Walk sorting machines

[ringtwice]

Will be getting some of these machines in our delivery office in the next few months. I understand that the shifts for operators will be 4 x10hrs (full time) and 2 x10hrs (part time). Sounds tempting but there is not much information about what an operator actually does and how hard a job it could be. Could anyone with experience give me some idea ?

[arnold cheshire]

Will be getting some of these machines in our delivery office in the next few months. I understand that the shifts for operators will be 4 x10hrs (full time) and 2 x10hrs (part time). Sounds tempting but there is not much information about what an operator actually does and how hard a job it could be. Could anyone with experience give me some idea ?

how many machines do you have ? what are the hours? sounds good to me im going for one of these jobs

[POSTMAN]

Some bits here...
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 42&t=30858" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Word we've been getting from those who work them is it's not easy street.

[NEmallard]

Will be getting some of these machines in our delivery office in the next few months. I understand that the shifts for operators will be 4 x10hrs (full time) and 2 x10hrs (part time). Sounds tempting but there is not much information about what an operator actually does and how hard a job it could be. Could anyone with experience give me some idea ?

They coming in my delivery office soon. Thoose interested were asked to apply online. This the information that came online with the job.

Role Purpose
The introduction of CSS Machines is a major part of the Business transformation plan to introduce Walk Sequencing and is key in helping Royal Mail remain competitive.

As a machine operator you will be using the new machines to sequence mail for a number of Delivery Offices. That means the role has a big impact on quality and customer service across those offices.


Requirements

Ø Work is carried out in a safe way

Ø Machines are run as efficiently as possible, and performance targets are met or exceeded

Ø Workplan is completed on a daily basis, and walk sequenced mail is available on time for despatch to satellite offices or for preparation in the MPU.

Ø Contribute to the achievement of quality and customer service targets for the unit, and any satellite offices
The Individual

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Craft Skills - Technical:

Ø Safety awareness

Ø Vigilance and coordination in working with high speed equipment
Ø Ability to work with others to maximise the performance of walk sequencing machines.
Ø Understanding of the Delivery operation and the impact this role has upon it.

Core Skills – Personal Qualities:

Ø Communication (with supervisors/managers, colleagues, engineers and others)

Ø Able to work effectively under intense short term pressure on a daily basis
Ø Attention to detail
Ø An interest or aptitude in working with machinery including their routine maintenance.
Ø Flexibility and can do attitude
Ø Continuous improvement and problem solving

Experience:

Ø Working as part of a team

Ø Workload planning and meeting deadlines

Ø Involvement in improvement activities

Ø Due to the nature of the role, experience of pro-longed physical activity would be an advantage.
Additional Information for Internal Candidates
Various Full Time and Part Time roles will be available covering the Night Shift. Successfuled candidates will be appointed on a temporary basis pending the successful completion of a 4 week training plan

[BELIAL]

Versatran series F

[POSTMAN]

Just curious,how is that problem about being overworked,f****d and bullied on the machines going on?

[BettySwollocks]

I work these machines at my office,
our team do reasonably well on them, so our gaffa pretty much leaves us be,
the machines are constantly monitored by computer, and stoppages/downtime is flagged up,
u are encouraged to minimise any area that can affect performance, especially when u are finishing one batch and starting the next,
i try to get the next batch running within 1 minute of the last batch finishing, and box up the completed mail as the new batch is running through on it's first pass out of 3.
believe me, it's not an easy job, very easy to make mistakes, and it's very tiring, i'm probably more tired after a shift on the machines than i was as a postie,
one thing that every machine operator notices is pain / discomfort to their legs, obviousley as a postie u walk forwards all the time, as a machine operator, u are walking sideways like a crab, this change of gait takes getting used to, as do the change of sleeping pattern.
I think this job has RSI written all over it, the joints in your hands/ fingers can play up big time,
our office has 2 machines so 2 operators on any given night,
on tuesday night - friday night, we also have a 3rd person working between the machines helping out the operators, this job (if done properly) is the hardest and deffo the most tiring,
but if your 3rd person is a slacker, believe me, u will want to kill them,
we're lucky at our office, we have a belter.

[bendover]

Betty I dont know how you manage just the 2 of you on 2 machines on sun and monday night.We have 3 machines and have 3 operators plus 1 manager (or whatever they are called).Even with that ,on sunday night we went from 10.00 until 6.00 oclock with just 15 mins break each.Monday night on the other hand was easy and had little to do from 2.30 until about 5.But the rest of the week we work about 3-4 hours before a break and then dont get meal Break until about 5ish.We are batching mail for 4 other offices as well as ours tho so dont know if you are.Ment to be getting another part timer to help but we will see.Would be interested to know what other offices who have css machines ,how many they have working on how many machines.Am sure the rules say 2 hours on and 2 hours off but mail wouldnt be done if that was the case.

[24601]

Starting up the machine within 1 minute of the last batch finishing is competely ignoring Safe Systems of Work. Any claim for injury/RSI/pain would be laughed out of court.

The whole OEE thing has been set up by Royal Mail as a competition between offices with CSS machines and offices that achieve record OEE scores are praised by management even though they are fully aware that they are breaking every safety rule in the book.

By following the correct method,clearing down to stacker 12,reloading the belt,starting up the next batch and then clearing down the remaining stackers an OEE of 68%-70% can easily be achieved.The target is 66%

Why the hell are people putting their health at risk to get 80% plus ?????

Also how can 1 operator run a machine for a whole shift ??? Don't we have union and health & safety reps anymore ???

[tetley smooth]

You lot in dely will never change. Why are you working so long without a break FFS. You are killing yourselves, your workmates and the future of your own jobs. You should be running the machines with 3 people over 2 machines. The 3rd man assisting with loading,traying up, label printing and running completed batches to despatch point. The main operator should also take 30 mins break from opereating the machine every 2 hours. This is not a sit down break but a rest from main operator job, usually you would go on assist as the 3 of you should swap around. As for the job difficulty it is as hard as you want to make it. The standard is 66% and it is easily done if you have your next batch loaded and ready to go as the 3rd pass is ending.The main operator empties 1st 5 or 6 lines and starts off the next batch, the assist empties lines from the rear of the machine meeting in the middle. Easy to hit target. Dont get into habit of seeing how fast you can do it as you will hit 80% plus. Some have done it in my place as a kind of competition between each machine, they have been told how silly they are and they are making a case for the standard to be raised. They are also leaving theirselves open to questions if they have a bad night i.e bit poorly or knackered. "why have you only achieved 70% tonight you are a regular 80% plus?" A plus point for some delivery offices is that it will create night duties and that means about £72 per week allowance for the new duty holders and £20 ish TPM allowance. Not a bad pay rise just short of £100 per week.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

You lot in dely will never change. Why are you working so long without a break FFS. You are killing yourselves, your workmates and the future of your own jobs. You should be running the machines with 3 people over 2 machines. The 3rd man assisting with loading,traying up, label printing and running completed batches to despatch point. The main operator should also take 30 mins break from opereating the machine every 2 hours. This is not a sit down break but a rest from main operator job, usually you would go on assist as the 3 of you should swap around. As for the job difficulty it is as hard as you want to make it. The standard is 66% and it is easily done if you have your next batch loaded and ready to go as the 3rd pass is ending.The main operator empties 1st 5 or 6 lines and starts off the next batch, the assist empties lines from the rear of the machine meeting in the middle. Easy to hit target. Dont get into habit of seeing how fast you can do it as you will hit 80% plus. Some have done it in my place as a kind of competition between each machine, they have been told how silly they are and they are making a case for the standard to be raised. They are also leaving theirselves open to questions if they have a bad night i.e bit poorly or knackered. "why have you only achieved 70% tonight you are a regular 80% plus?" A plus point for some delivery offices is that it will create night duties and that means about £72 per week allowance for the new duty holders and £20 ish TPM allowance. Not a bad pay rise just short of £100 per week.

as Yoda would say - "Wise man are you" - listen (well read anyway) and learn from someone who appears to know the task very well.

As an aside RM will always want you to work harder than you already are. It doesn't matter if you are working your nads off they will expect more. So why not work at a steady pace and let them ask for more, rather than keep working harder and harder.

[24601]

You lot in dely will never change. Why are you working so long without a break FFS. You are killing yourselves, your workmates and the future of your own jobs. You should be running the machines with 3 people over 2 machines. The 3rd man assisting with loading,traying up, label printing and running completed batches to despatch point. The main operator should also take 30 mins break from opereating the machine every 2 hours. This is not a sit down break but a rest from main operator job, usually you would go on assist as the 3 of you should swap around. As for the job difficulty it is as hard as you want to make it. The standard is 66% and it is easily done if you have your next batch loaded and ready to go as the 3rd pass is ending.The main operator empties 1st 5 or 6 lines and starts off the next batch, the assist empties lines from the rear of the machine meeting in the middle. Easy to hit target. Dont get into habit of seeing how fast you can do it as you will hit 80% plus. Some have done it in my place as a kind of competition between each machine, they have been told how silly they are and they are making a case for the standard to be raised. They are also leaving theirselves open to questions if they have a bad night i.e bit poorly or knackered. "why have you only achieved 70% tonight you are a regular 80% plus?" A plus point for some delivery offices is that it will create night duties and that means about £72 per week allowance for the new duty holders and £20 ish TPM allowance. Not a bad pay rise just short of £100 per week.

Its single operator in our office.We've had CSS for 4 years,started with 2,now got 3 machines.We do 29 batches a night and sequence between 1 million and 1.2 million items a week.

We have 5 operators Sunday and Monday night and 6 the rest of the week.As we are in a DO theres plenty of other work expected of us

[tetley smooth]

Six operators is two per machine, RM standard is 1.5. Two ops per machine should make job a snip. Why are the others not assisting or running the machine? if one of you get fingers ripped off in belt or have any sort of accident you will be in a spot of bother. You must have been trained on the safe systems etc.
Its typical D.O mentallity to get the job done as quick as possible. Not having a go at you as i was once in delivery and know the score about gaining a bit of time, but those days are long gone because of the job and done mentallity of previous years. I got a transfer to MC several years ago. Still have good friends in dely who i see and socialise with regularly, none are happy anymore that is why i am interested in the delivery side of RM. I still view you all as colleagues and defend you and the difficult jobs you do to some of the no idea old school MC workers. Though i often wonder why you are still willing to work for nothing.

[OnAFlyer]

If it's anything like our office you will get people from other DO's applying for the jobs. We have 10 operators and 6 of them came from other offices, a 25yr man from our office couldn't get a 4 nighter he wanted because of that.

A mate works on them and he looks f*cked every morning, I wouldn't bother unless you really can't stand deliveries any more or need the extra cash.

[baldyuk]

i try to get the next batch running within 1 minute of the last batch finishing

I have this problem at my office and they are just killing themself. MUPPETS!!!

The correct time to clean down to stacker 13 and machine up & running again is 4 minutes no less and you should easily get your OEE figture of 65% or higher depending on the volume mail of the batch run.