LTB 561/17 - Royal Mail - Panther Easyflex Trainer Style Footwear Trials

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 561/17 - Royal Mail - Panther Easyflex Trainer Style Footwear Trials
No. 561/2017

19 October 2017

Our Ref: C11/17

Royal Mail – Panther Easyflex Trainer Style Footwear Trials

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Royal Mail Assets are currently undertaking a number of trials of new footwear types as discussed with the Health, Safety and Environment Department and the Postal Department.

One of the trials involves the “Panther Easyflex” (photograph of the trainer attached) within the Delivery workforce.

The “Panther Easyflex” trainer has been available for the last 3 months to front-line walking delivery staff to trial and Royal Mail need to gauge user feedback on these shoes from members as their feedback will be key in the decision making as to whether this footwear product becomes a standard Royal Mail catalogue item in the future.

In discussions with RM Assets, I have suggested that our ASRs would be able to assist with the evaluation of trial footwear and feedback from members due to footwear being a key delivery Health, Safety and Wellbeing issue which ASRs monitor and raise issues on behalf of both individuals and groups of members who have complaints or replacement problems and hence the reason for this LTB and the communications you may receive directly from the Royal Mail National Uniform & Print Manager, Sam Dixon.

Attached is a Picture of the Panther Easyflex Trainer along with an excel spreadsheet which shows everyone who has placed an order for the Easyflex Trainers and the ASR’s name has been added to each postcode area (column D), also attached is a letter for each colleague that has a link to the Survey Monkey.

Royal Mail’s suppliers “Dimensions” have advised that as of yesterday only 78 user feedback responses to the survey for the “Panther Easyflex” trainers had been received out of 13,000 pairs that have been despatched.

Would you kindly visit each unit in your ASR constituency to distribute copies of the letter to those members involved or involve your WSRS to encourage completion of the feedback forms as it’s important we get improved, fit for purpose footwear made available to members and thereby get more members wearing officially provided, safe, healthy shoes and boots.

The closing date for the feedback is fast approaching and the Health, Safety and Environment Department has requested firstly, an extension to the feedback/survey closing date to the end

of the month in order to get a better response and secondly, the option of a paper survey response, rather than just the online option. A good feedback level will be important in making an informed decision as to whether Royal Mail goes ahead and makes the Panther Easyflex a standard catalogue item .

All your support is greatly appreciated.

CWU ASRs and Royal Mail Managers can check uniform policies and processes on the Royal Mail Assets intranet pages: https://intranet.royalmailgroup.com/Ope ... rview.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

17LTB561 Royal Mail – Panther Easyflex Trainer Style Footwear Trials http://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-utdklhl-ztiitduz-d/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Panther Easyflex Trainer http://www.cwu.org/wp-content/uploads/2 ... rainer.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Panther Easyflex Trial feedback http://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-utdklhl-ztiitduz-k/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Panther Easyflex trainer feedback letters_ http://www.cwu.org/wp-content/uploads/2 ... tters_.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fishtank]

a link to the Survey Monkey

That's no way to address an ASR.

[sabb786]

ROYAL MAIL SHOULD PROVIDE A TRIAL FOR SKECHERS OR ASICS GEL TRAINERS TO POSTIES. BCS POSTIES FEET ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND DOING THE HARD WORK.

[k979aaa]

ROYAL MAIL SHOULD PROVIDE A TRIAL FOR SKECHERS OR ASICS GEL TRAINERS TO POSTIES. BCS POSTIES FEET ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND DOING THE HARD WORK.

Not waterproof I have them nice shoes but not for work.

[Pidleypoo]

They are the worst footwear I’ve worn in 10 years at rm.
They’re not waterproof, you can’t tie the laces very tight because it will crush your big and little toe beyond belief and when you walk on a gravel drive way, it feels like every stone is jabbing in to your foot.
Horrendous footwear.

[tommythreesheds]

I think they are great footwear. You dont turn your ankle, not clumpy, and really snug.
Only complaint is that it would be nice to have a selection of insoles. Everybody feet are different, so a choice for comfortbility would be great.

[bobthepostie]

Great grip and wear rate but my god they are uncomfortable. Like walking on two planks of solid wood.

[Creditshampoo]

Karimor are the best I’ve worn

[Newbie001]

Can't be worse than Anvils. Sole and insole are worn within month. And have absolutely no grip even brand new. Serious accident waiting to happen. But forgot, it'll be our fault for not getting a new pair a month after the last pair.

[fb1969]

Am pleased someone else says that about the Anvils. There is no grip from them at all. Whoever tested them must have been in an office and walking on carpets. The soles on mine are lasting pretty well, but I cannot walk properly with them as I always feel I will slip up at any moment

[Newbie001]

Am pleased someone else says that about the Anvils. There is no grip from them at all. Whoever tested them must have been in an office and walking on carpets. The soles on mine are lasting pretty well, but I cannot walk properly with them as I always feel I will slip up at any moment

We do a lot of stairs in our area. Maybe the reason why sole wears down so quick. But if you've got Anvil's, be very careful walking on metal disabled access ramps or quarry tiles floors especially when wet. Have been flat on my front/back a few times.

[fb1969]

The slightest bit of damp on tarmac or concrete and they are borderline lethal.

[Smir]

some posties got these in my DO, annoying never got to have a pair, as asked several times...