CSS Information Needed ASAP

tonyday · Post by **tonyday** » 23 May 2016, 22:06

Over the past 12 months our CSS operations are being impacted by shortage of staffing levels. As a result, many of our operators are suffering with various aches and strains. Having pointed this out to managers, the managers have become really aggressive in cutting down on out breaks, and having us do menial tasks away from the machines when we have finished.

We`ve noticed also that the Safe Systems Of Work wall charts have been taken down some weeks ago. I thought this was a legal requirement to have them on display ??

Also, because we have had to go to the union about these issues (fatigue etc ...) the managers have threatened us with permanent job losses.

Alas, the union are unsure on what the procedures are. For instance, we asked about the possibility of working 2 hours on machine then 20 off. The managers have agreed to this, but that 20 minutes off must incorporate our 10 minute breaks. We are being given the minimum of 50 minutes breaks during the whole shift, but NO relaxation/recovery time, and NO grace breaks.

Is there not one single document that has a uniform example of health and safety guidelines on the CSS machine ???

Post by **POSTMAN** » 23 May 2016, 23:05

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... mit=Search" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AnnexeB · Post by **AnnexeB** » 24 May 2016, 02:13

Thanks but there's no link in that discussion to an actual document.

Post by **notts1862** » 24 May 2016, 17:20

Nottingham mail centre we've got 6 css machines, running for 10 hours. We have 12 operatives running 2 hours on and 2 hours break. Then when not on machine were on packets.

Post by **The Backbone** » 24 May 2016, 20:58

2hrs on and 20mins off regardless of whether its break or other work i believe is the deal. You can work more than 2hrs if you wish but they cannot make you work over the 2hrs. Mailcentres usually do 2hrs on 2hrs off due to having more staff available but MPUs do not have that luxury so staff may have to work to the time limits agreed....

AnnexeB · Post by **AnnexeB** » 24 May 2016, 21:52

Is there no documents or LTBs that show specific guidelines ?

24601 · Post by **24601** » 25 May 2016, 12:27

3 css machines,6 operators, one operator job lapsed for the summer another operator covering a driving job - absolute farce. The css machines are the cause of so many back, shoulder and knee problems even when the safety guidelines which have been thrown out of the window are able to be followed.

Post by **patrickstar14** » 25 May 2016, 16:27

3.1 CSS Machines

Each machine will always be manned by one operator when sequencing mail. Duty arrangements will be scheduled to rotate operators between the CSS activities and other work. The normal approach to this will be to schedule the operation between two people so that individuals only work for approximately 2 hours on the machine followed by 2 hours on other associated work. All duty structures will be subject to agreement locally.

Taken from the Sortation Automation Deployment agreement 2010 for CSS machines and ilsms in Mail Centres.
The same standards should apply

Budfrog · Post by **Budfrog** » 13 Jul 2016, 16:19

Not sure if this is of any help - it was used as part of the roll-out for what was then Thames Valley