LTB 1088/10 Royal Mail Severe Weather Decision Tool

[brothermagrew]

LTB No. 1088/10 Ref E4/10 Date: 7 December 2010

To: All Branches with Postal Members

Dear Colleagues

RE: Royal Mail - Severe Weather Decision Tool:

The Health, Safety & Environment Department Dept has received a number of enquiries regarding the above.

Former CWU ASR Mick Barnes, a Safety Manager in the NW Safety Team has developed a computer based 'Severe Weather Decision Tool' which was brought to the attention of the CWU/HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department. A meeting took place with Mick Barnes at which we received a demonstration of the Tool. This was subsequently discussed with Mark Gordon Royal Mail National Safety Director.

The Tool at this stage hasn't received national approval and isn't supported by Royal Mail IT and the Intranet System but the Tool is currently undergoing further development work with the aim of possible introduction and use next year. Royal Mail are looking at various improvements, simplifications and making the Tool less cumbersome and quicker to use.

The Tool will be fully evaluated and be part of a joint review of Severe Weather Safety arrangements at the end of March with the view of integrating a jointly agreed version into "WRAP" (Walk Risk Assessment Tool).

In the meantime a modified "Microsoft Excel" based version of the 'prototype Severe Weather Decision Tool has been made available to all Regions but isn't 'mandatory' and a number of Regions are using it to assist during the present adverse weather.

The simplified 'Severe Weather Tool' which ASRs may come into contact with determines a weather 'severity rating' based on information given against a matrix of question and from there an "Action Category" rating of 1 to 4 is given, opening up a new page with advice and a list of actions to be taken.

The tool stipulates that the CWU Safety Rep will be fully involved in carrying out a Severe Weather Risk Assessment in the decision making process within the Tool.

It's fair to say that the 'Severe Weather Decision Tool looks promising and has potential worth exploring further and full credit to Mick Barnes. However there are some changes we would require before the Tool is nationally adopted and rolled out with CWU support. These issues will be picked up in the Joint Review.

A copy of a simplified Regional version of the Microsoft Excel based 'Severe Weather Tool' is attached for the attention and information of Area Safety Reps who may find the information helpful, bearing in mind a number of Regions are using it in slightly different versions.

Yours Sincerely


Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Severe Weather Tool.xls

[stokes11eg]

Waffle, with all the clarity of mud. and not until March! There should always be clear long standing emrgency plans which can be put into operation at the drop of a hat!