More Boots n Shoes stuff:Safety.

[brothermagrew]

The zip on one of my boots went today. When I got them the zips wouldn't open, so have just been using the laces to get them on & off. I've worn them maybe a dozen times. Can't walk fast in them in case I slip. What a joke!
Another case of saving a few pence in the short term looks like costing more.

I'll take them into my DOM tomorrow & let him send them back. God knows when I'll get another pair.....back to wearing my old ones with the soles falling off again!

Believe it or not at a recent WTLL Session in our Delivery Office the ADOM said that he would give anyone who needed a change of footwear the sum of £30-00 from the Firstline Fix Money providing the footwear was suitable to wear for Royal Mail purposes. Quite wrong IMHO as Royal Mail have a legal responsibility to provide adequate and suitable footwear in the first instance.

[POSTMAN]

New Royal Mail Standard Issue Magnum Shoes & Boots

This is to update Branches and Safety Representatives further to LTB 038/08.

Royal Mail's Head of Assets and the National Uniform Manager have informed the Health, Safety & Environment Department that they are continuing to monitor the data on slipping accidents. They say that so far, the trend appears to confirm that people wearing the current footwear range are involved in fewer slip incidents than those who aren't. However, they do recognise that the overall number of slips and trips is an issue that needs to be addressed and Royal Mail's Operations Director has highlighted this as a key priority.

Therefore Lab tests on the footwear have been commissioned and are underway. Royal Mail are comparing the current Royal Mail footwear issue with potential alternatives at SATRA Technology Laboratories and at HSL (Health & Safety Laboratories).

The SATRA process focuses on mechanical and chemical tests - their slip-resistance test meets British, European and international standards and is acknowledged globally as state-of-the-art, and they're a EU Notified body for certificating PPE.

HSL uses live operators on a mechanical ramp, with various surfaces which are tilted till the test items slip, simulating 'real life' conditions as far as possible.

The test results from both labs are expected at the end of the month and CWU/HQ will be kept updated.

In relation to questions and complaints regarding the purpose and use of the zip on the safety boots, Royal Mail say that these boots are also used by emergency services personnel who wear them laced up but unzipped while waiting for a call, which allows them to be worn comfortably, but able to be fastened quickly. This standard feature isn't required for Royal Mail use, and, while the boots can be worn with the zip fastened or unfastened, Royal Mail have arranged with the manufacturer to remove the zip from future issues.

SATRA is the world's leading research and technology centre of its kind and employs more than 180 scientific, technical and support staff across two sites in the UK and a China office. SATRA was formed in 1919 to serve the footwear industry but has since expanded to serve other consumer industry sectors including furniture, safety products, clothing, floor coverings, leather goods and fabric care. SATRA is a Notified Body for the EU Directives on personal protective equipment, toys, medical devices and construction products. The centre's activities include research, material and product evaluation, management systems and consultancy, international quality systems, quality assurance, publications, information services and the production and sale of test equipment. SATRA now covers over 70 countries. SATRA's testing services are aimed at ensuring footwear: Is safe to use and fit for its purpose, Conforms to retail performance specifications or SATRA's unique performance guidelines and meets product liability, environmental and other legislation. SATRA footwear tests include materials used, including uppers, linings, threads, insoles, adhesives, soles and heels as well as components. Tests include properties such as strength, durability, colour-fastness, flexibility, sole attachment, seam strength, flex resistance and water resistance and slip resistance .

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) is Britain's leading industrial health and safety facility with over 30 years of research experience across all sectors. Operating as an agency of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). HSL employs 400 people including scientists, engineers, psychologists, social scientists, health professionals and technical specialists, operating from their main laboratory in Buxton. Amongst the services provided HSL has specially equipped footwear where they undertake investigations into the slip resistance of occupational footwear which includes any footwear intended for use at work.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[LUV THE SMELL OF LETTERS]

This is very true about the new shoes. They are very slippy. We get stopped for wearing our trainers all the time. I've slipped alot of time nearly sticking a gate spike into my face. I only wear them when its wet now and take greater care when out there. :cfo

[IWW Fellow Worker]

Yesterday morning, our rep and a manager stood by the door as people left for delivery taking the names of everyone not wearing these new boots and insisting they wear them in future. Most people not wearing them stated that they were dangerous even after several weeks of wear. In what other industry would a union rep and managers insist on staff wearing equipment which is known to be a danger to the wearer? Royal Mail. You couldn't make it up!

[plodsie]

In the Courier it states the shoes must be worn in rough, dry conditions to condition the sole. Does this mean you do not have to wear them if weather conditions are not suitable? I've never had to do this with previous safety shoes. the upshot is that I wear my own safety shoes which probably cost a lot less than the magnums.

[IWW Fellow Worker]

In the Courier it states the shoes must be worn in rough, dry conditions to condition the sole. Does this mean you do not have to wear them if weather conditions are not suitable? I've never had to do this with previous safety shoes. the upshot is that I wear my own safety shoes which probably cost a lot less than the magnums.

I've had mine (the first pair lasted one day before the zip broke) for three weeks. They still slip and they are awkward to pedal a bicycle with. Typical Royal Mail. They have a decent thermal coat, which they then get rid of, Doc Marten boots and shoes which, along with Clarke shoes did the job, but they get rid of those. A Harrington jacket which was fine to wear in the summer and a fleece sleeveless top for the winter. These were so good, Royal Mail scrapped them. After years and years, they are still incapable of bringing out a bag which keeps mail dry, and now issue bags which rip easier than a job and finish agreement.