Tipping bags into ALP sleeves

[rogersh]

I have found the following information, re the subject, on this forum.

OPERATIONS & MODERNISATION RISK MANAGEMENT
SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK
Use of Auto Level Packet Sleeve for York’s and Mini York’s

"Bags should not be tipped into York ALP Sleeves. Where bag tipping is carried out with mini York ALP Sleeves, the Safe System of Work for bag tipping to ALTs should be followed."

I assume the reason for not tipping bags into ALP sleeves is because this action could possibly cause injury.
Does anyone have knowledge or reason this practice is not allowed or any exception to the rule ?.

[POSTMAN]

Copied topic from H&S forum.

[swindonandy]

No exceptions. You're lifting the bag weight above shoulder height which is a big no. Do the job properly and use a mini/alt/tipping table

[rogersh]

No exceptions. You're lifting the bag weight above shoulder height which is a big no. Do the job properly and use a mini/alt/tipping table

You have confirmed that there should be no compromise to what has obviously been assessed as a risk in the process of tipping bags of mail into ALPs. As if to prove the point last week I witnessed a colleague standing on the base of a york,to gain height presumably, to tip a bag. I have raised this incident having already discussed my concerns with the WAM & H&S rep that the "new" system of sorting mail (Chinese packets) into drop bag frame & then tipping into ALP sleeves is contrary to the SSOW document.

[rogersh]

Update;
I gave a letter to my line manager restating my assertion that a breach of the safe systems of work was occurring, I did not receive any response.

I sent an email to the area health & safety rep who confirmed “tipping mail into an ALP or Full Sleeved York is against the SSOW” and he would discuss the matter with a colleague prior to the monthly H&S meeting in January to hopefully resolve the matter by then.

Employees are instructed in the policy statement that everyone is responsible for their own personal h&s and for the safety & health of of those they work with or might impact through their work activities. Also employees are required to challenge unsafe acts and any practices which could give rise to unsafe or unhealthy conditions.

Royal Mail insist health & safety is its top priority & the policy is maintained as the responsibility of line management. Yet in this instance line management did not maintain employees safety and health by allowing a breach of SSOW to continue & have not taken immediate action by consulting the employees and the safety representative.

The management appear to be apathetic, but see what happens after meeting.

[rogersh]

Update;
I gave a letter to my line manager restating my assertion that a breach of the safe systems of work was occurring, I did not receive any response.

I sent an email to the area health & safety rep who confirmed “tipping mail into an ALP or Full Sleeved York is against the SSOW” and he would discuss the matter with a colleague prior to the monthly H&S meeting in January to hopefully resolve the matter by then.

Employees are instructed in the policy statement that everyone is responsible for their own personal h&s and for the safety & health of of those they work with or might impact through their work activities. Also employees are required to challenge unsafe acts and any practices which could give rise to unsafe or unhealthy conditions.

Royal Mail insist health & safety is its top priority & the policy is maintained as the responsibility of line management. Yet in this instance line management did not maintain employees safety and health by allowing a breach of SSOW to continue & have not taken immediate action by consulting the employees and the safety representative.

The management appear to be apathetic, but see what happens after meeting.

Update on the update.

The issue was not raised by the area H&S rep at the H&S meeting.!!. The wcm Safety pillar lead had raised the issue in November 2016 only to be told that a delegated person would have the job to tip all bags into yorks !!(not a viable resolution) & was concerned the issue was not raised at/or prior to the meeting.

I am awaiting a response from "justsayit" as RMG insist H&S is its top priority.

It appears I am replying to my own posts.I would welcome any advice on how to proceed this matter.

[midegarelu]

No exceptions. You're lifting the bag weight above shoulder height which is a big no. Do the job properly and use a mini/alt/tipping table

You have confirmed that there should be no compromise to what has obviously been assessed as a risk in the process of tipping bags of mail into ALPs. As if to prove the point last week I witnessed a colleague standing on the base of a york,to gain height presumably, to tip a bag. I have raised this incident having already discussed my concerns with the WAM & H&S rep that the "new" system of sorting mail (Chinese packets) into drop bag frame & then tipping into ALP sleeves is contrary to the SSOW document.

Can kind of see the logic in this action.
However why not just leave the packets in the bags and stack onto yorks for dispatch?

[rogersh]

No exceptions. You're lifting the bag weight above shoulder height which is a big no. Do the job properly and use a mini/alt/tipping table

You have confirmed that there should be no compromise to what has obviously been assessed as a risk in the process of tipping bags of mail into ALPs. As if to prove the point last week I witnessed a colleague standing on the base of a york,to gain height presumably, to tip a bag. I have raised this incident having already discussed my concerns with the WAM & H&S rep that the "new" system of sorting mail (Chinese packets) into drop bag frame & then tipping into ALP sleeves is contrary to the SSOW document.

Can kind of see the logic in this action.
However why not just leave the packets in the bags and stack onto yorks for dispatch?

Because; "Auto Level Packet Sleeves have been designed for mixed packet mail, DO NOT use for single items over 7.5 Kg, bags or trays."
The seg is set up with ALP sleeved yorks & also sorted into alps directly.

Back to main point

Update on the update.

The issue was not raised by the area H&S rep at the H&S meeting.!!. The wcm Safety pillar lead had raised the issue in November 2016 only to be told that a delegated person would have the job to tip all bags into yorks !!(not a viable resolution) & was concerned the issue was not raised at/or prior to the meeting.

I am awaiting a response from "justsayit" as RMG insist H&S is its top priority.

It appears I am replying to my own posts.I would welcome any advice on how to proceed this matter.

[aiden01]

have personally tried in vain for last few years to have a h,s subject progressed but cwu reps don't seem to giv a flying f**k and this was after a an accident. Don't want to go into too much detail but all reps including area h,s has been told so if not resolved soon will have to wonder why I should continue to pay my sub's.

[rogersh]

have personally tried in vain for last few years to have a h,s subject progressed but cwu reps don't seem to giv a flying f**k and this was after a an accident. Don't want to go into too much detail but all reps including area h,s has been told so if not resolved soon will have to wonder why I should continue to pay my sub's.

I have not had a response from either the Area Safety rep or been spoken to, as advised I would be this week, by the WCM pillar lead. Like you Aiden I am disillusioned that there appears to be joint apathy in spite of the numerous H&S info such as being responsible by reporting unsafe acts. Still at a relatively early stage & I will hopefully get responses in due course but will persevere regardless.

[rogersh]

have personally tried in vain for last few years to have a h,s subject progressed but cwu reps don't seem to giv a flying f**k and this was after a an accident. Don't want to go into too much detail but all reps including area h,s has been told so if not resolved soon will have to wonder why I should continue to pay my sub's.

I have not had a response from either the Area Safety rep or been spoken to, as advised I would be this week, by the WCM pillar lead. Like you Aiden I am disillusioned that there appears to be joint apathy in spite of the numerous H&S info such as being responsible by reporting unsafe acts. Still at a relatively early stage & I will hopefully get responses in due course but will persevere regardless.

As a consequence of an intervention from "just say it"( Moya Greenes office) contacting the DC the practice of tipping bags into ALP sleeves eventually ceased. The question of why this breach of the SSOW was allowed to continue for 3 Months, despite the line manager, Area safety Rep & WCM personnel being aware, remains unclear. I believe it is unacceptable that a legal responsibility of the employer has been consciously ignored as an inappropriate practice, implemented as an efficiency measure, has compromised the of Health and safety of numerous employees putting them at risk of musculoskeltal disorders.

[aiden01]

have personally tried in vain for last few years to have a h,s subject progressed but cwu reps don't seem to giv a flying f**k and this was after a an accident. Don't want to go into too much detail but all reps including area h,s has been told so if not resolved soon will have to wonder why I should continue to pay my sub's.

I have not had a response from either the Area Safety rep or been spoken to, as advised I would be this week, by the WCM pillar lead. Like you Aiden I am disillusioned that there appears to be joint apathy in spite of the numerous H&S info such as being responsible by reporting unsafe acts. Still at a relatively early stage & I will hopefully get responses in due course but will persevere regardless.

As a consequence of an intervention from "just say it"( Moya Greenes office) contacting the DC the practice of tipping bags into ALP sleeves eventually ceased. The question of why this breach of the SSOW was allowed to continue for 3 Months, despite the line manager, Area safety Rep & WCM personnel being aware, remains unclear. I believe it is unacceptable that a legal responsibility of the employer has been consciously ignored as an inappropriate practice, implemented as an efficiency measure, has compromised the of Health and safety of numerous employees putting them at risk of musculoskeltal disorders.

Sorry rogersh can you confirm whether it is safe to tip bags into small red sleeves.

[aiden01]

If it is where can I find ssow for this practice many thanks.

[rogersh]

If it is where can I find ssow for this practice many thanks.

Yes mini yorks can be used. My first post related to use of full size ALP sleeved yorks as stated;
"Bags should not be tipped into York ALP Sleeves. Where bag tipping is carried out with mini York ALP Sleeves, the Safe System of Work for bag tipping to ALTs should be followed."

This extract was taken from union room "DOWNLOADS" page 4

York Container SSoW
Postby POSTMAN » Wed Dec 14, 2011 1:11 pm


York Container SSoW.pdf
(1.05 MiB) Downloaded 71 times

[aiden01]

thank you.