LTB:RM anti terrorist protection:MLO's

[POSTMAN]

To: All Branches

(For the Special Attention of RML Area Safety Reps and RME Engineering Reps and members)

Dear Colleagues,

CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear & Explosive) - Royal Mail Anti Terrorist Protection - Introduction of New Mail Centre CBRNE Detection Equipment and Bio-Labs: - Roll Out Update Report

This LTB is issued further to LTB 736/06, 744/06, 747/06, 802/06, 185/06, 232/07 and 233/07 dated 13 March 2007.



As explained in detail in previous LTBs the provision of effective anti-terrorist detection and analysis equipment systems for UK Mail Centres has been a major objective for the CWU so as to substantially improve the way Royal Mail deals with the present very real danger of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats from international or domestic terrorists and secondly, to increase the safety and security of CWU Members in Engineering and Operational grades by providing our own early detection and analysis systems with the capability of reducing the risk of a toxic or infectious materials going undetected through the Mails pipeline, exposing staff with potentially fatal consequences.



£8 Million pounds worth of state of the art technology has been purchased and the Equipment is currently being deployed in each Mail Centre plus Analysis equipment is being installed in a number of locations where Royal Mail's own network of Bio-Detection testing Laboratories are being set up geographically to be within a 1 hour distance of each Mail Centre. This gives us the ability to quickly and effectively detect, identify and analyse a harmful substance sent maliciously via the post.



In safety and security terms this is acknowledged as a great step forward for CWU members working in Royal Mail as well as for members of the public who will also benefit from Royal Mail having the detection and analysis technology to manage the risk of a terrorist attack.

The Hand Held Detection Equipment consists 1. The LCD (Lightweight Chemical Detector), 2. The Exploranium (Radioactivity Detector),

3. The HAZMA ID (Identification Unit), 4. "Hazard Rated" Type H Filtration Vacuum Cleaner and 5. Royal Mail's Mini-Bio-Detection Laboratories (equipped with "Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment").



The Hand-Held Equipment has now been deployed in 18 Mail Centres and Offices:

HWDC

Jubilee MC(Kingston)
Reading MC
Greenford MC
Bristol MC
Cardiff MC
Gloucester MC
Swindon MC
Swansea MC
South London MC
Mount Pleasant MC
East London MC
Paddington MC
Croydon MC
Gatwick MC
Tonbridge MC
Belfast MC
Belfast RLC



Mini-Bio-Detection Laboratories have been established in 5 locations:

HWDC

Bristol

South London

Croydon

Belfast



Basic equipment familiarisation training has been completed with further detailed training planned.



It is planned to do Quasi-live incident 'walk-through' testing the use of the equipment at each sites as a further training exercise for Engineers and to get OPG grades used to seeing the kit in use and PPE worn.



No sites are live presently.


Further reports will be made in due course.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer