Attendance in Severe Weather

[1984]

snow

[scoobydo79]

Same here. Unless You are in the same office as where I work lol.Dom went for a look round. Decided conditions too dangerous so We all were sent home at 11.00ish. without any deliveries going out.Wonder what He will try on tomorrow or Monday?

[POSTMAN]

It's that time of year again...


Getting boring now.....

........I am writing to you to remind you of BT’s Snow and Ice policy which is still current......Yadda yadda yadda yawn.

[Pinky 1]

Well collections have been cancelled at North West Midlands Mail Centre and the staff are being told they can go home but will have to make the time up or take it as annual leave. I shared and linked the information in this thread to those people and others that will be affected with the start of the Late shift. Balls to management!

[Barbel]

The snow wasn't too bad at 8 this morning but it's gradually got worse throughout the day. Was out in it for 5 hours now totally cream crackered and still can't get warm. God job my DM's arrived yesterday otherwise my feet would have got soaked.

[underpants]

there all in bed with one and other

[POSTMAN]

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/safety- ... -hits.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Many of our members have already been exposed to the severe weather conditions that the entire UK is bracing itself for this weekend. It is important to take extra care when working outdoors whether you're a postal worker on your round or in your vehicle, an engineer travelling to a call out or simply travelling to or from work.

CWU health and safety officer, Dave Joyce, stresses the importance of working safely and make use of the right equipment and kit available to you to do so. "We've spent a lot of time working with both Royal Mail and BT to ensure the safety of our members, which is the number one priority. As the UK is set for adverse weather conditions we urge our members not to put themselves in unnecessary danger, to follow the guidelines and tips set out below or get in touch with their local Area Safety Rep or Union Safety Rep, if they have a problem or need advice" said Dave.


Guidelines for both BT and Royal Mail are summarised for your information below.

Royal Mail's adverse weather policy
Safety hazards during the winter period can increase and change quickly due to severe weather conditions and longer hours of darkness. Before setting out, assessments must be carried to take account of changes in severe weather conditions.
Guidelines for Royal Mail are summarised for your information below.

On foot: Ensure you are wearing appropriate clothing and layers for the conditions. You may be outside for a number of hours and need to plan accordingly.
Ensure your footwear has sufficient grip.
If you need replacement uniform or footwear, talk to your manager.
Take extra care on steps, stairways and footpaths to reduce the risk of slipping on snow, ice or leaves. On steps and stairways always hold handrails, where available, to give three points of contact.
If it becomes too cold to work seek shelter and let your manager know.
In high winds watch out for flying debris.
When it is icy or snowy test your footing and do not take shortcuts as the snow may be covering hidden dangers underneath.


Driving in adverse weather
Before setting out, assess weather and road conditions to ensure it is safe to drive.
Wear a seatbelt at all times when driving, even for short journeys.
Check the vehicle has appropriate anti-freeze and screen wash.
Ensure mirrors and seats are properly adjusted before moving off.
Clear the windscreen, mirrors, and other windows of snow, ice or condensation before setting off.
Be careful leaving and entering the vehicle as you could slip. Look at the ground surface before you leave the vehicle.
Tyre grip is even more important in wintry weather, so check tread depth (3mm recommended minimum) and tyre pressures (these are displayed on a sticker on your vehicle wheel arch).
Report all defects promptly to your local workshop via a PMT1 defect report.
Drive according to the conditions. Black ice, rain, fog, snow and ice all require extra concentration. Allow more time if needed.
Avoid sharp acceleration, braking and steering in slippery conditions. If you start to skid, take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid.


Cycling in adverse weather
Before going out, as part of the new risk assessment process, assess whether it is safe to use a bicycle in the weather and road conditions. If not, alternative arrangements must be made.
Cycle safety helmets and high visibility clothing are mandatory and must be worn whenever using a bike.
Ensure tyres, torches and cycle lamps are working correctly before leaving the yard.
If weather conditions change and become too difficult to cycle push rather than ride cycles.


Use of High Capacity Trolleys (HCTs) and Lightweight Trolleys (LWTs) in adverse weather
Before going out, as part of the new risk assessment process assess whether it is safe to use HCTs and LWTs in adverse weather, assessing footpaths and underfoot conditions, taking account of terrain, weight and increased manual handling risks.
If weather conditions deteriorate and become too difficult to push with reduced weight and without increasing the risk of injury then alternative arrangements must be made.

[Thunderthighs]

Given the "If you feel its unsafe to attend" speech..and take AL or make up the hours etc were the only 2 options offered to me via phone.
Considering we got 2-3 foot drifts, think Ill be staying home! Had 4-5 near misses getting home last night, ened up on the pavement once in slo-mo ice skating jobby...

Some lads walked in apparently, and have been tasked to prep ALL FRAMES, as no mail is going out today, I was informed.

So, Mr Wards email will have to be printed/presented to the Powers that Be...

[Barbel]

Prepped then sent home.

[justdeno]

I was a goodie, cleared my dutie and collections.

[bimwhoop]

I made three attempts to go in on the friday - first two by car and failed - third attempt by foot again a fail. I live in a rural village, 6 miles from my DO. There is another DO 3.2 miles away. I have been with Royal Mail a year and a half and knew nothing of the go to another DO or that I would lose pay. I did phone DO three times to explain my situation. Spoke to my line manager once and he rudely told me he would call me back. No callback probably because we have no mobile phone reception (rural area). I have informed managers in past that to be contacted on house phone.


Attended work on saturday to be called into office and given option of taking annual leave or unpaid leave. I was dumbfounded. How can a company that claims to look after its employees just fleece you for something that is not their fault. I have not had one sick day since I have joined Royal Mail and I was gutted I couldnt make it in.


Poor poor system indeed.


I still managed to clear my frame including all the mail and packets left undelivered from the day before and without my bike. Honestly when will some management learn that they will get better productivity by looking after their staff. This will be another hit on the morale of a struggling office as it is.

[Stella102]

I made three attempts to go in on the friday - first two by car and failed - third attempt by foot again a fail. I live in a rural village, 6 miles from my DO. There is another DO 3.2 miles away. I have been with Royal Mail a year and a half and knew nothing of the go to another DO or that I would lose pay. I did phone DO three times to explain my situation. Spoke to my line manager once and he rudely told me he would call me back. No callback probably because we have no mobile phone reception (rural area). I have informed managers in past that to be contacted on house phone.


Attended work on saturday to be called into office and given option of taking annual leave or unpaid leave. I was dumbfounded. How can a company that claims to look after its employees just fleece you for something that is not their fault. I have not had one sick day since I have joined Royal Mail and I was gutted I couldnt make it in.


Poor poor system indeed.


I still managed to clear my frame including all the mail and packets left undelivered from the day before and without my bike. Honestly when will some management learn that they will get better productivity by looking after their staff. This will be another hit on the morale of a struggling office as it is.

same happened to me i got union involved now, so glad i became a member for exactly these circumstances!!

[Thunderthighs]

STELLA , What was the outcome?

[Lateagainpostie]

No mail delivered Friday, prepped frames went home at about 11:00

Saturday Specials and tracked only, where safe, two per van, others prepped frames, put up D2D's cleared snow from yard.

Monday delivered where safe, two rows of mail left in frame, took four hours to deliver the other two rows.


Have to say our management team have been very reasonable, told us only to deliver where we think it's safe, no mention of clawbacks, and they hung around until we were all back.

[Thunderthighs]

Stayed til u had finished? Management Medal on its way..