IHR numbers

[flowerflump]

Haven’t been online for a while , but I have a query and I hope a union rep can help. I have been left the business now for over 8 years . I took IHR due to a back problem which I think was caused by carrying overweight bags and lack of training back in the day. I keep in contact with my old workmates and there have been several people left the business with muscular skeletal problems due to the physical demands of the job. I got to thinking, and after contacting old mates from other offices, they were experiencing the same thing. Long serving postmen and women having to take IHR because they were knackered. If you multiply that nationwide ,there must be thousands of postmen an women in the same situation . I personally am now crippled with sciatica and disc problems. Does the union have access to the facts and figures of how many staff have had to leave their jobs due to muscular skeletal problems. Surely if there were enough people affected by this ,legal action could be taken against Royal Mail. A years salary for IHR is nothing compared to the pain and agony you go through . I am talking about the 90’s where mailsort and door to doors were king. It was tonnage on a daily basis ,and anyone reading this will know what I’m talking about.why do you think trolleys were introduced ,and shared vans. It was too late for me as the damage had already been done. I just want to know how many people are in the same position as me and can we do anything about it .

[Ad_bee]

Freedom of information request is probably the best bet but via an expert in that since IHR data probably fall under the RMs and HMG's own Paula Venells type Whitewash and denial dept.

[Woody Guthrie]

I think we had some figures on here a while back but they won't be up to date.

As far as company liability is concerned I think there could be a case citing the well documented poor level of training in the business and the also documented high levels of bullying

Royal Mail would argue that they've always had maximum bag weights and SSOW but that doesn't get them off the hook if they are systematically ignored.

Another major issue with regards to industrial injury/illness in this business is tendonitis, I don't know anybody with more than 10 years service who doesn't suffer from it to some degree either in their hands, elbows or shoulders and that's just from sorting and holding bundles which to my knowledge has never even been looked at.

[iHateD2Ds]

I remember delivering Sky mags,on digital mags and BT 1st class bills the same day!

Royal Mail Barristers will argue the fact there was a Bag limit of x kilos and scales to weigh them.
Bag meets available, pouch boxes to split heavy bags, Lifting and handling sessions etc.

Every physical job wears your body ,we are degenerative
Unless, we can prove negligence its going to be a tough one.

Education is Piss Poor at Royal Mail, still Loads of people carrying heavy bags just to get done quicker!

Perhaps ,contacting CWU would be the 1st Call.?