CWU negotiates better Christmas mail handling

CWU communication workers’ union action in Royal Mail will help ensure that Christmas does not turn into a safety hazard for postal workers.

The union has carried out extensive negotiations with Royal Mail on manual handling to ensure that postal workers are not injured when processing the increased volume of packages and letters during December.

After CWU branches and safety reps complained in previous years about the loose loading of mail instead of using containers, Royal Mail has told the union that this practice would only take place in “exceptional circumstances.”

Under the agreement, local CWU reps have to be consulted and the despatching unit has to inform the receiving unit in advance so that they can provide any additional staff resources and safe working arrangements.

The loose loading risk assessment states that mail bags should average 7kg, with a maximum gross weight of 11kg. The lifting frequency is up to seven bags per minute over a 30-minute period, followed by a rest. Priority services bags can exceed 11kgs but they have to be clearly labelled with the weight so that special consideration can be given to lifting them safely.