HCTs....again! Sorry! But I just need a couple of answers...

[Pokemon Postmon]

I could have bumped my old topic about this but I need to ask a couple of questions and then I'll shut up!!!
My DOM askedme yesterday about whether or not I would use the trolley but I said that I have had no training yet. So, he will be providing me with some tomorrow in the yard!! Firstly, how much training should I recieve and is he qualified to give it? Judging by his knowledge previously,I wouldn't have thought so but....
Secondly, the issue of 2 man lifting. With the instruction booklet from Romec that comes with the HCT, it says that 2 man lifting is acceptable but I know one or two folk here said that it's a no-no. Anything in writing about this please. The plan at the moment involves me being taken out to my 1st delivery point where I then load the HCT. However, at one point on my round, the trolley will have to be loaded onto the van again (empty of course!), driven to another point and then I will have to load the thing again. I'm concerned about this as what happens when it's pissing down?! Loading the HCT on the street in unclement weather will be a bit of a bitch, me thinks.
Finally, my DOM still seems to think that I will be able to complete my round within the 3.5 hours. Can I inform him that if I go over I'll be cutting off since the duty has not been tested using such equipment? As far as I know he has not put anything in place about collecting the HCT afterwards....lol! What a fooking shambles, eh?
Anyway, any help will be much appreciated!

[jobsworth]

I could have bumped my old topic about this but I need to ask a couple of questions and then I'll shut up!!!
My DOM askedme yesterday about whether or not I would use the trolley but I said that I have had no training yet. So, he will be providing me with some tomorrow in the yard!! Firstly, how much training should I recieve and is he qualified to give it? Judging by his knowledge previously,I wouldn't have thought so but....
Secondly, the issue of 2 man lifting. With the instruction booklet from Romec that comes with the HCT, it says that 2 man lifting is acceptable but I know one or two folk here said that it's a no-no. Anything in writing about this please. The plan at the moment involves me being taken out to my 1st delivery point where I then load the HCT. However, at one point on my round, the trolley will have to be loaded onto the van again (empty of course!), driven to another point and then I will have to load the thing again. I'm concerned about this as what happens when it's pissing down?! Loading the HCT on the street in unclement weather will be a bit of a bitch, me thinks.
Finally, my DOM still seems to think that I will be able to complete my round within the 3.5 hours. Can I inform him that if I go over I'll be cutting off since the duty has not been tested using such equipment? As far as I know he has not put anything in place about collecting the HCT afterwards....lol! What a fooking shambles, eh?
Anyway, any help will be much appreciated!

I think it is acceptable for 2 men to lift it in a van but only if the weight is permissable for you to do so. Really you should use those yellow ramps that allow you then to push it up onto the van.
As for completeing the round, how can he say you will because the walks are presumably done by pegasus and they work it out on a man walking round the round
About the empty HCT, i'd just f***ing leave it,if they cant provide the solution,f**k EM!!!!!!

[bristolchris]

I could have bumped my old topic about this but I need to ask a couple of questions and then I'll shut up!!!
My DOM askedme yesterday about whether or not I would use the trolley but I said that I have had no training yet. So, he will be providing me with some tomorrow in the yard!! Firstly, how much training should I recieve and is he qualified to give it? Judging by his knowledge previously,I wouldn't have thought so but....
Secondly, the issue of 2 man lifting. With the instruction booklet from Romec that comes with the HCT, it says that 2 man lifting is acceptable but I know one or two folk here said that it's a no-no. Anything in writing about this please. The plan at the moment involves me being taken out to my 1st delivery point where I then load the HCT. However, at one point on my round, the trolley will have to be loaded onto the van again (empty of course!), driven to another point and then I will have to load the thing again. I'm concerned about this as what happens when it's pissing down?! Loading the HCT on the street in unclement weather will be a bit of a bitch, me thinks.
Finally, my DOM still seems to think that I will be able to complete my round within the 3.5 hours. Can I inform him that if I go over I'll be cutting off since the duty has not been tested using such equipment? As far as I know he has not put anything in place about collecting the HCT afterwards....lol! What a fooking shambles, eh?
Anyway, any help will be much appreciated!

I`M sure there is a thread some where on here about HCT`s, just do some `trawling`. I`m sure that before the HCT is used on a `Walk` the Manager has to do a Risk Assesment? and you should not be `lifting` any thing, make sure the `ramps` are used.(look on the CWU website for this info)

[stroltroll]

I wouldn't go lifting it cos if you strain your back or something they'll blame you - you know what they're like!!
Also if you're gonna cut off tell them before you leave the office or you'll end up with a ticking off and it put on your record as I got years ago - even though I didn't know I had to tell them BEFORE I went out. :lfo :cfo

[POSTMAN]

I could have bumped my old topic about this but I need to ask a couple of questions and then I'll shut up!!!
My DOM askedme yesterday about whether or not I would use the trolley but I said that I have had no training yet. So, he will be providing me with some tomorrow in the yard!! Firstly, how much training should I recieve and is he qualified to give it? Judging by his knowledge previously,I wouldn't have thought so but....
Secondly, the issue of 2 man lifting. With the instruction booklet from Romec that comes with the HCT, it says that 2 man lifting is acceptable but I know one or two folk here said that it's a no-no. Anything in writing about this please. The plan at the moment involves me being taken out to my 1st delivery point where I then load the HCT. However, at one point on my round, the trolley will have to be loaded onto the van again (empty of course!), driven to another point and then I will have to load the thing again. I'm concerned about this as what happens when it's pissing down?! Loading the HCT on the street in unclement weather will be a bit of a bitch, me thinks.
Finally, my DOM still seems to think that I will be able to complete my round within the 3.5 hours. Can I inform him that if I go over I'll be cutting off since the duty has not been tested using such equipment? As far as I know he has not put anything in place about collecting the HCT afterwards....lol! What a fooking shambles, eh?
Anyway, any help will be much appreciated!

I`M sure there is a thread some where on here about HCT`s, just do some `trawling`. I`m sure that before the HCT is used on a `Walk` the Manager has to do a Risk Assesment? and you should not be `lifting` any thing, make sure the `ramps` are used.(look on the CWU website for this info)

Chris/Strol has it bang on!
Lifting the f****r,that's a no no,there are special vans for them,if you aint got one you don't use them!!

[Pokemon Postmon]

Thanks but other than the Lighten The Load item on the CWU site, I cannot find anything that contradicts that little Romec guide that comes with the trolley. Trying to get hold of an area rep first thing in the morning is unlikely so I can see myself at loggerheads with the DOM on the 'morrow!
If anyone can provide me with a link to something more definate, that would be great but either way, I shall argue the toss!
As for cutting off,I know I have to inform my DOM about this but what I want to know is where do I stand when he believes I can do x amount of my delivery (where x=all of it!) and differ in my opinion. Like I said in my previous post, this will be the 1st time a HCT has been used around here so no-one has any experience with how it will effect delivery time.
Thanks again for all your comments though. Much obliged!

[Pokemon Postmon]

Sorry for the double post but another thing...lol! I'm sounding like Columbo now!
As I stated earlier, if I'm taking the HCT out unloaded, does my delivery start (ie 3.5 hours) from when I arrive at my 1st point, where I will be loading the thing or is it when I actually start pushing the trolley that my 'delivery' starts?
I really think my DOM hasn't thought this through....

[POSTMAN]

Cutting off read this http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/forum/vi ... php?t=1685
3-30hrs start from when you are dropped off.
The lifting thing,we dont use them at our place because we do not have the proper vans for it,but it's a bit dodgy it says you can lift it in the Romec thing.
You need proper conformation on it.

[Pokemon Postmon]

Thanks for the info about 'cutting off'/'unable to complete' (lol!). That'll come in handy but as you say, definately need confirmation about this lifting business.
Cheers!

[blueboy]

Just seen this LTB so hopefully this might answer a few questions. Apologies if it has already been posted.

Letter to Branches




No. 920/07 Ref C25 Date: 15 October 2007

To: All Branches with Postal Members

Dear Colleague,

Introduction of High Capacity Trolleys (HCT’s) on Delivery Rounds - Guidance and Safe Systems of Work:

This LTB is in response to enquiries being received by CWU HQ from Area Safety Representatives and Area Delivery Representatives in areas where large numbers of High Capacity Trolley (HCTs) are being introduced for the first time, particularly at Delivery Offices following the cessation of the use of Private Cars on Delivery or where staff are correctly insisting on the proper application of safety standards, injury risk reduction and delivery pouch weight controls etc.

Below is a summary of what needs to be done in such cases prior to the introduction of HCTs.

The first thing is that Delivery Staff should not simply be issued with a HCT by the Manger and told to 'get on with it' as has been reported to HQ. There are Royal Mail mandatory Safety Instructions and Health and Safety Legal requirements to be complied with and this LTB aims to provide comprehensive guidance on how HCTs should be introduced. The HCT is an agreed piece of official equipment, supported by the CWU but subject to correct use and compliance with appropriate health and safety measures, planning and organisation.

Royal Mail have set procedures for the introduction of new equipment which are "Mandatory" procedures and must be adhered to before the introduction of a High Capacity Trolley on a delivery walk is initiated. Here is a summary of the main principles and considerations to be taken into account when “Risk Assessingâ€

[smokerjim]

If you DOM absolutely, positively demands you to lift the HCT - then absolutely, positively demand in writing exactly what he expects you and your driver to do....if he does not specify what he wants you to do, either do not do it ( or if he is the evil sort of bugger to not accept that ) tell him you want specific written instructions before you do s**t with the HCT. Include that time to your hours, so you will still finish on time whether you cut off or not. When he asks why you want the letter and 2 copies ( you and driver ), tell him if either of you hurt yourselves, and it subsequently turns out he was wrong, you have proof of his endangering your H&S

As our Caledonian colleagues might say to your DUM, "Git that up ye'"

[Pokemon Postmon]

Thanks Jim and Blueboy! Invaluable info there.
A quick update. Last Friday, after some brief training I took the HCT for it's first test run. As I hadn't read this thread before then, myself and the driver did the two man lift into the van. It was not a very busy day thankfully bit I did learn something straight away. No-one mentioned how I was supposed to drive the thing while holding a bundle of mail!! I tend to make quite large bundles but soon realised this had to change. God knows how I'll manage when the D2Ds come back into the equation. Identified a few hazards here but nothing too major. Got a few comments from public but that I expected. Thought I might cause a road accident with all the heads turning as folk drove by! Lol!
I actually enjoyed using it but, even though it was not very busy, found that it took me over my delivery span by 15 minutes. My DOM was off Saturday but the level of mail on Saturday didn't really warrant using the thing and again today it was light again so I didn't use it. I gave my manager my 'feedback' this morning. He seemed quite pleased (for some strange reason) that I was positive about using the HCT. I think his mood will change when I start telling him that I am 'unable to complete' when the work picks up again.
So, with another thank you to all, I will try and keep you posted about any further developments....

[smokerjim]

Thanks Jim and Blueboy! Invaluable info there.
A quick update. Last Friday, after some brief training I took the HCT for it's first test run. As I hadn't read this thread before then, myself and the driver did the two man lift into the van. It was not a very busy day thankfully bit I did learn something straight away. No-one mentioned how I was supposed to drive the thing while holding a bundle of mail!! I tend to make quite large bundles but soon realised this had to change. God knows how I'll manage when the D2Ds come back into the equation. Identified a few hazards here but nothing too major. Got a few comments from public but that I expected. Thought I might cause a road accident with all the heads turning as folk drove by! Lol!
I actually enjoyed using it but, even though it was not very busy, found that it took me over my delivery span by 15 minutes. My DOM was off Saturday but the level of mail on Saturday didn't really warrant using the thing and again today it was light again so I didn't use it. I gave my manager my 'feedback' this morning. He seemed quite pleased (for some strange reason) that I was positive about using the HCT. I think his mood will change when I start telling him that I am 'unable to complete' when the work picks up again.
So, with another thank you to all, I will try and keep you posted about any further developments....

Might be an idea if you "horseshoe your bundles, so you walk along past your first delivery point, and at an appropiate point, stop, lock up the HCT & then lock it to a secure point ( lamp post or summat - your DIM should supply a secure cable or chain lock ), and with your first bundle and any packets, walk down one side of the road, delivering as you do, before crossing over and walking back up and delivering on the other side, and back to the HCT for your next bundle to do some of the houses up from where you parked the HCT....so it's like you are delivering in a horseshoe pattern. NB; I don't know how kosher that is with union guidelines.

Hope that helps. :