Long Term Fatigue Study of the Delivery Role

[fishtank]

LTB 293/13 – Long Term Fatigue Study of the Delivery Role

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Dear Colleague
Long Term Fatigue Study of the Delivery Role

This LTB is to inform Branches that we have agreed a long term study of the delivery role with Royal Mail. This will be carried out by Mick Gledhill from the CWU Walk Design Group and Corrine Parsons from Royal Mail.
Four sites have been chosen to participate in the study and they are
Chorley Deliver Office which will be visited on the 11th June, with an expected start date of the 18th June 2013
Gateshead Delivery Office which has already commenced on the 30th April 2013
Sheffield North Delivery Office which will be visited on the 7th May with the start date to be confirmed.
Stockport Delivery Office which has a start date of 14th May 2013
The agreed Terms of Reference for the study is attached to this LTB.
Any enquiries to Bob Gibson's Office, quoting reference 600

Email address: hnutley@cwu.org

Yours sincerely


Bob Gibson

Assistant Secretary

[daveyeff]

i was talking to one of the volunteers today. theyve got heart monitors on and a pedometer.they sent them out on a tuesday when it was dead. and then wed, and thurs. on the thursday he had an extra 5000 steps on the pedometer. his heartrate spiked at 185 on the heaviest part of the delivery. for it to be long term i take it they will be continuing the study.

[DGP1]

i was talking to one of the volunteers today. theyve got heart monitors on and a pedometer.they sent them out on a tuesday when it was dead. and then wed, and thurs. on the thursday he had an extra 5000 steps on the pedometer. his heartrate spiked at 185 on the heaviest part of the delivery. for it to be long term i take it they will be continuing the study.

Holy f**k, 185bpm, I'd need to be going for a full sprint for a brave while to get to that rate (and I'm by no means fit).

[daveyeff]

a young gun who runs like a heedless chicken.

[fishtank]

Long Term Study of the Delivery Role.

Version Agreed,

November 2012




Corinne Parsons
Senior Technical Expert
Ergonomics
corinne.parsons@royalmail.com
Postline 5264 7211
STD 01904 617211

Contents

Introduction 3
Objective 3
Scope 3
Method 3
Timescales 3
Dependencies 3


Introduction
The implementation of sequence sorting and increase in fulfilment goods is expected to alter the traditional indoor workload in delivery offices and also change the way that delivery routes have normally been carried out. As a result it is expected that the current pattern of IPS will reduce and a longer delivery spans will be required to sustain full time jobs. Many offices have already implemented longer delivery spans for some of the workforce. This study will monitor post revision deliveries covering key parts of the delivery strategy to ensure that the work does not pose long term issues for the health and wellbeing of delivery staff.

The study will monitor the main delivery methods:-
• Shared vehicles (CDV) with LWDT & light pouches
• HCT
• Singleton vehicle
• Pouch on shoulder (8KG)
• Cycles

The study will consider indoor as well as outdoor work and will consider full and part time working. It will also take into consideration welfare on delivery e.g. toilet breaks
Objective
The objective of the study is to monitor the impact of long term fatigue and health of individuals working in deliveries following revisions carried out under the new delivery methods strategy, looking at both the indoor and outdoor part of their jobs.

The data collected from the study is to be used solely for this initiative and will not to be used for any other purpose.

Scope
The study will monitor staff on deliveries 6 months after revisions have been carried out and then at 12, 18 and 24 months, It is envisaged that the study will consist of two parts, a field study and the analysis of health and accident data.

The field study will consist of monitoring subjective fatigue, discomfort and heart rate in a sufficient number of offices to obtain adequate sample sizes for each delivery method. Data will be collected over the course of the week to take account of workload variations. The timing of the study will aim to be completed during periods of normal traffic levels i.e. avoiding peaks and troughs in traffic where possible.

The health and accident data will be obtained from PSP. Additional data including Atos referrals, duty changes, staff surveys and staff turnover will be included if this is available.

Method
Field study
It is proposed that the field study will take place in at least three offices, to be agreed. It is likely that additional offices will be needed to ensure that a range of equipment and terrain are included. The data collection will be carried out over the course of a week at each site. Participants will take part on a voluntary basis but it is hoped that there will be 15 participants at each site covering a range of age, gender and FT/PT

The measurement techniques and data recorded will include:-
• Subjective measures of fatigue including discomfort assessment fatigue scores and body mapping of areas of discomfort views of walk-holders and a questionnaire related to longer term health, fatigue and workload including questions on welfare breaks.
• Data from the Archway staff survey specific to the unit
• Heart rate data will be collected from up to 15 participants throughout the shift.

The following data will also be collected for the deliveries participating in the study
• Indoor work - IPS, prep time, all frame types (including 5&6 wing RM2000), standing/sitting, % mail sequenced, packets, flats other indoor tasks, specifically dedicated IPS sorters, dedicated porters and the indoor distance covered by porters, preparation and the combined effect where these roles are rotated in comparison where not rotated.
• The actual time spent on indoor tasks will be compared to the scheduled time allocated.
• The actual time taken to complete the delivery will be compared to the scheduled time for the route
• The actual delivery method used will be inline with the assigned equipment for that walk
• Timing and length of breaks, delivery span, indoor work and overall duty pattern (FT &PT), hours worked compared to scheduled, rotation arrangements.
• Call rate, based on an empty slot count taking into consideration dual slot fittings and daily D2D add on. Call rate is part of the study in order to fully understand its effect on distance and terrain.
• The number of attendance calls compared to the planned number.
• Terrain assessment, including breakdown of routes by sections if appropriate,
• Route characteristics including DPs, distance covered, burst length and number, building type, low level boxes, travel out and back method.
• Georoute breakdown – travel time, service time, dead walking
• Weather conditions will be noted
• Individual profile (age; sex; health, injuries, experience, footwear, regular duty holder/relief)

Health and accident data
This will involve analysing data from all sites for the 2 year period of the study and will include all members of staff, not just those participating in the field study. The data will be downloaded from the MyPeople database. The data collected will include:-

• Sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders, stress related conditions and cardiovascular complaints
• Accidents on duty
• Medical retirements
• Referrals to Atos
• Staff turnover (and relationship to specific duties)

Timescales
The work will be carried out to fit in with the delivery revisions program. It is envisaged that the initial visits will be carried out in January/February 2013, with subsequent visits being carried out at 6 monthly intervals over the following two years. An interim report will be published after 6 months

Dependencies
Staff will need to be motivated and given sufficient time to take part in the study, the support of managers and the CWU will be necessary to achieve this.

Availability of data from HR, Atos the delivery revisions team and local offices.

Equivalent reports to those available from MyPeople will be available from the new HR system, PSP
Ability to use contractors as additional ergonomics resource.

[Judgee]

Ok so what's the point? What difference will it make if officially being on deliveries messes up your health? Will anyone act on this or will RM management just shrugg thier shoulders and wave it off like they always do?

[P13]

Ok so what's the point? What difference will it make if officially being on deliveries messes up your health? Will anyone act on this or will RM management just shrugg thier shoulders and wave it off like they always do?

It will go the same way as the the Tenement Study, quickly swept under the carpet

[clashcityrocker]

Ok so what's the point? What difference will it make if officially being on deliveries messes up your health? Will anyone act on this or will RM management just shrugg thier shoulders and wave it off like they always do?

It will go the same way as the the Tenement Study, quickly swept under the carpet

It is a shame they haven't included any Scottish offices with tenements.

[spoodoo]

I've got my wheelchair ordered already for my crumbling Royal Mail body .

[DB1100]

It will be interesting to see if anything is mentioned about our long term exposure to the sun and the increased chance of skin cancer which often doesn't show for 20 to 30 years.

[spoodoo]

And no toilet facilities !

[Judgee]

And no toilet facilities !

Yup better out than in as they say!

Wonder if holding it in for hours every day has a detrimental effect on our health?

I do always find it quite a balancing act trying to keep hydrated without over doing it and needing the loo too often!

[UnhappyGremlin]

This study has been agreed to in order to shut the CWU up about the issue.
Whatever the findings, unless they go in favour of the company, they will be ignored faster than colleague shares.

[daveyeff]

4hrs 45mins

[fishtank]

This has been kicking around for a couple of years now.
My prediction...