Low-level post box fight
A campaign to outlaw back-aching, low-level letter boxes by the CWU communication workers’ union has been relaunched
The issue gained nationwide publicity last month when Labour MP for Chelmsford, Vicky Ford, introduced her Low-level Letter Boxes (Prohibition) Bill 2017-19.
The union is calling on housing minister Kit Malthouse to amend the Building Regulations to make European standard EN 13724, which specifies the height at which letter boxes should be installed, compulsory for all new homes, refurbishments and new doors. The standard sets the midpoint of the mail slot at between 700mm and 1700mm from the ground for ergonomic and safety reasons.
CWU national health and safety officer Dave Joyce explained that low-level letterboxes cause “backaches, neck-aches, joint problems, finger traps and dog bites”.
Relaunching the campaign earlier this month, the union said it first raised the issue back in 1958 when the British Standards Agency recommended a proper height for letter boxes, but the recommendation was never enshrined in law.
“With up to one million new homes planned to be built by 2020, we need these regulations changed now,” said Joyce.
The CWU recently notched up a campaign victory when builders Keepmoat Homes agreed to end the use of low-level letterboxes at its sites. The pledge came after the union alerted the firm, local MPs and councillors to such letterboxes being fitted at a site in Stoke-on-Trent.
https://www.cwu.org/news/keepmoat-victory-in-letterbox-campaign