via Pete Firmin

Communication Workers Union
Friday 27th July, 2007

LTB 689/07 - Work Related Road Safety during the Royal Mail Dispute

27 July 2007
Issuing officer (s) : Dave Joyce
No. 689/07
Ref 60000
Date: 27 July 2007
To: All Postal Branches

Dear Colleagues

Work Related Road Safety during the Royal Mail Dispute

Further to a considerable number of enquiries received by various departments at CWU/HQ, Branches will be aware from various press reports of the tragic circumstances of a serious Road Traffic Accident that led to the death of a van driver following a collision with a Royal Mail articulated lorry being driven at the time by a Royal Mail manager.

We are informed that the accident occurred on the busy A379 at Matford near Exeter when the vehicles collided, and the articulated Royal Mail truck pushed an Astra van into the central reservation of a dual carriageway. The road was shut for 10 hours following the incident. The 56-year-old Van driver, from Exeter, Devon, was killed and his injured passenger had to be cut free from the wreckage.

We understand that the Manager involved has been charged with causing death by careless driving and further to that we are currently conducting investigations and will be in contact with the Police and Health and Safety Executive in relation to whether an investigation is appropriate in relation to charges being brought against Royal Mail for Health and Safety at Work Act and Corporate Manslaughter offences.

This is an appalling tragedy and the Union sends its condolences to all those involved.

Further to this tragic accident, we are receiving various reports of local management performing various unsafe and illegal functions during the current industrial action, these include working excessive hours, driving vehicles in excess of RTD Regulations, driving vehicles without using tacho’s, general breaches of Royal Mail Health & Safety Rules or statutory requirements that could put either our members or the public at risk.

In order for the Union to raise these issues with Royal Mail and/or AMICUS/CMA or the law enforcing authorities as appropriate, it would assist if you could consult with your local Area Representatives to establish what, if any infringements have been taking place and then compile a brief report of your findings which should be sent to the Health, Safety & Environment Department.

We appreciate you are all extremely busy at the moment but your earliest attention to this matter would be appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer