Letter to Branches
No. 087/13
Ref A2/13
Date: 13 February 2013
To: All Branches with Postal Members
Dear Colleagues
CWU Accident Reporting National Survey Launched to Tackle Under-Reporting
The Health, Safety and Environment Department has launched the first ever CWU major National membership Survey of Accident Reporting to gauge the level of accidents at work amongst members and to get feedback on the growing problem of under-reporting.
The first ever CWU national membership survey of accident reporting has been launched by the Health, Safety and Environment Department – and members are urged to check whether they’ve received one of the special survey postcards with the February edition of the CWU Voice Magazine. The survey – of 10,000 randomly selected individuals across all the businesses in which the CWU has members – will hopefully gauge the true level of accidents at work among members and obtain valuable feedback on the growing problem of accident under-reporting and RIDDOR (Reporting Of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) Breaches.
Branches are requested to ensure that those members receiving one of the survey postcards within their Voice polywrap, respond to the five quick-and-easy-to-answer questions and, either post it back to CWU/HQ as soon as possible, or hand it to a Branch Rep for forwarding to HQ. This important survey seeks to discover information from ordinary members of any problems, pressures or obstruction in relation to reporting an accident correctly.
The rates of injury accidents at work reported by employers have reduced substantially over the past decade - but just how accurate are those numbers? Many CWU safety reps have questioned the claims made by directors and managers who have been reporting big reductions in accidents in recent years.
We want to find out whether the emphasis has shifted from reducing accidents, injuries, illnesses and near-misses, to producing favourable statistics. Rather than drive accident reporting underground, we need members to report ALL accidents and near misses in a 'blame-free' culture.”
Concerns are particularly grave at Royal Mail, where the Health, Safety & Environment Department has repeatedly reminded the company of its legal obligation to provide a proper, accessible accident reporting facilities which the Laws states can be a book or an electronic, computer based equivalent such as the current 'ERICA' system.
The Health, Safety & Environment Department has again recently reminded Royal Mail of the provisions of regulation 25 of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979 and advised employers that a failure to provide a proper, accessible, accident book or electronic equivalent may amount to a breach of statutory duty pursuant to Regulation 5 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. (See CWU Letter to Branches 303/12).
We have also requested that they circulate an Instruction to all Managers ensuring that all accidents are properly recorded and entered on the Accident Reporting system with an explanation of what occurred in the victims own words and not those constructed by a Manager without the victims consent and agreement.
Any pattern of behaviour on the employer’s part which suggests that there is a consistent breach of obligations under the Regulations can be drawn to the attention of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who have been made aware of the Union's concerns and the problems and complaints from Safety Reps regarding this matter which we have raised with the employers, primarily Royal Mail.
The Health, Safety & Environment Department is also currently pursuing a new "Accident Notification, Reporting and Investigation Agreement" with Royal Mail along with a new "Accident Reporting - Issues Escalation Process Agreement" for CWU Area Safety Reps which is currently under discussion.
Our conclusion is that rather than drive accident and near miss reporting underground by blaming members, we need to encourage staff to report ALL accidents and near misses in a 'blame-free' culture in order to address the problems and make sustainable improvement in safety not just numbers on bits of paper with only a short-term cosmetic effect.
A copy of the "Survey Postcard is attached for your information.
A supporting article will appear in the next edition of Voice.
Posters supporting the 'Accidents at Work Questionnaire' campaign are being distributed and a copy is attached for your information.
The message is:-
"Look out! for the CWU ‘Accident at Work Questionnaire’ circulated in this month’s issue of the CWU Voice. Read the Feature in the Voice. Fill in the questionnaire, and return it to the Health & safety department at CWU HQ. You can also return it to your Branch, who will bulk post the postcards to the CWU H&S Dept. Your view is important. Your safety is our priority. Together we can make a difference."
Your support and assistance is very important.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
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CWU Accident Reporting National Survey Launched to Tackle
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TrueBlueTerrier
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CWU Accident Reporting National Survey Launched to Tackle
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Re: CWU Accident Reporting National Survey Launched to Tackl
Letter to Branches
No. 086 /13
Ref A3
Date: 12 February 2013
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
"Reporting Accidents"- CWU National Postal Policy Forum on 28th June 2012 - RM/CWU World Class Mail National Agreement - Motion 11
This is a progress report on Motion 11 carried at the CWU National Postal Policy Forum on 28th June 2012 against the RM/CWU World Class Mail National Agreement. Motion 11 is reproduced below and referred to the subject of members "Reporting Accidents".
Motion 11 read:-
That each member will receive a letter direct to their home address which explains the procedure for reporting accidents and the individual’s right to have all accidents put in the accident book. The letter will include the definition of an accident and the telephone number to report the accident to the DWP.
Greater Manchester Amal
The Action listed in the Motion Matrix stated:-
In subsequent member communications, anticipated around the end of the main summer leave period, the Union will explain the terms of this policy to our members.
Accident Reporting is a key issue for the Union's Health, Safety & Environment Department and Area Safety Reps in particular. In the Postal Executive's report to the National Policy Forum, listed as one of the key CWU World Class Mail concerns that will formulate part of the agenda in ongoing talks with the company was the need to bottom out, once and for all, the whole approach to health and safety and the reporting of accidents.
Actions taken to date:-
1. The matter was covered in detail in a report in LTB 303/12.
2. It was requested that a statement be made by the Safety Director at the RM Management Conference at the NEC that all accidents must be reported correctly and it was.
3. It was requested that a statement be made by the Safety Director at the RM WCM National Event in Birmingham that all accidents must be reported correctly and it was.
4. The Health, Safety & Environment Department is going to conduct an Accident Reporting National Survey of 10,000 Members using return Postcards going out with the
February Edition of Voice.
5. There will be an Article in the February edition of Voice in relation to Accident reporting and the National Survey (see article reproduced below).
6. Posters have been produced in support of the Voice Article and National Survey and will be distributed to Branches shortly.
7. An LTB will be issued to coincide with the despatch of the February Voice and National Survey Postcards.
8. Two new National Agreements are being finalised with Royal Mail Group on (a) Notification, Reporting and Investigation of Accidents and (b) An escalation Procedure for
Area Safety Reps where Accidents are not reported at all or reported wrongly. Amongst other things the Agreements contain the following passages:- " Any injury at work,
including minor injuries, must be recorded on the Royal Mail Group Accident Reporting System (ERICA or any future replacement system)." and "All accidents must be reported; Royal Mail Group and CWU are committed to ensure that all accidents are reported and there is a zero tolerance approach to failing to report adequately, appropriately and factually."
9. A Joint Message is going out on Royal Mail TV from the CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer and the Royal Mail Group Director of Health and Safety Shaun
Davis telling all workers and managers alike that they must report All Accidents correctly.
10. The subject matter remain a priority agenda item of discussion with both the Royal Mail Group Director of Health and Safety, the Royal Mail Operations Director Safety and
the Parcelforce Head of Safety and Operations Director.
11. The HSE nationally have been made fully aware of CWU concerns regarding the under-reporting of Accidents and RIDDOR breaches.
12. All cases referred to the Health, Safety & Environment Department have been taken up nationally with Royal Mail.
Voice Article
"National accident survey launched to tackle under-reporting"
The first ever CWU national membership survey of accident reporting has been launched by the union’s health, safety and environment department – and members are
urged to check whether they’ve received one of the special survey postcards with this issue of Voice. The survey – of 10,000 randomly selected individuals across all the
businesses in which the CWU has members – will gauge the true level of accidents at work among members and obtain valuable feedback on the growing problem of
under-reporting. If you have received one of the survey postcards within your Voice polywrap, please respond to the five quick-and-easy-to-answer questions and, either
post it back to us as soon as possible, or hand it to your branch rep for forwarding to HQ. Explaining what this important survey seeks to discover, national health and safety
officer Dave Joyce told the Voice: “Rates of injury at work reported by employers have reduced substantially over the past decade - but just how accurate are those
numbers? Many CWU safety reps have questioned the claims made by directors and managers who have been reporting big reductions in accidents. “We want to find out
whether the emphasis has shifted from reducing accidents, injuries, illnesses and near-misses, to producing favourable statistics. Rather than drive accident reporting
underground, we need staff to report ALL accidents and near misses in a 'blame-free' culture.” Concerns are particularly grave at Royal Mail, where Dave Joyce has
repeatedly reminded the company of its legal obligation to provide a proper, accessible accident book or equivalent. He’s also pursuing a new accident notification,
reporting and investigation Agreement with the company.
World Class Mails National Agreement - Health and Safety Section:
Major safeguards have been achieved which assert our agreed safety policies as integral to the WCM approach, alongside an enhanced role for the National Health, Safety &
Environment Officer and CWU Safety Reps.
5.Safety and World Class Mail
Both parties are committed to working together to make safety a key priority for all employees and in the context of World Class Mail the following approach will apply:
5.1. The regular meetings between the CWU National Officer for Health and Safety and the Royal Mail Director of Safety are the national forum for discussing safety including any items raised under the Safety Pillar of WCM. The Director of Operational Excellence will be involved in this meeting as appropriate.
5.2. All managers, CWU Safety Representatives and World Class Mail pillar leads have a key role in ensuring the WCM programme operates in line with the overall Royal Mail
Group safety policy and all agreed RM/CWU safety procedures.
5.3. A common objective is to continue to reduce the level of accidents at work and to achieve this all employees should report all accidents and safety hazards at all times.
The approach for root cause analysis and the identification of unsafe acts will be based on a supportive and learning culture and the need to prevent reoccurrence.
5.4. Under this Agreement elements of the CWU Safety Representatives role are enhanced and appropriate time will be made available for CWU Safety Reps to fulfil these
responsibilities. Safety representatives will be involved as appropriate in safety investigations, root cause analysis and re-enactments.
5.5. CWU Safety Representatives will be encouraged to become directly involved in the safety pillar of World Class Mail and will be invited to attend relevant WCM audits.
Further reports will be made to Branches, Regional Health and Safety Forums and Area Safety Representatives in due course.
Yours Sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
No. 086 /13
Ref A3
Date: 12 February 2013
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
"Reporting Accidents"- CWU National Postal Policy Forum on 28th June 2012 - RM/CWU World Class Mail National Agreement - Motion 11
This is a progress report on Motion 11 carried at the CWU National Postal Policy Forum on 28th June 2012 against the RM/CWU World Class Mail National Agreement. Motion 11 is reproduced below and referred to the subject of members "Reporting Accidents".
Motion 11 read:-
That each member will receive a letter direct to their home address which explains the procedure for reporting accidents and the individual’s right to have all accidents put in the accident book. The letter will include the definition of an accident and the telephone number to report the accident to the DWP.
Greater Manchester Amal
The Action listed in the Motion Matrix stated:-
In subsequent member communications, anticipated around the end of the main summer leave period, the Union will explain the terms of this policy to our members.
Accident Reporting is a key issue for the Union's Health, Safety & Environment Department and Area Safety Reps in particular. In the Postal Executive's report to the National Policy Forum, listed as one of the key CWU World Class Mail concerns that will formulate part of the agenda in ongoing talks with the company was the need to bottom out, once and for all, the whole approach to health and safety and the reporting of accidents.
Actions taken to date:-
1. The matter was covered in detail in a report in LTB 303/12.
2. It was requested that a statement be made by the Safety Director at the RM Management Conference at the NEC that all accidents must be reported correctly and it was.
3. It was requested that a statement be made by the Safety Director at the RM WCM National Event in Birmingham that all accidents must be reported correctly and it was.
4. The Health, Safety & Environment Department is going to conduct an Accident Reporting National Survey of 10,000 Members using return Postcards going out with the
February Edition of Voice.
5. There will be an Article in the February edition of Voice in relation to Accident reporting and the National Survey (see article reproduced below).
6. Posters have been produced in support of the Voice Article and National Survey and will be distributed to Branches shortly.
7. An LTB will be issued to coincide with the despatch of the February Voice and National Survey Postcards.
8. Two new National Agreements are being finalised with Royal Mail Group on (a) Notification, Reporting and Investigation of Accidents and (b) An escalation Procedure for
Area Safety Reps where Accidents are not reported at all or reported wrongly. Amongst other things the Agreements contain the following passages:- " Any injury at work,
including minor injuries, must be recorded on the Royal Mail Group Accident Reporting System (ERICA or any future replacement system)." and "All accidents must be reported; Royal Mail Group and CWU are committed to ensure that all accidents are reported and there is a zero tolerance approach to failing to report adequately, appropriately and factually."
9. A Joint Message is going out on Royal Mail TV from the CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer and the Royal Mail Group Director of Health and Safety Shaun
Davis telling all workers and managers alike that they must report All Accidents correctly.
10. The subject matter remain a priority agenda item of discussion with both the Royal Mail Group Director of Health and Safety, the Royal Mail Operations Director Safety and
the Parcelforce Head of Safety and Operations Director.
11. The HSE nationally have been made fully aware of CWU concerns regarding the under-reporting of Accidents and RIDDOR breaches.
12. All cases referred to the Health, Safety & Environment Department have been taken up nationally with Royal Mail.
Voice Article
"National accident survey launched to tackle under-reporting"
The first ever CWU national membership survey of accident reporting has been launched by the union’s health, safety and environment department – and members are
urged to check whether they’ve received one of the special survey postcards with this issue of Voice. The survey – of 10,000 randomly selected individuals across all the
businesses in which the CWU has members – will gauge the true level of accidents at work among members and obtain valuable feedback on the growing problem of
under-reporting. If you have received one of the survey postcards within your Voice polywrap, please respond to the five quick-and-easy-to-answer questions and, either
post it back to us as soon as possible, or hand it to your branch rep for forwarding to HQ. Explaining what this important survey seeks to discover, national health and safety
officer Dave Joyce told the Voice: “Rates of injury at work reported by employers have reduced substantially over the past decade - but just how accurate are those
numbers? Many CWU safety reps have questioned the claims made by directors and managers who have been reporting big reductions in accidents. “We want to find out
whether the emphasis has shifted from reducing accidents, injuries, illnesses and near-misses, to producing favourable statistics. Rather than drive accident reporting
underground, we need staff to report ALL accidents and near misses in a 'blame-free' culture.” Concerns are particularly grave at Royal Mail, where Dave Joyce has
repeatedly reminded the company of its legal obligation to provide a proper, accessible accident book or equivalent. He’s also pursuing a new accident notification,
reporting and investigation Agreement with the company.
World Class Mails National Agreement - Health and Safety Section:
Major safeguards have been achieved which assert our agreed safety policies as integral to the WCM approach, alongside an enhanced role for the National Health, Safety &
Environment Officer and CWU Safety Reps.
5.Safety and World Class Mail
Both parties are committed to working together to make safety a key priority for all employees and in the context of World Class Mail the following approach will apply:
5.1. The regular meetings between the CWU National Officer for Health and Safety and the Royal Mail Director of Safety are the national forum for discussing safety including any items raised under the Safety Pillar of WCM. The Director of Operational Excellence will be involved in this meeting as appropriate.
5.2. All managers, CWU Safety Representatives and World Class Mail pillar leads have a key role in ensuring the WCM programme operates in line with the overall Royal Mail
Group safety policy and all agreed RM/CWU safety procedures.
5.3. A common objective is to continue to reduce the level of accidents at work and to achieve this all employees should report all accidents and safety hazards at all times.
The approach for root cause analysis and the identification of unsafe acts will be based on a supportive and learning culture and the need to prevent reoccurrence.
5.4. Under this Agreement elements of the CWU Safety Representatives role are enhanced and appropriate time will be made available for CWU Safety Reps to fulfil these
responsibilities. Safety representatives will be involved as appropriate in safety investigations, root cause analysis and re-enactments.
5.5. CWU Safety Representatives will be encouraged to become directly involved in the safety pillar of World Class Mail and will be invited to attend relevant WCM audits.
Further reports will be made to Branches, Regional Health and Safety Forums and Area Safety Representatives in due course.
Yours Sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
All post by me in Green are Admin Posts.
Any post in any other colour is my own responsibility.
If you like a news story I posted please click the link to show support Any news stories you can't post - PM me with a link
My sharing of news articles should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation of any particular viewpoint or the issues presented. I share them solely for informational purposes.
Any post in any other colour is my own responsibility.
If you like a news story I posted please click the link to show support Any news stories you can't post - PM me with a link
My sharing of news articles should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation of any particular viewpoint or the issues presented. I share them solely for informational purposes.
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AnotherLimey
- Posts: 751
- Joined: 08 Aug 2009, 18:45
- Gender: Male
Re: CWU Accident Reporting National Survey Launched to Tackl
About f***ing time too 
-
Cut Off King
- Posts: 1078
- Joined: 23 Jun 2009, 21:18
- Gender: Female
Re: CWU Accident Reporting National Survey Launched to Tackl
Too little too late spring to mindAnotherLimey wrote:About f***ing time too
Is it because ( after the CR*P BT2010 deal ) members are asking whats the point of being in the CWU ?
Is it because the CWU want a YES vote in the up-comming 2013 dispute ?
The Campaign for your vote starts NOW.
-
Delivery Donkey
- Posts: 80
- Joined: 21 Feb 2007, 15:41
Re: CWU Accident Reporting National Survey Launched to Tackl
What did the CWU,do with the bullying and harrassment survey!!!
A BIG FAT NOWT!!!
A BIG FAT NOWT!!!
-
fishtank
- Posts: 19732
- Joined: 28 Sep 2007, 17:22
- Gender: Male
Re: CWU Accident Reporting National Survey Launched to Tackl
They might be releasing a joint statement saying you don't have to work over though.Delivery Donkey wrote:What did the CWU,do with the bullying and harrassment survey!!!
A BIG FAT NOWT!!!
That'll sort those pesky bullies out.
good times, bad times you know I've had my share