Hi Viz vests

[tiredwalker]

I wear my high viz ALLLLLLLLL the time but only really to hide my podge.

There's something on the intranet page stating that we're meant to make them last 2 years <coff>

Any PPE must be replaced as and when needed (that would include Hi-viz and cycle helmets).

Oh yes, they don't deny that and of course, employee safety is paramount... but they're meant to last 2 years...

The next time they try telling you that they have to last 2 years. Just point out that they are only designed to be washed, a MAXIMUM of 25 times! for it to last 2 years, you'd have to wash it no more than once every Month!

HiViz washing instructions.jpg

Never noticed that before, 25 washes is less than a months worth of life. I have two and they are each washed after each time I wear them, as I have to do everything I can to reduce a reaction to my allergies/hayfever. Not a bit of wonder they fall to bits.

[TeeferTiger]

the women's trousers don't follow any sort of size guide...

When they ask which side you dress it should be a clue

I mean they don't seem to be the size they say they are and it's not just me saying that, all the other women in my office and other offices I've visited have agreed that they're like clown trousers. We all wear men's trousers because they fit better without having the tiny waist and mahoosive hips they seem to think we all have.

[k979aaa]

the women's trousers don't follow any sort of size guide...

When they ask which side you dress it should be a clue

I mean they don't seem to be the size they say they are and it's not just me saying that, all the other women in my office and other offices I've visited have agreed that they're like clown trousers. We all wear men's trousers because they fit better without having the tiny waist and mahoosive hips they seem to think we all have.

It would be interesting to see a manikin of royalmails ideal woman. :cfo

[TeeferTiger]

the women's trousers don't follow any sort of size guide...

When they ask which side you dress it should be a clue

I mean they don't seem to be the size they say they are and it's not just me saying that, all the other women in my office and other offices I've visited have agreed that they're like clown trousers. We all wear men's trousers because they fit better without having the tiny waist and mahoosive hips they seem to think we all have.

It would be interesting to see a manikin of royalmails ideal woman. :cfo

Images of the 1950s with waist cinchers springs to mind. Whilst I do have a podge, I'm not exactly overweight and find it demoralising having to order 2 sizes larger just so I can fasten the damn things reasonably comfortably and then have a mass of material around my hips and backside. I realise work isn't a fashion parade but you shouldn't have to wear ill fitting garments that make you look like a bag o'shite.

[Carnoustie]

As an example, Greg Arde was working for a company in Wales when he was asked to drive a fork lift truck without any training or a valid licence. The truck toppled over onto him and crushed him causing spinal injuries and head injuries.

His injuries, though tragic, were a result of not receiving the proper training for the task he was carrying out. Wearing (or not wearing) a hi-viz vest made absolutely no difference in terms of preventing the accident.

[andy2007]

As an example, Greg Arde was working for a company in Wales when he was asked to drive a fork lift truck without any training or a valid licence. The truck toppled over onto him and crushed him causing spinal injuries and head injuries.

His injuries, though tragic, were a result of not receiving the proper training for the task he was carrying out. Wearing (or not wearing) a hi-viz vest made absolutely no difference in terms of preventing the accident.

That's true. It was a bad example. But what about when you get off your FLT, to close a gate on an RSC. Sometimes you need to do that. You need to be as visible as possible, on the shop floor. As not everyone pays attention, when they're driving around there. And even if they do. Anyone can have a momentary lapse of concentration. The more visible you are, the safer you are. Is it really a problem wearing a Hi-Viz?

They ARE overzealous at times. But if we take it upon ourselves to ignore the SSOW, they will use that as leverage, to try to make us ignore more important ones.

In my opinion: What we should do, is try to get the silly SSOWs changed, to be more sensible. That way, we won't detract from the vital ones.

Please: ALWAYS FOLLOW THE SSOW AT ALL TIMES.

[Carnoustie]

But what about when you get off your FLT, to close a gate on an RSC. Sometimes you need to do that. You need to be as visible as possible, on the shop floor. As not everyone pays attention, when they're driving around there. And even if they do. Anyone can have a momentary lapse of concentration. The more visible you are, the safer you are. Is it really a problem wearing a Hi-Viz?

I understand why a Hi-Viz vest needs to be worn. But they are uncomfortable in warm weather, as they are an additional layer of clothing that tends to trap body heat in. Asking us to wear them at ALL times in ALL areas is not ALWAYS completely necessary is all I'm saying. We have good separation of work areas - forced on us after a damning HSE inspection, so FLTs and pedestrians are very rarely in situations where there could be a potential collision.

In my opinion: What we should do, is try to get the silly SSOWs changed, to be more sensible. That way, we won't detract from the vital ones

I agree. The whole reason for having SSOWs is to minimise risk. But you can never eliminate risk totally, unless you order people not to get out of bed in the morning (although statistically, you are more likely to have an accident at home, if I remember correctly). Yes, when I get off my FLT to close a gate on an RSC, there is a small risk that, at that very second, another FLT driver in the area may be having 'a momentary lapse of concentration', and run into me. If he's a more sensible driver like me, however, he would be aware of the possibility of my needing to get off, and drive at a sufficient distance from my FLT to avoid a potential collision. Again, I still maintain that if he's suffering 'a momentary lapse of concentration', my wearing a Hi-Viz vest would not prevent the collision because he'd only have a fraction of a second to stop, and his truck's momentum would have him crashing into me even he hit the brake pedal.

Like someone on the Panorama programme I think said, H&S legislation and SSOWs do not absolve us of the obligation to take responsibility for our own actions. I was cutting down some tree branches in my garden this afternoon and used a ladder and - without having a Ladder Awareness Certificate - still managed to carry out the task without harm. Life is risky. But some risks are being massively overplayed in the current over-zealous climate.

PS We get a lot of pallets of work in our centre, and people used to use Stanley knives to remove shrink-wrap & cut up the boxes. After ONE incident where one person gave himself a minor cut, our H&S Rep agreed with management on a ban on all knives. Weeks later, he was demonstrating the merits of a wonderful 'safety-blade' to a senior manager, and guess what ?
Yep, he cut himself

[andy2007]

That Panorama program, gave many good examples of daft H&S rules. And also a scary lack of effective H&S rules, in more dangerous environments. You've also given a couple more. And I couldn't agree more, that there is too much emphasis on removing responsibility from the individual.

The problem is, that (in my opinion) if we ignore the daft rules. There will be increased pressure on us, to cut corners on important, and even vital SSOWs. For example: People are being put under pressure to carry too much weight in their bags. There are of course other examples. But I hope you get my point.

I'm often accused of being obsessive about H&S. But it's with good reason: No Employer will spend loads of money on appropriate equipment, and maintenance. Unless there is a Legal requirement. If we show we're willing to cut corners, because a particular rule is overzealous, or just plain daft. That could potentially open the floodgates.

Does that negate our responsibilities?
No. Despite their (HSE) best efforts, we are all still ultimately responsible for ourselves and each other. We're are ALL responsible for our actions and inactions. The Employer's responsibilities, are to have a risk assessment, create a SSOW, and take all reasonable steps to ensure that it's followed.

I'm sure that Brothermagrew will be able to fill in the specifics of the Employer's responsibilities. But that's as much as I can remember off the top of my head.

[brothermagrew]

Brother andy2007 my personal views on h&s are well known on this forum, and without having to repeat what has already been said on previous postings I suggest you view http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 18&t=11815" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[andy2007]

Thanks.

[bedfordrl]

Errrrmm, if Royal Mail and H.S.E. are making such a fuss about High Viz Vests and the catastrophe that will happen if we dare not to wear them then why are they no longer putting the yellow flash on the side of the vans thus reducing the visibility of the van at night and foggy days?.
Oh ! is it all about saving money? .

[andy2007]

It wouldn't surprise me!

[Gene Hunt]

I'm a postie with 22yrs service and operate within the PR postcode.In our office begining with the letter "S",Hi viz jackets and helmets are a Must. In our WTL sessions ,We have been told by managers and our union rep...Any body seen on delivery with both feet off the ground while on a RM cycle will face disapline which could and will lead to suspension and dismissal.We have two guys who are in that situation..One of the lads had "scooted" across a road and a passing manager saw him.Next morning he was suspended..And Charged with " GROSSMISCONDUCT " What a F'##k'n joke .He finds out tomorrow (fri 1st may) if he will keep his job.

[bedfordrl]

Gross misconduct for "scooting "his bike??????.

What is your union rep doing about it?

[lekker]

What a load of bollocks. But typical RM. I have never seen anything that says "scooting" a bike is gross misconduct. Your rep. needs to get a grip