LTB 378/20 - New Face Covering/Face Mask Rules for Shops, Supermarkets including Post Offices, Royal Mail Group Customer Service Points (CSPs) : Now mandatory for all

[POSTMAN]

https://www.myroyalmail.com/news/2020/09/covering-csps" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Covering up in CSPs

Updated face covering guidance for our Customer Service Point colleagues

Following recent communications that all colleagues who work in our Customer Service Points (CSPs) are required to wear a face covering, updated guidance has been made available by the UK Government.

In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, where adequate protective screens are in place between colleagues and members of the public in our CSPs, there is no requirement for colleagues to wear a face covering.

The below updated guidance is available:

England (https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... e-your-own" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
Scotland( https://www.gov.scot/publications/coron ... #mandatory" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
Northern Ireland (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/co ... -coverings" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

There is currently no updated guidance for colleagues in Wales (https://gov.wales/face-coverings-guidance-public" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) so those working in a CSP in Wales must continue to wear a face covering at all times. Any future changes to guidance will be communicated.

In the context of the pandemic, a face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth, such as a mask. These remain available to all colleagues. A personal scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering would qualify as a face covering, but these must securely fit around the side of the face.

Face coverings are largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth. Guidance on wearing a face covering is available here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... the%20face" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Face visors have also been made available for colleagues who wish to wear them as an additional control in other non-mandatory workplace settings. Wearing a visor on its own is not permitted as they are not classified as face coverings. The visors can be ordered through the uniform online ordering portal and come in packs of 12.

Visors should be wiped clean with a sanitiser wipe or soap and water before and after use. All wipes should be disposed of in line with existing guidelines. Visors should be replaced if visibility becomes obscured or steaming up increases due to wear or cleaning. Visors should be named and not shared between colleagues.

[POSTMAN]

Will Royal Mail be providing face masks?

In indoor places where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet e.g. public buildings, business receptions, blocks of flats it is recommended that face coverings are worn.

Update 6 Oct

2nd post PDF in the Global Announcement...
viewtopic.php?f=71&t=94715

[POSTMAN]

In Scotland The wearing of face coverings in a workplace canteen, when not seated at a table, such as when queuing, entering or leaving the canteen (in line with other hospitality venues) will be mandatory from Friday 16th October.

The wearing of face coverings in other indoor communal workplaces, such as corridors and social spaces will be required from 19th October.

There is no updated guidance for colleagues in Wales so those working in a Customer Service Point must continue to wear a face covering/mask at all times. In Wales, staff working behind plastic screens which give sufficient protection would generally not be considered to be in public areas – the purpose of the screen being to separate them from the public.

2nd post PDF in the Global Announcement...
viewtopic.php?f=71&t=94715

[POSTMAN]

Will Royal Mail be providing face masks?
It will be mandatory for all colleagues to wear a face covering in all Royal Mail Group indoor workplaces from Monday, 9th November 2020. We also support and actively encourage the use of face coverings in all outdoor settings to keep our colleagues and customers safe. Face coverings do not replace other preventative measures, i.e. increased hand hygiene, social distancing, increased cleaning, etc, which must remain in place.

A move to mandatory face coverings in all indoor workplaces strengthens the existing preventative measures already in place to protect you and others from coronavirus and supports our risk management strategy which we are responsible for under health and safety legislation. This is a view shared by regulatory bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive and many local authorities. We have already seen some excellent examples where indoor workplaces are wearing face coverings and uptake has been good.

Posters to display this requirement are available on the SHE Coronavirus Document Library -Posters
While working outside of RMG premises in indoor places where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet e.g. public buildings, business receptions, blocks of flats it is recommended that face coverings are worn.

2nd post PDF in the Global Announcement...
viewtopic.php?f=71&t=94715

[POSTMAN]

LTB 544/20 – RMG/CWU Joint Statement Dealing with Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Protecting and Putting Employees First and Introduction of Mandatory Face Masks

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-544-20-rmg- ... ace-masks/

See the link, very long, seems Dave Joyce is on a bit of overtime as I think this is the 3rd LTB on the subject.