LTB 018/24 - Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 001 - Royal Mail Van Roll Away Incident

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-018-24-roya ... -incident/

LTB 018/24 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 001 – Royal Mail Van Roll Away Incident
No. 018/2024

15 January 2024

Our Ref: V4/24

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY24 001 – Royal Mail Van Roll Away Incident:

Introduction, Background and Description:

Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued ‘RMG SHE Safety Flash FY24 001 on the subject of ‘Royal Mail Van Roll Away Incidents’ which can be avoided by following the ‘HIT’ acronym process (‘HIT’ – Handbrake on, In Gear, Turn The Wheels).

The incident occurred when a Royal Mail postman driver was carrying out his regular delivery duty. The delivery round normal route was disrupted by a road closure causing the driver to make a 25-minute detour, which the driver reported had caused him some distress, becoming agitated and anxious as he needed to finish his duty on time. When parking the van at the next delivery point address following the diversion, the 3 point ‘HIT’ process was not followed. The handbrake was applied, but the wheels were not turned and the van was not left in gear. The van’s handbrake was faulty and did not hold the vehicle in place. The vehicle rolled backwards approximately 25 metres downhill, through road and street works, where it then collided with a parked BT Openreach van causing damage to both vehicles.

This SHE Flash has been issued to once again raise awareness of the need for drivers to follow ‘HIT’, highlight the risks of these types of incidents and to communicate the ‘HIT’ process to all Van drivers.


Drive on up to the link-handbrake on and turn the wheel to read more.