Half a million antiseptic wipes have been purchased : Disposable gloves are available to order also hand sanatiser and soap: Will Royal Mail be providing face masks? Updated 2 Apr

[mjd24]

Lets not drag ourselves down in negativity.....ok circumstances are far from ideal but...
our office has had gloves these past 2 weeks - despite trying to encourage colleagues at team meeting many choose not to wear them! In the past 2 weeks more have chosen to but still many do not. I personally have forgotten to replenish stock before going out on delivery and have run out...my fault not management…
but be aware...they are not designed for our work so will puncture split on the job... you need 2-4 pairs a day.

But we also have a job to go to...we are not confined to our homes...we can be sensible and fulfil our role with care keeping our families financially safe and secure even if we end up resorting to self isolation because we experience symptoms ! We still get paid unlike 000's that need government aid.
Many of our friends and family do not have the luxury of such security and this might just be the beginning of their troubles as they ultimately face financial hardship and unemployment be they employees of struggling companies or self employed people with no fall back or government aid...we have yet to witness this ultimate scenario which will also require our help and compassion!

So not wishing to lecture on and on....please think fellow colleagues before sprouting your negativity....no we don't have this and that, but neither do the NHS which are far more in need...support each other on how we can minimise risk because none of us can eradicate it, even with the right equipment.
We are in this together as a nation and as an army of posties (albeit depleted) we can make a difference if only by projecting a positive attitude in our communities, helping where we can confident that our families our provided for in the foreseeable future.

Take care all and work safely supporting your colleagues as best you can.

Gloves are not the solution, id rather not wear them and be very careful with hand washing and avoiding touching my face. All wearing gloves does is give a false sense of security.

[Cluaran]

Lets not drag ourselves down in negativity.....ok circumstances are far from ideal but...
our office has had gloves these past 2 weeks - despite trying to encourage colleagues at team meeting many choose not to wear them! In the past 2 weeks more have chosen to but still many do not. I personally have forgotten to replenish stock before going out on delivery and have run out...my fault not management…
but be aware...they are not designed for our work so will puncture split on the job... you need 2-4 pairs a day.

But we also have a job to go to...we are not confined to our homes...we can be sensible and fulfil our role with care keeping our families financially safe and secure even if we end up resorting to self isolation because we experience symptoms ! We still get paid unlike 000's that need government aid.
Many of our friends and family do not have the luxury of such security and this might just be the beginning of their troubles as they ultimately face financial hardship and unemployment be they employees of struggling companies or self employed people with no fall back or government aid...we have yet to witness this ultimate scenario which will also require our help and compassion!

So not wishing to lecture on and on....please think fellow colleagues before sprouting your negativity....no we don't have this and that, but neither do the NHS which are far more in need...support each other on how we can minimise risk because none of us can eradicate it, even with the right equipment.
We are in this together as a nation and as an army of posties (albeit depleted) we can make a difference if only by projecting a positive attitude in our communities, helping where we can confident that our families our provided for in the foreseeable future.

Take care all and work safely supporting your colleagues as best you can.

And the 2 metre separation rule???

[GRS]

Lets not drag ourselves down in negativity.....ok circumstances are far from ideal but...
our office has had gloves these past 2 weeks - despite trying to encourage colleagues at team meeting many choose not to wear them! In the past 2 weeks more have chosen to but still many do not. I personally have forgotten to replenish stock before going out on delivery and have run out...my fault not management…
but be aware...they are not designed for our work so will puncture split on the job... you need 2-4 pairs a day.

But we also have a job to go to...we are not confined to our homes...we can be sensible and fulfil our role with care keeping our families financially safe and secure even if we end up resorting to self isolation because we experience symptoms ! We still get paid unlike 000's that need government aid.
Many of our friends and family do not have the luxury of such security and this might just be the beginning of their troubles as they ultimately face financial hardship and unemployment be they employees of struggling companies or self employed people with no fall back or government aid...we have yet to witness this ultimate scenario which will also require our help and compassion!

So not wishing to lecture on and on....please think fellow colleagues before sprouting your negativity....no we don't have this and that, but neither do the NHS which are far more in need...support each other on how we can minimise risk because none of us can eradicate it, even with the right equipment.
We are in this together as a nation and as an army of posties (albeit depleted) we can make a difference if only by projecting a positive attitude in our communities, helping where we can confident that our families our provided for in the foreseeable future.

Take care all and work safely supporting your colleagues as best you can.

Please don’t come on here making sensible posts!! Most on here thrive on negativity and find fault in everything. Didn’t you know that RM are to blame for for everything that’s wrong in their lives and the world in general. Unfortunately it’s part of the blame everyone else culture that exists in society today instead of from time to time taking a look at your own actions and faults. You make some valid points regarding finances and upcoming security - quite refreshing to read. The only thing I’ll disagree on is the gloves. I see the experts are now saying that gloves are only any good if you change them every time you touch something which is impossible in our job. Plus people when wearing them don’t wash their hands as obviously you don’t think to wash gloves regularly so the amount of germs on them is phenomenal.

[POSTMAN]

Todays update 31 March...

Hand sanitiser has been ordered and supplies will be sent to units as soon as possible. Stock availability does change as the demand is high and all organisations are accessing the same limited supply including the NHS.

Masks

We are not issuing masks as PPE against coronavirus for all roles.

People often touch masks frequently adjusting them and ‘checking’ them and risk potentially picking up the virus from the mask onto their hands when they remove it. The primary preventative guidance is hand hygiene supported by the 2m social physical distancing.

Where we have identified specific roles for whom observing the 2m physical distancing is at times difficult masks are being provided. However, in those cases the 2m physical distancing must be observed when possible and hand hygiene rules including not touching the mouth, nose and eyes or before eating must continue to be observed.

[smok3y666]

If the NHS can't get enough supplies for themselves and they are claseed as top priority then what chance have we got? We are last on the list of essential places that need to remain open.

[guardianangel]

All this is pretty pointless when no delivery office can keep the 2 metre rule,what is the point of being 2 metre's apart in the queue at the supermarket when we are all in close contact in the office,it just doesn't make sense.

[mjd24]

All this is pretty pointless when no delivery office can keep the 2 metre rule,what is the point of being 2 metre's apart in the queue at the supermarket when we are all in close contact in the office,it just doesn't make sense.

I totally agree.

Ive felt spit on my face from two of my colleagues over the last week, both seem incapable of talking to me unless theyre within 6 inches of me.

Its all so depressing really, wanting to work, grateful to be out of the house, but my health is so reliant on the actions of others and i feel so helpless.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 71&t=95205" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; LTB 172/20 - Royal Mail Group – Coronavirus COVID 19 Precautions, Hygiene and Supply Shortages – Critical Supplies Update

The following update on critical supplies has been provided:

National Asset Team Critical Supplies Update

S-WBC dispatches in the 24hours up to 07:00 today

750 x 1 litre bottles of sanitiser (606 further bottles to be dispatched today one to every delivery office)
2,018 packs of gloves minimum of 1 pack to each delivery office

S-WBC stock on hand for dispatching today





Antibacterial Wipes

 Total Orders placed for 111,310 packs & tubs ordered totalling 9.7 Million wipes

o 242 packs and tubs received and dispatched (from RHH)

o 110,400 packs ordered from our suppliers due to start arriving into S-WBC 11th April

Gloves

 Total Orders placed for 49,881 packs totalling 4.9 million gloves

o 3.4 million gloves have been delivered to plants for distributing

o 1.6 million gloves are on route to S-WBC for distribution

Hand Sanitisers

 Total Orders placed for 434k bottles ordered

o 180,000 100ml bottles due to be flown from Shanghai on 31st March due in the UK 2nd April

o 85,200 236ml bottles due to be flown from Shanghai awaiting confirmation on flight schedule

o 56,000 50ml Hand Sanitisers delivered between 26th-27th/03/2020 to SWBC for distribution

o 20,000 100ml Hand Sanitisers are due w/c 30th March to S-WBC for distribution

o 9,000 50ml Hand Sanitisers are due w/c 30th March to S-WBC for distribution

o 3,000 1000ml Hand Sanitisers are due w/c 30th March to S-WBC for distribution

o 81,000 60ml Hand Sanitisers are due w/c 30th March to S-WBC for distribution

o 6,300 1000ml Hand Sanitisers are due w/c 30th March to S-WBC for distribution

o 150,000 50ml Hand Sanitisers are due 3rd April to S-WBC for distribution

Masks

 Total confirmed orders placed for 402,000 masks

[postslippete]

All this to ensure that all us so called key workers are still working in spite of another 500+ deaths in the UK due to the spread of Corona virus. What good are f**king gloves,hand sanitizer and masks when there is already a very strong possibility,according to health experts, that a. Some people are asymptomatic i.e. don't show any systems and are still spreading the virus or b. The infection might be incubating in workers who don't know they have got the virus yet??

Ah yes,well that's why we must all keep 2 metres apart from each other and stay at home,only go out unless your journey is absolutely essential. I've listened to all the answers from the various ministers on the news (they seem to be in rotation so that they all take responsibility).
I hope Boris is enjoying his week off and if he is really ill hopefully he might impose stricter measures. Ironic how 500 deaths in a single day seems so acceptable?? If our NHS is so brilliant why are we still getting that many deaths?? We thought Spain and Italy were bad.

When will there be stricter measures? And why is the crap we are delivering so essential to people's lives?? Half of our depots mail and packets isn't getting delivered everyday anyhow. Postie's going out with 2 days worth of mail and packets and then bringing some back.

When is a lockdown actually a lockdown?? I've just seen the self employed plumber next door go out at least half a dozen times today (he's been furloughed I think). What happened to self isolation and staying at home??

[k979aaa]

Plumbers are Essential and Coughs and Sneezes Can travel more than 3.7 Meters 12 Feet in old money!

[postslippete]

o 180,000 100ml bottles due to be flown from Shanghai on 31st March due in the UK 2nd April

o 85,200 236ml bottles due to be flown from Shanghai awaiting confirmation on flight schedule
s

Ironic isn't it. The PPE that we are getting comes from the country where the virus pandemic came from!

[POSTMAN]

Will Royal Mail be providing face masks?

Where we have identified specific roles for whom observing the 2m physical distancing is at times difficult masks are being provided. However, in those cases the 2m physical distancing must be observed when possible and hand hygiene rules including not touching the mouth, nose and eyes or before eating must continue to be observed.


Masks are on order and will be made available for those employees that wish to use them from their managers. The World Health Organization guidance on when to use a mask says states that it is only beneficial to stop the spread of the virus for:

• People who are ill, coughing and sneezing to reduce them from spreading the virus to others.
  
  People who are caring for, or in close contact with someone who is infected. People who are healthy only need to wear a mask if they are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.

Coronavirus disease advice for the public: When and how to use masks:-

• • If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected coronavirus infection.
  • Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
  • Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
  • If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

Further information on the use of face masks can be found on the WHO website.
People often touch masks frequently adjusting them and ‘checking’ them and risk potentially picking up the virus from the mask onto their hands when they remove it. The primary preventative guidance is hand hygiene supported by the 2m social physical distancing.

2nd post PDF in the Global Announcement...
https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 71&t=94715" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[POSTMAN]

Should we wear gloves?

No. PHE guidance is that you do not need to wear gloves. However, gloves are available, if you choose to wear them. If you want gloves, please speak to your manager. There may be cases, as currently, when stocks reduce due to high demand for gloves, Procurement are doing everything possible to buy new stocks of gloves urgently. In the meantime, the primary preventative guidance is hand hygiene which means regular hand washing.

Do we have enough gloves?

There may be cases, as currently, when stocks reduce due to high demand for gloves, Procurement are doing everything possible to buy new stocks of gloves urgently. In the meantime, the primary preventative guidance is hand hygiene which means regular hand washing.

2nd post PDF in the Global Announcement...
https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 71&t=94715" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[POSTMAN]

How do I use hand sanitiser properly?

If you have been issued with hand sanitiser, please ensure that you follow the safe use guidance set out below:

• • All alcohol-based products are potentially flammable and therefore they should be stored away from high temperatures and flames.
  • Allow the sanitiser on your hands to dry and the vapours to disperse, this is of particular importance if you smoke or your work involves going near a naked flame.
  • Avoid contact with eyes, in case of contact with eyes rinse thoroughly with water.
  • If swallowed seek medical advice immediately.
  • Do not use on broken or irritated skin.
  • Care should be taken when carrying personal containers/bottles to avoid spillage onto clothing, in pockets, bags or vehicles by ensuring the lid/top is secured.
  • Used containers/bottles may contain gel residues and flammable vapours, therefore containers/bottles should be rinsed out with cold water and then re-cycled or disposed of in general waste.
  • Always read and follow the information on the back of the container/bottle.

This information is in line with the World Health Organisation guidance on the use of Hand Sanitiser.

2nd post PDF in the Global Announcement...
https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 71&t=94715" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[POSTMAN]

Can fans be used in the work place?

If fans are used for machine cooling or general are movement purposes e.g. (pointing at the machine) not pointing at persons that would be fine. However if fans are being used to cool persons then there use should be stopped.

What can we clean our PDAs with if no sanitising wipes are available?

Primarily it is important that everyone in unit are following good hand hygiene measures, washing hands regularly and not touching their face. There are gloves available if the employee wants to use them as an extra precaution but this should not be in place of handwashing. If managers are able to purchase sanitising wipes and sanitiser locally (where there stores order has not been fulfilled) they can do this and speak to their manager about claiming back payment. Note – new stocks of gloves are on order.

2nd post PDF in the Global Announcement...
https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 71&t=94715" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;