Faulty Van Cause of Absenteeism.

[BernardBresslaw]

This week I have been moved from my regular duty, to cover for holidays, to a duty that has, what I deem, a faulty van - the side door doesn't unlock, and the driver's seat is worn, in that it sits too low to the floor, making it uncomfortable to get in and out hundreds of times a day, on a rural delivery. It is non-adjustable. If you drive the old Vauxhall combo vans you will know where I am coming from. Also because the side door doesn't unlock, you have to over-reach to fetch mail from the very back, should they slide back.

I informed management on Monday, that if I was to be regularly on said duty, that I would need another vehicle because I already have back issues. On Monday a spare was found, but yesterday one wasn't, so I was lumped with said van. This has caused my back to be so sore today that I can't attend work. My question is, should I fill in a report classing this as an industrial injury, as I haven't been allocated the tools to safely carry out my job, in my opinion. I want the fact that the van is faulty on record, for the possibility of this causing issues later on, what with stage warnings, and was wondering the best way to go about doing so officially.

Thanks for any feedback.

[knackeredneedadayoff]

I had a similar issue and used the van once .i had rep go in to manager to tell him we wont be using van until repaired.

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

This week I have been moved from my regular duty, to cover for holidays, to a duty that has, what I deem, a faulty van - the side door doesn't unlock, and the driver's seat is worn, in that it sits too low to the floor, making it uncomfortable to get in and out hundreds of times a day, on a rural delivery. It is non-adjustable. If you drive the old Vauxhall combo vans you will know where I am coming from. Also because the side door doesn't unlock, you have to over-reach to fetch mail from the very back, should they slide back.

I informed management on Monday, that if I was to be regularly on said duty, that I would need another vehicle because I already have back issues. On Monday a spare was found, but yesterday one wasn't, so I was lumped with said van. This has caused my back to be so sore today that I can't attend work. My question is, should I fill in a report classing this as an industrial injury, as I haven't been allocated the tools to safely carry out my job, in my opinion. I want the fact that the van is faulty on record, for the possibility of this causing issues later on, what with stage warnings, and was wondering the best way to go about doing so officially.

Thanks for any feedback.

I would tread carefully here, yes the situation is no good but let's look at it from another point of view

You knew they van was faulty prior to using it. You used it anyway and became injured. You are responsible for your own health and safety. Your injury is partly your fault.

You told them on Monday you couldn't use this van because of back issues. Then after informing them of the fact used the van the following day and injured your back. Again you are responsible for your health and safety and the injury was potentially foreseen by yourself.

So basically you have told management you knew it wasn't safe and you knew you may injure your back. You then went and done exactly that. Seriously if a manager wanted to he could probably take you down the conduct code for this

However none of that removes the mangers joint responsibility for your health and safety. The manager you spoke to could also join you in that hypothetical conduct code.

Simple answer is this. If you know it may lead to injury then speak to h+s rep or if office doesn't have one then area h+s rep and ask their advice. You can simply refuse to use the van until it's safe and road worthy. I would fill in a defect card and put on the card unsafe to use. Hand it to manger then wait and see if he is going to ask you to use it after he has it in writing that it's unsafe in your opinion

[BernardBresslaw]

Thanks.

It is road worthy though so I'm not sure if the situation is the same. It's not like driving with a bald tire and having an accident. Someone else could have used the van without issue so it's not as easy as me turning round and saying I'm not going out on delivery in a van that is technically road worthy.

I'll see what the fall out is upon returning to work first. Thanks all.