LTB 078/20 Royal Mail/CWU Road Safety Campaign Week – “Tyre Safety” – plus downloadable links
No. 078/2020
14 February 2020
Our Ref: V4/20
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Royal Mail/CWU Road Safety Campaign Week – “Tyre Safety” – Monday 24 February to Friday 28 February 2020:
Introduction
Royal Mail Group has announced the first Road Safety Campaign of 2020, which will be about raising awareness of the importance, to all drivers, of correct tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective and illegal tyres whilst driving Royal Mail vehicles. The campaign will concentrate on key messages to drivers and managers with the emphasis on how important it is for drivers to ensure that vehicles are safe to drive by checking the tyres before commencing their driving work duties.
Background
While it might sound like an elementary campaign title, first-hand evidence underlines the fact that there is still a need for basic education of a significant proportion of drivers. There may be a minority who choose to ignore road safety messages but there’s good reason to believe a far larger number would act on the advice, if they were made aware of it. This February’s Tyre Safety campaign covers routine tyre safety checks and maintenance: air pressure; condition; and tread depth. The campaign seeks to encourage drivers to check their tyres before commencing their driving duty as part of their pre-use checks and we want ASRs to help get the message out – ‘Don’t Ignore Your Tyres – Check Them’:
Things To Check:
Air pressure: Is at the recommended setting.Condition: Lumps or bulges, cuts and cracks may mean the tyre may need replacing.Tread depth: Should be checked to ensure it is above the minimum limit.
Some Tyre Facts:
40% of fatal or serious RTCs are caused by defective tyres.In the last 9 months, Royal Mail breakdown providers removed over 1,700 illegal tyres from Royal Mail and Parcelforce vehicles.That doesn’t include illegal tyres removed by RMG Fleet Workshops.The legal limit for tyre tread is 1.6mm, or 1.0mm for 3.5t and above. Royal Mail’s policy is to change tyres at 2mm.The maximum penalty for a driver caught driving with illegal tyres is a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre.In wet conditions, tyres with only 1mm of tread can take 23% further to stop, than with 2mm at 50mph.Driving with under or over-inflated tyres can ‘dangerously’ affect the braking distance and steering of the vehicle.
CWU ASR Activity Guide & Checklist (Attached):
By following the daily activity guide and checklist, carrying out Safety Inspections at selected Offices, and speaking to our drivers/members during w/c 24th February ASRs can play a key role in helping to raise the profile of ‘Tyre Safety’ during Road Safety Week for our members’ benefit by helping keep Royal Mail and Parcelforce drivers safe.
During the week, which is fully supported by the CWU/HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department, CWU ASRs will be fully involved and consulted in this Road Safety Week Campaign. CWU/ASR full support and participation is much appreciated by Royal Mail, Parcelforce Worldwide, RMSS, RMP&FS and CWU HQ.
Benefits of the Campaign:
Improved compliance with RMG Policy and Road Traffic Law.Increase awareness amongst drivers and managers.Reduction in Road Traffic Collisions.
ASRs Should Agree With Operational Managers, Which Units Will Be Inspected And Jointly Supported During The Road Safety/Tyre Safety Campaign, And:
Assist the Front-Line Manager in delivering the WTLL.Carry out additional safety inspection and spot check activities to increase awareness.Start carrying out tyre checks on all vehicles ahead of Road Safety Week.Remind drivers to carry out their safety checks before they set out on their journeys.
Engage CWU/Member Drivers:
Use the Road Safety Campaign materials (attached) to talk to drivers about the importance of tyre safety and carrying out vehicle pre-use safety checks.Check that drivers have received the WTLL briefing on tyre safety (attached).Check drivers have seen the poster and leaflets (attached).Ask Drivers – Do they follow Royal Mail policy on vehicle safety checks – including tyre checks?Remind drivers of the Fleet Customer Helpline number: 0345 266 0005 and to select option 4 for tyres. Royal Mail Group’s tyre provider, NFS will then either direct drivers to their local workshop or NFS site.
Engage Front Line Managers And Ask them:
What activities have they completed for the Tyre Safety campaign?Have they made all drivers aware of the actions they need to take?
Attachments:
ASR ‘Tyre Safety’ Activity Guide & ChecklistRoad Safety Week/Tyre Safety Campaign PlanTyre Safety Campaign Power Point SlideTyre Safety WTLL For Road Safety Week(draft)Tyre Safety LeafletTyre Safety Poster
Thanks for your support and assistance.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
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