HCTs and overweight/oversize packets

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

I heard there is a debate going on in my depot about at what point a packet becomes unaccpetable for a HCT user to take out on delivery, rather than assign it to a van driver, it is being suggested that anything "reasonable" that fits in a compartment should be take by the HCT walk holder. I was always lead to believe there was a specific weight (1.25Kg) or size (40x10x10cm or a more cube-like 30cm box), above which it was fine to put these items in the driver's york. After all, "reasonable" is not a universal figure.

I'd be very grateful for a link to an official RM document that specifies these limits.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Still looking for a HCT guide - it may be in the SSOW, but those figures seem on the low side as limits for a pouch are

20cm x 20cm x 40cm or 31cm x 10cm x 40cm http://postimage.org/image/qmck6mfqh/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and weight 1.25kg http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=19266" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



The SSOW http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=31871" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; does not have maximum size and weights for packet except for gross.

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

Thanks TBT, did not spot anything in the HCT SSOW document and the other links only specify pouches.

This whole notion being thrown around by reps and managers of if it fits in the HCT, it is delivered by the HCT, sounds wrong (awkward lifting of a heavy object into and out of the HCT for a start, even if the gross weight of the HCT is under the MK I/II limit). It gets even more dodgy when some walks have items for certain delivery points given to the driver without fail everyday, regardless of how much there is (yes they usually have multiple packets, but even on light days the drive is always expected to deliver the mail).

For some reason I thought I had seen something at some point on here that put the HCT limits in black and white, which came up during the cyclic "Big Book" catologue threads and whether it is acceptable for a HCT user to take out one or several >2Kg items that are heavier than a lot of items normally take by van drivers without question... But I'm struggling to come up with anything on searches.

[clashcityrocker]

If it fits in the trolley, it goes in the trolley.
One of the aims of a deliver methods revision is to reduce the potential for multiple visits to the same address.

If the "weight" is an issue for the HCT user, it is an issue for a van driver as well.

Do your HCT users have a PDA?

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

No PDAs for HCT users, just the tissue paper signature booklets.

I can see how multiple staff visiting an address is not efficient, but at the same time there should be clear guidelines on what a HCT user should be expected to carry, especially in this day and age where we are having increasing amounts of packets to deliver.

As regards weight, the van driver is not pushing the van around under their own physical effort (so their physical effort is simply carrying the packet to/from the van), but pushing HCTs around (especially over inclined ground, common in our area) is a lot of effort and puts strain on the lower back. Given how these new larger walks are easily dealing with over 50 packets per day most days, all these packets add significantly to the weight (I can now do some ~40 address roads and struggle to comply with getting all letters and their packets into an 11Kg drop bag).

There is often this reference to "shoe box size" talked about at our depot, but a packet does not need to be large to be heavy, yet such a large lightweight box will be accepted by the driver who will then kick up a stink if I offload say a ~3Kg BB catologue.

At the end of the day this comes back to a common root of issues at my depot, a complete disregard for operational training, hardly surprising when the national standard of 30 minutes WTLL is a joke. I only know about the SSOW HCT guidelines (risk assessments, time limits on leaving a HCT unattended before all mail should be removed etc.) because of this site. Rules made to suit the day's chaos, rather than everyone knowing proper procedure/protocol.

[clashcityrocker]

The trolleys can be loaded with 75kg of mail.
That I presume is the SSOW.
Individual routes should be risk assessed and inclines etc should be highlighted.
If it is too hilly then the HCT is ot the correct de,ivery method for that area ......

But you are right. No risk assessments are done.
Rules are made up to suit the day's chaos.
Sums it all up perfectly.