Arthritis from long walks

[XCHpostie]

When we used bicycles it took away a lot of the impact on the joints caused by pounding the streets nonstop every day. Since they took the bikes away I have begun to experience some discomfort in my left knee and a number of colleagues have developed problems,some of which have necessitated in them going under the surgeons knife. It is an issue that needs to be looked into.

[dvbuk55]

Well as I recall under BT2010 longer walks/deliveries were brought in as an enabler - the trolleys and vehicles were brought in to combat weight and how many don't use the trolleys?

[daveyeff]

10 to 12 miles a day walks? Yeah right no need to exaggerate, that would take 3-4 hours to walk let alone deliver mail to the doors? How many doors do you deliver to on your mamouth walk?

I have mapped my walk using gps phone app, between me and my van share partner we have 2100 calls on our route

So six miles each then? That sounds about right, but your not both walking 12 miles,

Also 2100 calls something iffy there a frame would need 9 wings to accommodate that. Yours figures just don't add up

the two duties next to me have more than that and they only have 7 wings each. they are all double slotted. so the both have about 1100 calls each. as for the miles. our duties are 4hrs 45mins long. even if you only walk 2mile an hour thats 9 and a half miles.

[daveyeff]

Well as I recall under BT2010 longer walks/deliveries were brought in as an enabler - the trolleys and vehicles were brought in to combat weight and how many don't use the trolleys?

trolleys only combat the weight off the shoulder. you still have to pull/push them. and with double the weight we used carry. 32kg. if you are pulling them up gradients the stress is on your legs/arm/back/ shoulder. there are loads dont use the trolleys simply because they are causing physicall stress on the body. we are all going to be ready for the knackers yard in a few years.

[clashcityrocker]

The High Capacity Trolleys are easier to push if you take the break off.
On the flat they pretty much roll along on their own.
There are guidelines for gradients for very good reasons.

[Sergeant Blast]

I've thought for a time, that this is a ticking time bomb which RM either haven't considered or just choose to ignore. Our outdoor revisions happened about 3 years ago. We currently have several guys off sick with problems with feet/ankles/knees/hips. It's not so much about whether you use trolleys or not. It's more about the miles we have to cover each week, on hard surfaces, wearing the inadequate footwear we are supplied with. I don't understand why the union do not take a more active role in this. Yes I would like a pay rise, my t&c's protected etc but not as much as I would like my physical wellbeing protected.

[Lounge Lizard]

I've thought for a time, that this is a ticking time bomb which RM either haven't considered or just choose to ignore. Our outdoor revisions happened about 3 years ago. We currently have several guys off sick with problems with feet/ankles/knees/hips. It's not so much about whether you use trolleys or not. It's more about the miles we have to cover each week, on hard surfaces, wearing the inadequate footwear we are supplied with. I don't understand why the union do not take a more active role in this. Yes I would like a pay rise, my t&c's protected etc but not as much as I would like my physical wellbeing protected.

Regarding "the union do not take a more active role in this" it's an unintended consequence of the union 's demand for full time jobs which, with time saved by DP sequenced mail, resulted in notably longer deliveries, hence the problem.

[mlw]

1. You would have to prove that working for RM caused your injuries. Any old sport injuries, any old childhood accidents etc would probably invalidate your claim.
Undoubtedly the job exacerbates any problems but it isn't the cause.

2. You need to throw away all your phone apps, gps, pedometers and all the rest of that crap. They don't work.
Thinking you walk 12 miles a day at 8mph isn't doing you any favours.
Unless you actually understand what your body is doing each day, you won't be able to look after it properly.

3. Use your trollies.

agreed people who carry bags are going to cause problems even 3-4 kg is not a good idea , long term it will do your shoulder-back in already seen thisin our office and we have had changes for 3 years some people refuse to use trolleys and then moan that i take too long on the loops!! i have seen some guys carry 2 bags on shoulders weighing about 25kg!

[daveyeff]

The High Capacity Trolleys are easier to push if you take the break off.
On the flat they pretty much roll along on their own.
There are guidelines for gradients for very good reasons.

aye but im on about the lightweight trolley.. they are still 32kgs to pull fully loaded. with 16kg per pannier. and a total overall weight of 38.6 kg. even on slight gradients they take their toll.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The High Capacity Trolleys are easier to push if you take the break off.
On the flat they pretty much roll along on their own.
There are guidelines for gradients for very good reasons.

aye but im on about the lightweight trolley.. they are still 32kgs to pull fully loaded. with 16kg per pannier. and a total overall weight of 38.6 kg. even on slight gradients they take their toll.

But they are only 32kg if you fill them to that weight. If its taking its toll then reducing the weight should alleviate some of the problems.

[dvbuk55]

The High Capacity Trolleys are easier to push if you take the break off.
On the flat they pretty much roll along on their own.
There are guidelines for gradients for very good reasons.

aye but im on about the lightweight trolley.. they are still 32kgs to pull fully loaded. with 16kg per pannier. and a total overall weight of 38.6 kg. even on slight gradients they take their toll.

But they are only 32kg if you fill them to that weight. If its taking its toll then reducing the weight should alleviate some of the problems.

Well tbt you can lead a horse to water.

[clashcityrocker]

Well tbt you can lead a horse to water.

But you can't take it to a disco?

[daveyeff]

The High Capacity Trolleys are easier to push if you take the break off.
On the flat they pretty much roll along on their own.
There are guidelines for gradients for very good reasons.

aye but im on about the lightweight trolley.. they are still 32kgs to pull fully loaded. with 16kg per pannier. and a total overall weight of 38.6 kg. even on slight gradients they take their toll.

But they are only 32kg if you fill them to that weight. If its taking its toll then reducing the weight should alleviate some of the problems.

which then ends up taking more time as you have to make more trips back to the van for replenishment, which in turn leads to us taking stuff back or leaving it in the office as we dont extent, which in turn leads to b/h and perfomance issues being raised, which in turn leads to grievances being put in. which in turn etc etc. the planners got the whole kit and caboodle totally wrong and its all went pear shaped like my knees. in short. it aint working.

[dvbuk55]

Well tbt you can lead a horse to water.

But you can't take it to a disco?

You can if it'll fit through the door..........and the door staff.

[daveyeff]

The High Capacity Trolleys are easier to push if you take the break off.
On the flat they pretty much roll along on their own.
There are guidelines for gradients for very good reasons.

aye but im on about the lightweight trolley.. they are still 32kgs to pull fully loaded. with 16kg per pannier. and a total overall weight of 38.6 kg. even on slight gradients they take their toll.

But they are only 32kg if you fill them to that weight. If its taking its toll then reducing the weight should alleviate some of the problems.

Well tbt you can lead a horse to water.

but a pencil must be lead.