Hero is injured stopping runaway van - and then blamed

[andy2007]

It has just dawned on me that the postie concerned could be in deep doodoo as apparently the van was left unmanned and yet the person who was injured was able to open the door (integrity of mail security) and tried to apply the handbrake.

I thought that to but he could have just stepped out of the van and as he turned to lock it found it running down the hill (sometimes the handbrakes don't work the way they should, I know, it's happened to me).

Aye-your rught about the hanbrakes, some of the vans are not fit for the road.

If they're not fit for the road, then don't drive them! I know you get hassled for logging vehicles off. But surely it's better than having a serious accident on your concience, because you knowingly drove an unsafe vehicle.

Some time ago, one of our Lorry Drivers, logged several Trailers off, one after another (3 or 4 I think it was). And was suspended, for logging them off for minor defects, that didn't matter. The fact was, that although all the trailers had previously been used by other Drivers, who didn't think the faults were important (ladder attatched with cable ties, due to damage, bald spots on tyres, etc. ). We all walked, as soon as we heard. And he was back at Work, by the end of the Shift.

Sometimes, it's worth making a stand over this type of thing. I know that the ladders on the back of Artic Trailers are only small. But they could still cause an accident, if they fall off, because the rails have failed. Or if there's an accident, because of bald spots on your tyres. Or more recently, if the Handbrake is faulty, and your van rolls down the road, and injures, or worse still, kills someone.

[DGP1]

The handbrakes tend to fail after driving for a while, I was told that it was because of the brakes heating and cooling.

[stokes11eg]

The handbrakes tend to fail after driving for a while, I was told that it was because of the brakes heating and cooling.

I do not drive now any way, but why is everything with R;M so much hastle? Yip-you can do the right thing, but not without a great deal of arguing-par for the course with the Company-war, not work, how I love this place!

[brothermagrew]

Brother disgruntledpostie1 and sister stokes11eg

Re handbrakes yes a distinct possibility, but if the vans are not fit for the road in the first place then they simply should not be taken out on delivery until repairs/minor defects are carried out. Shouldn't the postie concerned be doing his daily van checks before leaving the yard! Surely this would flag up an issue of a faulty handbrake? Only just noticed andy2007 posting whilst in the middle of replying. Have to say I agree entirely with him on this one.

[DGP1]

Brother disgruntledpostie1 and sister stokes11eg

Re handbrakes yes a distinct possibility, but if the vans are not fit for the road in the first place then they simply should not be taken out on delivery until repairs/minor defects are carried out. Shouldn't the postie concerned be doing his daily van checks before leaving the yard! Surely this would flag up an issue of a faulty handbrake? Only just noticed andy2007 posting whilst in the middle of replying. Have to say I agree entirely with him on this one.

The time the handbrake failed on me was half way through a duty and it came without any warning (and it worked fine after that) could it be something to do with Vauxhalls and their dodgy handbrakes (as seen on Watchdog).

PS. There was the time whenever I pulled the handbrake on in a Fiat only to have it snap off there was me sitting in the van staring in disbelief at a broken handbrake handle (I'm surprised that I didn't get warning over it).

[k979aaa]

Brother disgruntledpostie1 and sister stokes11eg

Re handbrakes yes a distinct possibility, but if the vans are not fit for the road in the first place then they simply should not be taken out on delivery until repairs/minor defects are carried out. Shouldn't the postie concerned be doing his daily van checks before leaving the yard! Surely this would flag up an issue of a faulty handbrake? Only just noticed andy2007 posting whilst in the middle of replying. Have to say I agree entirely with him on this one.

Not so on some defects but we should all check the the vans lights and anything that can be seen in the night as for handbrake's disc's and drum's will cool and the shoe's or pad's will lose their grip under less pressure sometimes!. If you have driven vans for royalmail you will have noticed the clutch pedal sinks or even brake pedal it is because the fluid is hydroscopic the hotter it gets the worse it will be in all my time i have never heard of a van haveing it's brake fluid changed at a regular and consitant basis!.

[norbert]

Typical RM. Try and get away with it and once the media get in touch they buckle.

Yes the man may have been the author of his own destruction but what a letter to send.

very true , it's like something out of " The Shawbank Redemption " on Planet RM , prison the world that makes sense , they make a double of a trouble for themselves with their underhand , unnecessarily obstructive , secretive and defensive attitude , however they've always been that way , hiding behind the OSA , unfortunately the rest of the world has changed

trying to keep a lid on cost- cutting , try cost - cutting these two and their stooges :lfo :cfo

[andy2007]

Brother disgruntledpostie1 and sister stokes11eg

Re handbrakes yes a distinct possibility, but if the vans are not fit for the road in the first place then they simply should not be taken out on delivery until repairs/minor defects are carried out. Shouldn't the postie concerned be doing his daily van checks before leaving the yard! Surely this would flag up an issue of a faulty handbrake? Only just noticed andy2007 posting whilst in the middle of replying. Have to say I agree entirely with him on this one.

Not so on some defects but we should all check the the vans lights and anything that can be seen in the night as for handbrake's disc's and drum's will cool and the shoe's or pad's will lose their grip under less pressure sometimes!. If you have driven vans for royalmail you will have noticed the clutch pedal sinks or even brake pedal it is because the fluid is hydroscopic the hotter it gets the worse it will be in all my time i have never heard of a van haveing it's brake fluid changed at a regular and consitant basis!.

If the Handbrake (or anything else for that matter) lets you down whilst you're using it, either go strait back to the DO (for minor faults, like failed bulbs), or call out Vehicle Services (for major faults, like Brake failure). For God's sake, don't drive with dodgy brakes!

If the brakes are getting hot enough to cause even temporary faults, which recover once they cool down. Then they are exceeding their design limits, and could potentially fail completely. They need upgrading (e.g. higher spec Brake Fluid, or Pads/Shoes), or the vans replacing. Do you have access to a Weighbridge, to ensure that you aren't inadvertantly overloading the vans?

[stokes11eg]

Brother disgruntledpostie1 and sister stokes11eg

Re handbrakes yes a distinct possibility, but if the vans are not fit for the road in the first place then they simply should not be taken out on delivery until repairs/minor defects are carried out. Shouldn't the postie concerned be doing his daily van checks before leaving the yard! Surely this would flag up an issue of a faulty handbrake? Only just noticed andy2007 posting whilst in the middle of replying. Have to say I agree entirely with him on this one.

Not so on some defects but we should all check the the vans lights and anything that can be seen in the night as for handbrake's disc's and drum's will cool and the shoe's or pad's will lose their grip under less pressure sometimes!. If you have driven vans for royalmail you will have noticed the clutch pedal sinks or even brake pedal it is because the fluid is hydroscopic the hotter it gets the worse it will be in all my time i have never heard of a van haveing it's brake fluid changed at a regular and consitant basis!.

If the Handbrake (or anything else for that matter) lets you down whilst you're using it, either go strait back to the DO (for minor faults, like failed bulbs), or call out Vehicle Services (for major faults, like Brake failure). For God's sake, don't drive with dodgy brakes! The problem is, some of the faults are not immedietly apparent, and some times, you could be jumping in .and out of different vans on the same day, and yes. normally I personally am a very careful person -but sometimes you do forget to check-especially if you are jumping in as another driver is jumping out,you just assume things areO;K Worst problem for me was being sent to take vans to the nearest company Garage for repairs, i do not know how it works in other Offices, but we have one driver in one good van, with the other following. Thankfully, I do not drive now dueto a wrist injury.Most of the vans nowadays are rubbish anyway, even the new ones seem to develop faults within
months.!!!




If the brakes are getting hot enough to cause even temporary faults, which recover once they cool down. Then they are exceeding their design limits, and could potentially fail completely. They need upgrading (e.g. higher spec Brake Fluid, or Pads/Shoes), or the vans replacing. Do you have access to a Weighbridge, to ensure that you aren't inadvertantly overloading the vans?

[andy2007]

I realise that some faults aren't apparent when you do your Pre-Shift Checks. But what I meant, was that if you experience a handbrake failure (or anything else for that matter), while you're using it. Even if the fault is intermittent. Just go strait back, if it's a minor fault. If it's something more serious. Particularly anything to do with the brakes. Just call out Vehicle Services. Don't try to continue driving it, even if everything seems to go back to normal.

[stokes11eg]

I realise that some faults aren't apparent when you do your Pre-Shift Checks. But what I meant, was that if you experience a handbrake failure (or anything else for that matter), while you're using it. Even if the fault is intermittent. Just go strait back, if it's a minor fault. If it's something more serious. Particularly anything to do with the brakes. Just call out Vehicle Services. Don't try to continue driving it, even if everything seems to go back to normal.

Yes, I do get your point, and quite agree,-but-in our office the number of vans that are 'offically' fit for the road-and basically unfit to drive(At least in my opinion)If they were mine I'd scrap them! -are at odds with each other!

[brothermagrew]

Employer’s responsibilities:
Everyone who uses the public highway must comply with road traffic legislation which is managed by the Department for Transport (DfT). This covers aspects as diverse as requirements, for vehicles to be regularly examined for road worthiness through to the application of speed limits. Both the Police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) maintain a roadside presence and take the lead on the enforcement of this legislation. The Health and Safety Executive supports and works closely with the DfT, the Police, VOSA and other government and industry stakeholders to improve standards on the road.

Managing the risks to employees who drive at work requires more than just compliance with road traffic legislation.

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 requires employers to take appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their activities when at work. This includes the time when they are driving, or riding at work, whether this is in a company or hired vehicle, or in the employees own vehicle.

There will always be risks associated with driving. Although these cannot be completely controlled an employer has a responsibility to take all reasonable steps to manage these risks down to as low a level as reasonably possible in the same way as they would in the workplace.

Practical considerations - ensure:
Drivers are:
competent and capable of doing their work in a way that is safe for them and others;
properly trained;
sufficiently fit and healthy to drive safely and not put themselves and others at risk;
provided with information that will help them reduce risk (eg recommended tyre pressures);
provided with appropriate advice on driving posture.

Vehicles are:
fit for the purpose for which they are used;
maintained in a safe and fit condition.

Journey planning:
takes account of appropriate routes;
incorporates realistic work schedules;
does not put drivers at risk from fatigue;
takes sufficient account of adverse weather conditions.
Employers are encouraged to seek the views of their employees, or their representatives, as they will have first hand experience of what happens in practice.

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/medical/aagv1.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; For Medical Practitioners At A Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive.