Golf trolleys and Pouch boxes are they still used anywhere?

[toastie]

Is there anything in any revision documents which says you're not allowed to use the golf style trolleys now and does anyone still use them any where? My DOM says not allowed to use them in our office any more - just seems unbelievable. Also I know they are not installing any more pouch boxes on the street but is there anything written to say we can't use the existing ones ?

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

Light Weight Trolleys are mandatory on "park and loop" duties, with the exception of tenement flat blocks, where policy is 5Kg pouch maximum on shoulder (which may mean you have to replenish at the van at least on busier days).

High Capacity Trolley users usually need replenish pouch boxes (or other secure locations) to get done on all but the lightest of days (read <5 days a year at my depot).

[jack~jack]

I use the golf trolley on ever loop and feel a lot fresher at the end of the walk. No more bad knees or bad back. If you don't use then you are daft. Why rush with a heavy bag on your shoulder, just so you can get back and absorb.

[toastie]

The delivery in question would be a walk from the office and back with no van involved. DOM says cant be done due security issues including use of lightweight trolley and pouch boxes which are not allowed to be used under new delivery methods?

[A2B]

Wouldn't a HCT be more suitable?

[toastie]

No I struggle with the HCTs so I want to use the golf trolley as I have always done, but I am told it's simply not allowed now - looking for any revision document about lightweight trolley use and the use of pouch boxes so I can be sure I'm in the right or admit I'm in the wrong.

[A2B]

Thought the golf trolleys were only for use with a van? If you're doing a full walk using a golf trolley it's obvious you can only carry a small part of the walk and will need to be replenished on a regular basis, was time given to a driver to do this when the walk was planned?

[toastie]

Well maybe the planners should have included time for mail to be dropped off at pouch boxes instead of making a delivery impossible for someone who can't use HCTs for medical reasons? Instead DOM is claiming I'm not allowed to use the existing pouch boxes or lightweight trolley because of the new delivery methods?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

But if you can't use a HCT for medical reasons then you need to get OH Assist to review your case. If they agree then under the Equality Act, Royal Mail should make reasonable adjustments to allow you to continue your employment. However, in this case a reasonable step could be to remove you from your HCT duty on to a CDV/LWT one.

As to Pouch Boxes, Royal Mail as a company are trying to remove reliance on these because of the increase in parcels/packets, without changing to HCT/CDV method, they would have needed to apply to local councils for permission to site more in strategic locations. Unfortunately around 15-10 years ago, it became more difficult to gain permission and hence Royal Mail were forced to look for other, more reliable solutions.

[toastie]

Thanks TBT excuse my ignorance but what is a CDV/LWT duty?

I know they are not installing any more pouch boxes but is there any official reasons why the existing ones cannot be used?

I am supported by OHAssist and the equality act but just looking for some more documentation for a discrimination case - anything related to the use of existing pouch boxes and Lightweight trolleys

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Thanks TBTexcuse my ignorance but what is a CDV/LWT duty?

Basically the 2 in a van style of delivery.

I know they are not installing any more pouch boxes but is there any official reasons why the existing ones cannot be used?

Yes - all Pouch Boxes on Non HCT duties are going to be removed, eventually.

I am supported by OHAssist and the equality act but just looking for some more documentation for a discrimination case - anything related to the use of existing pouch boxes and Lightweight trolleys

There is no official documentation as Lightweight trolley deliveries are designed to be replenished from a Van, so your case to try and use the LWT with Pouch Boxes may be the first official attempt. Certainly there are posties using the LWT/Pouch Bag with Pouch Boxes, however in the main they will be unofficial. Any official use will be down to the local conditions of that duty, rather than any medical issues, and I would suspect that such an occurrence would be rare in the extreme.

[toastie]

Thank you TBT shame there is no documentation to support but I am encouraged by your words 'Certainly there are posties using the LWT/Pouch Bag with Pouch Boxes' - if some can do it (even unofficially) and not have their deliveries taken from them it can only help my case.

[Dorset Plodder]

I know it used to be difficult to get pouch boxes authorised by the local council. I used to work in a small Rural DO and my mate had a large new estate built on his duty. he obviously got to know the builders well during the build and once they'd finished he just asked them if they could concrete in a spare pouch box we had in the store.

No problem they put it just were he wanted it and nobody said a thing. Result As to Toastie's original question...we're still using LWTs in both Van share and single Van duties. I'll use them as soon as there's more than say 4 or 5 bundles of mail in the bag. I agree they do take the strain off the body, don't know anyone who argues with that? Only time I don't like using them is if there's open plan gardens of flats & alleyways were you might be able to save yourself some back tracking to the trolley.