Heat is on for city posties told to cover up

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Britain is poised for a heatwave this week but city posties have been told to cover up by wearing long sleeves and supply their own sun cream.

Over the last couple of summers, delivery workers in Norwich have been supplied with sun cream to protect themselves against the sun while out on their three and half hour deliveries.

But now, because of fears the company will end up on the receiving end of a prosecution claim, the company has axed the provision of sun cream and instead is encouraging its staff to cover up.

Melly Hill, Communication Workers Union (CWU)representative for the Norwich area, said: “We had an agreement in place a few years ago, which we helped to bring in, to issue factor 15 but the legal people looked at it and said that if we provided sun cream and then people didn't use it and got skin cancer then we would be liable.

“Instead, they have gone down the 'cover up' route and have provided sun hats with wide brims and encouraging staff to wear long sleeves which I know in this heat seems crazy.”

The postal workers tend to be on their deliveries at peak heat times and walk around outside for three and a half hours.

Members of staff said it was “ridiculous” to expect them to where full clothing when temperatures are expected to soar to the high 20s and they could get heat exhaustion.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “The provision of sun cream to delivery staff is an initiative used at some local delivery offices.

“In the case of Norwich delivery office, this availability ceased last year as we provide a full range of clothing including hats that offers protection against the elements.”

Royal Mail has recently issued postal workers with water bottles so its staff can keep hydrated while on their duties.

This week, people are being warned to drink plenty of water, not to over exert themselves and to stay indoors at peak times of the day as temperatures are likely to be at least 26C.

Hospitals across the region are on high alert, adopting a Heatweave Plan with advice from the Department of Health, as there is 60pc chance of a heatwave.

On Friday, people in Norwich will be called upon to give their support to a campaign to keep the country's postal service public.

The CWU's “Keep the Post Public” Postcard tour will be at the Mall Norwich, drumming up support for the campaign against privatisation plans by the government to sell off Royal Mail.

[Mr Onion Head]

We all know the answer to how we can avoid being out delivering during the hottest part of the day, but hi-ho someone's £250,000+ bonus depends on the posties cooking in the midday sun.

[DGP1]

They got water bottles for a 3½ hour delivery you'd need about 3 litres of cold water so unless they are supplying that then it's pretty much useless (when I'm in a van I'll normally take out 2 litres but when on a bike only 1 litre but I do drink a lot before I go out just to be sure).

[NWpostie]

They got water bottles for a 3½ hour delivery you'd need about 3 litres of cold water so unless they are supplying that then it's pretty much useless (when I'm in a van I'll normally take out 2 litres but when on a bike only 1 litre but I do drink a lot before I go out just to be sure).

not to mention somewhere to have a p1ss, that amount of water will turn on the waterworks.

[rhino49]

I have had quite a few customers offering me a drink and when I've needed my water bottle refilling they have been delighted to help - but the best one of all, today I was given a top quality high juice orange ice lolly by a customer straight from the freezer just ten minutes from the end of my walk - what a lovely way to finish my day.

[dvbuk55]

They got water bottles for a 3½ hour delivery you'd need about 3 litres of cold water so unless they are supplying that then it's pretty much useless (when I'm in a van I'll normally take out 2 litres but when on a bike only 1 litre but I do drink a lot before I go out just to be sure).

not to mention somewhere to have a p1ss, that amount of water will turn on the waterworks.

Not a problem if you are incontinent - you just buy one of those thingies advertised in those Sunday supplement magazines - it's a boon for us oldies

[DGP1]

They got water bottles for a 3½ hour delivery you'd need about 3 litres of cold water so unless they are supplying that then it's pretty much useless (when I'm in a van I'll normally take out 2 litres but when on a bike only 1 litre but I do drink a lot before I go out just to be sure).

not to mention somewhere to have a p1ss, that amount of water will turn on the waterworks.

Not with me, most of the fluid comes out in sweat (I suppose I could just wring my shirt out ).

[stokes11eg]

Note I must not make joke about verbal incontinence,talking a lot of p--, must not joke------