LTB 310/22 – Re: Severe Heat – Met Office Red Weather Warning For 18 and 19 July 2022 – Royal Mail Group Message To All Managers/PiCs from Ricky McAulay RM Operations Development Director and Phil Graham RMG Interim Safety Director:
No: 310/22
18th July 2022
Dear Colleagues,
Re: Severe Heat – Met Office Red Weather Warning For 18 and 19 July 2022 – Royal Mail Group Message To All Managers/PiCs from Ricky McAulay RM Operations Development Director and Phil Graham RMG Interim Safety Director:
This LTB reiterates the e-mail sent directly to all CWU ASRs yesterday morning, Sunday 16 July 2022.
I would firstly refer all Branches to the contents of LTBs 308/22, 306/22, 305/22 226/22 and 213/22.
Consultation discussions have been taking place with Royal Mail Group on Friday, Saturday and Sunday regarding the current heat wave red warning issued by the UK Met Office and the implications for the Royal Mail Group workforce as a whole, both indoor and outdoor but for the outdoor workforce in particular who will be most affected.
A communication was issued yesterday by Royal Mail Group Directors on the imminent Met Office “Red Weather Warning” and the need for the implementation of the ‘Severe Weather Risk Assessment’ (SWRA) process in all Offices on a daily basis.
A copy of the Royal Mail Group communication is attached for your urgent and priority attention. (Note: Parcelforce Worldwide and Royal Mail Property and Facilities Solutions have issued their own badged versions of the communication).
The communication sets out the businesses’ approach to dealing with the Red Warning heat wave situation and gives a clear national steer to managers /PiCs with full CWU ASR/WSR involvement locally.
When temperatures reach the Met Office ‘Red level Warning’ temperature limit of 35C or 95F, all outdoor work will stop at that point and everyone must be back at the Office.
When ‘Amber level Warnings’ are in place, a SWRA local risk assessment is to be carried out and decisions on delivery and collection adjustments as necessary decided upon locally.
As an example, a lot of Delivery Offices will be going out 2 hours earlier and finishing at mid-day. Other examples of possible adjustments are; reducing weight, reducing delivery spans and cutting off, reducing/limiting walking distances, using vans with mico-loops, shortening delivery walks/rounds etc, etc – to be decided on locally in consultation with CWU Reps through the SWRA process.
Some areas are affected by the Red Warning more than others and the Red Warning does not apply to many parts of the UK. The Manager/PiC needs to check the Met Office Website which indicates the geographic area where the Red Warning is in place. The Website also gives hourly temperature forecasts and up to date information on any changing warnings levels and affected areas. An hour by hour forecast is given and temperatures get worse as the day goes on, in later afternoon in most cases.
Personal Judgement and if Unwell due to the Heat, Return To The Office
The communication instructs Managers to make sure they work with their staff and CWU Safety Reps in periods of high temperatures and to allow staff to make personal judgements throughout the day and return to the office if at any time they feel unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.
“Severe Weather Risk Assessment” (SWRA)
The SWRA is to be completed daily with ASR/WSR involvement. Managers must carry out a Severe Weather Risk Assessment (SWRA) in consultation with the CWU ASR/WSR to assess the controls required for the conditions the workforce are experiencing that day and where the heat, temperature and the periods of sun exposure have increased
significantly as at present, take appropriate action to mitigate any risks.
Vulnerable Workers and Pregnant Workers
Vulnerable workers with underlying health issues and pregnant workers are to be individually risk assessed to ensure their health and wellbeing is protected.
“Stay Safe in the Sun”
For outdoor delivery and collection workers/CWU members, it is vitally important to remember that working outdoors in hot sunny weather poses health risks such as sunlight/UV ray exposure, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Managers have been reminded to convey the key “Stay Safe in the Sun” messages and guidance to the workforce.
CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation
Full CWU ASR/WSR involvement and consultation is part of the SWRA process. The Manager must consult the CWU ASR/WSR on the assessment and controls as set out in the assessment process and take account of the ASR/WSR input. The red weather warning communication re-emphasises the CWU ASR/WSR involvement.
ASR/WSR ACTION:
- Ensure all Units carry out daily Severe Weather Risk Assessments during the heatwave in consultation with the ASR/WSR and that appropriate fit for purpose risk control actions are taken.
- Any non-compliance by Unit managers should be progressed by the ASR via the nationally agreed Health and Safety Disputes/Escalations process as set out in RMG SHE Standard 5.1.
- Convey the ‘Sun Safety’ messages to members repeatedly as follows; – Cover Up/Keep the dangerous sun rays off your skin. Use Sunscreen/sunblock on any exposed skin and avoid sunburn which can lead to skin cancer. Take extra breaks in the shade. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Sunburn and Dehydration are dangerous. Outdoor staff to make personal judgements throughout the day and return to the office if at any time they feel
unwell due to the heat and intense sunlight.
- Ensure that all vulnerable workers with underlying health issues and pregnant workers are individually risk assessed to ensure their health and wellbeing is protected whilst working in the current weather.
Attachments:
- Message from Ricky McAulay and Phil Graham – red weather warning 16.07.22
- RMG SHE Huddle FY22 022 ‘Sun Safety
Regards and Best Wishes.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
LTB 310-22 – Severe Heat Met Office Red Weather Warning For 18 and 19 July 2022
Message from Ricky McAulay and Phil Graham – red weather warning 16 July.._