LTB 190/25 - Terms of Reference for the Trial and Deployment of AGV’s
- Angela Wright CWU Branch Communications Officer
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
No. 190/25
For the Immediate Attention of All:
Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives
Area Processing Representatives
Area Health & Safety Representatives
Dear Colleagues,
Terms of Reference for the Trial and Deployment of AGV’s
The department has been in discussions with the business concerning the building and deployment of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV’s) within the Midlands Super Hub (MSH) to aid with the X-Dock operation.
It was recognised through discussions that specific operational challenges at the MSH necessitated an innovative solution to resolve the X-Docking situation which currently utilises hundreds of agency workers to pass York containers up and down the hall. The AGV is considered the optimum solution due to the size and layout of the operation, though previous AGV trials and deployments involving precured AGV’s have had mixed results. The business has designed and manufactured the AGV covered with the TOR in-house at a manufacturing site in what was previously Gloucester Mail Centre, with a design specification that aligns to the specific requirements of the operation.
The trial will be conducted in a live operational environment, within a specified testing area to enable effective evaluation and assessment on a sustained basis. Operator Involvement is essential, and feedback is sought jointly in respect of ergonomics, the performance characteristics, and interaction with the AGV system throughout the trial.
The business has confirmed the introduction of AGV’s will not impact employee earnings or permanently amend SAs, duties, or times of attendance (outside of any BAU realignment activity). Where a need for flexibility of attendance times or duty content is identified during the trail phase, this will be achieved on a voluntary basis in the first instance.
The aim of this trail is to determine if the AGVs can safely and reliably move a York through the X-Dock area, ensuring the Yorks are X-Docked to the correct vehicles.
To gather robust data on ergonomics of the roles interfacing with the AGV system to ensure the on-going Health & Safety of the operators.
To evaluate how the AGVs can best be used to enhance the operation.
To start the trial in the X-Dock area and then expand across all shifts through discussions, once the AGV system has met the prescribed standards.
Any employees & WPCs, and Engineers who take part in the trial will be fully trained on the operation and skills required, they will be expected to operate the equipment within the standard operating procedures and Safe Systems of Work which will be reviewed jointly as more is learned about the system in a practical operation. Any resourcing decisions can be taken in the normal way via local discussion at joint weekly resourcing meetings, recognising the need for flexibility to support the trial learning.
Health and Safety is of paramount importance. Therefore, all responsibilities under relevant Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, will be followed and it is confirmed all relevant safety compliance documentation in relation to this activity will be fully developed by RM in consultation with the CWU Health and Safety SMEs.
To comply with the commitments above, for all RM Manufactured AGV trials and deployment:
There will be Go / No Go Gateways at each stage.
All the required Safe Systems of Work and Standard Operating Procedures will be in place prior to full deployment.3.
Each AGV will be tested and commissioned against a set test criterion before being released to the Midlands Hub.
Each AGV will be UKCA marked and compliant with ISO standard BS EN ISO 3691-4:2023.
There will be designated safe walkways and fire exit routes for people to follow and there will be safe crossing solutions in place where there is a need to cross the AGV lanes. All solutions will have full safety sign-off.
Each AGV will have a safety scanner fitted on the front and rear which will be active at all times. These scanners have a warning field and a safety field. If the scanners detect an obstacle or a person in the warning field, the AGV will slow down to a minimum speed until the safety field is triggered and at this point the AGV will stop. The obstacle will need to be removed before the AGV can resume its journey.
All AGVs will have two Emergency Stop Push buttons that are easily identified and located in a prominent position.
AGV’s will be programmed to stop should the fire alarm be activated. This is a function of the Fleet Manager.
The maximum speed the AGV can achieve is 3.2 metres/second.
There will be banks of chargers placed at pertinent points around the processing unit. The chargers will be wireless chargers, a very safe charging solution.
When not required, the AGV’s will either be on charge or parked up in a designated safe zone.
These systems and procedures will be reviewed and updated as necessary during the trial and be classified as fit for purpose once they have been evaluated by the appropriate Royal Mail and CWU safety experts.
We are still in discussions on an outstanding issue concerning the SSOW regarding the movement of York’s. The current process states that Yorks must be pushed, not pulled, however as part of this activity the Yorks will be stored in rows between metal barriers, which will mean an individual having to pull a York to move it onto the vehicle. We are aware the business are currently reviewing and trialing an automated system which hopefully should resolve this outstanding issue.
The business has indicated should the deployment be successful they would like to review if these could be deployed in other locations. We have not agreed with this position and have insisted that the attached TOR relates only to the Midland Hub trial. We have agreed we are open to a discussion on any future deployment of the AGV’s; however, we have reiterated our position concerning any future proposals in that it should not be used just to reduce headcount on site.
The trial should have no impact on current employees, with regard to headcount. There however may be duty impacts as the deployment will reduce or remove LLOP duties currently used to convey Yorks, therefore, some redeployment activity within the site may be required.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Katrina Quirke, Acting Assistant Secretary, email: jrodrigues@cwu.org quoting reference LTB 190/25.
Yours sincerely,
Katrina Quirke
Acting Assistant Secretary
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