The CEPU has received compelling evidence of OHS concerns from an independent commissioned report into Separate Bundle Delivery (SBD), titled “The Shaw Report”.
The Divisional Executive of the CEPU (national) met recently on 28-30 November to discuss the implications of this report, which has disappointingly been ignored by Post management despite the report’s adverse findings to delivery employees’ workplace safety.
Consistent with the decision adopted by the Union (below), all local union and health and safety representatives are to ensure that delivery employees do not put at risk their health and safety. Union members or any employee for that matter should not undertake Separate Bundle Delivery system of work until safety risks are cleared by your Union.
All members are to note that it is lawful for an employee to not undertake systems of work that provides an interment risk to ones health and safety under the Fair Work Act 2009
For further information please contact your union official allocated responsibility for your workplace or contact the CEPU state office on 02 98937822.
Separate Bundle Delivery Decision
CEPU Communications Divisional Executive
“Divisional Executive notes the draft report from Shaw Idea Pty Ltd – Reviewing the OHS consequences of Motorcycle Separate Bundle Delivery (“the Shaw report”). The Shaw Report raises significant occupational health and safety issues concerning Australia Post’s proposal to change from single bundle to separate bundle delivery (SBD).
The Shaw report concludes that “the currently proposed system for SBD from a motorcycle is unacceptable” and provides thirteen key reasons in support. It also makes eleven recommendations concerning the system of work undertaken by Postal Delivery Officers.
While the report focuses on separate bundle delivery by motorcycle, the work organisation, working environment and equipment issues discussed in the report raise serious concerns about occupational health and safety delivery members performing SBD with bicycle and walking mode of delivery.
Despite the evidence provided in the Shaw report that there are significant reasons not to proceed with SBD Australia Post has concluded that there are “no inherent OHS concerns preventing motorcycle SBD from proceeding” and that this should occur from 6 December 2010.
Divisional Executive resolves to oppose the introduction of SBD on the basis that Australia Post’s refusal to address the occupational health and safety issues raised in the Shaw Report presents an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of PDO’s.
Divisional Executive directs the Divisional Secretary to notify Australia Post within 24 hours of the CEPU’s opposition to the introduction of SBD and to seek an assurance from the corporation not to risk the occupational health and safety of delivery members by introducing SBD.
To protect our delivery members against the threat of unsafe work practices from SBD Divisional Executive authorises the Divisional Secretary to exercise all available options against Australia Post if they persist in introducing SBD.”
28-30 November 2010
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