooper have announced that a new Dangerous Dog Laws 2017 DVD is now available to buy.
Those wishing to purchase an up-to-date DVD explaining the principle dangerous dog laws as they apply in England and Wales, specialist ‘Dog-law’ Solicitor Trevor Cooper ("The Legal Beagle") has a new 2hr 10min presentation available which explains the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the Dogs Act 1871 and the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.  
• The DVD costs £9.99 (including P&P)
• It is supplied with an electronic booklet
• Available exclusively from ‘Dog-Law’ (Cooper & Co Solicitors)
• The new DVD follows on from the successful series of seminars delivered by Trevor Cooper across the UK earlier this year. 
For further information, please feel free to call Cooper & Co Solicitors on 01304 755 557 or email: tracy@doglaw.co.uk
Or contact them:- Cooper & Co Solicitors
The Old Boiler House Menzies Road Whitfield Dover CT16 2HQ Telephone Number: 01304 755 557
Email: info@doglaw.co.uk 
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 427/17 Dangerous Dog Laws 2017 – New DVD by UK Top Dangerous Dogs Lawyer Trevor Cooper ('Dog-Law' – Cooper & Co Solicitors)

“Dangerous Dogs” for Professionals Seminar – Last Event at Bath Saturday 28 October 2017 – Cooper & Co Solicitors (“Dog Law”)
To: All Branches 
Dear Colleagues,
This LTB is issued further to LTB 596/16 in which we announced the 2017 series of seminars organised by Cooper & Co Solicitors (“Dog Law”) with the UK’s top Dangerous Dogs Law Lawyer Trevor Cooper of Cooper & Co Solicitors.
Following on from the successful series of seminars across the UK earlier this year, Trevor Cooper has been invited to Bath on Saturday 28th October 2017 to run his Professional Seminar one last time in 2017. To remind you, this is a half day seminar which is good value for money at only £75 per person (the price includes course materials, beverages and VAT). This time we will start at 13.00 for registration and finish at 17.00. Attached is the leaflet below for course contents and details of how to book, alternatively please feel free to call Coopper & Co Solicitors on 01304 755 557 or email: tracy@doglaw.co.uk
These popular seminars for professionals are half day talks concentrating on ‘dangerous dog’ offences and the legislation dealing with such attacks and prosecutions. These half day seminars are attended by Police Officers, Dog Wardens, Lawyers and others involved in dealing with Dog Control and Dog Law. The seminars are highly recommended to CWU Representatives wanting to learn more about the Law in this area following the changes achieved by the CWU ‘Bite-Back’ Campaign of course. These Seminars cover subject matter including:-
• The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014
• Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (which applies to any dog that is dangerously out of control), including the extension of the Act and defences.
• The operation of the new ‘Householder Case’ defence and when it may be applicable
• Increased prison sentences where a victim is injured or dies
• New offence if a dog attacks an assistance dog
• Addition of a ‘fit and proper person test’
• The ‘Robinson-Pierre’ ruling and consider its impact on cases.
• Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) (the law that deals with pit bull terrier type and other banned dogs)
• The Index of Exempted Dogs
• The ‘fit and proper person’ test
• The ‘Sandhu’ ruling and its impact on changing keepership of a registered dog
• The Dogs Act 1871 and does it have any future?
• The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 and how does it fit in with the new changes?
• Registration and coffee will be available with the seminar commencing at 1pm and due to finish around 5pm.
Programme timings are approximate. Content is subject to change.
Cost of attending these Seminars is £75.00 inclusive of VAT.
Dog Law offer their services to those interested in hosting their own daytime seminar. Trevor Cooper is in big demand but happy to consider requests to schedule seminars, subject to availability. Those interested can email tracy@doglaw.co.uk and they will send out information. Dog Law are also offering to take bookings for those wishing to host an evening or weekend seminar with Trevor Cooper. These evening or at a weekend seminars will last between 3 to 4 hours. For more information email info@doglaw.co.uk or contact them:- Cooper & Co Solicitors
The Old Boiler House
Menzies Road
Whitfield Dover
CT16 2HQ
Telephone Number: 01304 755 557.
Attachment: ‘Dog Law’ – Bath Seminar Leaflet & Application Form
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 426/17 “Dangerous Dogs” for Professionals Seminar – Last Event at Bath Saturday 28 October 2017 – Cooper & Co Solicitors (“Dog Law”)

Update on Dangerous Dogs

CWU’s Work-Related Skin Cancer Drive Recognised by IOSH
To: All Branches 
Dear Colleagues, 
An international campaign to tackle work-related cancer has awarded the CWU’s National Health and Safety Department a special recognition award for its dedicated campaigning work on work-related skin cancer from sun exposure and solar radiation. Reproduced below is the article appearing on the CWU Website. 
The “No Time to Lose” – NTTL 200 event (organisations working together to beat occupational cancer) was organised by Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) to mark the campaign gaining 200 supporting organisations and to recognise and showcase the work of four outstanding supporting organisations and Campaigns with CWU being the only Union selected.
IOSH’s international “No Time To Lose Campaign”, which aims to raise awareness and tackle work-related, occupational cancer by helping organisations, businesses and unions to take action to prevent it, was launched 18 months ago and the Safety Organisation was hosting a special recognition awards presentation for leading organisations who have committed to preventing occupational cancer at a special presentation at the Crystal in London last month. 
Shelley Frost, IOSH Executive Director thanked the Communication Workers Union for its support for the ‘No Time To Lose’ campaign and congratulated National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce on behalf of the Union for the excellent work the Union has done both individually and especially in partnership with Royal Mail Group and IOSH on Sun Safety and tackling solar radiation exposure at work and skin cancer risks and raising awareness. IOSH urged all supporting organisations to look at what the CWU and Royal Mail had done and to continue to keep the ‘No Time to Lose’ campaign message alive to help prevent occupational cancer. A Joint Royal Mail/CWU film was showcased at the London Crystal event and can be viewed at the following link:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8-t50gNoKc.
At the NTTL Launch event at Royal Mail HQ back in 2014 Kate Field, IOSH Head of Information had said: “IOSH urges all businesses to develop ‘sun safety strategies’ that include regular updates on the UV index from weather forecasts, minimising sun exposure in the middle of the day and asking outdoor workers to cover-up, wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting tops and trousers in combination to using high-factor sunscreen as a barrier to the harmful UV solar radiation sun rays. The ‘No Time to Lose’ campaign will work with employers and unions to raise awareness of solar radiation exposure at work and encourage employers and unions to launch their own campaigns including factsheets, posters, pocket cards to engage the work force."
Through the ‘No Time to Lose’ campaign, the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) has been highlighting the four common risk factors associated with work–related cancer registrations and deaths –
• Sun/Solar radiation
• Diesel engine exhaust emissions,
• Silica,
• Shiftwork
Research estimates that cancer caused by work claims a staggering 700,000 lives a year worldwide– one death every 47 seconds. In Britain alone, it is estimated that around 8,000 people die annually from this dreadful disease.

IOSH launched the ‘No Time to Lose (NTTL)’ campaign in November 2014 to raise awareness of occupational cancers and help organisations, employers with trade unions to take action with IOSH providing free support, expertise, research, information and factual, practical resources and input.

Since being launched in London, in 2014, organisations from across industry and the globe have formally supported ‘No Time to Lose (NTTL)’ and highlighted the issue to their workers/members, contractors and clients. 100 of those have taken their support a stage further by pledging to manage harmful exposures at work, to the combined benefit of around million workers.

After receiving the IOSH Certificate, CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer Dave Joyce said “I’m delighted that IOSH have recognised the great health and safety work of our Union and the great value of the combined efforts jointly with Royal Mail.” Going on to talk about the campaign he added "Having identified the concern around the growing number of skin cancer cases in the UK, the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department set about running its “Sun Smart – Skin Safe” campaign back in 2004 and its always been a priority for us. With the launch of NTTL in 2014 by IOSH, Royal Mail Group’s new Director of Safety Shaun Davis agreed to a high profile joint campaign with us – Royal Mail Group, IOSH, CWU and Unite CMA also backing a huge campaign, injecting a high level of resources and effort into awareness raising for the first time, with communications, briefings and messages through the media of Websites, internal publications, Posters, screens and TV, so at last the messages were coming from all stakeholders and not just CWU alone. The task now is to keep it alive and get through to front line staff to take the risk seriously. Outdoor workers aren’t the easiest of groups to communicate with and we will continue to press the employers to reinforce the commitment and we still want more from them by way of free Sunscreen for postal workers, because as the campaign states there’s ‘The No Time to Lose’ "
IOSH Executive Director of Policy, Shelley Frost concluded “We must continue to express the importance of employers controlling employee exposure to cancer-causing agents and the vital need for employees being made aware of the risks posed by work-related cancer and controls needed to be put in place to prevent such exposures. Prevention is always better than cure. It’s through campaigns like this that we stand the best chance of preventing people from becoming seriously ill as a result of the work they do.
”Footnote – News
The NHS have this month launched a new “Cover Up, Mate” Sun Safety Campaign as skin cancer in men continues to rise: Outdoor Workers who spend long periods of time outside are being urged to protect themselves against the sun this summer amid a rise in the number of people being diagnosed with skin cancer. Workers are being targeted by NHS England South’s “Cover Up, Mate” campaign because of their prolonged exposure to the sun – and men are a particular focus because research indicates that they are much less likely than women to slap on the ‘Sunscreen’. NHS England South Medical Director, Nigel Acheson, said: “You can’t feel UV radiation, so it’s very easy to get sunburnt in the UK, even when it’s not particularly warm. But sunburn causes skin cancer so it’s important people take more care, especially men and those who work outside. They need to use Sunscreen with good level of UV-A protection and apply it generously on all exposed skin.”
*Attachment: Photo of Shelley Frost, Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) Executive Director presenting CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer Dave Joyce with the special recognition award certificate 
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 421/17 CWU’s Work-Related Skin Cancer Drive Recognised by IOSH

Photo

Royal Mail Group Personal Injury Compensation Scheme (PICS) 
Further to LTB 253/17 published on the 3rd May 2017 regarding the above. 
Branches will recall that this is a revised and re-named scheme from the former Royal Mail Personal Accident Benefit Scheme (PABS). I have now had a number of discussions and a final meeting with Royal Mail representatives and I enclose a copy of the new PICS Scheme.
Listed below are the significant changes that have been made to the Scheme which greatly reduce the benefits available to our members. Royal Mail’s attitude to the Scheme is best summarised in their introduction paragraph, which is as follows:
Subject always to the terms and conditions of the scheme, PICS are designed to compensate employees that suffer a significant permanent physical or psychiatric disability as a result of an accident at work. The scheme operates as a last resort and compensation will only be considered (subject to the terms and conditions of the scheme) when all other possible avenues of compensation have been exhausted and have been unsuccessful, including where applicable, issuing legal proceedings against a party liable for an accident. No compensation under PICS will be paid where an individual has been awarded compensation or damages for an accident from any other source.
The following is a list of changes to the Scheme:
 
Terms and conditions will apply to all new employee notifications received after the 1st April 2017.
No compensation will be paid where an individual has been awarded compensation or damages for an incident from any other source.
Payments will only be made if a minimum 14% assessment is obtained from the Department for Works and Pension (DWP).
Payment of £400.00 for every 1% permanent disability equal to or exceeding 14%. This applies also to provisional assessments equal to or exceeding 2 years.
No payments will be considered if the authorised sick absence linked to the accident was for less than 15 working days.
Employees must have a minimum of one year’s service at the time of the accident and still be an employee (and not under notice to terminate employment for any reason) at the time of any payment under the PICS.
Where the employee leaves the business after the provisional assessment payment has been made no further claim can be made and no life assessment payment will fall due.
No payment for death.
No payment for any injury that aggravates or exacerbates a pre-existing condition or injury, unless the industrial injury assessment issued by the DWP highlights a percentage off-set (the offset is the difference between the percentage disability relating to the pre-existing condition and the percentage disability relating to the new injury).
It is clear from the changes listed above that Royal Mail’s intentions are to totally devalue the scheme and I view their actions solely as a cost cutting exercise. Their position during our discussions set against the fact that the scheme is a non contractual discretionary employee only compensation scheme provided by Royal Mail Group and they reserve the right to withdraw or vary the terms of the scheme or cancel the scheme in its entirety in its sole and absolute discretion at any time.
Claims notified prior to the 1st April 2017
Royal Mail’s original position was that all claims that were notified prior to the 1st April 2017 would only be covered by the original terms of the scheme providing the member also received a DWP assessment and this had been received by Royal Mail prior to the 1st April 2017. In essence this meant that claims that are lodged prior to the 1st April 2017 but the member was not yet in possession of a DWP assessment these claims would be subject to the new terms and conditions.
I was able to persuade Royal Mail to take a different view and as such all claims that were notified prior to the 1st April 2017, with or without a DWP assessment, will be covered by the terms and conditions of the Personal Accident Benefit Scheme.
I notified branches in the earlier LTB that until the situation had been clarified all claims would be put on hold. These will now be processed and the appropriate terms and conditions will apply to each claims.
If you should have any queries regarding the above, please contact Tony Rupa, Head of Legal Services, Communication Workers Union, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX. Telephone 0208 971 7444 or via email trupa@cwu.org 
 
Yours sincerely
 
Tony Rupa
Head of Legal Services
Email Attachments – Click to download

The Royal Mail Group Personal Injury Compensation Scheme