Is it an age thing?

Fishyfingers · Post by **Fishyfingers** » 08 May 2016, 11:56

Been in the job 15yrs mostly walking duties, since the HTC came in to start they gave me a sore back not so much now but for quite a while after i get home from work and sit down i can hardly walk when i get up again .So is it an age thing or should i get checked out ?

Pidleypoo · Post by **Pidleypoo** » 08 May 2016, 12:15

It's always worth getting checked out.it could be that just being in the job this long is catching up with you as it has most who've been there long enough.but again it could be something solvable so worth going to the doctors

Chewster · Post by **Chewster** » 08 May 2016, 12:28

Always get it checked out mate, you only get one spine. I'm a youngster and a former rugby player at that, but I do find the HCTs aren't so friendly on the back, I often end up stiff as a board after work when I've been on a HCT duty

pants123 · Post by **pants123** » 08 May 2016, 12:50

Ye true.... my back gives me a lot of trouble. From using the Hct...

If im off for a week... my back give me pain.. i have to take strong pain killers for days.. so i can bearly do a delivery....

If 6 hours delivery comes in... it will finish me.. my back will collapse.. as well as other health issues i have from working me to breaking point....

Post by **fly-catchers** » 08 May 2016, 16:28

Well at least RM has taken the weight off your shoulder!!

Post by **eastie** » 08 May 2016, 19:19

Some of the HCT's don't steer straight and can cause back problems when you keep correcting them when they veer off

Chelseablue · Post by **Chelseablue** » 08 May 2016, 22:53

Would be interesting to find out the figures of how many postmen and postwomen who are now struggling with joint , knee back, shoulder ,arthiritis , hips etc problems . Would be an eye opener , why dosent the union go after this ?

Puppetmaster · Post by **Puppetmaster** » 08 May 2016, 23:52

Chelseablue wrote:Would be interesting to find out the figures of how many postmen and postwomen who are now struggling with joint , knee back, shoulder ,arthiritis , hips etc problems . Would be an eye opener , why dosent the union go after this ?

It will never happen whilst you have the top CWU leaders in place as they agreed all this AS IT PROTECTS JOBS BUT NOT PEOPLES HEALTH AND THEY DONT WALKS

DiamondSmiles · Post by **DiamondSmiles** » 09 May 2016, 14:57

Same here, back and neck have gotten worse since I started using an HCT 4 years ago. As someone stated, rarely do they travel in a straight line. I get sick to death people coming up to me on the street saying 'oh that must be so much better than a bag and a bike'. Feel like saying well you have a go then! They look puzzled when I say, well actually no they aren't better. Unless RM bring in a motorised HCT (which I think would be banned in the UK), we are lumbered with them for years.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 09 May 2016, 15:56

They did do trials on Electric trolleys - in fact their delivery span was limited to 3.5 hours because of the life of the batteries.

There is also an old trolley from the 70/80s - I think you'd prefer the HCT to this:

Post+Office+2.jpg

motherhubbard · Post by **motherhubbard** » 09 May 2016, 16:25

Chelseablue wrote:Would be interesting to find out the figures of how many postmen and postwomen who are now struggling with joint , knee back, shoulder ,arthiritis , hips etc problems . Would be an eye opener , why dosent the union go after this ?

How would you know if the problem was caused by the new delivery methods or the 5/10/15 years they did previously with a bag on their back?
How would you know if it was work related or perhaps sport related?
Or just simply old age/wear and tear?

What if the figures, rather than being an "eye opener", just showed that some posties have some health problems, the same as always?

DiamondSmiles · Post by **DiamondSmiles** » 09 May 2016, 16:26

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:They did do trials on Electric trolleys - in fact their delivery span was limited to 3.5 hours because of the life of the batteries.

There is also an old trolley from the 70/80s - I think you'd prefer the HCT to this:

Post+Office+2.jpg

Is the little window a place for the manager to keep an eye on your delivery speed?

motherhubbard · Post by **motherhubbard** » 09 May 2016, 16:29

DiamondSmiles wrote: Unless RM bring in a motorised HCT (which I think would be banned in the UK), we are lumbered with them for years.

Some offices had motorized HCTs (some might still do for all I know)
The problems began when they broke down as it needed a tow truck to go and pick them up as the motor was so heavy.
And apparently they broke down a lot.

DiamondSmiles · Post by **DiamondSmiles** » 09 May 2016, 16:32

motherhubbard wrote:
DiamondSmiles wrote: Unless RM bring in a motorised HCT (which I think would be banned in the UK), we are lumbered with them for years.
Some offices had motorized HCTs (some might still do for all I know)
The problems began when they broke down as it needed a tow truck to go and pick them up as the motor was so heavy.
And apparently they broke down a lot.

I reckon we should use a horse and cart, they'd never break down. Could sell the 'ahem' deposits to the customers for their roses.

brownsound · Post by **brownsound** » 09 May 2016, 17:31

May be an age thing, may not be. I'm late 20's, been doing the job 8 years (4 with bags on the shoulder, 4 with LWT) and I get the odd twinge. Either way, get it checked or even ask for an OH referral. Tell them you may end up off work if they don't help you find the root of your back problem.