LTB The CWU 'Low Level Letter Box Campaign'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches




No. 290 /13
Ref C32
Date: 2 May 2013

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Low Level Letter Boxes & The CWU 'Low Level Letter Box Campaign'

The Union's "Low Level Letter Box" Campaign has been a longstanding, ongoing campaign with a number of major initiatives launched, aimed at getting the Building Regulations changed in the UK.

The Union has continued to call for the European Standard for Private Letter Boxes (EN 13724) to be enshrined in Law, namely Building Regulations. The European standard sets down that the centreline of the Letter Box aperture should be at a height between 700 mm (2 ft 3.5 inches) and 1700 mm (5 ft 7 inches).

The Communication Workers Union launched a campaign several years ago calling for Government action on the problem faced by Postal Workers of Low Level Letter Boxes.

We received support and an assurance from the Government of the day that the public and private sector would fully comply with the current EU Standard and would not install new front doors either on new or refurbished dwellings with Low Level Letter Boxes for ergonomic and safety reasons.

There are around 3000 back injuries to Royal Mail Postmen and women each year in Royal Mail and delivering to low level letter boxes at the base of a house or Flat's front door forces Postal Staff to stoop to ground level, whilst carrying a satchel of mail, weighing up to 16Kg (35lbs) and thereby risking serious back strain. A large number of such low level letter boxes on a housing development or estate for example could lead to a ‘repetitive’ strain injury risk.

Building Regulations deal with health and safety matters in the interest of the people who use the building. 

In the UK we follow the specifications set out in European Standard (EN 13724) covering Private Letter Boxes which for ergonomic and safety reasons specifies the height, positioning and design of “letter boxes” in order that the safe delivery of Mail can be made without the risk of injury. The standard sets down that the centreline of the Letter Box aperture should be at a height between 700 mm (2 ft 3.5 inches) and 1700 mm (5 ft 7 inches).

The Irish Government changed their Building Regulations in 2001 outlawing the so called “mousetrap-type” letter boxes at the bottom of doors following back injuries to Postal workers.

UK Postal Workers are more at risk of back injury and ill health if those responsible for building or refurbishing properties fail to comply with the EU Standard for Letter Plate Apertures in Front Doors or Letter Boxes.

UK Postal workers deliver 60 million items a day to 29 million addresses and at Christmas that increased to 120 million items a day. That’s a lot of lifting, carrying and bending.

From time to time it comes to the attention of CWU/HQ that the houses being built by developers or estates being refurbished in some cases are being fitted with front doors with Low Level Letter Boxes in breach of the EU Standard and when brought to our attention we question the Council with responsibilities for Safety compliance and enforcement of the EU Standards are prepared to allow builders to ignore it and challenge the builders and developers why they are subjecting Royal Mail Postal Delivery Workers to an added risk by installing Low Level Letter Boxes on housing developments in a number of dwellings outside the EU standard.

I would add that the Standard isn't new. In 1958 the Council of Industrial Design and British Standards Institute issued a British Standard specifying letter box/letter plate aperture size, maximum flap spring tension and a recommended height position for the letter plate in the door of between 2 ft 6 inches and 4 ft 9 inches from the ground with an ideal height being 3 ft 6 inches. The standard was introduced after this Union took the matter up with the Postmaster General who subsequently raised the matter with the Council of Industrial Design and British Standards Institute. The Union launched a campaign at the time which included a stand at the Olympia Buildings Exhibition.

In 2002 the updated European Standard was introduced via EN 13724 entitled “Postal Services – Apertures of Private Letter Boxes and Letter Plates – Requirements and Test Methods”. This covers similar dimensions and specifications as the previous BSI standard and specifies that for “ergonomic and safety reasons” the centreline of the Letter Box aperture should be at a height between 700 mm (2 ft 3.5 inches) and 1700 mm (5 ft inches). This Union launched a fresh campaign shortly after the introduction of the updated EU standard to raise awareness and compliance and has raised the matter several times since.

Sadly both the previous and present government rejected our call to amend the regulations. This was despite the fact that both the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and Royal Mail supported the Union's Campaign and the fact that we gained the support of over 100 MPs from all Parties who signed an Early Day Motion to the government supporting us.

In an intensive campaign we approached the NHBC (National House-Building Council) who agreed to write to all members urging compliance with the standard.

We also raised the matter with other organisations such as the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and the Door and Hardware Federation, seeking support.

I also attended a meeting of Letter Box Manufacturers to put the case for Postman and Women.

Despite our great efforts, Low Level Letter Boxes continue to be fitted, much to the disadvantage of our Royal Mail delivery members.

Therefore we are left with a situation whereby we have to challenge developments piecemeal when they fit letter boxes outside of the EU Standard.

Where building developments or refurbishment programmes are brought to our attention that either intend or are fitting Low Level Letter Boxes, we challenge the builders, developers or Council concerned whenever and wherever we can and have had some successes across the country with changes being made.

However this is no simple task and this requires widespread vigilance amongst members and CWU Reps, challenging the problem when it occurs. Never the less we will continue our efforts and campaign despite the present lack of central government support for new Regulations which would cure the problem.

As a  recent example of what can be achieved, please see attached my letter to a developer and a positive response received by the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department from Warren Thompson, Managing Director, Bett Homes by Gladedale dated 1 March 2013 in reply to my letter dated 4 February (copies attached).

The development concerned involves construction  of 170 New Houses which were being constructed with by the builders, installing front doors with low-level letter boxes, in breach of the EU Standard.

The Bett Homes Managing Director has agreed that those home currently under construction and those yet to commence construction which is the overwhelming majority will be fitted with letter plates in compliance with our recommendations and the EU standard between the heights of 2'6" and 4'9".



Correspondence also took place with the Chief Executive Durham County Council and Council Cabinet Membersl, Phil Wilson local MP,  the House Builders parent company and the National House Builders Association.

Royal Mail HQ also fully supported us in our representations, writing to the above the builders and Local Authority.

We are in discussions  with Royal Mail and the possible ways in which we can jointly tackle this matter and investigate whether there are ways in which we can get an early warning of developments in order to raise the matter of  compliance with the European Standard for Private Letter Boxes (EN 13724). To this end the matter has been raised yet again with the Housing Minister and with the Chief Executive of the Local Government Association (LGA) who are currently running a "Housing The Nation" Campaign.

Therefore would Branches and Regional Committees be vigilant in respect of Housing development in your areas and Regions in order to react to the fitting of low level letter boxes and consider any proactive action that can be taken by way of discussions with Local Authorities and developers in your areas and Regions.

 

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[fishtank]

Is Dave Joyce paid by the word?

[clashcityrocker]

Is Dave Joyce paid by the word?

The Digested Read:
We've been campaigning since 1958 and achieved f**k all.

Perhaps after the DSA boycott we should have a Low Level Letterbox Boycott?

[RTP]

Is that lot worth reading?

[Cut Off King]

Is Dave Joyce paid by the word?

The Digested Read:
We've been campaigning since 1958 and achieved f**k all.

Perhaps after the DSA boycott we should have a Low Level Letterbox Boycott?

[flaminmoses]

too late my back and knee have gone

[Himaggen]

If the CWU, Royal Mail and HSE support the campaign then delivery personnel are completely within their rights to refuse to deliver to low letterboxes. If an OPG states that based on their dynamic risk assessment it was deemed to be a health and safety issue, then they cannot be made to deliver nor can they cannot be coached, counseled or conducted for their refusal.

[UnhappyGremlin]

If the CWU, Royal Mail and HSE support the campaign then delivery personnel are completely within their rights to refuse to deliver to low letterboxes. If an OPG states that based on their dynamic risk assessment it was deemed to be a health and safety issue, then they cannot be made to deliver nor can they cannot be coached, counseled or conducted for their refusal.

But how long would it be before a manager/DOM threatened a wilful delay charge? Not long I bet.

[Himaggen]

If the CWU, Royal Mail and HSE support the campaign then delivery personnel are completely within their rights to refuse to deliver to low letterboxes. If an OPG states that based on their dynamic risk assessment it was deemed to be a health and safety issue, then they cannot be made to deliver nor can they cannot be coached, counseled or conducted for their refusal.

But how long would it be before a manager/DOM threatened a wilful delay charge? Not long I bet.

Not long at all.

However a threat is about as far as they could take it with any OPG with balls.

[UnhappyGremlin]

If the CWU, Royal Mail and HSE support the campaign then delivery personnel are completely within their rights to refuse to deliver to low letterboxes. If an OPG states that based on their dynamic risk assessment it was deemed to be a health and safety issue, then they cannot be made to deliver nor can they cannot be coached, counseled or conducted for their refusal.

But how long would it be before a manager/DOM threatened a wilful delay charge? Not long I bet.

Not long at all.

However a threat is about as far as they could take it with any OPG with balls.

Well, I always stand up for myself, and I disagree with you, I think they'd take it past threat.
Not that I don't agree with your position in the first place. I do.
I always ask for instructions in writing, which I never get, to prove that I objected to the instruction given.
A postie I work with complained about a H&S issue on his duty, the boss just thought he was taking the piss and refused to do anything about it. The next day, the postie in question 'injured' themselves, and forced the manager to take action.

[scoobydo79]

Sorry to dig up an oldie.Some new houses being built on a delivery and the letter boxs is at bottom of the door.Can We ask them to reposition them before mail starts to come through for them?Thanks for any replies .Im thinking about our backs here.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Sorry to dig up an oldie.Some new houses being built on a delivery and the letter boxs is at bottom of the door.Can We ask them to reposition them before mail starts to come through for them?Thanks for any replies .Im thinking about our backs here.

I'd suggest giving the Area Safety Rep and your Manager a copy of this LTB and state the problems re new build, they should then do everything possible to discuss it with the builder.

Perhaps even a bit in the local press about a well known building company ignoring a European STandard.

Also might be worth emailing the National Health, Safety & Environment Officer - Dave Joyce - perhaps a few of his verbose letters would help.

[scoobydo79]

Thanks True Blue.Will do as You suggest.The older You get the further down those letter boxes seem to be