Royal Mail "is ignoring health and safety"

A highly critical report on Royal Mail delivery work shows that health and safety concerns are being ignored if they impede productivity, according to the CWU communication workers’ union.

A Health and Safety Executive report on inspectors’ visits in 2004-05 highlighted poor risk assessments, poor workplace transport management, poor housekeeping in sorting offices and poor cycling training.

“What’s clear is that local Royal Mail managers lack knowledge, commitment and resources and as a result are undermining safe systems of work and have failed to put safety policies into practice,” said CWU head of safety Dave Joyce.