CWU Issues Safety Warning To Royal Mail

The CWU has given Royal Mail a stark warning regarding the need to ensure full health & safety training is given to the 30,000 temporary staff that they have publicly stated they will recruit this year. Additionally, the Union has demanded that best practice in health and safety would be adopted, rather than the shoddy and risky work practices that may be the reality.

Writing direct to Royal Mail's Norman Smith Director Safety for Royal Mail Letters, Dave Joyce, the Union's National Health, Safety & Environment Officer said,

" My concern is the crucial issue health and safety legal compliance in relation to these temporary staff and I foresee widespread legal non-compliance, safety law breaches and risk taking."

Regarding training and security he stated bluntly:

"Royal Mail's announcement yesterday stated that there would be double the number of temporary staff recruited this year and they'll be employed much earlier in the autumn which potentially means double the problems for double the amount of time, health and safety wise. The announcement also said that these temporary staff would be "fully vetted" and "fully in line with all employment law". Forgive me for being so skeptical but if Royal Mail's past record is anything to go on, I cannot see that happening."

Dave went on to remind Royal Mail that:

"Co-operation between the Agencies and the employer Royal Mail on Health and Safety is essential. The same standards and same legal duties regarding Health and Safety Risk controls and compliance apply to Agency staff as they do to full time Royal Mail staff."

Rather than simply leaving it there, Dave reiterated some of the most serious and major responsibilities that Royal Mail need to address:

" It is important that Royal Mail as the employer assesses the workers’ suitability and competence at the outset of the placement. Royal Mail as the employers must also consider: -

"Royal Mail must control the risks to health and safety that arise from the work activity, and make provision for welfare for all these employees. Arrangements need to take account of such things as who does the work, what training and supervision is needed, what equipment and materials are being used, where the work is being done and so on. In particular Royal Mail must ensure that what needs to be done is done. Royal Mail must also ensure the health and safety of others who may be affected by the work.

There are legal duties imposed on those who have control of premises which are used by people at work and 'premise' includes any place where work is done. This could be out on the streets, on location or in a part of a building."

The Union is awaiting a reply from Norman Smith Director Safety for Royal Mail Letters.

You can download the full letter in pdf form here or by clicking on the pic above.

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