Union's position on working in extreme heat?

Lilly J · Post by **Lilly J** » 23 Jul 2018, 20:02

Does any one know the union's official opinion on it? Surely it is becoming very dangerous to work in now? We are not superhuman, although our DOMs think we are.

Chris413 · Post by **Chris413** » 23 Jul 2018, 20:25

Tonight I have texted my rep and he is taking it up the chain with hopefully some answers in the morning.

A2B · Post by **A2B** » 23 Jul 2018, 20:37

Much like the bad winter weather RM will tell you we are all responsible for our own health & safety. Your manager will push you to work as normal but if you feel you are putting your health in danger then they have to act on your concerns.

Fatigue will also come into play as along with working in the heat it's a struggle to get any sleep at night

Not one thing has been said by a manager at our place since the warm weather started

I would expect that it will be mentioned tomorrow as i know a few people really struggled today

matthew68 · Post by **matthew68** » 23 Jul 2018, 20:42

A2B wrote:Much like the bad winter weather RM will tell you we are all responsible for our own health & safety. Your manager will push you to work as normal but if you feel you are putting your health in danger then they have to act on your concerns.

Not one thing has been said by a manager at our place since the warm weather started I would expect that it will be mentioned tomorrow as i know a few people really struggled today

They couldn’t care less our Dom today said there is no upper limit in temperatures to work in only lower temperature! He also says the job is easier in summer because of less traffic! And has given us more lapsing! They really couldn’t care less about us and until someone collapses they won’t show any sympathy

A2B · Post by **A2B** » 23 Jul 2018, 20:46

matthew68 wrote: They couldn’t care less our Dom today said there is no upper limit in temperatures to work in only lower temperature! He also says the job is easier in summer because of less traffic! And has given us more lapsing! They really couldn’t care less about us and until someone collapses they won’t show any sympathy

Did you challenge them and ask if they were personally going to take responsibility for any injury/illness caused by his actions?

deltaforce · Post by **deltaforce** » 23 Jul 2018, 20:58

Cracking bit of advice from a team briefing a few years back was " keep in the shade". I kid you not!

Post by **Brandy** » 23 Jul 2018, 20:59

matthew68 wrote:
A2B wrote:Much like the bad winter weather RM will tell you we are all responsible for our own health & safety. Your manager will push you to work as normal but if you feel you are putting your health in danger then they have to act on your concerns.

Not one thing has been said by a manager at our place since the warm weather started I would expect that it will be mentioned tomorrow as i know a few people really struggled today
They couldn’t care less our Dom today said there is no upper limit in temperatures to work in only lower temperature! He also says the job is easier in summer because of less traffic! And has given us more lapsing! They really couldn’t care less about us and until someone collapses they won’t show any sympathy

Really do feel for you posties,the way you are treated is an utter disgrace.

worktotime · Post by **worktotime** » 23 Jul 2018, 21:28

deltaforce wrote:Cracking bit of advice from a team briefing a few years back was " keep in the shade". I kid you not!

we still get that , where a big hat , sun cream , work in the shade , have plenty to drink , and its been the same s**t for years ,

Chris413 · Post by **Chris413** » 23 Jul 2018, 21:49

matthew68 wrote:
A2B wrote:Much like the bad winter weather RM will tell you we are all responsible for our own health & safety. Your manager will push you to work as normal but if you feel you are putting your health in danger then they have to act on your concerns.

Not one thing has been said by a manager at our place since the warm weather started I would expect that it will be mentioned tomorrow as i know a few people really struggled today
They couldn’t care less our Dom today said there is no upper limit in temperatures to work in only lower temperature! He also says the job is easier in summer because of less traffic! And has given us more lapsing! They really couldn’t care less about us and until someone collapses they won’t show any sympathy

Somebody already has https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 18&t=54120" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **Brandy** » 23 Jul 2018, 21:50

deltaforce wrote:Cracking bit of advice from a team briefing a few years back was " keep in the shade". I kid you not!

We were told that as well,

Chris413 · Post by **Chris413** » 23 Jul 2018, 21:52

deltaforce wrote:Cracking bit of advice from a team briefing a few years back was " keep in the shade". I kid you not!

Yeah right, complete foot route, and no shade anywhere, yeah good advice if you have some bloody shade on your route

Post by **eastie** » 23 Jul 2018, 22:20

Another problem with heat on Park and Loop is getting in and out of blistering hot vans with semi rural rounds with no shade.
Drunk 3 litres of flavoured water today for 5 hours on delivery during the hottest part of the day with 33 degrees on the dash thermometer and not one piss all day feeling faint by the time I finished. This is punishing

Flashman_ · Post by **Flashman_** » 24 Jul 2018, 00:05

I asked our rep to ask what the business was going to do to help mitigate the heat about 3 weeks ago (for example moving duty start times earlier as per HSE guidelines).
I know he went to speak with the DIM but I have not had any response from him or the boss. (I was on leave last week though) Looks like nothing will happen, ill have to contact rep again tomorrow.

Smir · Post by **Smir** » 24 Jul 2018, 01:27

anyone had any managers come out to give them fresh cold water? my water bottle that I fill up at work, is cold-ish, but after a hour or so today, it was like drinking hot water that had set for a few minutes.... members of the public offered me loads of drinks, so I was alright, but we shouldn't have to rely on this should we? I've seen somewhere that they are to allowed to go buy water etc?

I couldn't see it happening in my DO, maybe others, we had managers going out doing deliveries today.. lol

Smir · Post by **Smir** » 24 Jul 2018, 01:32

Chris413 wrote:
matthew68 wrote:
A2B wrote:Much like the bad winter weather RM will tell you we are all responsible for our own health & safety. Your manager will push you to work as normal but if you feel you are putting your health in danger then they have to act on your concerns.

Not one thing has been said by a manager at our place since the warm weather started I would expect that it will be mentioned tomorrow as i know a few people really struggled today
They couldn’t care less our Dom today said there is no upper limit in temperatures to work in only lower temperature! He also says the job is easier in summer because of less traffic! And has given us more lapsing! They really couldn’t care less about us and until someone collapses they won’t show any sympathy
Somebody already has https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 18&t=54120" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm not going to kill myself over this poor excuse of a job, I did a late shift once, 1-7, was meant to do collections, I come in and they give me a load of delivery work that couldn't be done due to it being too hot... now at this time of the day, the heat is in its prime! but its safe for me to go do it even when I questioned it.