'A Frame Roll Containers' Revised SSOW User Guide

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10 December 2012

LTB 915/12 - Royal Mail 'A Frame Roll Containers' (Formerly Delivery Office Roll Containers DORCs) - Revised Safe System of Work, User Guide and Join


No. 915/12
Ref C16
Date: 10 December 2012


To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Royal Mail 'A Frame Roll Containers' (Formerly Delivery Office Roll Containers DORCs) - Revised Safe System of Work, User Guide and Joint Statement:
This LTB updates LTB 799/12 and replaces the documents attached to it with revised versions of the Safe System of Work, User Guide and Joint Statement.



See attached A-Frame Roll Container:- (visit CWU site too download LTB with attachments)

- SSoW Version 6/11
- User Guide Version 3
- Joint Statement Version 2
- Transportation SSoW Version 1

Due to the somewhat conflicting nature of the previous versions of the above documents and the high risk of misuse on these containers it was necessary for
urgent discussions to take place with Royal Mail in order to negotiate revised guidance, safe system of work and the Royal Mail/CWU Joint Statement. The Health,
Safety and Environment Department and Postal Department are satisfied with the outcome of these discussions and the final agreed documents are attached for the urgent attention of Branches and Area Representatives.

The remainder of the 30,000 A-Frame Roll Containers are now being transported from storage to DO's, MC's, RDC's and WBC's.

A-Frame Roll Containers are being introduced nationally following trials in the NE and NW. The Containers were modified following input from ASRs from the trial

Regions. With the said modifications and changes the Units were delivered from the Manufacturers to Royal Mail Stores such as Swindon and are now being
deployed across the country. Royal Mail is obviously eager to deliver and use them ahead during the Christmas pressure period.

Under a review of York Container use, Royal Mail have been looking for some time at options for freeing up large numbers of operational Yorks currently being
used for Storage in DO’s, with a specific Storage Container based on an Industry Standard Roll Container.

A-Frame Roll Containers were successfully trialled over the last two winter/Xmas pressure periods in the North East and North West Regions for storage and Royal

Mail decided to purchase units to use the concept nationally both during normal and pressure periods to 'free up' thousands of Yorks which are in increasing demand.

The National Container Team purchased 30,000 A-Frame Roll Containers.

Yorks currently used for storage should be exchanged for A-Frame Roll Containers and put into operational use.
Empty Yorks exchanged for A-Frame Roll Containers should be repatriated back to Mail Centres so removing storage Yorks from sites. Royal Mail are keen to free up the maximum number Yorks and get them back into the network system as we reach the Christmas peak period so as to maximise York availability and use them for the purpose they were intended, Transportation of Mail through the operation and thereby avoid running short this Christmas.

The purpose of the A-frame Roll Container is a "STORAGE CONTAINER" - as clearly set out in the Joint Statement, User Guide and SSoW.
· Movement of these containers within an office must be avoided as A-frame Roll Containers are intended to be a storage unit and not an operational container like a York or Mini-York.

A-frame Roll Containers are NOT for network use
They must NOT be used for mail - except for static storage of mail to release Yorks
They must NOT be used for transporting items by road or rail.
The new DORC containers are only to be used in the Office Environment
They Cannot be used for Transporting mail items to and from the Office to Vehicles in the Yard or on the Loading Bank.
They Cannot be used for Movement outside Office
They Cannot be used for Movement on uneven grounds/floor.

If containers are to be used in an office this should be risk assessed at a local level in the normal way with involvement with the local ASR. We have agreed that we would not want to see heavy movement of the Units within an office. Recognising that different offices will have different space restrictions, again local risk assessment and evaluation should take place with the ASR fully involved.

The A-Frame Roll Containers are a basic lower cost solution to the on-site storage needs during the Xmas and other periods to enable Royal Mail York containers to be freed up for the Network and used for the purpose they were intended, Transportation of Mail through the operation.

The A-Frame Roll Containers are fitted with 2 front independent foot operated castor brakes, a shelf and a full door.


The use of A-Frame Roll Containers will be reviewed at 6 months and 12 months. Feedback from ASRs will be welcome.
Any A-Frame Roll Containers found with faults or hazardous sharp and rough edges should be taken out of service and reported in order to arrange for repairs or replacement as per the User guide and SSoW.

Yours Sincerely


Dave Joyce
CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer