LTB441/17 Royal Mail Outdoor Workers – Provision Of Water Bottles or Bottled Water in Hot Weather:

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB441/17 Royal Mail Outdoor Workers – Provision Of Water Bottles or Bottled Water in Hot Weather:

No. 441/2017

31 July 2017

Our Ref: E4/17

Royal Mail Outdoor Workers – Provision Of Water Bottles or Bottled Water in Hot Weather:

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

At the request of the Health, Safety and Environment Department, the Royal Mail Safety Health and Environment Team have issued further updates on “Sun Safety” via internal communications and to managers on how and when to order water bottles or bottled water.

The RMG SHE Team has issued updated guidance on the “Sun Safety” policy through Courier and via WTLLs on staying safe in the sun in June and July. This followed the RMTV launch on the topic in April and there will be another episode later in the summer, in August.

With regard to the provision of water bottles or bottled water where required, Delivery Offices can request them through the “Demand Challenge” process, via the region, unless they are one of the few remaining units where cycles are still in use, in which case they can order water bottles via Pashley Cycle Stores.

The RMG Head of Health has also issued the following advice to all Managers in a recent communication that was circulated:-

Hydration - water plays a critical part of maintaining a healthy body. Experts recommend drinking 8-10 glasses of water each day to maintain good health. Almost every cell in the body requires water to function, even more so during periods of increased activity or when temperatures rise. Drinking facilities can be found in all Royal Mail sites for both indoor and outdoor workers.

During hot weather, managers should complete a severe weather risk assessment. Provision of water should be considered and where deemed necessary bottled water may be purchased locally.

Area Health and Safety Representatives should use the above information in local representations where necessary and problems should be progressed via the Health and Safety Disputes Escalation process as set out in RMG SHE Standard 5.1.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[bogues2009]

All lovely to drink lots of water etc but thats going to result in our bladders needing to be emptied more often..where are we going to find designated toilets on our duties? Is this time included in our delivery time? Can I insist on being taken back to the office for a toilet break?!

[Lounge Lizard]

Maybe we're meant to discretely use the bottles we've emptied.
And of course we're two-thirds through summer before we're given this.

[POSTMAN]

All lovely to drink lots of water etc but thats going to result in our bladders needing to be emptied more often..where are we going to find designated toilets on our duties? Is this time included in our delivery time? Can I insist on being taken back to the office for a toilet break?!

During EVERY revision since time began there would of been an allocated 'toilet stop'.
If yours/a duty does not have one then demand one, it's your right!