When a 16 kg pouch isn't a 16 kg pouch.

[cyrus]

Today, when I was weighing my first pouch.It came well over 16kg.So I asked line line manager to check it.First question I was asked was -Are you carrying your first bundle in your hand (I said no, as straight away I new what they were getting at) I was then informed that the 16 kg is only for weight on shoulder.The bundle you carry doesn't count!....Asked a few posties and they say 16 kg is for everything.I've never had any problems with any of the other DOM'S/LM''S...is this individual manager at it? Thing is, I can't find anything to say if they are right or wrong.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Today, when I was weighing my first pouch.It came well over 16kg.So I asked line line manager to check it.First question I was asked was -Are you carrying your first bundle in your hand (I said no, as straight away I new what they were getting at) I was then informed that the 16 kg is only for weight on shoulder.The bundle you carry doesn't count!....Asked a few posties and they say 16 kg is for everything.I've never had any problems with any of the other DOM'S/LM''S...is this individual manager at it? Thing is, I can't find anything to say if they are right or wrong.

The 16kg is not a target, its a limit. If you think your first bag is too heavy break it down and send it out to a Safe Drop/Pouch Box.

If you think 10kg is too heavy or bulky then apply the same rules.

Just to add I have re-jigged my walk and can now do it without having more than 4 bundles and a maximum weight on a normal day of around 10 - 12kg.

[cyrus]

Thanks,the thing is I don't mind carrying say 13kg in my pouch and 3kg in my hand,but 16kg in my pouch and 3 kg in my hand would bl**dy kill me.Especially since my first point of call is blocks of flats.If said individual try's this on with me in the future.I'm just going to do as you say and break up my bags.Which would mean I would have to cut off. or Take out the first bag at 19kg's total.Which would knacker me,causing me to go slower(my duty's 4 hours as it is not went park and loop yet),Which would mean I would have to cut off.Guess this is what the LM's going to get for being so pedantic.

[Lounge Lizard]

What concerns me is lifting an overweight bag onto the scales.
Well it would if there were scales in my delivery office.

[kanuuuuuu]

just ask this manager (preferably in earshot of other posties) "are you asking me to carry a pouch that I feel is too heavy to carry around?"
IF hes silly enough to answer yes, then take this matter to the office union rep.

[krussel]

What concerns me is lifting an overweight bag onto the scales.
Well it would if there were scales in my delivery office.

Every office should have a set of scales available, see yout rep.

[Cheetah]

Correct me if I am wrong here but it's my understanding that you are only allowed one pouch @ 16 k, and the other pouche sreduce on a sliding scale. also I think it is further reduced if climbing steps etc...... Anyone able to put the relevant doc. up ??????

No worries got it http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... ts#p278937" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[cyrus]

Tell us about it Cheetah.I knew they had changed the bag matrix a while back.I actually thought the new matrix was 16.16.12.10.8.8 (the old one was 16 then 11's). Just found out from this site.It's the other way round Oh, I'm going to have some fun over the xmas pressure,using these (new to me) bag weights.

[pinstripe]

We used to have a line manager who was very strict. He would insist on all bags being weighed, he even watched and checked. If your bags were over you'd have to re-pack them. 16kg was the limit on the first bag, that included your first bundle. No pouch, other then your first could be over 11kg.

He always said, "we have drivers to bring your bags out, as many as you need, as often as you need them." Anyone who tried to pull a fast one would be taken into the office for a rocket.

He wasn't popular, nor fair and this was just one of his tactics to rub people up the wrong way.

I got on well with him though as he was a proper old school postie manager. Shame he retired and was replaced by a succession of 'yes' men who wouldn't know which end of the pouch to put the mail in.

How times have changed.

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

Thanks,the thing is I don't mind carrying say 13kg in my pouch and 3kg in my hand,but 16kg in my pouch and 3 kg in my hand would bl**dy kill me.Especially since my first point of call is blocks of flats.If said individual try's this on with me in the future.I'm just going to do as you say and break up my bags.Which would mean I would have to cut off. or Take out the first bag at 19kg's total.Which would knacker me,causing me to go slower(my duty's 4 hours as it is not went park and loop yet),Which would mean I would have to cut off.Guess this is what the LM's going to get for being so pedantic.

I was recently led to believe that the maximum weight for blocks of flats was 8Kg, but this is not an area I know much about, being a trolley postie.

[meercat]

Tell us about it Cheetah.I knew they had changed the bag matrix a while back.I actually thought the new matrix was 16.16.12.10.8.8 (the old one was 16 then 11's). Just found out from this site.It's the other way round Oh, I'm going to have some fun over the xmas pressure,using these (new to me) bag weights.

And don't forget adjustments for terrain. If your 1st pouch starts at flats you should NOT have 16kg of mail with you. 8kg max for 1st pouch for a lot of flats but if only a few flats go somewhere in the middle - 12kg I would say.

[bandit650]

If your first drop is a block of flats then you should not be carrying 16kg's it should be 8kg this is to try and ease wear and tear on your joint's.

[TM1]

Were not allowed to carry bags or pouches on our shoulders anymore, we have to use the stupid golf type trolleys, been told if anyone is caught its a sackable offence??

[meercat]

Were not allowed to carry bags or pouches on our shoulders anymore, we have to use the stupid golf type trolleys, been told if anyone is caught its a sackable offence??

WOW

Given the sack for carrying the sack - that takes the biscuit

btw if you fail to follow a resonable request you can be sacked so if your dom gives you equipment for the job and you ignore his specific directions and use a pouch over the shoulder I would think he could sack you yes.

[POSTMAN]

Carry what you can without going over the limits,not what is says on the tin.
There are guys at my place that can easily carry more than 16k that is down to them,max i carry is 2 bundles maybe 3 if they are small,packets and a bundle in my hand 10ish k.