Heavy bags resulting in sprains

[Tinker82]

This is my first post & I'm typing with my left hand so please be kind!

Our office is extremely short staffed & as a result some rounds are currently not being delivered everyday.

On Friday I was on a van share which covers 2 rounds & only 1 had been delivered the previous day. There were also 6 door to doors (1 of which was a 30ish page A5 magazine!) in the final 2 columns of both frames as well as the ones left from previous days! It was obvious the bags were going to be too heavy so we decided to take a small trolley each.

My colleague could only find 1 trolley as all the others were in use but I said it was OK, he could use that & I would split my bags to do half then move the van to do the other half.

On the first loop neither of us split our bags & I felt a sharp, painful pull in my right forearm as I struggled to lift it. It was only a slight niggling pain the rest of the day so I carried on delivering & driving.

On Saturday I was put on a HCT round which again had not gone out the previous day & also had 6 door to doors. My manager advised I should only take enough to work my time & not worry about clearing the frame as there was far too much. I left with a full trolley which I struggled to push up hill.

My arm was slightly niggling me throughout the day but still manageable. However by tea time I was holding it against my chest as it was painful to move.

On Sunday I went shopping with my hubby & kids (he drove) & I dosed up on ibuprofen & paracetamol alternatively all day. By tea time I was in so much pain I thought I was gonna throw up so I rang 111 who advised I attend A&E. They advised I had sprained my wrist & part of my arm & gave me a splint & sling. They said I should self certify sick leave for a week & if I was still in pain by Friday to see my GP.

I rang my manager Monday morning to let him know what had happened & that I would be unable to go out on deliveries. However, as I have been at royal mail less than a year I am not entitled to sick pay. I agreed to come in to work & throw mail & door to doors in the frames with my left hand.

My colleagues think I should ring HR to override the no sick pay rule as it was an accident at work? I spoke to my manager as I feel they will say it's my fault as I chose not to split the first bag & he thinks I am correct. (He has put it in the accident book at my request.) I've also been told by colleagues that all bags should be weighed & should get lighter throughout the day! I've never been told this & we don't even have scales in the office!

It's Thursday today & my arm is still painful so I will need to go back to the doctors but I am unsure how to proceed with work? I'm on annual leave next week anyway so it's possible it will be better by the following week but too soon to tell.

[clashcityrocker]

Contact your Area Health and Safety rep and highlight the lack of suitable equipment (lwt).
Nobody should be carrying bags except in certain circumstances.