A Conservative MP has called for low-level letterboxes to be banned to improve the health and safety of postal workers.
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford introduced a new bill, which if becomes law would amend existing building regulations to require letter boxes in new buildings to be positioned above a certain height.
Speaking on a day when Brexit and the prospect of a no-confidence vote in the Government dominated the headlines, Ms Ford said her Low-Level Letter Boxes (Prohibition) Bill would “stop developers from building swathes of homes each with a letterbox placed near the ground”.
“I asked our postal workers what I could do for them, and they asked me to help with the issue of low-level letterboxes, particularly because of the strain this puts on deliverers’ backs,” she told the House of Commons.
“Back injury is the primary cause of sickness in Royal Mail. Royal Mail has introduced better trolleys, and training schemes to improve how staff lift, but despite this, last year it recorded over 16,800 back-related absence spells.
“The act of having to bend or stoop to deliver mail to low letterboxes is a significant factor, and it cannot be overlooked. The occasional low-level letterbox is not a big issue, but where developers fit row after row of front doors with ankle-high letterboxes, deliverers face repetitive stress,” said Ms Ford.
The Conservative MP added that low letterboxes are also associated with an increased likelihood of injury from dogs or cats.
“Each week across the UK there are, on average, 44 dog attacks on postal workers, and every year there are 50 attacks from cats.
Low-level letterboxes are much more difficult for deliverers to see, resulting in more hand injuries and more damage to mail, especially packages. Post that has been delivered into a low-level letterbox is also easier for thieves to steal.”
The Low-Level Letter Boxes (Prohibition) Bill is set for a second reading in the House of Commons on 8 March.
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Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford introduced a new bill, which if becomes law would amend existing building regulations to require letter boxes in new buildings to be positioned above a certain height.