cycle helmets

[sevenandseven]

The best thing for cycle safety would be training which RM seem not to offer. Cycle helmets can protect at low impacts but can also make people careless. I was recently passed on a narrow cycle path by a nutter on a racing bike who came up so quickly and quietly he was on me before I realised it. He had all the gear, the lycra and the cycle helmet - but no bell - and he didn't hear me swear at him because he was plugged into his MP3 player. Clearly he thought because he wore a helmet he was invincible. On the same point why do they insist on hi-vis jackets then issue a dark blue helmet? Surely a flourescent style helmet would be more visible to the drivers of trucks who think they are the only ones with rights on the road?

[bandit650]

I dont mind wearing my cycle helmet for all the use it is,its the 2nd new one i've had along with alot of other staff as after 3 years they should re-issue you with a new one it took them 16months to do that with us on thier tale 24/7,the new ones seem to have a fault with them the adjusters at the back keep tightening up or coming undone depending what they feel like on the day,the cycle machanic has now had to use yellow bag ties on them to stop them moving around so when your cycling along the helmet does not undo itself,if the helmet is not adjusted to the right size it would be usless if you were involved in an accident as it would come of your head,the managers wont get anymore in as they say it costs to much,we are not worth the money.
Health and safety in our office now comes under the heading of what H&S as its not the first breech that we are having to argue about even the fire alarms in our place dont work.

[slave]

Indeed, RM have all these grand H&S ideas but then turn a blind eye to so many other issues it's pathetic!!

When we were being told to wear helmets we had fire exits seriously obstructed with 'the usual morning clutter' (yorks, coffins, trays etc etc) and nothing was ever done about it. In fact space was so short we had people cutting and tipping outside, which is a health issue in itself, those poor souls did eventaully get a flimsy gazebo, which was only useful when there wasn't any wind...

Helmets were just one of a line of gimmicks to make themselves look like they actually give a s**t about their employees - it didn't wash then and it doesn't wash now!

[bandit650]

The managers often stand by the gate to check you off viz jacket tick helmet tick the fact that someone is going out the gate with an over weight bag nothing said it makes me laugh but the helmets are a good joke, all the staff do is wear them out the gate then take them off down the road,somthing that we have found is the straps on the helmets have started to fray and most of us have only just had a new issue,some of us have had ours replaced because they have faults on them but the managers are loath to replace them.

[woofwoof]

objection on personal belief,


is what i asked

not if its safe, not if you like wearing it , and not if u think i dont like breaking rules so im wearing it

[brothermagrew]

The managers often stand by the gate to check you off viz jacket tick helmet tick the fact that someone is going out the gate with an over weight bag nothing said it makes me laugh but the helmets are a good joke, all the staff do is wear them out the gate then take them off down the road,somthing that we have found is the straps on the helmets have started to fray and most of us have only just had a new issue,some of us have had ours replaced because they have faults on them but the managers are loath to replace them.

Sisterbandit650

Managers are loath to replace them you say! Any CWU brothers and sisters at your DO who have notified management of defective issued PPE have in my estimation certainly met the criteria for reporting loss or defect of issued PPE. Regulation 11 of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 states that:

"Every employee who has been provided with personal protective equipment by virtue of Regulation 4[1] shall forthwith report to his employer any loss or obvious defect in that personal protective equipment."

Guidance Notes:
62. Employers should make arrangements to ensure that their employees can reportto them [or their representative] the loss of or defects in PPE. These arrangements should also ensure that defective PPE is repaired or replaced before the employee concerned re-starts work.

63. Employees must take reasonable care of PPE provided and report to their employer any loss orobvious defect as soon as possible. If employees have any concerns about serviceability of the PPE, they should immediately consult their employer or the employer's representative.

Regulation 4[1] of the Personal Protectve Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 states that:

"Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety
while at work except where and to the extent that such risks has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective."

And if what you say is correct in another of your postings about the fire alarms not even working get your health and safety rep (unit or area) onto it immediately. You could also consider informing your local area fire brigade officer who I am sure would be more than interested to know about the condition of the fire alarms.

[bandit650]

Thanks brother magrew for the safety equiptment regs the managers are aware of them and it dont stop them being loath to replace the helmets as you will be aware they pay for them out of thier own pocket(not) and it still took us a year to make them toe the line because they should have replaced our helmets which is required under health and safety (all helmets have a life span),we are still waiting for them to fix the fire alarms in our DO they are not to worried about that either they find it more of a laugh,shame we did'nt.

[bandit650]

if you a have an objection on personal belief,which is recognised under law (sikhs and motor helmets)royal mail will recommend not insist on wearing helmets
i aint either so do i have a case for discrimination i just love my lovely locks of hair i aint going bald for royal mail

Sorry should have read your question abit more ,i was having a blond moment it happens, i would say you could always try for the discrimination and let us know how you get on then i can go for the same as i spend all this money and time on keeping my hair nice and the helmet does rather ruin the look so if you get through on reaking havock on your locks then i could follow suit.

[andy2007]

time for my two penith


its was your mazing union which forced royal mail to provide helmets and hi vis.
once they supply it it is uniform and therefore compulsory..

and all the fantics coming out again sayin you gotta wear it or your an idiot do any of you know how many cycle journeys each year are made by royal mail personal and how many have been put in wheel chairs or died....i thought not

well its a fact that car drivers actually take less care around cyclist wearing helmets .therefore putting you in more danger

the guy who died in gloster and whom the union used to get helmets for you wouldn't have lived if he had a helmets on.nothing short of him being in a tank would have helped
its just more of the same nanny state rules from the labour union idiot

I suppose you also feel that Motorcyle Helmets are just as useless too, do you?
After all, if a Motorcyclist hits a Car at speed, they will probably die too.

We also had similar arguments back in the late 70's and early 80's about Seatbelts. With people citing examples of people surviving crashes because they were thrown clear of the vehicle. Despite the fact that (as History has now proved) more people are saved by Seatbelts, than killed by them.

Personally, I don't know the figures for RM Cyclists killed or injured, as I work in an RDC, where we don't use them. But I would be very surprised (and bitterly dissapointed) if the DO H&S Reps couldn't get access to the info. Such things need to have adequate Risk Assessments, so the figures should be on record. At the very least, from the year when the Helmets were first provided.

I used to do a considerable amount of Cycling, when I was younger. I was also saved from serious injury by my Cycle Helmet, when a car pulled out in front of me. I went over the Handlebars, landed on the Bonnet, and slid to the floor. Apart from some bruising, and a grazed Knee, I was fine. The Helmet of course, had to be replaced, as they are only good for one accident (I assume it's still the same now).

I'm quite sure that if you ask around, you will find many other people with first hand experience of the safety benefits of Cycle Helmets.

As I said a few days ago, I feel very strongly that the use of Cycle Helmets should be a personal choice. However, I still think that people should take the risks seriously, and choose to wear them.

[DGP1]

I can't see the problem with wearing them (apart from looking like a dork), it's part of the uniform so it should be worn.

And this from a postie in a van

[andy2007]

I can't see the problem with wearing them (apart from looking like a dork), it's part of the uniform so it should be worn.

And this from a postie in a van

I can't see the problem either, but I still think that it should be the individual's choice.

My only concern, is that there are so many people who don't seem to understand just how much protection they give you.

You're certainly right about them making you look daft. It was even worse, when I first started wearing one, as they weren't as common as they are now.

The thing that I just don't think can be emphasised enough, is just how important Cycle Helmets are. Your Brain, is one of the most complicated, important, and delecate parts of your Body. If it gets damaged, the effects can be devistating!

If someone still doesn't want to wear one, despite knowing and fully understanding the risks. Then why force them?
I just can't understand, why they would put their looks, before their Brain.

[BELIAL]

I should,nt worry about your helmet Cantype, you'll be fine whatever.

[DGP1]

OK this is for canttypewhatever
Last year one of the bike duties in my DO was cycling to his first DP whenever a car pulled out in front of him and he hit it but he was OK because of his helmet took the full impact and not his head.
So 5-10-15-50mph it doesn't matter it could happen at any time you'll never know.

[k979aaa]

I should,nt worry about your helmet Cantype, you'll be fine whatever.

Probably already happened to him but what ever happened to the tv ad in the 1970's you know the one the bloke with a baseball bat and the fruit and veg and it he demonstrate's what would happen to your head if you had no helmet on!.

[apple]

i ride at work sometimes and i take groups mountain biking, what i will say is i always wear a helmet, i am a above average rider, what you cannot take into account when riding is other people! pulling out etc

please wear your helmets, trashed 2 helmets, would hate to think what would have been the outcome if i wasn't wearing them

Seat belts in cars surely we can all agree that this is a good thing and there is lots of evidence to back this up, just the same with bike helmets