LTB 053/24 – Removal of Paper Towels From Royal Mail Group Operational Units Toilets/Washrooms & Replacement Hand Dryer Installation Programme by RMP&FS
No. 053/2024
5 February 2024
Our Ref: C1/24
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Removal of Paper Towels From Royal Mail Group Operational Units Toilets/Washrooms & Replacement Hand Dryer Installation Programme by RMP&FS
Following a growing number of complaints from across the country by ASRs and WSRs, the above issue was raised and discussed in detail with the Director RMP&FS and RMP&FS Property Risk and Assurance Lead.
There is a welcome initiative to support the Royal Mail Group’s plan to reduce its business environmental impact by removing unnecessary waste to landfill, which includes the phased removal of paper hand towels.
RMP&FS have a commenced removing paper hand towels where there are hand driers available. In addition, there is a national programme of engineering works which involves replacing old hand driers with new modern more energy efficient, low noise hand dryers. To date, 280 of RMG’s 2,600 sites have had new hand drying machines installed in toilets/washrooms.
Within self-messing areas, where hand washing facilities are not present but there is a requirement to wash and dry crockery and cutlery, Unit PiCs (Persons in Charge) have been informed that they can order and have installed efficient centre feed ‘blue’ paper towel roll dispensers which can be ordered via the ‘Ariba’ ordering system.
It has been agreed that going forward, the consultation by RMP&FS Cleaning Managers with site to remove the hand towels and consideration to the number and location of hand dryers and any additional need for the site including centre feed ‘blue’ paper towel roll dispensers in self-messing facilities where appropriate will be given. Where existing hand driers are in place, but the function is below acceptable standards, a request for replacement will be submitted to update with more efficient, hygienic, low noise type models before removing the paper hand towels.
For hygiene reasons, crockery, cutlery, and food preparation work surfaces should be cleaned and dried with the disposable centre-pull, blue paper roll towels. Shared fabric tea towels or J-Cloths are not to be used in self-messing facilities as they can harbour bacteria such as E-Coli and Salmonella, viruses and fungal spores which are a source of cross-contamination and infection risks.
Centrefeed Dispensers:
If a Centrefeed dispenser is required, this will need to be ordered via an ‘NPI Service Now’ request as there will be an installation charge that the Unit will need to request. The exception to the rule is Northern Ireland, N.I. sites need to complete the attached ‘Requisition Form’ and send it to asset.fulfilment@royalmail.com – This is due to Bunzl N.I. having a separate catalogue that only delivers in N.I. Only a limited number of people have access to this due to sites ordering from it for delivery to mainland UK!
Centrefeed refill blue paper rolls are on the Authorised Items list and all Unit PiCs will be familiar with ordering them and re-ordering re-fill rolls, listed as follows:
| Standard Centrefeed Blue Roll 150M 2 Ply (6 Rolls) | 066623 | Bunzl |
Local consultation and engagement with CWU ASRs/WSRs will take place on Local Joint Health and Safety Committee meeting agendas. Any problems can be raised via the RMP&FS Help Desk of with the RMP&FS Cleaning Manager via the Unit PiC.
All enquiries should be directed to the CWU/HQ Health, Safety and Environment Department. Any disagreements should be processed via the RMG/CWU Health and Safety Disputes/Escalations staged process.
Attachments:
- Rexel Automatic High Volume Fast Drying Hand Dryer Information Sheet
- “Osily” Heavy Duty High Speed Hand Dryer Information Sheets x 2
- Centrefeed Dispenser and Paper Refill Rolls (Example) image
- Royal Mail Assets Requisition Request Form
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
20240109 Rexel Hand Drier Datasheet 2500964762
20240109 Osil OSHDCSSM_Datasheet
20240109 Osily OSHDCSS_Datasheet