Cycling postmen without helmets face the sack

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Lancashire postmen are facing the sack for failing to wear bike helmets.

Royal Mail has been asked to use "common sense" by the county's MPs after learning that two Lancashire posties in Garstang and Lytham are facing investigations on the matter.

It comes just a week after three Southport posties were sacked for failing to follow new guidelines.

Royal Mail says it takes employee safety "very seriously" and enforces the use of helmets through "numerous safety briefings and notification documents".

But Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle, who sits on the House of Commons Business and Enterprise Select Committee which investigates Royal Mail matters, has called for a more "sensible" approach.

He said: "I think people need to look at terms and conditions and if Royal Mail is serious about this one, a warning is the way forward. I think to sack somebody is severe, common sense should prevail.

"Royal Mail has a duty to look after its employees but it needs to make sure people understand their policy and the way forward is to proceed in a sensible manner."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans added: "It does seem very heavy-handed as it's not usually compulsory for cyclists to wear helmets on bicycles.

"I can understand why it is done from an insurance point of view but perhaps putting them on a training course and showing them the effects of not wearing helmets would be far better than dismissing them."

Andy Tatchell, of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) which represents postal workers, said: "The union continues to insist that the national agreement covering the use of cycle helmets should be adhered to in the way the agreement was struck."

Royal Mail said cycle helmets have been supplied as "personal protective equipment" since 2003 "in the same way as high visibility jackets and protective shoes are issued to staff to help ensure their safety".

In a statement, bosses added: "Staff are made aware of the requirement to wear cycle helmets when using a bike.

"We do not talk about individual personnel issues but I can state that Royal Mail takes the safety of its employees very seriously which is why it is mandatory for all Royal Mail staff who use a bike to wear personal protective equipment, including cycle helmets."

The Royal Mail has also responded to an allegation made online that a Fylde postman is subjected to "unwarranted management surveillance on his round" where "managers are searching for any minor infringements of the rules to take action upon as with the cycle helmet issue".

A statement reads: "I can assure you that Royal Mail takes a zero tolerance approach to bullying and harassment and always investigates when such allegations are received."

Postal workers at the Garstang Delivery Office declined to speak to the LEP about the disciplinary issues involving a postman in the town.

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The Royal Mail has also responded to an allegation made online that a Fylde postman is subjected to "unwarranted management surveillance on his round" where "managers are searching for any minor infringements of the rules to take action upon as with the cycle helmet issue".

Was that us?

TBH the only reason my DOM doesn't do it is because he couldn't find us, he seems to get lost walking from one side of the office to the other