Question regarding H+S...

[Pokemon Postmon]

I have a few questions really, but I'll start with this one as it's the most important.
I work in a small office where there is no Union rep nor a H+S officer. Where no H+S officer is present, does the responisibility fall to the DOM? If so, is he neglecting his duty by allowing staff to go out on delivery without weighing their bags or taking part of their break? At present he checks the weight of one or two posties bags once a week. Does this cover the requirements?
More questions later...

[evilc]

I have a few questions really, but I'll start with this one as it's the most important.
I work in a small office where there is no Union rep nor a H+S officer. Where no H+S officer is present, does the responisibility fall to the DOM? If so, is he neglecting his duty by allowing staff to go out on delivery without weighing their bags or taking part of their break? At present he checks the weight of one or two posties bags once a week. Does this cover the requirements?
More questions later...

Ultimately h&s is down to the individual, however it is down to the dum to ensure that the necessary equipment is available to weigh bags etc. personally if I were on delivery I would weigh each bag I take out to ensure they are correct weight and make sure that I take breaks when they are due.

[Pokemon Postmon]

Thanks. I thought as much but I thought I'd just clarify that.
To explain, as of Monday I informed my DOM that I would be following HS guidelines (weighing bags, taking part of my break before going out on delivery (only part as I live on my round and take the other half at home...like now!). I've picked a good week it seems as today we've had a hammering and I've had to make up 13 bags!!! However, it seems that my fellow workers are not so supportive of my stance as I've been informed that my driver and the other guy that shares the van want to have a meeting with me tomorrow with the DOM to discuss this. Hmmmm....harrasment, maybe? Lol!
Yes, I work in an office where only one other member of staff works to the proper guidelines sadly. I hope that my doing this will put the thought into other members heads but it seems I am making no friends by doing this. It's daft really when you think about it as these people are quite willing to go out on strike when the Union asks, losing a days pay, but when asked to do their jobs properly and get paid for it, they'd rather break their backs.
Anyway, gotta getback to my delivery now but one more question. Am I entitled to take part of my break at home. I realiseI could ask to be brought back to the office but I'd rather have it here, y'know?! Anyway, later....

[evilc]

Thanks. I thought as much but I thought I'd just clarify that.
To explain, as of Monday I informed my DOM that I would be following HS guidelines (weighing bags, taking part of my break before going out on delivery (only part as I live on my round and take the other half at home...like now!). I've picked a good week it seems as today we've had a hammering and I've had to make up 13 bags!!! However, it seems that my fellow workers are not so supportive of my stance as I've been informed that my driver and the other guy that shares the van want to have a meeting with me tomorrow with the DOM to discuss this. Hmmmm....harrasment, maybe? Lol!
Yes, I work in an office where only one other member of staff works to the proper guidelines sadly. I hope that my doing this will put the thought into other members heads but it seems I am making no friends by doing this. It's daft really when you think about it as these people are quite willing to go out on strike when the Union asks, losing a days pay, but when asked to do their jobs properly and get paid for it, they'd rather break their backs.
Anyway, gotta getback to my delivery now but one more question. Am I entitled to take part of my break at home. I realiseI could ask to be brought back to the office but I'd rather have it here, y'know?! Anyway, later....

If you are forced to take part of your break in the d/o, you could probably get away with still stopping at home cause at some point will need a toilet break,especially if there are no public toilets on your round.

[brothermagrew]

I have a few questions really, but I'll start with this one as it's the most important.
I work in a small office where there is no Union rep nor a H+S officer. Where no H+S officer is present, does the responisibility fall to the DOM? If so, is he neglecting his duty by allowing staff to go out on delivery without weighing their bags or taking part of their break? At present he checks the weight of one or two posties bags once a week. Does this cover the requirements?
More questions later...

Pokemon Postmon

Glad to see that at least one of the CWU brethren takes health and safety seriously as you have already intimated that you come from a small office where there is no Union or H + S Rep. I think that I am correct in saying where you have more than five employees in any place of business then you are entitled to have a safety rep present. As you obviously show great interest why don't you get on to your Branch Sec and putyour nameforward for the position of unit H + S Rep. Get used to it Royal Mail managers are only interested in getting the mail out they constantly turn a blind eye to health and safety unsafe work practices.

[Pokemon Postmon]

I was once the union rep at the office (well, twice really but I won't bore you with the details!! Lol!), but since stepping down after SDD came in due to mounting personal pressures which left me feeling that I could not do the job properly (For example, due to family commitments, I could never get away to the courses in Bournemouth*) , no-one has taken up the gauntlet.
Could you perhaps tell me what being a H+S rep would involve in as far as training and responsibilities would be? I must admit that if everyone in my office started following H+S guidelines tomorrow the place would fall apart very quickly!
As for Evilc's point, I thought part of the SDD agreement meant that we could take our breaks where and when we wanted...I'll have to dig it out!

*I got roped into being union rep the 2nd time (1st time I quit after taking a few weeks off for stress!) when it was promised that perhaps a corresponce course could be looked into as far as training went. It never happened but it led me to thinking that there may be others like me who may be willing to do it with such a thing in place. Why don't the CWU offer this?

[brothermagrew]

I was once the union rep at the office (well, twice really but I won't bore you with the details!! Lol!), but since stepping down after SDD came in due to mounting personal pressures which left me feeling that I could not do the job properly (For example, due to family commitments, I could never get away to the courses in Bournemouth*) , no-one has taken up the gauntlet.
Could you perhaps tell me what being a H+S rep would involve in as far as training and responsibilities would be? I must admit that if everyone in my office started following H+S guidelines tomorrow the place would fall apart very quickly!
As for Evilc's point, I thought part of the SDD agreement meant that we could take our breaks where and when we wanted...I'll have to dig it out!

*I got roped into being union rep the 2nd time (1st time I quit after taking a few weeks off for stress!) when it was promised that perhaps a corresponce course could be looked into as far as training went. It never happened but it led me to thinking that there may be others like me who may be willing to do it with such a thing in place. Why don't the CWU offer this?

Pokemon Postmon you certainly have an inquisitive mind! I am accredited by my union as a workplace / unit health and safety representative in respect of the following groups of staff - C.W.U. members.

And to have the following functions:
i. Investigate potential hazards and dangerous occurrences at the workplace (whether or not they are drawn to his attention by the employees he represents) and examine the causes of accidents at the workplace.
ii. Investigate complaints by an employee he represents relating to that employees health, safety or welfare at work.
iii. Make representations to the employer on matters arising out of sub paragraphs (i) and (ii) above.
iv. Make representations to the employer on general matters affecting the health, safety and welfare at work of the employees at theworkplace.
v. Carry out inspections following notifiable accidents, occurrences and diseases.
vi. Carry out regular formal inspections of the workplace for which he is accredited.

On youre other subject of meal relief entitlement - Found under Appendix A sub paragraph f. in relation to the Key Principles of INTRODUCING THE SINGLE DAILY DELIVERY.
f) Providing meal break/working time regulation rules are observed, employees will have the flexibility to plan the timing and location of their meal breaks. This flexibility also extends to the ability to have a refreshment break priorto going out on delivery as long as it does not compromise the office workplan. Where deliveries are completed within the agreed office workplan then employees will be allowed to pouch off without returning to the office.

Suggest you again pay a visit to the CWU website on the left hand side look for Agreements open up the link to the Outdoor department.