York Container Cardboard Sleeves

[TrueBlueTerrier]

18 June 2014
LTB393/14 York Container Cardboard Sleeves - Agreed Mandatory Instructions



No. 393/14

Ref C25/14

Date: 18 June 2014

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

York Container Cardboard Sleeves - Agreed Mandatory Instructions

In November 2005 Royal Mail issued clear instructions to all Offices and Managers that Cardboard Sleeves were to be withdrawn from "general use" and were to be phased out after Christmas 2005, firstly for Mail Centre to Mail Centre circulation and secondly for the transfer of packets from Mail Centres to Delivery Offices. Subsequently large numbers of ALP Sleeves have been and continue to be purchased year on year.

The reason the Cardboard Sleeves were withdrawn was:-

1. The use of Cardboard Sleeves for packet traffic was having an adverse effect on the network.

2. Safe Systems of Work were not being followed.

3. Increased York Container demands (Cardboard Sleeve only holds 65% of a full York with an ALP Sleeve).

4. Reduced vehicle utilisation.

5. Large amounts of unwanted, waste cardboard requiring repatriation (also an environmental issue).

Fresh reminder instructions were issued in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The only approved contract for continued Cardboard Sleeve use currently is Amazon and the Safe System of Work (SSoW) states that the Cardboard Sleeves must be in good condition and must be used with a cross-member and false base fitted.

Mail Centres must not misuse Cardboard Sleeves or allow other customers to use Cardboard sleeves and neither should customers be supplied Cardboard Sleeves. The SSoW must not be ignored with the cross members and false bases not being fitted when they are used - for Amazon work only.

In 2013 the 'generic' and 'Mandatory' York Container Safe System Of Work latest version 2.7 was issued and states as follows:- "Additional Requirements for York Container Cardboard Sleeves - Theses are only to be used for Approved Contracts and are not permitted for any other mail stream."

Occasionally and very exceptionally CWU HQ and Royal Mail HQ agree short term and controlled dispensation from the above during short periods at Christmas pressure time or peak pressure times only, if ALP Sleeve production and supply cannot meet operational demands. However this is subject to agreement and joint instructions issued by both CWU/HQ and Royal Mail HQ. The Central Postal Control/Container Team is the point of contact to agree contingency use.

Any Manager that has any queries regarding this policy or is experiencing ALP Sleeve shortages should contact either Mark Fletcher Head of Container Equipment Telephone: 07889 124741 Email: mark.fletcher@royalmail.com or Neil Hayes National Container Development Manager Tel: 07753833395 Email: neil.hayes@royalmail.com

Royal Mail HQ and CWU HQ continue to work together on the development and trials of new design Containers and Equipment for future Royal Mail requirements under the Agenda For Change. Royal Mail and the CWU hope to start trialling new design sleeves and a new design "Parcel Ready Roll Container" soon that will dispense with the Cardboard Sleeve completely.

The form of words contained in this LTB have been Agreed between the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department and Royal Mail Group Container Equipment Management.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[SpacePhoenix]

RM need to order more normal sleeves and repair the existing ones (probably well over half are technically broken)

[POSTMAN]

Fresh reminder instructions were issued in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

LOL no one is listening you knob ffs.

[The Bundler]

We are told to use cardboard sleeves for slippery d2ds only mount pleasant receive normal sleeves from our walk bundling centre. We would prefer to use normal ones.