Was postman who died in 27C heat forced to do round because

[Lincox]

Quite right Fish. There are all kinds of rumours being talked about locally, and until an autopsy has been completed and the events are brought out at the Coroners Court, we should all be mindful of hearsay and allow the family to grieve.

[crazylegs]

Balls to allegations, sending a bloke out who had no recent experience of longer delivery spans and in extreme weather conditions because of short staffing levels (normal staffing levels these days) can only be down to bad management of Royal Mail as a company.

[Pompey Boy]

RIP and condolences to his family and friends

Would never use a situation like this to make a point, but sometimes I think the desk-bound guvnors underestimate the physical demands of the job particularly in extreme weather, be that for walks or delivery/collection drivers.

Once again RIP

[Tanker007]

A very sad week for Grahams family and ALL colleagues.I am sure I speak for all of us who are out on delivery this week when i say that things are very tough right now and are becoming unbearable..
We must all think about Grahams family at this time, let them grieve and give them any support they need.
RM!.. I hope you are reading this thread!.. your workforce are shocked and disgusted with what has happened to Graham get yourselves sorted out and help his family!..
We are literally cooking out there ... make a decision and help us... NOW!!!

R.I.P. Graham Bennett a true hero!..

[DirtyHarry]

A clear case of corporate manslaughter, in my opinion.
His DOM, and area manager, should be facing criminal charges.
We have all known that something like this was bound to happen sooner or later.
My condolences go to Graham Bennet's family and friends.

[baldrick]

It's very sad, and I feel for his family. But hopefully it will make RM realise the consequence of their action in sending heavily laden posties out in high temperatures. I have an indoor/outdoor hygrometer, and temperatures have been reaching over 36C in direct sunlight this week. The HSE should be getting involved.

[Fatcat]

Amazing how something like this has to happen, before something is done!
We started half an hour earlier to day, until further notice while the heatwave continues. A sensible decision by our Dom, or pushed into a situation? Still although we are starting earlier for a while, we was also told that we will be now 'absorbing' every day as of next week!
Thanks RM, for nothing.

[Danelectro]

The Royal Mail S.S.O.W. which has a guide for working in high temperatures was compiled long before the BT2010 agreement removed the maximum delivery span and instead sees spans as an enabler.This combined with summer lapsing, later in the day deliveries and throwing out the tenement study raised more than a few eyebrows at the time.

The best thing that may come out of any investigation would be a revision of the above working conditions.
Should summer lapsing cease when temperatures rise above a certain degree? or if welfare of staff really is a concern then cease altogether? citing that along with the risks of working in the heat the longer delivery spans endured for the rest of the year require summer resting and not summer lapsing/absorbing.

We all know that Royal Mail management are not to be trusted with our welfare but I dont think the CWU has done much to foster H&S culture or awareness on the front line or in recent agreements.

[Stormproof]

I spoke to RM's Area H&S guy today and asked him what RM's stance is. He told me there is a Summer Severe Weather plan on RM's system but it does'nt work, apparently its never been tested properly He then came out with the usual stuff, water, sun cream & shade I then asked about coming in early and prepping the 1st wave, getting out of the door early and then returning to the office to prep the 2nd wave for the next day. Good idea, but he reckons it won't happen

Something needs to be done soon! as next week even more hot weather predicted and humidity levels really high.

[RTP]

The Royal Mail S.S.O.W. which has a guide for working in high temperatures was compiled long before the BT2010 agreement removed the maximum delivery span and instead sees spans as an enabler.This combined with summer lapsing, later in the day deliveries and throwing out the tenement study raised more than a few eyebrows at the time.

The best thing that may come out of any investigation would be a revision of the above working conditions.
Should summer lapsing cease when temperatures rise above a certain degree? or if welfare of staff really is a concern then cease altogether? citing that along with the risks of working in the heat the longer delivery spans endured for the rest of the year require summer resting and not summer lapsing/absorbing.

We all know that Royal Mail management are not to be trusted with our welfare but I dont think the CWU has done much to foster H&S culture or awareness on the front line or in recent agreements.

It should cease anyway. I have no problem with working the hours I'm paid, but throw hot weather and piss poor overtime rates into the mix and RM might find that posties are more willing to go that extra mile during the Autumn pressure and beyond if summer lapsing was stopped. Call it a balancing act. Of course a lot of this would depend on getting revisions right in the first place and fixing those that are broken. Unfortunately the priority seems to be to just get them in and bugger the consequences

IMO posties where more willing to go that extra mile in the past during busy periods, because in the summer their bodies had chance to recuperate somewhat.

[Thunderthighs]

Very, very sad, and SO aviodable.
Risk Assessment: Using the multiplyer of Hazard...ie the HOT weather x the Risk of any Injury/Harm, should have been utilised.
Obviously, it was not.

Was told today by Rep, "if its 30 degrees, you can go home..."
Trouble is, as far as I know, no one did.
Additionally ALL Forecast Temperatures are taken a foot or so above the ground, in the shade.
We dont work a foot above the ground OR in constant shade..so its more like 35 degrees plus, not the 27-29 degrees the Weather people give.
And...the body heat generated by activity/load carrying etc contributes greatly too.
IT ALL ADDS UP.

[Stormproof]

Was told today by Rep, "if its 30 degrees, you can go home..."

Who authorised that? because there will be loads of people on here wanting to wave a piece of paper under their DOM's nose saying that.

[crookes]

I totally agree with fish tank. It is never wise to jump to rash conclusions.

[billyboy123]

to help with savings imy duty has now got 6 and half hrs delivery span on friday last week i was out in the sun 6 and half hrs and felt like s**t iwas awake all night with the effects of the sun rang in saturday to report sick as iwas on a/l the following week didnt want to go sick that week so have taken leave instead, a manager said to my union rep surprise surprise billys on a/l next week and has gone sick today (saturday) thats how much they care about us.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Tributes to postman who died during round

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Tri ... z2Zal3mF4U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



A postman who collapsed while delivering mail in Lincoln died of natural causes.

Graham Bennett, 47, died on July 15 during his regular round on the Ermine estate in temperatures around 25°.

And a post-mortem has revealed he died of natural causes.

Tributes have poured in on social network site Facebook, with many of Mr Bennett's friends paying tribute to him.

Lee Marshall Ritchie said: "Will miss you Graham, it was a pleasure to work alongside you in my time at RM, your passing leaves our office in shock and we are still struggling to comprehend everything that's gone on :(. R.I.P my friend."

Andy Burges posted: "Shocked. Can't believe it rip mate."

Royal Mail spokesman Nick Martens, said: "Our thoughts are very much with his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.”

Read more: http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Tri ... z2ZalJydmp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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