No. 799/12
Ref C25/12
Date: 22 October 2012
To: All Branches with Postal Members
Dear Colleagues
RM Delivery Office Roll Containers (DORCs) : Joint Statement, User Guide and associated SSOWs
The H&S Dept are aware that thousands of DORCs previously stored at Swindon and other storage facilities around the UK are now being moved to MCs, RDCs etc and then rolled out to DOs.
Royal Mail have somewhat 'jumped the gun' with their comms and despatch dates, as we were still in discussion with RM Containerisation management finalising details. However we were in agreement with Royal Mail on the introduction of the DORCs as storage units.
We have previously visited Swindon to look at the Units and discussed various aspects of the DORC Units including the design, their use, restrictions, some modifications we recommended which were done and the SSoW was discussed and amended in discussions with the Royal Mail Group Procurement and the National Container Team.
We involved our NE and NW ASRs and Regional H&S Forum Secretaries in the discussions on the DORCs trials which took place in the NW and NE with some useful input from a group of ASRs from both Regions which went to Swindon for discussions with RM Management and a lot of input was taken on board.
As you probably know, under a review of York Container use, Royal Mail have been looking for some time to replace operational Yorks currently being used for Storage in DO's, in large numbers with a specific Storage Container (Delivery Office Roll Container - DORC), based on an Industry Standard Roll Container.
The DORCs were successfully trialled over the last two winter/Xmas pressure periods in the North East and North West Regions for storage and Royal Mail now wish to use the concept nationally both during normal and pressure periods to 'free up' thousands of Yorks which are in increasing demand. The National Container Team have purchased 30,000 Delivery Office Roll Containers to go to DOs.
With the said modifications and changes the Units were delivered from the Manufacturers to Royal Mail Stores such as Swindon and are now being deployed across the country so we were informed earlier this month. Royal Mail is obviously eager to deliver them ahead of Autumn/Xmas pressure periods.
Attached to this LTB is a Joint Statement and a DORC User Guide presentation containing the following SSOWs (sorry 10MB = too large please use the Unions Bandwidth
)- Daily Use of DORCs in Delivery Offices SSOW (V5)
- Transporting DORCS in Vehicles SSOW, including loading and unloading vehicles with DORCs
In summary, Yorks currently used for storage will be exchanged for DORCs and the empty Yorks will be repatriated back to Mail Centres etc against the number of DORCs received by DOs so removing storage Yorks from DO sites. Royal Mail are keen to free up all Yorks and get them back into the network system ahead of the Autumn and Christmas period so as to maximise York availability and use them for the purpose they were intended, transportation of Mail through the operation and thereby avoid running short during the peak Autumn & Christmas pressure period.
The purpose of the DORCs is a "STORAGE CONTAINER" - as clearly set out in the User Guide and SSoW.
The DORC containers and NOT for network use
They must NOT be used for mail - except for static storage of mail to release Yorks
They must NOT be used for transporting items by road or rail.
The new DORC containers are only to be used in the Delivery Office Environment
They Cannot be used for Transporting mail items to and from the DO to Vehicles in the Yard
They Cannot be used for Movement outside delivery office
They Cannot be used for Movement on uneven grounds/floor.
If containers are to be used in an office this should be risk assessed at a local level in the normal way with involvement with the local ASR. We have agreed that we would not want to see heavy movement of the Units within an office. The DORCs do have wheels and foot brakes. However recognising that the Units are slightly bigger and taller than a York and recognising that different offices will have different space restrictions, again local risk assessment and evaluation should take place with the ASR fully involved.
DORCs are a basic lower cost solution to the on-site storage needs during the year to enable Royal Mail York containers to be freed up for the Network and used for the purpose they were intended, transportation of Mail through the operation.
Having trialled two variants, there will now only be one standard type of DORC container instead of the two different versions trialled and this will be the Non Full Security type. This doesn't have a lid, as with the full security type as this led to issues around safety during the trials. The DORCs are fitted with 2 front independent foot operated castor brakes, a shelf and a full door.
Any DORC Units found with faults or hazardous sharp and rough edges should be taken out of service and reported in order for repairs or replacement as per the User guide and SSoWs.
Risk assessments have been carried out and Safe Systems of Work produced. This will be reviewed as necessary. We will review it at 6 months and 12 months. Feedback from ASRs will be welcome.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
