Over 100 Royal Mail handbrake ‘incidents’ prompts campaign

Safety & Health Practitioner

A campaign has been launched after it was revealed that there have been 112 handbrake related incidents in the last 12 months at the Royal Mail.

The road safety campaign, launched by Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union is focused specifically on warning of the dangerous of handbrake-related ‘rollaways’ and safe parking on hills, slopes and inclines.

During the campaign week in February, leaflets and posters were distributed and displayed in workplaces across the country.

CWU’s national health, safety and environment officer, Dave Joyce says the pressures on drivers have never been greater and that their safety is of paramount importance.

The union has expressed concern about the number of incidents, which include a fatality in Scotland when a mail van ran back over the driver, and a leg amputation in Bradford when the driver was crushed against a wall.

Dave Joyce warned that it was imperative for drivers to fully understand the correct procedures to protect themselves, the public and other road users.

He warned: “A van weighing several tons running away out of control can cause death, danger and significant damage to people and property – and we don’t want our members learning the hard way how important it is to park their vans safely on a hill or slope and even on the slightest of inclines or gradients.”

The campaign promoted the acronym HIT to help avoid more ‘rollaway’ incidents:

H – handbrake firmly on

I – in gear (first gear uphill – reverse gear downhill)

T – turn the wheels (away from kerb up hill – towards kerb down hill).

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