LTB1064/11-RM /CWU-Severe Weather Conditions Joint Statement

Post by **Geezer** » 16 Dec 2011, 19:34

CWU.org
16 December 2011
LTB 1064/11 - Royal Mail Letters/CWU - Severe Weather Conditions - Joint Statement & Communication on Safe Working Arrangements and New On Line Severe
No. 1064/11
Ref E4
Date: 16 December 2011

To: All Branches,

Dear Colleagues,

Royal Mail Letters/CWU - Severe Weather Conditions - Joint Statement & Communication on Safe Working Arrangements and New On Line Severe Weather Risk Assessment Tool:

Discussions have been taking place over recent months with Royal Mail HQ in order to ensure that our members in Royal Mail are well prepared for this year for any Severe Weather. The aim is to make sure that extra care is taken in managing and controlling the risks that are faced and ensuring that the risks are assessed before members go out and that everyone remains vigilant and aware whilst out on delivery, collection or driving.

Royal Mail and the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department have reached agreement on a new National Severe Weather Conditions Joint Statement/Safety Briefing which will be issued to all Operational Managers and Area Safety Representatives and rolled out nationally, supported by the a new 'On-Line Severe Weather Risk Assessment tool' in order to ensure that Offices and staff across the country are well prepared for this year's Snow, Ice, flooding and other extremes should the country be hit with the problems faced in recent years. The joint aim being to make sure that extra care is taken in controlling the risks faced by members whilst out on delivery, collection or driving in bad weather conditions. A copy of which is attached for your attention, information and action.

Familiarisation training and testing the new 'On-Line Severe Weather Risk Assessment tool' has been underway for managers on Area Safety Reps over the last two months and both Royal Mail HQ and the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department are agreed that it is vital that preparations are completed and everyone is ready, making sure that everyone takes extra care, that the risks are fully assessed before staff go out on collections and deliveries and that everyone remains vigilant and aware once out on delivery or collection whether on foot or in a vehicle. It has been agreed that all CWU Area Safety Representatives will also be trained on the 'On-Line Severe Weather Risk Assessment tool' and all feedback and suggested improvements are welcome in order to make improvements for future years.
Managers will ensure they and their staff are familiarised with the new 'On Line Severe Weather Risk Assessment' which has been extensively updated and improved, following feedback from last year’s trials. This Severe Weather Risk Assessment asks a series of questions, then gives a ‘risk rating indication’ for that location. The Office Manager completing the Risk Assessment will immediately send a copy to their line manager then ensure all actions and controls are communicated and implemented to eliminate or reduce accident risks to an acceptable level. Area Safety Representative can obtain copies of Risk Assessment on request.

The computer based 'Severe Weather Decision Tool' was originally designed by former CWU ASR Mick Barnes, now a Safety Manager in the NW Region Safety Team.

The Tool was trialed last year in two Regions and subsequently underwent further development work with the aim of introduction this year. A number of improvements and simplifications were carried out, making the Tool easier and quicker to use. The Tool was evaluated as part a joint review earlier this year and following roll out, will be subject to national review in 6 months time, next spring.
The National brief for Operations Managers is clear;
· The agreed policy is that Managers must support staff in making the right decisions, making sure that everyone is prepared and knows how to minimise the risk of having accidents through good communication, risk controls and adjustments, strictly adhering to safety standards, working methods, equipment and Protective Clothing use etc.
· Members are asked to remain aware of safety hazards and if they feel their delivery walk has become too dangerous or inaccessible due to poor weather, Managers will support their decision not to carry on and will encourage them to return to the office.
· The decision on the day about whether to continue with deliveries should be taken locally by the Delivery Office Manager, with involvement of employees and CWU Safety Reps, so everyone has a say. While a decision to suspend, given Royal Mail's Universal Service Obligations (USO), should not be taken lightly, if it is the right thing to do in the conditions then that option should be taken and Deliveries/Collections will be suspended.! A manager should not assume that they have to send employees out on collection or delivery where it is clearly unsafe to do so
Involvement and Consultation with CWU Area Safety Reps - Again the agreed National Joint Communication and Managers Brief is clear;
· Managers must ensure involvement of the CWU ASR in regional severe weather planning taking into account their input.
· In line with Royal Mail’s Safety Policy, Union Safety Representatives should be engaged and consulted with severe weather risk management decisions.

Yard Safety
Yard safety was a major problem last year. To improve safety this year a national gritting and snow clearance contract has been arranged covering all Royal Mail sites provided by Contractors and a monitoring and reporting process has been put in place to ensure yards , loading bays, access roads, walkways and car parks on Royal Mail Group's premises are cleared of snow and ice and maintained in as safe a condition as possible.

Driving, Cycles and Trolleys (HCT & LWT)
The "Joint Severe Weather Briefing" outlines advice on driving in adverse weather as well as advice on the use of cycles, high capacity trolleys and lightweight trolleys. Before going out on delivery it will be assessed as to whether it is safe to use bicycles, HCT's and LWT's and where it is not, alternative arrangements must be made. To assist Drivers this year 6,800 Cans of Deicer, 6,700 Bottles of Windscreen Washer Concentrate and 7,500 Ice Scrappers have been purchased

'Spikeys' and 'Grip-Lites'
'Spikys' anti- slip footwear devices will be issued to all Royal Mail Delivery and Collection staff this winter in order to give a safer footing and reassurance to members whilst they are out in snow and icy conditions. 'SPIKY' are rubber straps that fit over shoes or boots to prevent slipping. The device provides reassurance at all times during ice and snow. 'SPIKYS' can be worn over any shoe or boot. They are manufactured from 76% natural rubber and 24% high-grade synthetic rubber, which give them the ability to stretch to 6.5 times their original length and allowing them to accommodate a limitless variety of footwear. The actual spikes are made from hardwearing steel, and tests have shown that they wear well and will give you safer footing and reassurance.
'Spikys' were successfully trialled in RM Scotland and introduced more widely last year. There were supply problems in 2010 when the sudden cold snap caught Royal Mail unaware and only 25,000 pairs of 'Spikeys' could be procured. This winter the business has 125,000 pairs of 'Spikeys' to distribute to staff with a further 30,000 pairs in store, in reserve plus sufficient repair kits for replacing studs.
'Grip-Lites' will be trialed this year in a number of Offices, replacing the 'snow-chain' anti-slip footwear. 'Grip-Lites' is an all-traction, over-shoe device designed to increase traction in a variety of slippery conditions from snow and ice to oil and grease.
Like 'Spikeys' they fits securely over all types of work boots and shoes. The sole features bands of sandpaper-like aluminum oxide. These bands are composed of hundreds of tiny traction points that enable 'Grip-Lites' to increase traction above and beyond that of normal rubber-soled shoes and boots. The sandpaper-like bands are both non-conductive and non-sparking. These are versatile as they not only help to increase traction in slippery conditions, but they are also safe to wear indoors as well as while driving, making them the ideal solution for delivery/collection drivers..
Members experiencing any problems should contact their Area Safety Representative.

'Snow Socks' and Winter Tyres'

Snow socks or tyre socks are a quick and convenient solution to getting moving on the snow. Easy to carry in the vehicle the snow socks simply fit over the driving wheels of your vehicle and are fitted in 2 minutes. Tests say they are up to 98% as effective as snow chains on snow covered surfaces, but they only take 2 minutes to fit! Even for a first time user it is a simple task! They are quick to fit and also easy to fit and remove, there is no working out which bit of chain goes where, they are very simple to slip on to the tyres. Snow Socks were trialed in a vaierty of locations last year. See LTB 1132/10. Royal Mail have purchased a further 350 sets to test and trial this year.

Winter tyres, or cold weather tyres as they are also known are made with a specialist compound and tread offering drivers better grip and control. These types of tyre are designed to cope with difficult conditions such as snow and ice and industry experts say they work far better than regular tyres in temperatures less than seven degrees, by dramatically reducing stopping distances. Royal Mail has also purchased a number of sets of Winter Tyres to Test and Trial this Winter.
The plan is to select a number of Offices to Trial the Snow Socks and the Winter Tyres.

Severe Weather Conditions - Joint Statement & Communication on Safe Working Arrangements & Risk Assessments
The Agreed 'Severe Weather Joint Statement' achieved this year is the best one we've ever achieved as you'll appreciate and again we've kept IR issues out of it. It's to cover Health and Safety full stop.
The 'WRAP' Walk Risk Assessment (WRAP) is supplemented by the Severe Weather Risk Assessment process which is "MANDATORY" this year and management must carry them out correctly. They have been trained accordingly. It has also been agreed that all ASRs will be trained on the new on line Severe Weather Risk Assessment Tool. It's not perfect but its good and feedback is welcome in order to improve it wherever possible.
To ensure that Severe Weather Risk Assessments are done and at the right time, once completed the DOM will send it off to their DSM. The file will have the time on it that it was done and it will be picked up if done to late in the day. If a DOM fails to carry out a Severe Weather Risk Assessment then this will be picked up by the Regional Safety Teams.
When the Severe Weather Risk Assessments are done, the DOM’s should be in touch with the ASR, providing details of how they’ve arrived at the Levels they are at and taking the ASRs input. ASRs are urged to be 'pro-active' - don't sit waiting for phone calls from managers in your area, I wouldn't advise any ASR to adopt that strategy. If the Risk Assessments are not done suitably and sufficiently that contact the DSM and Regional Safety Team. Busy, under pressure managers may have to be chased and ASRs need to be pro-active, pointing out the terms of the agreement, insisting on input and involvement, flagging up problems to DSMs, Regional Safety Director and Regional Delivery Director.
The Royal Mail Operations/CWU - Severe Weather Joint Statement should work well if followed to the letter. This provided ASRs with full involvement in decision making and provides a high level of protection by way of a very cautionary approach. Worst hit parts of the country will end up suspending deliveries if heavy snowfalls and ice etc hit the country as in the past two years and floods are again possible. The North and Scotland has already had snow and extremely high winds, causing some damage and fatalities.

There certainly should be more involvement and consultation with ASRs this year than ever before and there should be far more equipment available for staff.
The foundation of the agreed policy is that Managers must support staff in making the right decisions, making sure that everyone is prepared and knows how to minimise the risk of having accidents through good communication, risk controls and adjustments, strictly adhering to safety standards, working methods, equipment and PPE use.

Members are asked to remain aware of safety hazards and if they feel their delivery walk has become too dangerous or inaccessible due to poor weather, Managers will support their decision not to carry on and will encourage them to return to the office.

The agreed "Joint Statement' on Severe Weather" ensures that in line with Royal Mails Safety Policy, CWU Safety Representatives will be engaged and consulted on severe weather risk management decisions.
The foundation of the agreed policy is that Managers must support staff in making the right decisions, making sure that everyone is prepared and knows how to minimise the risk of having accidents through good communication, risk controls and adjustments, strictly adhering to safety standards, working methods, equipment and PPE use.

Members are asked to remain aware of safety hazards and if they feel their delivery walk has become too dangerous or inaccessible due to poor weather, Managers will support their decision not to carry on and will encourage them to return to the office.

The agreed "Joint Statement' on Severe Weather" ensures that in line with Royal Mails Safety Policy, CWU Safety Representatives will be engaged and consulted on severe weather risk management decisions.
Best Regards
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Attachments -
· Severe Weather Masterclass Training PP pdf
· Severe Weather Joint Communication V4
· SSoW Spikeys

More info +

Glenno · Post by **Glenno** » 16 Dec 2011, 19:48

Hi Geezer, received this LTB earlier today, so where is the attachments??
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Attachments -
· Severe Weather Masterclass Training PP pdf
· Severe Weather Joint Communication V4
· SSoW Spikeys

knackeredneedadayoff · Post by **knackeredneedadayoff** » 16 Dec 2011, 20:22

royal mail severe weather policy ,its only a bit of snow get out there

Post by **Geezer** » 16 Dec 2011, 20:48

Glenno wrote:Hi Geezer, received this LTB earlier today, so where is the attachments??
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Attachments -
· Severe Weather Masterclass Training PP pdf
· Severe Weather Joint Communication V4
· SSoW Spikeys

Glenno

Went on CWU site and got them for you,Had to convert the PowerPoint Presentation to PDF.
Now attached.

Post by **ldsposti** » 16 Dec 2011, 21:11

Seems the ASRs are going to be busy yet another way of cutting the office rep out, Whats the piont i think we all know whatever this tool says your still going out on delivery, i give up

Glenno · Post by **Glenno** » 16 Dec 2011, 21:35

Many Thanks Geezer

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 17 Dec 2011, 15:03

Glenno wrote:Many Thanks Geezer

Ditto they were missing from my LTB and did not download properly from the CWU Site.

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 17 Dec 2011, 15:12

ldsposti wrote:Seems the ASRs are going to be busy yet another way of cutting the office rep out, Whats the piont i think we all know whatever this tool says your still going out on delivery, i give up

The ASR isn't going to be able to make decisions as conditions may vary within a quite small geographical area.
And although you might still have to go out on delivery you will be able to risk assess your own round - which means if you have an "incident" on delivery, it will be your fault.

kendo1 · Post by **kendo1** » 18 Dec 2011, 19:11

Spikeys are all very good on ice ,but the ones we got issued with last year last 1-2 days max and in the end came a hazzard.
Contrast with some brought from a outdoor shop result they have lasted years ,similar story to Ldv vans and Transit vans.

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 18 Dec 2011, 19:54

kendo1 wrote:Spikeys are all very good on ice ,but the ones we got issued with last year last 1-2 days max and in the end came a hazzard.
Contrast with some brought from a outdoor shop result they have lasted years ,similar story to Ldv vans and Transit vans.

I've read that on here but my spikeys lasted all through the snow and ice last year and are still in top condition, personally I only used them on the snow and ice and never when it was clear.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 08 Nov 2016, 19:28

bump

masterblaster · Post by **masterblaster** » 28 Feb 2018, 14:29

In and out the van every couple of minutes, are we meant drive with spikeys on, or take them on and off (cold and wet hands) 150 times a day?

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