RM Xmas Op 2012 - Temp Dedicated PSCs Outhouses - H&S

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Letter to Branches




No. 881 /12
Ref C25
Date: 27 November 2012

To: All Branches,


Dear Colleagues,

ROYAL MAIL CHRISTMAS OPERATION 2012 - TEMPORARY DEDICATED PACKET SORT CENTRE (PSCs) OUTHOUSES - HEALTH AND SAFETY:

As you will know from the announcement on 5 November, for the second year running, Royal Mail is opening a dedicated nationwide packet sort centre outhouse network of eight temporary 'outhoused' packet hubs to sort a significant proportion of the packets Royal Mail handles before distribution around the UK and delivery. The packet hubs are located in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Swansea, Bolton, Tamworth, Peterborough, Swindon, and Greenford. The network of eight temporary 'outhoused' packet sort centres is being set up to handle packets, separating a significant proportion of the packets from the normal sorting network of Mail Centres and Regional Distribution Centres, enabling Royal Mail to handle the increased volumes of packets as a result of the continued growth of online shopping as effectively as possible, providing Royal Mail with increased capacity and flexibility in the event of any severe weather conditions that impacted all essential services in the lead up to Christmas 2010 and reduce the potential for congestion in Mail Centres and Regional Distribution Centres that sort cards and letters at the busiest times and during any severe weather conditions.
 
Discussions have taken place with Royal Mail in relation to Health and Safety at the Xmas Packet Sort Centre Outhouses and I attach a Joint Statement agreed with Royal Mail which ensures the access and involvement of CWU ASRs in order to undertake Safety Inspections and to be fully involved working with operational management and the Regional Safety Teams to deal with any Health, Safety, Welfare and working environment issues.
 
I also attach several documents shared with us by the Royal Mail Safety Director which have gone out to all Royal Mail Regions and which they have been asked to complete when introducing additional outhouses or temporary structures to support their Christmas operation. These are:-
 
(1) Safety Assessment and Concurrence (SAC1) Project/Programme/Product Form
(2) Temporary Accommodation Health & Safety Checklist General
(3) Temporary Accommodation Health & Safety Checklist Marquees on existing sites
(4) Guidance Note For Persons In Control (PIC) Where Temporary Heating is Provided
 
Completion of the SAC 1 in particular may lead to the requirement to review a number of risk assessments in light of changes being introduced, for example:-
 
-Yard - Primarily to ensure continued effective vehicle & pedestrian segregation on site
-Workplace - To identify and record any other significant risk issue inside the building
-First Aid - Some of these sites can be remote and require first aid provision to be made
-PPE - Potentially a number of risks at the site in terms of vehicle/pedestrian segregation and with adjacent properties who shared the yard
-Work equipment - Normal work equipment may not suit some premises/environments
-Fire risk assessment inc Fire evacuation plans – essential
 
Royal Mail will also be ensuring the following points have been considered;-.
 
-Site induction training - Everyone will be new to the premises
-Statutory notices in place - See the new H & S notice board standard
-Accident reporting procedure - Arrangement in place to allow reporting of accidents and near misses
-Heating - FM directive followed for temporary heaters
-Housekeeping standards - To minimise the risk of slip & trip accidents
-Manual handling training - For all the temporary staff
 
The agreed Royal Mail/CWU Joint Statement provides a strong commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, safe work methods and safe equipment at the temporary outhouse packet centres for all staff, and to providing the information, training, supervision and equipment needed to achieve this.
 
Royal Mail operational management supported by the Regional Safety Teams will take responsibility for health and safety procedures, working with CWU Area Safety Representatives.
 
The Joint Statement covers:- staff safety training & information inc Site induction training, Statutory H&S notices in place, Manual handling training, new/temp employees and visitors, safe systems of work, environmental controls, Adequate heating and lighting safe place of work, risk assessment, housekeeping, safe machines, plant and equipment, fault reporting, noise and dust control, fire safety and evacuation plan, first aid, ensuring all accidents and near misses are reported and investigated, emergency procedures, joint workplace safety inspections and monitoring. Site access and involvement of CWU safety representatives, workplace transport and yard risk controls, continued effective vehicle & pedestrian segregation on site, PPE, emergency procedures and workplace monitoring.
 
I trust this improved set of clear arrangements will help overcome problems experienced in the past with Xmas 'Outhouses', ensuring better H&S standards and joint working and problem solving.
 
Yours Sincerely


Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer