RTA Procedure : Revised Accident Management Letters

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No. 10/2015
Ref: 202.11/102.08/300.02
Date: 9th January 2015


To: All Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives
Parcelforce Regional Organisers
Area Distribution Representatives
Area Delivery Representatives




Dear Colleagues

Road Traffic Accident Procedure – Revised Accident Management Letters

Branches will be aware that with the introduction of the revised Road Traffic Accident Procedures (RTA) in Royal Mail in July 2012 and Parcelforce in June 2014, new agreed standards for the investigation of road traffic accidents were established. The agreements clearly defined the areas of evidence appropriate for consideration in any investigation and the autonomy of the investigating manager in reaching a decision on blameworthiness.

CWU Headquarters were made aware that despite the explicit nature of the agreement in regard to the investigation process the Royal Mail Group Accident Management Claims Team, operated by Lex Autolease, were continuing to issue advice to line managers on blameworthiness based entirely on an insurance liability criteria. Such advice, designed to deal solely with third party claim management was based on the initial ERICA report and took no account of any additional evidence or mitigating factors. However, it had become apparent that the receipt of the advice was having undue influence on the investigation process with many managers unwilling to overrule a blameworthy recommendation regardless of the merits of the case.

Against this backdrop discussions on this issue have taken place within the joint Road Safety Working Group, a forum consisting of PEC members Davie Robertson, Bill Steel and Bobby Weatherall representing the Postal departments and senior managerial representatives from across Royal Mail Group. Discussions proved difficult given that the letter in question was an internal managerial communication and not part of the agreed suite of standard letters associated to the agreement. However, we have now been successful in convincing the business that the process was adversely affecting the investigation process and as such they have now agreed to instruct Lex Autolease to cease issuing the advice on blameworthiness following a road traffic accident. Revised correspondence omitting such advice was introduced on Monday the 5th January 2015.

The revised letter also clearly stipulates that it is the responsibility of the investigating manager to reach a decision on blame and forward that to Lex Autolease, bringing the process in line with the terms and aims of the national agreement.

In our view this important change which applies to both the Royal Mail and Parcelforce procedures addresses a clear anomaly and should ensure that accident investigations are not unduly influenced by external advice.

Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that the content of this LTB are given the widest publicity and brought to the immediate attention of all CWU members employed by Royal Mail or Parcelforce on driving duties.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the relevant Officer:

Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference numbers: 202.11 & 102.08

Bob Gibson, Assistant Secretary, email hnutely@cwu.org quoting reference number: 300.02










Terry Pullinger Bob Gibson
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

[POSTMAN]

The company is getting scummier is it not.