Rural mail in front of van.

[Brainache]

Hi, our rurals might be looked at soon so I wonder what the latest rules are for mail in the front. Looking at posts on here from last couple of years, it seems that security and H&S rules differ. Security rules say small bundle in front in small pouch - H&S rules say nothing allowed.

Also, day to day, or if a rural is being timed/tested and small bundle is allowed in front - can the driver still insist on working completely from the back of the van, ie, is this at the drivers discretion ? Thanks.

[POSTMAN]

Well.....you can...but then you can't....but then you can.....but then again you can't.
The Fishman on here knows whether you can...or you can't....or is it you can't then you can....

[ted_e_bear]

As far as I understand it you're supposed to work from back or side door so mail is locked secure never on view, obviously in practise you probably won't do that cos no ones going to steal a letter you've left on the seat for the next farm while you're driving there.

If it was me being tested I'd just work from the back or side double checking where next call was in case of a gap.

(And don't forget your seatbelt).

[robbertwhitton]

I have a tray of mail on the passenger seat,until some jobs worth tells me different ,thats how after 30 years i work. Its probably not right, but never been told by the management that its illegal or whatever.is it written down.

[robbertwhitton]

I wish my round would be timed and tested,its not gonna happen ,trust me!

[robbertwhitton]

Well.....you can...but then you can't....but then you can.....but then again you can't.
The Fishman on here knows whether you can...or you can't....or is it you can't then you can....

Hahaha!spot on !

[Stammerking]

One of those small delivery pouches is allowed with the seat belt going through the strap for security! I kid you not

No trays allowed no specials in the front

[Lounge Lizard]

I have a tray of mail on the passenger seat,until some jobs worth tells me different ,thats how after 30 years i work. Its probably not right, but never been told by the management that its illegal or whatever.is it written down.

I worked like that until I learnt from this site it shouldn't be done like that.
Since then I've worked with just one bundle at a time in the front and it probably scarcely adds a couple of minutes to the day.

[westham000]

The Dom or your line manager will turn a blind eye to most things until something goes wrong. For example someone breaks your side window and steals your bundle of mail. Then when the management do their fact finding investigation and gather all their information for a paper trail. They will conduct code you for failing to follow the correct procedure. DON'T give them the opportunity, and do the job by the book. I hate my DOM with a passion.

[OnAFlyer]

I thought it was simple, you can carry mail for the next drop in the front but cannot leave mail unattended. If you are working from a tray/bag/bundles and you leave stuff in the front whilst you're not in the van you will get into trouble should it go missing.

[framusjsx]

we had security checks a few months back, I was one of the ones stopped.

Had a tray in the front and they classed that as the bundle... and he said that was fine.
(Sorry if this adds more confusion)

[Lounge Lizard]

we had security checks a few months back, I was one of the ones stopped.

Had a tray in the front and they classed that as the bundle... and he said that was fine.
(Sorry if this adds more confusion)

Yes, "you can carry mail for the next drop in the front but cannot leave mail unattended" but "Had a tray in the front and they classed that as the bundle... and he said that was fine" is lucky.
Bundle yes, tray no, for me.

[Brainache]

Until recently we had a big tray in the front (they even had the rounds name stamped on the side) until we heard it was a no no.
I did try working just from the back , but it seems twice as much effort and takes longer - fine if your being timed/pressured to flex.
I gave up after about 10 minutes and put the next bundle + packets in the pouch in the front, Its much easier if the pouch is facing you and not wrapped round the back rest.

[Richard007]

Its so unfair as they know we put Mail in front of van & that's is fine until some thief steals some & then it will be " why did you leave Mail in the front " you could be sacked , same as speeding & not wearing seatbelt they know it goes on & all will be fine until something goes wrong & then they will throw book at you , ask you manager to give you a black or white answer & have it in writing then you won't have a problem , rural delivery will take much longer if seatbelt worn every time you move off , no speeding & all Mail in back of van , they know it's not practical but if anything goes wrong they will throw book at you , also they know we leave engine running on stops when it's just a couple houses to do & jump back in , stop this now as if ya van gets nicked with keys in it they WILL sack you !

[Lounge Lizard]

Until recently we had a big tray in the front (they even had the rounds name stamped on the side) until we heard it was a no no.
I did try working just from the back , but it seems twice as much effort and takes longer - fine if your being timed/pressured to flex.
I gave up after about 10 minutes and put the next bundle + packets in the pouch in the front, Its much easier if the pouch is facing you and not wrapped round the back rest.

You must have quite a different sort of round than me then because for me having just a bundle in the front probably scarcely adds a couple of minutes to the day.