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Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
krussel
Posts: 5300
Joined: 26 Jan 2009, 18:03
Gender: Male
Location: Out on the streets.

Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by krussel »

A chilling title to a thread but I worry that with revisions and extended delivery times due to absorption we are now out on the streets in the hottest part of the day.

Today I asked the Dom if absorption could be suspended due to the high daily temperature and was immediately refused.

I then asked what provisions were going to be made for weds which is predicted to be the hottest day of the year at 87 degs. This was met with a blank face.

I proposed that we might start 30 mins earlier and be allowed out on delivery before the last dispatch. (1 tray around 8.40am) whereupon we would return and prep the last tray before going off duty. This should allow most delivery staff to finish around 12 noon and miss the hottest part of the day.

The government has issued a weather warning for weds and telling people to avoid going out in the hottest part of the day. I was told that he would check and get back to me.

Following his checking he informed me that the advice from “above” was.......


To drink plenty of fluid and walk in the shade.

:arrrghhh :arrrghhh :arrrghhh :arrrghhh
Rows of houses all bearing down on me........I can feel their blue hands touching me.......All these things in all positions.........All these things will one day take control..........
clashcityrocker
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Joined: 22 Sep 2009, 13:50
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Location: strummerville

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by clashcityrocker »

He forgot the bit about the wide brim hat.
The societies of consumption and squandering of material resources are incompatible with the idea of economic growth and a clean planet.
hans solo
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Joined: 06 Feb 2011, 18:08
Gender: Male

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by hans solo »

walk in the shade and bring rest back
maybe some one will spontainiously combust
Caniel
Posts: 623
Joined: 03 Jul 2009, 18:25
Gender: Female
Location: The Batcave

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by Caniel »

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/heat-health/


Wait until the Met office issues a Level 4 Alert then see what happens, bet we still get sent out.
gand
Posts: 253
Joined: 10 Aug 2011, 17:36
Gender: Male

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by gand »

I have brought this up many a time and never get listened to :Very Happy but any way here go's again :dance

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/outdoor.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Outdoor working

When working outdoors the weather can have an effect on an individual's effectiveness and this is not readily managed using just engineering controls. In these circumstances some of the most effective ways of managing these environments is by introducing some simple administrative controls for example:

Cold environments
Ensure the personal protective equipment PDF issued is appropriate
Provision of mobile facilities for warming up, and encourage the drinking of warm fluids such as soup or hot chocolate
Introduce more frequent rest breaks
Can work be delayed and undertaken at warmer times of the year without compromising on safety
Educate workers about recognising the early symptoms of cold stress.
Hot environments
Reschedule work to cooler times of the day
Provide more frequent rest breaks and introduce shading to rest areas
Provide free access to cool drinking water
Introduce shading in areas where individuals are working
Encourage the removal of personal protective equipment when resting to help encourage heat loss.
Educate workers about recognising the early symptoms of heat stress
Working in the sun
What is the problem?

Too much sunlight is harmful to your skin. A tan is a sign that the skin has been damaged. The damage is caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight.

Who is at risk?

If work keeps you outdoors for a long time your skin could be exposed to more sun than is healthy for you. Outdoor workers that could be at risk include farm or construction workers, market gardeners, outdoor activity workers and some public service workers. You should take particular care if you have:

fair or freckled skin that doesn’t tan, or goes red or burns before it tans;
red or fair hair and light coloured eyes;
a large number of moles.
What are the harmful effects?

In the short term, even mild reddening of the skin from sun exposure is a sign of damage. Sunburn can blister the skin and make it peel.

Longer term problems can arise. Too much sun speeds up ageing of the skin, making it leathery, mottled and wrinkled. The most serious effect is an increased chance of developing skin cancer.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Keep your top on (ordinary clothing made from close woven fabric, such as long sleeved workshirt and jeans stops most UV)
Wear a hat with a brim or a flap that covers the ears and the back of the neck.
Stay in the shade whenever possible, during your breaks and especially at lunch time.
Use a high factor sunscreen of at least SPF15 on any exposed skin.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Check your skin regularly for any unusual moles or spots. See a doctor promptly if you find anything that is changing in shape, size or colour, itching or bleeding.

It's only a matter of time till someone get's skin cancer.
mucker
MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
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Joined: 25 Oct 2007, 14:12
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Location: cloud cookoo land

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by mucker »

“above” was.......


To drink plenty of fluid and walk in the shade
your manager is a bellend :arrrghhh :arrrghhh :arrrghhh
"I have opinions of my own –strong opinions– but I don’t always agree with them"

Always Tell The Truth. If You Can't Always Tell The Truth,Don't Lie

"2010 And Beyond" The Year Of The Pay Cut...£3.01 Sub's For The Worst Deal In CWU History...
Stormproof
Posts: 6116
Joined: 07 Jul 2007, 21:03
Gender: Female

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by Stormproof »

I got burnt today and I had factor 30 sunscreen on. I kept getting a tingling sensation in my face which worried me a bit. tried to keep drinking water but there is only so much warm water you can drink. I'm going to make sure I freeze a couple of bottles tonight.
So keep on moving, moving, moving your feet
Keep on shuf-shuf-shuffling to this ghost dance beat
Just keep on walking down never ending streets


Illegitimi non carborundum
24601
Posts: 325
Joined: 14 May 2007, 16:06
Gender: Male

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by 24601 »

It's bad inside as well.It was 86 degrees around the CSS machines last night :sad:
woofwoof
Posts: 1516
Joined: 13 Apr 2007, 16:23
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Location: stinky land

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by woofwoof »

If you need a rest there's street benches on your duty use them we got told,,,,,il get a 4 pack of white cider and join in with the regulars there I said
Caniel
Posts: 623
Joined: 03 Jul 2009, 18:25
Gender: Female
Location: The Batcave

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by Caniel »

24601 wrote:It's bad inside as well.It was 86 degrees around the CSS machines last night :sad:
You're not going to get sunburnt standing next to a CSS machine though and you have access to water and a toilet. :Boo hoo!
Hybrid
Posts: 18
Joined: 12 Apr 2012, 19:33
Gender: Male

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by Hybrid »

This is the only time i hate being on Hybrid duty out in my mobile oven until 1800 :sad:
krussel
Posts: 5300
Joined: 26 Jan 2009, 18:03
Gender: Male
Location: Out on the streets.

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by krussel »

I think it was about 28 deg when I went home which was bearable, just. Its 30 deg now at home.

Weds is going to be the killer though. I still say we should start earlier to ensure a early finish and miss the worse.

I often feel some managers begrudge any time a postie might make yet they are all out the door asap on a sat. :evil/mad
mucker wrote:your manager is a bellend
In fairness he said it would be an area thing. However I sat in on the conference call and he never mentioned it. :arrrghhh
Rows of houses all bearing down on me........I can feel their blue hands touching me.......All these things in all positions.........All these things will one day take control..........
DirtyHarry
Posts: 5051
Joined: 13 May 2007, 23:16
Gender: Male
Location: London

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by DirtyHarry »

I think it's reasonable to expect an employer not to endanger the health and safety of their employees.

And when an employer tells their employees, 'you will spend 4-5 solid hours in either 80 degree heat, or sub-zero temperatures, that employer is playing fast and loose with the health and safety of employees.

We are all of differing ages, and we all have differing tolerances to the varying extremes that the British weather throws at us.

I think it's a safe enough bet that one of us in the future, will fall foul of Royal Mail's 'couldn't-care-less about your health' attitude.

Question is......Then what?
paranoid-android
Posts: 106
Joined: 24 Feb 2010, 09:17
Gender: Male

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by paranoid-android »

DirtyHarry wrote:I think it's reasonable to expect an employer not to endanger the health and safety of their employees.

And when an employer tells their employees, 'you will spend 4-5 solid hours in either 80 degree heat, or sub-zero temperatures, that employer is playing fast and loose with the health and safety of employees.

We are all of differing ages, and we all have differing tolerances to the varying extremes that the British weather throws at us.

I think it's a safe enough bet that one of us in the future, will fall foul of Royal Mail's 'couldn't-care-less about your health' attitude.

Question is......Then what?
Class action against Royal Mail!!
krussel
Posts: 5300
Joined: 26 Jan 2009, 18:03
Gender: Male
Location: Out on the streets.

Re: Well, how long before one of us dies from heatstroke

Post by krussel »

OMG Just posted. It looks like it may have happened, need more details.

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =1&t=54053" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bastards :sad:
Last edited by krussel on 15 Jul 2013, 20:39, edited 1 time in total.
Rows of houses all bearing down on me........I can feel their blue hands touching me.......All these things in all positions.........All these things will one day take control..........