LTB 769/12 Joint Statement on the Introduction of 110 York C

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 769/12 Joint Statement on the Introduction of 110 York Container Double Deck Longer Semi-Trailers

No. 769/12
Ref C25/12
Date: 12 October 2012


To: All Branches with Postal Members


Dear Colleagues


Joint Statement on the Introduction of 110 York Container Double Deck Longer Semi-Trailers

The Department for Transport is conducting a trial of 1800 longer semi-trailers, which started in January 2012. Royal Mail is a participant.


The trial involves 900 semi-trailers of 14.6m in length (i.e. 1 metre longer than the current maximum), and a further 900 semi-trailers of 15.65m in length (i.e. 2.05 metres longer). This would bring the total maximum length of the articulated vehicle to 17.5 metres for the first trial category and 18.55 metres for the second. The trial will provide the opportunity to establish the impacts of each length.


The longer semi-trailers will be required to operate within the UK's existing domestic weight limit (44 tonnes for vehicles of 6 axles). Participation in the trial is on a voluntary. The Department will provide no guarantee that the use of the longer semi-trailers will continue to be permitted beyond the end of the trial period. The trial will run for a maximum of 10 years, to enable participants to recover the costs of their investment in the longer semi-trailers.


There will be Independent monitoring of amongst other things, looking at the impact of the longer semi-trailers on carbon emissions, lorry miles and accident rates.


Royal Mail made application to take part in the trial and operate the longer semi-trailers. Demand to operate the 1800 longer semi-trailers significantly exceeded supply. The available quota has been allocated on the following basis: a cap of 20% of an operator's current semi-trailer fleet, or 180 trailers (10% of the quota), whichever is the lower, was applied to bids. Applications were then scaled back in proportion to the excess of demand over supply.


Royal Mail was one of the Operators who were successful in application for a quota and had to apply to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) for Vehicle Special Orders (VSOs) permitting the operation in commercial service of the longer semi-trailers. Royal Mail secured 45 Trailers which carry up to a maximum of 110 York Containers on Double Deck Trailers.


Discussions have been taking place between Royal Mail Logistics HQ and CWU/HQ in order to ensure the highest safety standards and risk controls were in place for the safe operation and use of the new longer semi-trailers which are significantly bigger and different than existing fleet trailers.


On Monday 8th October "Network 2012" operations went "live" which included the Introduction of the 110 York Container Double Deck Trailers. The attached 'Joint-Statement' was agreed and discussions continue to ensure that all measures are in place in respect of ongoing safety and legal compliance.


So far 85 drivers have already received eight hours of "one to one" training, enabling them to use the new 110 York LSTs. The training includes the use of the onboard weight measuring equipment and load planning. Driver training will be ongoing and only trained personnel will be authorised to use the trailers.
A Safe System of Work has been compiled and will be further reviewed and agreed nationally.

The CWU National Health and Safety Department, Logistics CWU Area Safety Representatives and the Head of Safety for Logistics and Transport and Fleet team are meeting this week to ensure that all Safety standards, arrangements, Risk Assessments and Safe System of Work are in place and satisfactory.

The CWU has expressed a number of concerns regarding the potential overloading and stability of these new trailers, the need for load plans, load weighing, training and local risk assessments.


It has been agreed that local risk assessments will be carried out with full CWU ASR involvement.


Royal Mails logistics leadership, Fleet and Safety team have provided statistical information demonstrating that that the probability of overloading these trailers would be extremely rare and therefore a tolerable risk that can be managed by the use of control measures which are that drivers are to utilise the on board weight measurement device to further assure the safe loading of the LST. Random weight sampling of loaded LST Rigs will be undertaken on RM weighbridge facilities at HWDC, SWDC, YDC, WAMC, MMC and NDC. All remaining sites will be randomly sampled using portable weighing pads. Adherence to the SSOW regarding the stability of the load with maximum load stability being essential. The heaviest York's are to be placed on the bottom deck keeping the majority of weight as low as possible to counteract the weight of the York's on the moving deck. Where numbers allow the heavier York's they are to be loaded along the centre of the trailer. Random York weight sampling to monitor the average weight of York's in the network will take place. If a driver has any concerns regarding the weight of a load the weighing facilities provided will be used to check it.

A further report will be published in due course.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer