HOW MANY PEOPLE IN YOUR OFFICE HAVE KNACKERED LIMBS

[heapsy]

No sure at our office exactly, but my guess is around 6 or 7 with long tern issues.

[5plusbonusball]

can;t tell the youngsters they too will be knackered like us one day.

[arty_morty]

Lots and yet people still carry bags on their shoulder instead of using a trolley.

In our office of 25 walks there is one HCT used by the union rep. We haven't had out P&L revision and won't until the new year. There are currently 4 people off long-term with work related injuries including one 37 year vet who won't be back until 2013 due to a back operation. If they want us to do the job and stay healthy then they should give us the tools.

[Mavericka]

THANK YOU!! Rhino 49, I was waiting to read post on here about New ways of working causing health problems, NOT the old ways. I find my hands/wrists are now aching, probably the start of arthritis, due to using trolleys in park and loop. Dragging them out of the van, putting them up, collapsing them, and throwing them back in van, reversing them to get them up high kerbs, pushing/pulling them up hills, or when you hit a rough piece of ground or pothole, and they stop, stabbing you in the chest. Also, since P&L, having to load van with larger packets which drivers used to take out, pulling them out of van, taking them back to office if not delivered...all amounts to wear and tear on the joints. I am trying to use the van more and more as a delivery tool now, instead of using the trolleys, which are all pretty knackered and rusty now anyways (bit like me!), this is ok for DRIVERS, but not for NON-DRIVERS who are doing P&L.......

[Lincox]

This was always going to be the case, and it is down to the fact that we were never given chance to give our input, and were the long term effects of this change in delivery method ever fully investigated. Why would a golfer ever wish to pay for an electric trolley, if it was so easy to use a non powered version?

[postypie]

I would often use one of them golf/lightweight trolleys on a round i did a few years ago due to the amount of packets/mail this area got in a very affluent suburb...they were great initially.... until they collapsed... quite often...wheels would drop off...very badly put together...all nuts and bolts even on new ones were always loose....i modernized and strengthend the ones i used...also...pulling the trolley on a daily basis led to aches and strains all along my left torso/shoulder....my left rib cage was always tender and painful using one of these things...and has stuck with me ever since....

[Lincox]

Apart from your injuries, which are of the utmost importance, this type of tripod trolley will always have mechanical issues because the structure of the hingeing wheel struts will never be able to cope with the weight of a golf bag and even more so a 16kg packet bag or two. I have seen numerous golf trolleys on golf courses, chucked away in the bushes or in waste bins because they have collapsed. Royal Mail will learn in due course, what a catastrophic decision they have made.

[Stormproof]

Quick question for those with dodgy knees.... Do you wear a knee brace and if so can anyone recommend one for Lateral knee problems?

[daveyeff]

Apart from your injuries, which are of the utmost importance, this type of tripod trolley will always have mechanical issues because the structure of the hingeing wheel struts will never be able to cope with the weight of a golf bag and even more so a 16kg packet bag or two. I have seen numerous golf trolleys on golf courses, chucked away in the bushes or in waste bins because they have collapsed. Royal Mail will learn in due course, what a catastrophic decision they have made.

well according to our branch, the union and management have done their homework on the lwts, because they are pushing to make it a mandatory rule that you use them were a delivery method says that you should. i can visualise confrontations and discontent over this issue. i know i HAVE to use it (AM HAPPY TO) because i simply cannot risk going back to carrying a bag after having a knee replacement,,soon to be two. more discord ahead

[bigcol]

... and even more so a 16kg packet bag or two.

Maximum carry weight is 32kg. Not surprisingly, if you use it correctly, it works.

[Lincox]

2x16kg is 32kg. I do not get your point.

[monkeymutha]

I used one of those big red trolleys for one day (at another office) and it gave me back ache that lasted the following two days. I swear I will never use one again.

[feduppostie]

we have many with knackered limbs who have had or are waiting to have hip replacements/knee surgery/back problems

without exception they are the runners ( one of whom used to be at home laughing at me for being slow and using a trolley who had a hip replacement carried on running and now is on restricted duties because he can't walk anymore )

Guess what nothing wrong with my back/knee/hips

yes I use a trolley and have done for about 2 years now any problems? NO

I push it not pull it and for the record I am in one of the hilliest parts of the country

If you don't use a trolley you are mad - plan it properly it doesn't take any longer and in the long run the benefits are massive

it's everything we have been asking for

weight off the shoulder and all that, but most are to vain to use it

[redissue]

I'm off with two slipped disc's and a curvature in my spine
Using the LWT could have been the cause,but i think the 5 hr delivery spans with the increase in what we are expected to deliver was more a factor.
My physio said that the repetitive nature of the job and lifting heavy packets would cause the sort of injuries i've got.
Pulling a fully loaded LWT up a hill would'nt have helped, then again 20 odd years of carrying bags on my shoulder would'nt have helped either!
I've been off work now for over 5 months now and i'm now facing possible surgery to correct my spine. Hopfully i can avoid this.
But looking at this thread i really don't think that the royal mail had really thought this way of working out,the amount of people on sick leave with these kind of injuries must be showing them that it's just unsafe.

[Lincox]

Has anyone seen any consultation documents between Royal Mail and CWU providing investigative insights into the pros and cons of use of a LWT and what the possible long term effects could have?