ILLEGAL USE OF CARS ON DELIVERY BY AGENCY WORKER

[lovejoy]

18/10/2007

Ian Stockdale Head of CSR 'ian.stockdale@royalmail.com';
Royal Mail Letters

Dear Ian,

Re: Bedford DO - Agency Worker Arrested in Connection with Illegal and Unsafe Use of A Private Car On Delivery:

A very worrying report has reached me in relation to an incident which occurred on Monday morning which quite frankly "simply beggars belief".

The facts I have before me are that an Agency Worker who had been employed at Bedford DO was stopped by Police just after leaving Bedford DO in a private car, after he was spotted driving rather carelessly whilst attempting to read a map. The Police found four Delivery Pouches of Mail inside this individual's car before discovering he was driving the Vehicle without Insurance, Tax or an MOT. The Car could be an unsafe death-trap for all we know. I am unsure if the individual has a driving licence but we shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't. The Police immediately impounded the Car and it was removed on a Police 'low-loader' recovery vehicle from where it was taken to the Police Pound to await destruction by being crushed. I am told that the Police recovered the Mail Pouches and they will did not go to the crusher with this potential "death-trap" car which Royal Mail were indirectly condoning the use of for Official Mail Delivery.

This is a most appalling example of Royal Mail failing to comply with basic health and safety legislation in respect of Agency workers. A clear failure to discharge their duty of care under section 3 of the Health and Safety At Work Act as well as aiding and abetting Road Traffic Act Offences to be committed by failing to ensure that any vehicles used to convey mail were safe, legal and didn't pose a risk to employees and the public.

Turning now to the question of Mails integrity. The Regulator Postcomm has said previously that Royal Mail was guilty of "serious breaches" of its licence in relation to mail security measures and staff vetting and here we have a fly-by-night law-breaking operator in an illegal, un-roadworthy car employed to delivery mail with four pouches in the car. I'm quite sure that the Postal Regulator, Postcomm would not be impressed at all by this display of ignoring standards, especially after Postcomm fined Royal Mail £11.4m for failing to adequately prevent mail being lost, damaged or stolen in 2005 and again in 2006 Royal Mail was fined £9.62 million for losing mail etc.

I would request that you give urgent consideration to the appropriate action necessary to avoid such incidents, ensuring that managers take their legal health and safety and road traffic act obligations more seriously along with Royal Mail's Licence obligations. They should also be reminded of their legal requirement to consult and involve Safety Representatives when they are trying to raise legitimate Safety issues, whether or not there's a dispute going on which hopefully will shortly end with agreement being reached.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[thx1138]

I can cofirm, the broad facts are true, as I was , and still am working on light duties, and saw part of this incident unfold through the canteen window,,,,,,


I work in Bedford D.O

[IWW Fellow Worker]

I would crush the car, with the idiot still sitting in it

[L Tommo]

Hope you will have your cycle helmet on this time!!!!



OUT

[jemima]

Why the outcry? It's the cheapest way to get mail delivered. That's what the government want, isn't it?

[IWW Fellow Worker]

Hope you will have your cycle helmet on this time!!!!



OUT

Better than a Bobbys helmet though Tommo!

[L Tommo]

IWW mate.... TOOOO RIGHT IT IS...


I dont do coppers...


OUT

[brothermagrew]

Nice one Dave and I'm glad that our National Health, Safety and Environment Officer is on the ball as usual. I really wonder if Royal Mail will be taking any direct action against the DOM in this instance. Knowing them as I do (CWU Safety Rep) I doubt it very much

[Jonboy]

18/10/2007

Ian Stockdale Head of CSR 'ian.stockdale@royalmail.com';
Royal Mail Letters

Dear Ian,

Re: Bedford DO - Agency Worker Arrested in Connection with Illegal and Unsafe Use of A Private Car On Delivery:

A very worrying report has reached me in relation to an incident which occurred on Monday morning which quite frankly "simply beggars belief".

The facts I have before me are that an Agency Worker who had been employed at Bedford DO was stopped by Police just after leaving Bedford DO in a private car, after he was spotted driving rather carelessly whilst attempting to read a map. The Police found four Delivery Pouches of Mail inside this individual's car before discovering he was driving the Vehicle without Insurance, Tax or an MOT. The Car could be an unsafe death-trap for all we know. I am unsure if the individual has a driving licence but we shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't. The Police immediately impounded the Car and it was removed on a Police 'low-loader' recovery vehicle from where it was taken to the Police Pound to await destruction by being crushed. I am told that the Police recovered the Mail Pouches and they will did not go to the crusher with this potential "death-trap" car which Royal Mail were indirectly condoning the use of for Official Mail Delivery.

This is a most appalling example of Royal Mail failing to comply with basic health and safety legislation in respect of Agency workers. A clear failure to discharge their duty of care under section 3 of the Health and Safety At Work Act as well as aiding and abetting Road Traffic Act Offences to be committed by failing to ensure that any vehicles used to convey mail were safe, legal and didn't pose a risk to employees and the public.

Turning now to the question of Mails integrity. The Regulator Postcomm has said previously that Royal Mail was guilty of "serious breaches" of its licence in relation to mail security measures and staff vetting and here we have a fly-by-night law-breaking operator in an illegal, un-roadworthy car employed to delivery mail with four pouches in the car. I'm quite sure that the Postal Regulator, Postcomm would not be impressed at all by this display of ignoring standards, especially after Postcomm fined Royal Mail £11.4m for failing to adequately prevent mail being lost, damaged or stolen in 2005 and again in 2006 Royal Mail was fined £9.62 million for losing mail etc.

I would request that you give urgent consideration to the appropriate action necessary to avoid such incidents, ensuring that managers take their legal health and safety and road traffic act obligations more seriously along with Royal Mail's Licence obligations. They should also be reminded of their legal requirement to consult and involve Safety Representatives when they are trying to raise legitimate Safety issues, whether or not there's a dispute going on which hopefully will shortly end with agreement being reached.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

I hope this is the same for managers using their cars for second bags etc????????????????
Second thoughts fek them chop them to the law!!!!!!!!!!

[brothermagrew]

18/10/2007

Ian Stockdale Head of CSR 'ian.stockdale@royalmail.com';
Royal Mail Letters

Dear Ian,

Re: Bedford DO - Agency Worker Arrested in Connection with Illegal and Unsafe Use of A Private Car On Delivery:

A very worrying report has reached me in relation to an incident which occurred on Monday morning which quite frankly "simply beggars belief".

The facts I have before me are that an Agency Worker who had been employed at Bedford DO was stopped by Police just after leaving Bedford DO in a private car, after he was spotted driving rather carelessly whilst attempting to read a map. The Police found four Delivery Pouches of Mail inside this individual's car before discovering he was driving the Vehicle without Insurance, Tax or an MOT. The Car could be an unsafe death-trap for all we know. I am unsure if the individual has a driving licence but we shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't. The Police immediately impounded the Car and it was removed on a Police 'low-loader' recovery vehicle from where it was taken to the Police Pound to await destruction by being crushed. I am told that the Police recovered the Mail Pouches and they will did not go to the crusher with this potential "death-trap" car which Royal Mail were indirectly condoning the use of for Official Mail Delivery.

This is a most appalling example of Royal Mail failing to comply with basic health and safety legislation in respect of Agency workers. A clear failure to discharge their duty of care under section 3 of the Health and Safety At Work Act as well as aiding and abetting Road Traffic Act Offences to be committed by failing to ensure that any vehicles used to convey mail were safe, legal and didn't pose a risk to employees and the public.

Turning now to the question of Mails integrity. The Regulator Postcomm has said previously that Royal Mail was guilty of "serious breaches" of its licence in relation to mail security measures and staff vetting and here we have a fly-by-night law-breaking operator in an illegal, un-roadworthy car employed to delivery mail with four pouches in the car. I'm quite sure that the Postal Regulator, Postcomm would not be impressed at all by this display of ignoring standards, especially after Postcomm fined Royal Mail £11.4m for failing to adequately prevent mail being lost, damaged or stolen in 2005 and again in 2006 Royal Mail was fined £9.62 million for losing mail etc.

I would request that you give urgent consideration to the appropriate action necessary to avoid such incidents, ensuring that managers take their legal health and safety and road traffic act obligations more seriously along with Royal Mail's Licence obligations. They should also be reminded of their legal requirement to consult and involve Safety Representatives when they are trying to raise legitimate Safety issues, whether or not there's a dispute going on which hopefully will shortly end with agreement being reached.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

AND THE REPLY ANSWER

To: Dave Joyce
CWU National HS&E Officer

Dear Dave,

Subject: Re: Bedford DO – Agency Worker Arrested in Connection with Illegal and Unsafe Use of a Private Car on Delivery:

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I have obviously delayed my response so that I could clarify the facts of the situation. My understanding from the information I have received has led me to conclude the following:

• the agency worker received the relevant health & safety briefing
• on the day in question he was instructed by the manager that he would be accelerated to his delivery point in a designated vehicle along with a number of other individuals
• he decided unilaterally to leave ahead of this time by his own means, without informing the manager
• we have taken appropriate follow-up action regarding the individual concerned
• we have further strengthened our induction arrangements in the area.

I trust this clarifies, and in particular around some of the assumptions which appear to have been made on this matter.

Regards
Ian Stockdale
RML Head of CSRâ€

[smokerjim]

Did it really take him that long to make up some white wash?

[saru]

18/10/2007

Ian Stockdale Head of CSR 'ian.stockdale@royalmail.com';
Royal Mail Letters

Dear Ian,

Re: Bedford DO - Agency Worker Arrested in Connection with Illegal and Unsafe Use of A Private Car On Delivery:

A very worrying report has reached me in relation to an incident which occurred on Monday morning which quite frankly "simply beggars belief".

The facts I have before me are that an Agency Worker who had been employed at Bedford DO was stopped by Police just after leaving Bedford DO in a private car, after he was spotted driving rather carelessly whilst attempting to read a map. The Police found four Delivery Pouches of Mail inside this individual's car before discovering he was driving the Vehicle without Insurance, Tax or an MOT. The Car could be an unsafe death-trap for all we know. I am unsure if the individual has a driving licence but we shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't. The Police immediately impounded the Car and it was removed on a Police 'low-loader' recovery vehicle from where it was taken to the Police Pound to await destruction by being crushed. I am told that the Police recovered the Mail Pouches and they will did not go to the crusher with this potential "death-trap" car which Royal Mail were indirectly condoning the use of for Official Mail Delivery.

This is a most appalling example of Royal Mail failing to comply with basic health and safety legislation in respect of Agency workers. A clear failure to discharge their duty of care under section 3 of the Health and Safety At Work Act as well as aiding and abetting Road Traffic Act Offences to be committed by failing to ensure that any vehicles used to convey mail were safe, legal and didn't pose a risk to employees and the public.

Turning now to the question of Mails integrity. The Regulator Postcomm has said previously that Royal Mail was guilty of "serious breaches" of its licence in relation to mail security measures and staff vetting and here we have a fly-by-night law-breaking operator in an illegal, un-roadworthy car employed to delivery mail with four pouches in the car. I'm quite sure that the Postal Regulator, Postcomm would not be impressed at all by this display of ignoring standards, especially after Postcomm fined Royal Mail £11.4m for failing to adequately prevent mail being lost, damaged or stolen in 2005 and again in 2006 Royal Mail was fined £9.62 million for losing mail etc.

I would request that you give urgent consideration to the appropriate action necessary to avoid such incidents, ensuring that managers take their legal health and safety and road traffic act obligations more seriously along with Royal Mail's Licence obligations. They should also be reminded of their legal requirement to consult and involve Safety Representatives when they are trying to raise legitimate Safety issues, whether or not there's a dispute going on which hopefully will shortly end with agreement being reached.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

AND THE REPLY ANSWER

To: Dave Joyce
CWU National HS&E Officer

Dear Dave,

Subject: Re: Bedford DO – Agency Worker Arrested in Connection with Illegal and Unsafe Use of a Private Car on Delivery:

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I have obviously delayed my response so that I could clarify the facts of the situation. My understanding from the information I have received has led me to conclude the following:

• the agency worker received the relevant health & safety briefing
• on the day in question he was instructed by the manager that he would be accelerated to his delivery point in a designated vehicle along with a number of other individuals
• he decided unilaterally to leave ahead of this time by his own means, without informing the manager
• we have taken appropriate follow-up action regarding the individual concerned
• we have further strengthened our induction arrangements in the area.

I trust this clarifies, and in particular around some of the assumptions which appear to have been made on this matter.

Regards
Ian Stockdale
RML Head of CSRâ€