Posting in the dark.

[ViperF]

Can anyone tell me if there has been an official communication by management or the union regarding posting in the dark. Last year management said I had to post in the dark. I said it shouldn’t be happening because it was a health and safety issue. The union rep also said i shouldn’t have been posting mail in dark.

Today I have been told I’m starting at 1pm and finishing at 7pm, when i said am I doing just parcels, the manager said no mail also, and that he had notified both the rep and H&S officer and they ok’d it.

What is the official stance on this?

[2yearpostie]

best thing, trip over on your first day doing it 'sprain' your ankle and have a week off ( if your clear of stages)

[twoloops]

Just up your carrot intake & you’ll be fine

[ViperF]

Not want to go down that route. I need to know the official stance on this by the Union and RM

[SpacePhoenix]

Realistically isn't it either this or van share?

[2yearpostie]

Realistically isn't it either this or van share?

or follow in your own car

[SpacePhoenix]

Realistically isn't it either this or van share?

or follow in your own car

which you need business use for on your insurance and in some places there'd be nowhere to park your car (I doubt parking exemptions that apply to RM vans would apply to private cars being used for deliveries)

[2yearpostie]

Realistically isn't it either this or van share?

or follow in your own car

which you need business use for on your insurance and in some places there'd be nowhere to park your car (I doubt parking exemptions that apply to RM vans would apply to private cars being used for deliveries)

Which RM provide 3rd party insurance for if you fill a form in and give to your DOM.

[ViperF]

Must be managers replying, no help whatsoever.

[SpacePhoenix]

Realistically isn't it either this or van share?

or follow in your own car

which you need business use for on your insurance and in some places there'd be nowhere to park your car (I doubt parking exemptions that apply to RM vans would apply to private cars being used for deliveries)

Which RM provide 3rd party insurance for if you fill a form in and give to your DOM.

Would that be worth the paper it's printed on?

[aiden01]

Must be managers replying, no help whatsoever.

Why are you accusing people of being managers just because like you they dont know either..what has your rep and your health an safety rep told you have you even bothered to ask them.??

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Must be managers replying, no help whatsoever.

Because you don't accept their position. Even if it was managers replying so what they are allowed opinions, and they are allowed to post on here,

However, to answer you question. There is no impediment to delivering in the dark as long as risk assessments are made and steps taken to mitigate the risk.

It's going to be dark, you have headlights on the vehicle for the driving part so no problem there.

On the actual delivery part, Royal Mail should provide a torch is you ask them, and if they fail to do so and your assessment is that an address is too dark (not enough street lighting, shadowed entrance for instance) then you can refuse to deliver as no safe access.

But no there has been no official notification, nor is there likely to be. The processes outlined above are the same as when we used to deliver in the dark at the opposite end of the day.

In essence ask for the torch to reduce the risk, and don't go where you think its unsafe.

[ViperF]

I don’t think a torch suffices.

Your more likely to get attacked in the dark.
Your out in the dark on your own. What if your attacked and your lay somewhere where no one can see you?
You can’t see hazards properly in the dark.
How do I hold bundles of 3days more mail in one hand a pda, torch and push a trolley with? All safely.

One of the reasons we don’t post mail before 7am is because it’s too dark.

I will be using section 44 of the employment act, which I am entitled to do without, harassment or fear of dismissal.