GET FIT FOR WINTER

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Got this from my ADR

As we are in the middle of a Severe Weather event / situation, I thought that a few words of guidance might be appreciated.

Firstly, attached is the latest Royal Mail document pack regarding their Severe Weather policy / ‘Get Fit for Winter’. This contains all the documents that DOMs are meant to use to plan for Severe Weather.

Please note that there are useful bits to be found in:

1. ‘Step 3’: Preventive Action Plan.
2. ‘Tips and Prompts’: What to Consider if Snow and Ice Strikes.
3. ‘Safety Briefs’: Safety Briefs.

The latter document contains all the Royal Mail WTL Safety Briefs under the sun and is 8461K in size.

Can I draw your attention in particular to the ‘Tips and Prompts’ document, which has on the second page, the statement:

“if there is the odd address that is a risk due to snow or ice DON’T GO THERE!”

As far as the CWU is concerned, whether it is ‘the odd address’ or not, if a member honestly believes that it is unsafe to deliver to an address, then they are within their rights under Health and Safety to decide not to do so.

Royal Mail managers cannot instruct anyone to ignore their own Health and Safety. So, members could be in a position where they have been told that the manager ‘thinks there is no problem’, but still have the right to refuse to deliver. Any come-back or victimisation of members for exercising their rights under Health and Safety legislation would be a very serious offence. Dismissals for exercising rights under Health and Safety are considered to be automatically unfair.

Obviously, members should make the judgement call, on reasonable grounds, and not ‘take the piss’.

But, in summary, as far as I am concerned:

“If you are in doubt whether you can safely deliver to an address: DON’T GO THERE!”

However, members must also make sure that they inform their line manager as soon as possible that they were unable to deliver to that address / street. They should then also endorse the mail and pouch it off, or return it to the delivery office. They must never take mail home at the end of their delivery.

This advice applies to drivers as well as walking staff.

Members should of course be aware that if they do attempt to deliver to an address, and have an accident, then managers will be the first to ask why the member went there if they thought it was not safe. They might then be blamed for causing their own accident.

Its a huge file 8MB - anyone wanting one please post a message on this thread and I will send it to the email address you registered under.

[Thunderthighs]

Was covering a mountainous rural, after the original postie fell and broke his arm on black ice. Snow was around for nearly 6 weeks total.
I was just getting back to normal after AOD/Light duties.
But, after 2 - 3 days, of the heaviest snow in 10 yrs, was told by manager, "It's ok up there now...hardly any snow." ( They hadn't ACTUALLY been there.)
I took phone pictures of one driveway. Was up to the bonnet height of the van!
Van I was given was dodgy, broke down twice in two weeks. Had to sit in blizzard waiting for AA. I'm talking, Total Whiteout...

Makes you wonder if management actually read or digest H+S guidelines, or know of common sense safety plans.
It's like the Pony Express, "The post MUST get through!" at whatever cost to staff.

[robd]

Teebs if you still have this,i'd really appreciate a copy thanks.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Teebs if you still have this,i'd really appreciate a copy thanks.

Not sure if I have as the computer I had it on went but will check and post if I locate it.