Introduction of Eyesight Checks in London Central Depot

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Introduction of Eyesight Checks to Facilitate FOR’s Accreditation Introduction of Eyesight Checks to Facilitate FOR’s Accreditation in London Central Depot


No. 522/14
Ref: 102.08
Date: 15th August 2014


To All: Postal Branches with Parcelforce Members
Parcelforce Regional Organisers


Dear Colleague

Joint Statement Between Parcelforce Worldwide and the CWU on the Introduction of Eyesight Checks to Facilitate FOR’s Accreditation in London Central Depot

Parcelforce Worldwide has a major customer with a contract with London Underground who as part of the Transport for London umbrella organisation require them to ensure that Parcelforce as their parcel carrier has FOR’s accreditation.  

The Freight Operators Recognition scheme or FOR’s is a scheme operated by Transport For London (TFL) aimed at ensuring that fleet operators work lawfully with a high level of awareness of vulnerable road users by meeting the FOR’s standard. Accreditation is gained via an audit of compliance to these standards carried out by the Freight Transport Association on behalf of TFL.  Having reviewed the audit criteria within the TOS Transport Strand we are confident that Parcelforce standards exceed the requirements in most areas, however  it has been noted that a  key requirement of gaining FOR’s accreditation is to carry out managerial eyesight checks of all drivers on a 6 monthly basis.

The Parcelforce and CWU Table of Success Transport Working Group have been working together to agree how managerial eyesight tests can be introduced to facilitate the successful application for FOR’s accreditation and have agreed a trial in London Central depot.
The trial deployment of the eyesight tests will be jointly monitored by the Parcelforce Area General manger for London and the CWU Regional Organiser.  After the initial eyesight checks have been carried out in London Central Depot, the results and impacts will be reviewed by the Table of Success, Transport Working Group before consideration is given to deploying the eyesight checks in any other London PFW depots.
Please find attached a copy of the Joint Statement signed by Terry Pullinger and Peter Fuller confirming the details of the trial. Branches and representatives are requested to ensure that our members are made aware of the content of this LTB.



Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number 102.08.

Yours sincerely



Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

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Joint Statement Between Parcelforce Worldwide and the CWU on the Introduction of Eyesight Checks to Facilitate FOR’s Accreditation in London Central Depot

BACKGROUND

The Parcelforce and CWU Table of Success Transport Working Group are continuing their work to review the PFW transport operation and identify potential improvements to reduce costs and emissions, increase safety and enhance the Parcelforce brand. In addition it is crucial that we continue to protect the commercial success of the business by, where practical, reacting positively to customer requirements.

In line with the above ethos a major Parcelforce Worldwide customer has a contract with London Underground who as part of the Transport for London umbrella organisation and their policies require them to ensure that Parcelforce, as their parcel carrier, has FOR’s accreditation.

FREIGHT OPERATOR RECOGNITION SCHEME (FOR’S)

FOR’s is a scheme operated by Transport For London (TFL) aimed at ensuring that fleet operators work lawfully and to best practice with a high level of awareness of vulnerable road users by meeting the FOR’S standard. Accreditation is gained via an audit of compliance to these standards carried out by the Freight Transport Association on behalf of TFL. Having reviewed the audit criteria within the TOS Transport Strand we are confident that Parcelforce standards exceed the requirements in most areas, however it has been noted that a key requirement of gaining FOR’s accreditation is to carry out managerial eyesight checks of all drivers on a 6 monthly basis.

Good vision is essential for safe driving and the law sets out certain minimum standards of vision for driving. All drivers are personally responsible for ensuring that they are fit to drive and must have adequate vision to do so. By law drivers must wear glasses or contact lenses every time they drive if they need them to meet the ‘standards of vision for driving’.

Against this backdrop and to ensure the maintenance of Parcelforce commercial contracts servicing TFL sites; both parties have agreed that a trial to introduce eyesight tests will be carried out in PFW London Central depot.

OPERATION OF THE TRIAL
In order to facilitate the gaining of FOR’s accreditation, the eyesight check will be introduced at the earliest opportunity into London Central depot. Going forward it is envisaged that the eyesight check will be carried out in conjunction with the 6 monthly Drivers Licence check. Checks will take place within normal duty time.

All CWU graded colleagues in Parcelforce Worldwide already have, as part of our agreed benefits package, access to a free eye care package with Boots the Opticians; this package includes free eyesight tests every 2 years.

All drivers in London Central Depot will be informed in advance of when and how the managerial eyesight test will be carried out.

In advance of the introduction of the eyesight test all drivers will be briefed about the introduction and reminded of the free eye care package available from Boots. Free eyesight tests from Boots will be available in advance of the initial deployment of the trial to all drivers subject to the check, even where an individual has utilised the service within the previous two years. Reasonable, sufficient time will be allowed for drivers to arrange and attend appointments prior to the commencement of the trial.

Following the initial deployment of the trial the arrangements for periodic free eyesight tests will revert to the agreed two year schedule. However both parties agree that, to maintain confidence and allay any concerns our drivers may have for future checks, any reasonable requests for an optician’s eyesight test to be carried out prior to the managerial eyesight test will be carefully considered.

When the managerial eyesight test is carried out, drivers will be asked to read a randomly selected number plate using their glasses, if required, from a distance of 20 metres, a tape measure will be used to measure the distance.

The trial deployment of the eyesight tests will be jointly monitored by the Parcelforce Area General Manager for London and the CWU Regional Organiser. After the initial eyesight checks have been carried out in London Central Depot, the results and impacts will be reviewed by the Table of Success Transport Working Group before consideration is given to deploying the eyesight checks in any other London PFW depots.

TREATMENT OF DRIVERS FAILING THE EYESIGHT TEST

Where a driver fails the eyesight test they will not be allowed to drive an official motor vehicle until their eyesight has been corrected.

Drivers will also be reminded that having adequate vision is a legal condition of being able to drive at all, and that any driver who fails to meet the necessary standard may have their licence revoked if they are stopped by the police and are unable to pass the eyesight test.

Drivers must have their eyesight checked by a qualified optician as a matter of urgency and may take advantage of the free eye care package with Boots the
Opticians, which is available to all CWU graded colleagues. To avail and ensure a speedy resolution, arrangements for appointments during normal working hours will not be unreasonably refused.

Full consideration will be given to the individual's earnings and attendance patterns during the period of removal from driving. Wherever possible, a non-driving duty will be allocated with attendance hours similar to that of the duty the individual was previously performing, however it may be necessary to consider alternative attendance patterns.

A degree of flexibility will be expected from both parties in these circumstances.  In such cases this will be discussed with the driver with full account taken of any relevant personal circumstances.  In all cases, the individuals’ standard pay and assigned allowances will continue to be paid whilst immediate steps are being taken to rectify the issue.

Professional advice will be sought from our Occupational Heath Team if appropriate and a further eyesight test will be conducted after the appropriate intervention has been prescribed by a qualified optician before the driver is allowed to drive.

Any questions of interpretation, implementation or application of this agreement shall be referred to the signatories for resolution.

Terry Pullinger Peter Fuller
Assistant Secretary Operations Director
Communication Workers Union Parcelforce Worldwide


Date: 5th August 2014