Unattended/Unsecured Mail - Security Standards

[fishtank]

LTB 528/13 Unattended/Unsecured Mail - Security Standards – Delivery Equipment Security Procedure (DESP)


No. 528/13

Ref: 590

Date: 30th July 2013

To: Branches with POSTAL Members

Dear Colleague,

Unattended/Unsecured Mail - Security Standards - Delivery Equipment Security Procedure (DESP)

The Outdoor Department has recently been involved in discussions with Royal Mail regarding a review of the security standards/procedures for all types of delivery equipment. This involves the time that equipment containing mail can be left unattended/unsecured whilst out on delivery and as things currently stand different areas are categorised in terms of the risk associated with the particular area. These are categorised as low risk, medium risk and high risk and the time that mail can be left unattended/unsecured is determined taking the categorisation into account, as demonstrated in the attached chart - "Delivery Equipment Security Risk Categories and Times unattended"

During those discussions Royal Mail confirmed that Royal Mail Operations set the standards, taking input from delivery design, safety and security, and that these are the consultations and protocols that afford appropriate 'risk control'. Their findings to support a need for this review were apparently based on feedback from CWU members and front line managers. However the Outdoor Department was not made aware of any such exercise taking place until after the event and as a consequence there was no involvement from the CWU locally or otherwise in assessing security standards for delivery equipment and the time that mail can be left unattended/ unsecured.

We have informed Royal Mail that our position is and will continue to be one of advising our members that mail must not be left unattended or unsecured for more time than is absolutely necessary to protect the mail depending on the risk associated with the area that it is being delivered in, and this should be on an individual delivery route basis right across the UK. The time mail can be left unattended or unsecured must take account of the particular area or delivery route or address concerned and whether it is considered low, medium or high risk. We don't accept that one standard can be applied across the board that ignores the type of area that the delivery is being carried out in.

We did however accept that at some stage during a delivery LWTs and

EHCTs/HCTs will not be able to be taken to the actual point of delivery due to any number of obstructions (small gateways and doorways, parked vehicles, bins, stairs etc). To counterbalance this we have accepted that where situations/circumstances exist similar to those identified above, then local discussions MUST take place to fully risk assess that part of the delivery or where necessary the whole delivery to protect the security of the mail, which may involve the use of a different form of delivery method.

COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

URGENT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

9

This 'principle' has also been embedded into the 'Background' section of the revised document (copy attached) and should be used initially when selecting delivery equipment through the revisions process or alternatively wherever issues arise thereafter.

Furthermore, anyone locally whether it is an OPG, CWU Representative or Manager can at any time raise potential mail security/safety issues concerning the identified delivery method/delivery equipment and progress them via the normal channels or IR Framework where necessary

In addition to the above we also thought it appropriate to bring to the attention of Royal Mail the recent 'Dispatches' programme which looked at several mail carriers with regards to the security of mail or lack of it to be more precise. The programme criticised our competitors over the length of time mail was left unattended and unsecured. Whilst at the same time the programme had actually praised Royal Mail for the measures they had taken to protect the mail whilst on delivery.

It is now clear that Royal Mail is intent on deploying similar standards of security for safeguarding the mail as those used by our competitors. This is a very worrying development and is probably linked to reducing costs and security standards in readiness for privatisation.

In essence whilst we attempted to persuade Royal Mail to maintain their superior security standards by comparison to competitors it became apparent that they were intent on relaxing them, and whilst we [CWU] have secured a few changes to the wording and an additional small paragraph on risk assessments the security standards do not meet our expectations.

Therefore the advice from the Outdoor Department will remain consistent with our expectations and what we believe to be consistent with Royal Mail's obligations regarding mails integrity, in that MAIL SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED OR UNSECURED for more time than is absolutely necessary, taking full account of the security risks, to enable the safe/secure delivery of the mail to our customers.

Branches/CWU Representatives are therefore advised that the revised security standards covering the Delivery Equipment Security Procedures and ultimately the security of the mail are not agreed with or supported by the CWU. Where issues arise locally over the interpretation of the attached documentation and/or security regarding the time mail can be left unattended or unsecured the Industrial Relations Framework should be utilised, unilaterally where necessary.

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson's Office, quoting reference 590.

Email address: hnutley@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Bob Gibson

Assistant Secretary



RM Delivery Equipment Security Procedure 2013
and
Delivery Equipment Security Risk Categories and Times unattended
available here.
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 60&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lincox]

So for those who still cycle and may have an hours delivery inside their mail bag, they have to take this mailbag off the cycle and carry it even if they are delivering to a small cul de sac, where the cycle if left would be in view and less than 100 yards away. So much for taking weight off the shoulders.

[blackadder]

So for those who still cycle and may have an hours delivery inside their mail bag, they have to take this mailbag off the cycle and carry it even if they are delivering to a small cul de sac, where the cycle if left would be in view and less than 100 yards away. So much for taking weight off the shoulders.

you dont leave your bike, hct, van or anything unlocked. if you do and get caught you get the sack for gross misconduct