"Methods". What are they?

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 13 Feb 2019, 15:12

It's just occurred to me that I have never had "methods" explained to me since starting deliveries. I suspect I wont be the only one.

Could someone explain them exactly or point me to a thread that does list them? I did a search using the search bar but couldn't find anything. All be it I may not have looked very hard.

My reason for asking is that im sick and tired of being pressured by my boss for cutting off when im not even using these "methods". So, It is my intention to follow them to the letter of the law. Especially with PDA actuals constantly being bought up.

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 13 Feb 2019, 16:16

Not sure what you mean exactly. Could be the following:
1) Never come in early - arrive just before your duty start time.
2) Always take both your twenty minute breaks - one after you have done your prep and allow time for the second break at the end of your duty time.
3) Let your DOM know before you leave the office if you think you might not have time to complete your delivery. You either choose to 'cut off' or you can say you will carry on til you finish then book the overtime.
4) Use the equipment provided such as LWTs etc. It will save you from back problems in the future. You can carry a lot more mail/parcels in two pouches on an LWT than you can in one pouch on your back so it is quite handy.

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 13 Feb 2019, 16:31

Celgar wrote:Not sure what you mean exactly. Could be the following:
1) Never come in early - arrive just before your duty start time.
2) Always take both your twenty minute breaks - one after you have done your prep and allow time for the second break at the end of your duty time.
3) Let your DOM know before you leave the office if you think you might not have time to complete your delivery. You either choose to 'cut off' or you can say you will carry on til you finish then book the overtime.
4) Use the equipment provided such as LWTs etc. It will save you from back problems in the future. You can carry a lot more mail/parcels in two pouches on an LWT than you can in one pouch on your back so it is quite handy.

Kinda of along those lines. 1-3 I wouldn't consider working methods though. Just plain obvious.

4 would be the closest. How heavy does a bag have to be for it to require a trolly or can you use the trolleys for any weight? I vaguely remember seeing a post about max delivery spans for different methods. 3.5 for bag of shoulder and walk, 6 for using light trolley etc.

But I would like to know exactly, to the letter of the law, What is required of us to meet these methods without a manager being able to say anything? So that if they do I can have em for harassment.

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 13 Feb 2019, 17:30

If you are on a HCT duty you use a HCT. You push it from delivery point to delivery point, only chaining it up and using a bag where applicable due to terrain or blocks of flats.
If you are on van share you use a LWT for all your loops unless there are security issues (Blocks of flats)

The aim of delivery methods revisions was to remove. as far as possible, weight from the shoulder.

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 13 Feb 2019, 18:22

clashcityrocker wrote:If you are on a HCT duty you use a HCT. You push it from delivery point to delivery point, only chaining it up and using a bag where applicable due to terrain or blocks of flats.
If you are on van share you use a LWT for all your loops unless there are security issues (Blocks of flats)

The aim of delivery methods revisions was to remove. as far as possible, weight from the shoulder.

This was my understanding at per light weight trolleys. But does that mean even its just the one bundle of mail and 2/3 packets I would still use a light trolley? Regardless of how light the bag is?

Also, Some of the loops im on really could use a trolley but as you have mentioned safety would be an issue. Surely then I should still be able to use a trolley and that the route needs to be remapped to allow for this?

For something people mention allot seems incredible vague.

I want exact facts people!

worktotime · Post by **worktotime** » 13 Feb 2019, 19:13

Ren Hoëk wrote:
clashcityrocker wrote:If you are on a HCT duty you use a HCT. You push it from delivery point to delivery point, only chaining it up and using a bag where applicable due to terrain or blocks of flats.
If you are on van share you use a LWT for all your loops unless there are security issues (Blocks of flats)

The aim of delivery methods revisions was to remove. as far as possible, weight from the shoulder.
This was my understanding at per light weight trolleys. But does that mean even its just the one bundle of mail and 2/3 packets I would still use a light trolley? Regardless of how light the bag is?

Also, Some of the loops im on really could use a trolley but as you have mentioned safety would be an issue. Surely then I should still be able to use a trolley and that the route needs to be remapped to allow for this?

For something people mention allot seems incredible vague.

I want exact facts people!

lwt are a mandatory in the p&l agreement so anything over a carrying bundle goes in a bag , the bags weights are 16kg a bag , and 5-6kg bag for flats . non use of lwts should have been built into your duty planner for p&l , ie no footpaths , flats , etc and if not just use it , simple

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 13 Feb 2019, 19:24

worktotime wrote:
Ren Hoëk wrote:
clashcityrocker wrote:If you are on a HCT duty you use a HCT. You push it from delivery point to delivery point, only chaining it up and using a bag where applicable due to terrain or blocks of flats.
If you are on van share you use a LWT for all your loops unless there are security issues (Blocks of flats)

The aim of delivery methods revisions was to remove. as far as possible, weight from the shoulder.
This was my understanding at per light weight trolleys. But does that mean even its just the one bundle of mail and 2/3 packets I would still use a light trolley? Regardless of how light the bag is?

Also, Some of the loops im on really could use a trolley but as you have mentioned safety would be an issue. Surely then I should still be able to use a trolley and that the route needs to be remapped to allow for this?

For something people mention allot seems incredible vague.

I want exact facts people!
lwt are a mandatory in the p&l agreement so anything over a carrying bundle goes in a bag , the bags weights are 16kg a bag , and 5-6kg bag for flats . non use of lwts should have been built into your duty planner for p&l , ie no footpaths , flats , etc and if not just use it , simple

So to clarify. If a bag weights over 16kg on a normal loop it should go on a trolley. Anything under over my shoulder? OR is it a bag should never weight more the 16kg and everything goes on a trolley.
You mention its different for flats but are/should streets which every house is up about 20 steps have 5/6kg bags? Some of my loops have this and leaving a trolley would not be safe.

Does that mean every DO should have easily accessible scales?

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 13 Feb 2019, 19:42

Ren Hoëk wrote:
Also, Some of the loops im on really could use a trolley but as you have mentioned safety would be an issue. Surely then I should still be able to use a trolley and that the route needs to be remapped to allow for this?

Never carry a bag if you don't need to.
Yes the routes should be remapped.

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 13 Feb 2019, 19:46

clashcityrocker wrote:
Ren Hoëk wrote:
Also, Some of the loops im on really could use a trolley but as you have mentioned safety would be an issue. Surely then I should still be able to use a trolley and that the route needs to be remapped to allow for this?
Never carry a bag if you don't need to.
Yes the routes should be remapped.

"Never carry a bag if you don't need to."

Sorry, but that is too vague. What is need to? What is the RM definition of need?

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 13 Feb 2019, 21:56

Ren Hoëk wrote: What is the RM definition of need?

As I stated earlier - security or terrain.
How unvague is that?

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 14 Feb 2019, 05:10

clashcityrocker wrote:
Ren Hoëk wrote: What is the RM definition of need?
As I stated earlier - security or terrain.
How unvague is that?

Because that is open to interpretation. No need to get offended but that is vague.

Considering how often "methods" are mentioned on this forum I'm genuinely shocked somebody hasn't quickly chimed in with the exact RM policy.

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 14 Feb 2019, 05:39

Given the enormous diversity of the rounds across the country it would be pointless and futile to try and formulate a "policy" that covers each and every eventuality.
No such policy exists.
There are however general guidelines and safe systems of work.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 14 Feb 2019, 13:42

There are a myriad of "Delivery Method" threads on the site, easily accessible through google site search.

https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 88#p816173" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; LTB 381/18 : CWU/RM National Terms of Reference : New Delivery Methods

https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 15&t=75826" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; LTB 469/16 OMP Terms of Reference : New Delivery Methods Trial (Small Pouch)

are just 2 of them.

Have fun searching for specifics.

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 14 Feb 2019, 22:31

Just from wearing the PDA holster I ended up with an infected cyst on my back that resulted in an operation under general anesthetic in hospital and over two months of having dressings changed daily. If you were unlucky you could get the same thing from having heavy pouches of mail on your back. Once you start using an LWT you will never go back to pouches on your back. The number one excuse for not using LWTs is security reasons. I hear posties saying it all the time when really they just think an LWT will slow them down. The reverse is probably the case though.

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 15 Feb 2019, 05:37

clashcityrocker wrote:Given the enormous diversity of the rounds across the country it would be pointless and futile to try and formulate a "policy" that covers each and every eventuality.
No such policy exists.
There are however general guidelines and safe systems of work.

I would say there isn't really an enormous diversity of work. It's fairly straight forward. Id also happy to to see the general guidelines and safe systems of work?