In the words of Mr Smith "It's the smell"

hampshireman · Post by **hampshireman** » 16 Feb 2010, 14:50

Having spent my (near) two years at RM as a reserve; I've done over 25 walks now. Some have been appalling , in the type of properties that I have to deliver. Been into places with dog sh1t on the floor; needles around etc , etc. That I can handle (though I don't think I should)

I am now covering a float (as the incumbent is long term sick) , which is fine.

However; there is one block of flats (only 6 doors) that I struggle to deliver to. Why? It smells vile ; mostly a combination of food smells and heat. It actually makes me gag and nearly throw up. The last two times I've entered the block and then turned away. Both times I have informed one of the managers about this and said that am unhappy to deliver ; especially as I believe my vomit will only add to the problem.

Have had no problem with managers as they accepted my reason. But with the rider that the usual guy has no problems. Have spoken to the 'usual guy' and he has sympathy but says that his sense of smell is not that great so he is not that concerned.

Am back there in the next couple of days and I know that I wont be able to deliver.

Will I eventually get in trouble? Because it looks like I am the only one that does not want to deliver to this block.

It may seem trivial; but this one really bugs me.

Regards

Paul

Post by **stokes11eg** » 16 Feb 2010, 14:58

Sorry, I'm not being funny here, as I also used to do flats like that, but could you not wear a mask, with a little
aftershave scent on it Or get it properly checked out, on H/S grounds. good luck.

hampshireman · Post by **hampshireman** » 16 Feb 2010, 15:05

stokes11eg wrote: Sorry, I'm not being funny here, as I also used to do flats like that, but could you not wear a mask, with a little
aftershave scent on it Or get it properly checked out, on H/S grounds. good luck.

Thanks Stokes.

As for the mask... Probably not. Although have tried the hanky/tissue over the face. (that did not work).

I am considering taking one of the mangers with me and getting him to do it (it's early on the walk)

Pickle · Post by **Pickle** » 16 Feb 2010, 15:12

I had the same problem last year. It was one flat in a block of 6. They were just dirty people with loads of pets. Their landing was smell was unbearable. I got my manager to contact the local enviromental health, who contacted the owners of the flat and told them to clean the landing. It does still smell when its a warm sunny day, but not as much as it used to.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 16 Feb 2010, 15:27

Warning do not read this post if eating or you have a weak stomach.

When I was in the Mob one of the worst jobs in a Main Base on this deployment was one that was termed the "Sweet Mary" truck. The reasons why will become very obvious.

To set the scene. The deployment was basically to a very large field in the middle of nowhere, there was no running water, no electricity and sewage system (it was overseas BTW). We lived in, operated out of, washed and showered in tents. Water was rationed for bathing.

Toilet facilities were not Port-a-loos because of the nature of the deployment chemical toilets could not be used so an extremely large pit was dug and then covered in wood with small cubicles running down both sides of the pit. The cubicles had inbuilt shelves with strategic holes cut into them. Because we were there for 6 months the Latrines could not be treated like you see in the films (ie chemical spray or burning) therefore a duty was designed which every soldier below the rank of Sergeant took turns.

Basically the drivers turned up with a sewage truck with a long hose. The nominated soldier had to, there was no other way to do it, climb into the pit via a ladder, and move the hose to make sure that all the human waste was extracted.

Yes I had to do it a few times and I think it destroyed my sense of smell, and certainly meant I learnt not to have a weak stomach.

In essence, you will eventually get used the smell, but if you feel that your safety is endangered and they do not give you sufficient protective clothing you are within your rights to refuse just make sure you note when, where and how and inform the manager every time. Eventually they will do something and hopefully the residents will sort it out.

slave · Post by **slave** » 16 Feb 2010, 15:37

Shouldn't "have to get used to it" its foul disgusting lowlife scum that are allowed to f**k up places like this and should be dealt with accordingly. I nearly told them to shove it when I had to deliver to some flats with dog s**t and piss on the stairs along with broken glass and god knows what else. Luckily they moved me onto another walk before I had chance to vent my disgust.
If your DOM complains tell him to go and do it, preferably when he's got a nice pair of shoes on

Richie89 · Post by **Richie89** » 16 Feb 2010, 15:43

Tell your line manager and they should get in touch with the council. No way you should have to put up with other peoples filth.

DemonPostie · Post by **DemonPostie** » 16 Feb 2010, 15:49

There's a three-storey building with 9 flats on one of my rounds, and the whole building reeks of piss. Properly, make-you-gag reeks. I think it's full of little old people who just sit indoors all day peeing.

Anyhow, the game round our office is trying to deliver to the whole building while holding your breath. Take a great breath outside the door, hit the trades button, and RUN up the stairs. Not great health-and-safety trying to sprint through a building while holding your breath, but the alternative is surely more harmful...

Post by **REDLETTER** » 16 Feb 2010, 16:03

DemonPostie wrote:There's a three-storey building with 9 flats on one of my rounds, and the whole building reeks of piss. Properly, make-you-gag reeks. I think it's full of little old people who just sit indoors all day peeing.

Anyhow, the game round our office is trying to deliver to the whole building while holding your breath. Take a great breath outside the door, hit the trades button, and RUN up the stairs. Not great health-and-safety trying to sprint through a building while holding your breath, but the alternative is surely more harmful...

Old people getting mail? Wonder what type?

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 16 Feb 2010, 16:08

We had a block of flats that stank.Turned out to be dead rats in the pipes somewhere.
I don't have a very good sense of smell but I nearly vomited when entering the building.

resperin · Post by **resperin** » 16 Feb 2010, 17:03

DemonPostie wrote:There's a three-storey building with 9 flats on one of my rounds, and the whole building reeks of piss. Properly, make-you-gag reeks. I think it's full of little old people who just sit indoors all day peeing.

Anyhow, the game round our office is trying to deliver to the whole building while holding your breath. Take a great breath outside the door, hit the trades button, and RUN up the stairs. Not great health-and-safety trying to sprint through a building while holding your breath, but the alternative is surely more harmful...

LOL

another issue/cause of reek smells are old peoples shoes

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 16 Feb 2010, 18:06

a little bit under the nose before you go into the building and that should give you a pleasent smell for a while.

fishtank · Post by **fishtank** » 16 Feb 2010, 18:36

Things have changed TBT.
The Modular Initial Deployment Latrine (MIDL) is a readily available, portable, highly mobile system that can accompany deploying personnel into the theater of operations
The MIDL consists of a privacy screen/tent and a folding or collapsible toilet, into which a disposable bag is placed to contain human waste. Each bag is manually sealed and disposed of after each use, in a collection receptacle provided for that purpose. A single module supports up to 25 soldiers and may be set up and operated on the ground or in a shelter

fol_fol-s.jpg

They don't know their born.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 16 Feb 2010, 18:43

Spoilt they is.

Looks like I joined at the wrong time.

They even get a bounty when they get back from Active Service.

Good on them.

Still wish I was in sometimes but the Camaraderie in a DO is almost the same, and the s**t still rolls downhill.

Post by **REDLETTER** » 16 Feb 2010, 19:06

fishtank wrote:Things have changed TBT.
The Modular Initial Deployment Latrine (MIDL) is a readily available, portable, highly mobile system that can accompany deploying personnel into the theater of operations
The MIDL consists of a privacy screen/tent and a folding or collapsible toilet, into which a disposable bag is placed to contain human waste. Each bag is manually sealed and disposed of after each use, in a collection receptacle provided for that purpose. A single module supports up to 25 soldiers and may be set up and operated on the ground or in a shelter
fol_fol-s.jpg
They don't know their born.

That's what the SAS do!..............so long as they don't forget their plastic freezer bags

ROYALMAILCHAT

In the words of Mr Smith "It's the smell"

In the words of Mr Smith "It's the smell"

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