2 Metre Rule when Sorting ?

rmgrp6 · Post by **rmgrp6** » 26 Mar 2020, 21:30

Hello
I am very concerned at my delivery office that there is nothing place to ensure that everyone in the office can maintain the Governments advice of keeping 2 metres apart to protect each other from contracting the Coronavirus.
The DOM had asked quite rightly that everyone should wash their hands when coming to work and when leaving at the end of the day and that there will be no pairings in vans and has also asked for the 2 metre rule to apply when queing up for the Specials and van keys etc.
Unfortunately all these precautions fall apart when it coes to sorting time and people are within a couple of feet of each other.
Is anything being done by Royal Mail to address this huge flaw in preventing the spread of the virus. The fewer employees that get infected the better it is for the business.
I am very concerned as my partner has underlying health issues and is shielding at the moment to preventing her getting infected and then I come home after being in close contact with all my colleagues !!
I personally feel for all of us with health issues or not, that if we cannot be afforded a safe working environment at this awful time then we should'nt continue to work.
I think the general public would be horrified if they knew that this practice is going on.
It seems to be all geared to how the Royal Mail looks to the public when we all go out in seperate vans and are unaware how we work in the office.

grchpo · Post by **grchpo** » 26 Mar 2020, 21:38

Why is there no interview or even a mention of RM on any news programme, NHS, shop workers, but no mention of our conditions. Think someone may be using their influence, guess who.

Zicomurphy · Post by **Zicomurphy** » 26 Mar 2020, 21:43

Every other IPS frame has been taped off in our office so people are spaced further apart. The problem is you still have people clearing down whilst sorting is happening, people crowded too close around the packet sorting frame, people prepping walks close to each other and generally just people moving around the office and it being impossible to stay 2 metres apart.

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 26 Mar 2020, 21:46

grchpo wrote:Why is there no interview or even a mention of RM on any news programme, NHS, shop workers, but no mention of our conditions. Think someone may be using their influence, guess who.

It is quite astonishing really. Iv not read a single thing in the media regarding us. Its almost as if the establishment don't want the public to realise that an important utility that is vital to the country, Which they used to own was sold off on the cheap to shite hawk asset stripping c***s!

sirchewey · Post by **sirchewey** » 26 Mar 2020, 21:59

We have the same issues in our office. I have voiced ideas on how we could change processes to safeguard but most have fallen on deaf ears.
Ideas regarding sorting were, physical barriers between mail sorters, ensure we porter from the back of frames, one way systems in place around the office, pausing for larger clear downs during sorting, moving frames to enforce 2m SD guidelines, remove parcels from main sorting areas in order to free up space earlier/staggered start times to reduce risks further, sorters to porter parcel bags or allow regular interrupts for porters to clear down.
Indoor work can be designed to cover sorters frame prep from porters etc if required to cover the extra work load put on sorters.
Nothing is off the cards this whole thing is as new to your manager as it is to you. Some of my ideas were put into place but we still have more that can be done. We are a small office and v tight on space. I imagine larger offices have it slightly easier but I'm amazed that RM havent told managers to redesign indoor to overcome these issues. From what I gather they are just putting the responsibility on DOMs and telling everyone that they are doing something but not giving any guidance on how to do it.
Offices with low space should be moved to other premises. Couldn't we go further and suggest the use of school halls or a sports centre? Shame we were privatised otherwise it would already be happening and we probably wouldn't be having to deliver half the crap we are either lol

Post by **POSTMAN** » 26 Mar 2020, 22:15

Get a manager or rep, coach, someone with a big gob (I could do it but I'm busy at the mo) to police it.
Been lots of crying about this no so why is it being f***ing ignored?

Postmanpat6312 · Post by **Postmanpat6312** » 26 Mar 2020, 22:38

Next have just stopped their warehouse operations since staff can’t be 2m apart, Royal Mail needs to stop

rmgrp6 · Post by **rmgrp6** » 26 Mar 2020, 22:50

Managers just say they are doing all they can to protect everyone, really !!
I know it is difficult in a busy office but things need to to be staggered to reduce the number of staff at any one time.

davecc5 · Post by **davecc5** » 26 Mar 2020, 23:02

Sorry but no faith in the Managers. It's literally chuck a hi vis vest on with Manager printed on the back & that's it. Nothing personal, they try their best but as with any large organisation nowadays they are just spending their time massaging figures to get near the top of those effing 'league tables' which is a polite way of saying, covering things up. The poor staff in the nhs are the same, the red tape means that they spend too much time battling against the shite regs. created by management who spend most of their time getting paid to think up new ideas.
3 weeks ago we needed Managers to say, 'F?ck instructions from above, this is going to change now' you don't need to be Einstein to put plans in place to provide safer sorting areas, you just need to sit down quietly & think it through. We have our part to play as well, it needs to be give & take. Tough s**t if you have started at 5am for the last 73 years, that just changed, you are starting later while we are going through this crap. But no, Managers are wary of their line managers, the union, legislation and so they have every bloody hiding place going which creates re-active (at best), poor decision making.
I have had enough after this bloody debarcle, as I said it's nothing personal, it's the system that has caused the dilemna we find ourselves in and I know it's unprecedented times but I am certainly not resting my/wife/kids immediate future in the hands of individuals that don't actually know what to do. And that goes right up to the top.

sindba · Post by **sindba** » 26 Mar 2020, 23:05

It's not possible.

The CWU should give the company two options

1- only accept items from key organisations. NHS, Government, Local Authorities, Pharmacies etc. Strict shift patterns and distancing measures in place at all stages.

2- we stop working.

ssdd · Post by **ssdd** » 26 Mar 2020, 23:36

sirchewey wrote:We have the same issues in our office. I have voiced ideas on how we could change processes to safeguard but most have fallen on deaf ears.
Ideas regarding sorting were, physical barriers between mail sorters, ensure we porter from the back of frames, one way systems in place around the office, pausing for larger clear downs during sorting, moving frames to enforce 2m SD guidelines, remove parcels from main sorting areas in order to free up space earlier/staggered start times to reduce risks further, sorters to porter parcel bags or allow regular interrupts for porters to clear down.
Indoor work can be designed to cover sorters frame prep from porters etc if required to cover the extra work load put on sorters.
Nothing is off the cards this whole thing is as new to your manager as it is to you. Some of my ideas were put into place but we still have more that can be done. We are a small office and v tight on space. I imagine larger offices have it slightly easier but I'm amazed that RM havent told managers to redesign indoor to overcome these issues. From what I gather they are just putting the responsibility on DOMs and telling everyone that they are doing something but not giving any guidance on how to do it.
Offices with low space should be moved to other premises. Couldn't we go further and suggest the use of school halls or a sports centre? Shame we were privatised otherwise it would already be happening and we probably wouldn't be having to deliver half the crap we are either lol

You've got some good ideas there. Pity there aren't more managers with your drive. I had thought along similar lines of temporary relocation for DOs in now vacant premises. The problem is the mail centres as far as I can see. It's not only us. Amazon workers are cracking up because of this too. And the Asos warehouse in Barnsley. Probably others too.
https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/%E2%80%98pe ... s%E2%80%99
I agree with sindba's points above. We really need to tighten the belt now.

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 27 Mar 2020, 07:44

sindba wrote:It's not possible.

The CWU should give the company two options

1- only accept items from key organisations. NHS, Government, Local Authorities, Pharmacies etc. Strict shift patterns and distancing measures in place at all stages.

2- we stop working.

I'l mimic this. The nature of the job and the layout of DO's makes social distancing impossible. We are getting people still opening their doors to us as we knock or straight after we knock reaching out for their mail or packets. DO's are ill equipped with any PPE to help protect ourselves.

All of this wouldn't be so bad if we really were just delivering the essentials. Getting in and out of the DO as quickly as possible and only delivering essentials. No D2D's. No catalogues. No advertising mail what so ever. You get my drift.

If we did that I think posties would be happier as they would actually feel like they are delivering a valued and worthy service during an emergency.

Post by **HTPostman** » 27 Mar 2020, 08:24

Ren Hoëk wrote:
sindba wrote:It's not possible.

The CWU should give the company two options

1- only accept items from key organisations. NHS, Government, Local Authorities, Pharmacies etc. Strict shift patterns and distancing measures in place at all stages.

2- we stop working.
I'l mimic this. The nature of the job and the layout of DO's makes social distancing impossible. We are getting people still opening their doors to us as we knock or straight after we knock reaching out for their mail or packets. DO's are ill equipped with any PPE to help protect ourselves.

All of this wouldn't be so bad if we really were just delivering the essentials. Getting in and out of the DO as quickly as possible and only delivering essentials. No D2D's. No catalogues. No advertising mail what so ever. You get my drift.

If we did that I think posties would be happier as they would actually feel like they are delivering a valued and worthy service during an emergency.

Fully agree. You could even have those who can’t drive and are currently indoors prep and tie up the round AND put it in the van. You then just get the keys and away you go, so you’re indoors for just 2 minutes.

I know we are limited with space but there is so much we could do.

Outdoor isn’t so bad but like you say there’s still an alarming number who don’t get it. People having BBQs with neighbours, kids in groups on their bikes on the road. I had one guy come to his gate with his arm out to take the parcel, I told him I can’t hand it over I’ll just put it on the floor. His reply was ‘what’s the point’

It’s not just the young though. Yesterday I went to the pharmacy to collect some meds. They have huge red signs telling you to wait outside until the customer before you has finished. An old guy stood behind me outside. I waited for the one in front to come out, I then went in, the old guy followed me in. I mean how difficult is it - 1 out, 1 in.

norris9 · Post by **norris9** » 27 Mar 2020, 09:08

HTPostman wrote:Fully agree. You could even have those who can’t drive and are currently indoors prep and tie up the round AND put it in the van. You then just get the keys and away you go, so you’re indoors for just 2 minutes.

True.

But is that fair. Driving posties have to go and destroy their knees, non-driving posties have a rest.

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 27 Mar 2020, 09:28

norris9 wrote:
HTPostman wrote:Fully agree. You could even have those who can’t drive and are currently indoors prep and tie up the round AND put it in the van. You then just get the keys and away you go, so you’re indoors for just 2 minutes.
True.

But is that fair. Driving posties have to go and destroy their knees, non-driving posties have a rest.

Or alternatively non drivers are stuck in a dangerous delivery office without sanitiser, wipes and effective social distancing putting themselves at a greater risk of catching the virus. Is that fair?

We can't have it all ways on these forums.