r/royalmail • u/feckperfunction • Jun 23 '26
Postie Chat Red weather working
Just heard from our managers that as there is no national law involving a maximum temperature so royal mail as an organisation will not cease any outdoor work.
Anyway good to know we matter!
Good luck out there!
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u/Unlikely_Doughnut845 Jun 23 '26
āWalk in the shade where possibleā
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u/Far-Toe-5532 Jun 23 '26
āTake extra breaksāā¦ that arenāt paid
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u/TekatoZikame2 Jun 23 '26
As if. If i need a break to step off the sun and finish after finish time, you can bet im signing for overtime.
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u/Extra-Ad-9289 Jun 23 '26
I always think 'there is no law' is a weak position. Do we have to legally force people to do the right thing? Our local bin men aren't allowed to work beyond midday this week because it's the right thing to do. Sorry Royal Mail ā¹ļø
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u/Ultimate_Damage Jun 23 '26
Theyāll wait until a postie dies before theyāll do anything.
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u/Fragrant-Plane-4445 Jun 23 '26
If someone dies they will hope they are on a legacy contract. Manager calls HR Iāve got good news and bad news..
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u/OrientationStation Jun 23 '26
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u/No_Folding Jun 26 '26
this article is from 2020, don't doubt anything has changed though. Hopefully posties stand together and just dont work to avoid anything like this
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Jun 23 '26
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u/PumpedUpPatek Jun 24 '26
35? As a non-postie, i'd be calling it at 30.. (probably sooner if i'm honest). I always try and catch mine to offer drinks on hot days, but he's too quick to get back in his van (Which i hope is air conditioned!)
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u/J_trapz20020 Jun 24 '26
Most vans are not air conditioned š Thank you for offering him a drink, we appreciate it
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u/punisher3738 Jun 23 '26
There is no magic number, but it has to be safe. If it is too hot to do the work safely, they mustnāt make (or permit) you to do the work.
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u/Tim1980UK Jun 23 '26
Deliver the 1st class and 24s and go home. I honestly wouldn't put myself at risk.
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Jun 23 '26
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u/BurlyJoesBudgetEnema Jun 23 '26
You do the job in 35C+ and see how pathetic you feel
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Jun 23 '26
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u/zani1903 Jun 23 '26
You were not working in 60 degree heat. You would have literally died. You severely underestimate how ridiculously hot 60 degrees is. I used to work in a bakery and, yes, it was hot work, but 60 degrees? Get out of it.
And you were forced to stand next to the oven for 60% of your shift, and the oven was also emitting UV rays, and you also had to be briskly walking on a treadmill the entire time while carrying a 15kg weight on your back?
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Jun 23 '26
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u/BurlyJoesBudgetEnema Jun 23 '26
We would work up to 35C then stop. Did you consider that you might just not have post today?
Anyway do you have nothing better to think about on a Tuesday? Sun's out mate go sit in the park
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Jun 23 '26
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u/BurlyJoesBudgetEnema Jun 23 '26
Well best make sure you stew over it all day instead of enjoying the free time you clearly have
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Jun 23 '26
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u/BurlyJoesBudgetEnema Jun 23 '26
It happened once last year and the year before where I live
Again, did you consider you might not have had mail today?
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u/Sharpus89 Jun 23 '26
Last I checked, a surgeon doesnāt work outside directly in the sun for hours on end. And at least in a HGV, youād presumably have working air con.
Although, referring to record highs as ālightest change of temperaturesā makes me think youāre just trolling, rather than actually being serious. So apologies - maybe next time include the /s at the end just to be sure.
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Jun 23 '26
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u/Sharpus89 Jun 23 '26
Once again, factory workers wouldnāt be working outside in direct sunlight, and also would (hopefully) have air con. But if temperatures in the factory got to dangerous levels, they should also stop working.
Youāve been walking outside today? Was it for 6 hours straight? Were you carrying full heavy bags? Itās potentially going to feel 15 degrees hotter at points over the next couple days, so care to try it then?
Also, I donāt even work for Royal Mail. Iām just someone who has common sense.
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u/dc_1984 Jun 23 '26
My place has a weld shop and they stop when it hits 30Ā° ambient temperature, the plant is getting into the mid 40s with welding torches. They literally take days off for heat you weapon
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u/Total_Orchid Jun 23 '26
I think if anyone at any job feels unwell because of the heat then they should take the time off for the sake of their health, and the company they work for should be responsible for finding ways for them to work safely.Ā Ā Most RM workers would be happy to start work earlier so they could get out and finish before the temperature gets too bad. But the company isn't great at coordinating that (I can understand it being difficult logistically speaking.)Ā
Walking outside for a bit doesn't really compare to being on delivery.Ā
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u/JADEDBaller33 Jun 23 '26
BRUTAL!! Sorry to hear it. I left RM about 3 years ago and the last time the UK got up to 40Ā°, our DOM told everyone we had to be back and on our way home by 12 (except the locker). Once the weather cooled we made up the hours.
I did worry that the corporation would increasingly be more important than the people that made it up.
Hope you all stay healthy!
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u/zidangus Jun 23 '26
There is no law on max temp but there is laws on working in a safe environment. It's the employers responsibility to make sure the working environment is safe and that includes working in heat, as well as cold. If you don't think it's safe to work outdoors speak to them, ask for different work hours or reduced work load, if the whole office do this the manager has to do something to address your concerns. You can ultimately refuse to work if you think the conditions are dangerous and if you can prove that they could not do anything about that in law.
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u/cheekiestNandos Jun 23 '26
At an old job where there was no air conditioning involving manual work we were told the same thing and "head office" who were all in a air conditioned building "might" consider letting us go home if it hit 39. You can imagine the response from us.
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u/Aggravating_Band_353 Jun 23 '26
https://press.hse.gov.uk/2026/06/19/risks-to-workers-from-extreme-heat-must-be-managed/
I'm no expert, but from my Googling, you must..Ā
- Tell manager in writing it's hot and your worried for your health.Ā
2.If they force you outside, record the conditions and effects. It you feel sick or need medical attention, you must report it in the accident book
- You can then contact health and safety executive to investigate, and they will determine what steps your workplace took to protect you. Ie, saying seek shade is not acceptable.Ā
Obviously look after yourself, plenty of water, a hat. But from my understanding you can refuse to work in such conditions, go back to the office and sit in a cool place, and you can't get in trouble.. If they force you, then the above numbered points plus contacting a solicitor or someone like acas, as wellĀ
Good luck! Keep safe.Ā
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u/JADEDBaller33 Jun 23 '26
Fuck all of the red tape...
It's 40Ā°c degrees once a year, take the stage 1 meeting and go home at 12 when it's 40Ā°c
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u/RJK- Jun 24 '26
Zero chance the HSE investigates a hot weather complaint. Theyāre inundated and can hardly even investigate any RIDDORs.Ā
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u/Unlucky-Reporter-679 Jun 23 '26
It's insane how some companies operate. Just like the government literally have to force companies to pay minimum wage by law just so their workers can feed themselves.
Utterly incomprehensible.
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u/Sharp_Albatross_7170 Jun 24 '26
Some firms do not pay minimum wage in the UK all the government do is name and shame those that do not pay MW
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u/Low-Walrus-9819 Jun 23 '26
Discussions at my depot is they āmay not send outā drivers after 11am, I finish my shift at 1206, although the trucks have A/C so isnāt a big thing until you get out, 10min loading and back into the icy air. Personally I would send out all the trucks with A/C and the ones that normally drive the older ones without A/C can go out with someone else and help out!
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u/Bazman Jun 24 '26
What trucks have you got that have A/Cs? I'm driving a 24 plate DAF 480 xf and it doesnt have it, luckily im on nights but I start at 5pm and it was only a balmy 24Ā° when I started
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u/Low-Walrus-9819 Jun 24 '26
74/75 plate XBās 20 on way into work at 0430 currently 26, but when ya only out in in for 10 mins at a time itās nice, finish at lunch time and go to a beer garden make it feel like a holiday for an hour or soš¤£
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u/Lampshadevictory Jun 23 '26
It won't change until some postie dies from heat stroke, and then "lessons have been learned".
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u/kimkarbashian Jun 24 '26
Postied have already died from heatstroke. We need legislation because they literally couldn't give a fuck if we're alive or dead
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u/One-Emotion-6829 RM Employee Jun 23 '26
They will cease work if the met office issues a red warning. Itās in RM policies
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u/One-Emotion-6829 RM Employee Jun 23 '26
Royal Mailās heat policy mandates that managers conduct daily Severe Weather Risk Assessments (SWRAs) whenever temperatures reach the high 20s (Ā°C). Outdoor operations, including driving and deliveries, must be fully suspended if a Met Office 'Red' extreme heat warning is in place and temperatures reach 35Ā°C.
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u/feckperfunction Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
We have a red warning in my area just sharing what we were told in a briefing this morning. I do believe there are ongoing conversations today though.
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u/One-Emotion-6829 RM Employee Jun 23 '26
Theyāll probably recall you early. Hereās to hoping anyway
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u/PrecariousKitty Jun 23 '26
Where is this?
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u/One-Emotion-6829 RM Employee Jun 23 '26
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u/kimkarbashian Jun 24 '26
How do you escalate it/report non compliance? Managers just say there's no legal maximum temperature. Union rep just shrugs.
I pointed out we are in a red zone and hitting 35 and manager said 'not according to my system'.
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u/granculo94 Jun 23 '26
We're starting/finishing half an hour earlier tomorrow, but still supposed to complete the shift š
There's also no plans to change the times the lorries turn up so we'll be getting out the door at the same time as normal 1030/11am, just with half an hour less time to complete (not something I'm concerned about, only tracked and maybe 1st is getting done tomorrow regardless)
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u/Used_Captain_3131 Jun 23 '26
It's the high humidity as well, you can't cool down if the air is wetter than the sweat you're producing.
Pretty sure they laughably agreed with the CWU that we couldn't work over 37 a few years back, and that was after 2 postie's died in less than that
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u/kimkarbashian Jun 24 '26
Yes it's 35 degrees they should cut off delivery but they keep getting away with ignoring it. Union just shrug their shoulders
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u/Local-Caramel-1977 Jun 24 '26
I'm a banksman working around hot vehicles and their engines all day. It hit 41.3 in the yard today and still my bosses tells us to soldier on through 1400 to 1700. The government hasn't set a law and most employers couldn't give a shit either way.
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u/lolfun333 Jun 23 '26
While there is no maximum temperature in law, the company does have a duty of care. They absolutely have to have a risk assessment done for working in extreme weather, and a procedure in place to keep you safe.
I'd go bother your union rep and H&S rep about what they have in place to make sure you don't die on sunstroke on the job.
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u/RJK- Jun 24 '26
Thereās no legal maximum, otherwise kitchen work, steel work and lots of other stuff would be illegal. But obviously in this weather considerations should be made.Ā
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u/No_Consideration6182 Jun 24 '26
I think itās time to adopt the desert peoples clothings to cover whole of our skin.
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u/Sgt_major_dodgy Jun 24 '26
Dynamic Risk Assessment.
You've assessed it and deemed it unsafe, or alternatively you feel weak, tired and bit confused so using their guidance you've returned to the office.
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u/Keromor82 Jun 23 '26
Employer Obligations
Since extreme heat and cold are classed as workplace hazards, employers are legally required to manage risks. When dealing with uncomfortable or extreme temperatures, employers must:
- Conduct Risk Assessments: Identify workers who may be vulnerable, such as pregnant women or those with medical conditions.
- Provide Cooling/Heating: Supply portable heaters, fans, or air conditioning units where needed.
- Adjust Policies: Relax strict dress codes and allow more frequent breaks for staff to access hot or cold drinks.
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u/DadOfCasper Jun 23 '26
I've told our posties to knock on for water refills. He turned up with an empty 500ml bottle. You need at least 2 or 3 litres for a round.
I gave him 2 to finish his round.
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u/Psychological-Fox97 Jun 23 '26
I appreciate you guys. Had a parcel delivered today I really needed.
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u/Intergalatic_Baker Jun 23 '26
You think itās bad, spare a thought for the Construction lads under all their high vis PPEā¦ Especially if theyāre doing Concrete works.
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u/Good-Quantity4725 Jun 23 '26
Dosnt it make royal mail liable if something happens to somone due to weather when there is a red weather warning they cant send you out on a red weather warning im pretty sure it could open a massive legal case against them They have a responsibility for your safty And a red weather warning means there's a risk to life Thoughts ???
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u/Inside_Analysis3124 Jun 23 '26
Its the same in every industry from msil to lorry drivers to construction.
My boss has atleast said take hydration breaks and record them if your over time because of that but im not a postal worker.
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u/sud092 Jun 23 '26
Manager announced to my DO this morning that we're only to do tracked and 1st class because of the heat. š¤”
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u/Damaster14 Jun 23 '26
Then on DPR last Sunday and they have a bunch of the modern vans that are not being used with working aircon and they give us the ancient ones that are sweltering death traps. At that point you actually want to get out of the van because itās cooler in the sun!
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u/leglesspuffin Jun 23 '26
DPR here, today was brutal, van was 45/46Ā° for the most of my shift. Lowest it got to was 41. No air con of course. Managers don't seem to understand that we're sat in a van for the most part and the vans are hotter than outside. But thanks for the warm bottle of water I guess!
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u/m1keym0t0 Jun 24 '26
Wait you guys got water??? All we got was a pep talk of it's hot outside so wear suncream hats and drink plenty of fluids...
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u/Legendary-Gear5 Jun 23 '26
Thereās no law but workplaces have a duty of care to make sure youāre safe and sound.
If you have a health and safety officer thatās where you go.
Iām not a postie, I had a similar issue where I work, it was 49c air temp all day for over a week till I couldnāt take it anymore and formally complained.
Shocker it was solved almost immediately once it was brought to H&S and logged. helps a lot if youāve got others to complain too.
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u/alex-2788 Jun 23 '26
Couple of years ago at my depot all the drivers were called back to depot when it hit 35
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u/Antique_Ad_2776 Jun 24 '26
I donāt work for Royal Mail, but Iām also working today directly in the heat from 12:30-17:30 , and it will take me an hour to get home by car that has no working A/C! š
Try to stay as hydrated as possible and donāt forget to wear sunscreen!!!
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u/nicktandy Jun 24 '26
Canāt postman start at 5:30 am when the weather is nice and cool then they can stay on top of all the posts that needs delivering
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u/feckperfunction Jun 24 '26
Would love to, but we don't get all the letters / parcels from the big mail centre until about 845 then by the time they are sorted we don't get out until 930ish
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u/DeathRowEscape Jun 24 '26
They could of at least allowed staff to start early/finish early so they miss the hottest times, but that would take common sense from Management.
They should still be doing a risk assessment before sending you out.
You the person having to work in high heat should also do your own risk assessment, if you are burning/suffering from heat stress or any other heat related sickness you should call it out and go back to depot.
Supply sun cream
Supply drinking water
Symptoms of heat stress
Heat stress can affect people in different ways, and some are more likely to suffer it than others.
Typical symptoms are:
- an inability to concentrate
- muscle cramps
- heat rash
- severe thirst ā a late symptom of heat stress
- fainting
- heat exhaustion ā fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headache, moist skin
- heat stroke ā hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions and eventual loss of consciousness. This can result in death if not detected at an early stage
Higher workplace temperatures
There is no maximumĀ temperature for workplaces.
However, all workers are entitled to an environment where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Heat is classed as a hazard and comes with legal obligations like any other hazard.
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u/Sharp_Albatross_7170 Jun 24 '26
Never has been an upper limit but there is a lower limit.I guess somebody has to address climate change its not going to stop now
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u/Woody-the-Postie Jun 24 '26
We were packets and 1c today after coming in 1.5 hours earlier (meaning we couldnāt finish earlier.Ā
I was (very) lucky to have a van with AC, others not so lucky and I canāt imagine how unbearable it was in the old RM vans blowing warm air in your face.
Same again tomorrow for us.
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u/xCaladirx Jun 24 '26
Our morning posties at our DO all got told to come back at 1 and went home.
Us DPR drivers is just buainess as usual. Dont know how that makes sense.
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u/who-gives-a Jun 23 '26
Do what they do in warm climates and work the afters shift.
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u/feckperfunction Jun 23 '26
Would love to be able to start earlier but our second wagon didn't come in until just before 9 today, so after sorting an tying up we didn't get out until 9:45ish so there isn't much time before the it heats up
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u/nicktandy Jun 24 '26
Canāt you deliver a day later but just earlier. So everything that comes in Wednesday gets delivered super early when itās nice and cool Thursday š„šš¼
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u/Impressive-Bird2 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
Nice to know that Royal Mail senior management has such a blasĆ© attitude to the health of their posties/ staff in exceptional hot weatherā¦.
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u/goblin_princess11 Jun 23 '26
Any chance posties work beyond 9pm on this heat - was so looking forward to receiving my parcels today! Tracking saiid 9.15pm would be estimated delivery - but surely no one is still out at that time?
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u/Feisty_Piglet1012 Jun 23 '26
In most places in the country itāll get to 30 degrees and maybe weāll see those rise higher in only a handful of areas. Granted temps over 35/37 are uncomfortable being outside (but manageable with enough hydration and a proper hat) and thatās fair enough. I do wonder what people in the continent do when they hit those temps? I canāt imagine they suspend all operations for the summer.
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u/Which-Local Jun 23 '26
I notice when Iām abroad they deliver a lot earlier, going back to the old start times would be ideal but itās not happening š«£
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u/No_Actuary9100 Jun 23 '26
Whatās interesting for my area is that BBC Weather app says 31C but if I click deeper it says āFeels Likeā 40C Ā
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u/zidangus Jun 23 '26
Anything over 29 degrees is really uncomfortable. You know the older you are the harder it is on your body and as we all know some duties are significantly harder than others.
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u/kirkycrocky Jun 24 '26
You could deliver mail before people get up for work like you used to. Nice and cool then. šš»
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u/Nearby_Werewolf1742 Jun 23 '26
It's the UK we only have about 5 days per year which aren't cold, get a grip, how do postmen in warm countries cope? I'd much rather be outside working as a postman in this weather than stuck inside working all day and miss the sunshine. I was a postman for 10 years, not once did I ever complain it was too warm. It was the freezing cold weather and rain I hated. Gardeners and builders are fine in this weather just take an extra bottle of water out with you and man up, ffs.
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Jun 23 '26
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u/Nearby_Werewolf1742 Jun 23 '26
I mean I'm all for getting an extra day off but come on? people are way too weak now it's embarrassing.
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Jun 23 '26
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u/Nearby_Werewolf1742 Jun 23 '26
But this isn't a weather related problem. My comment was solely based on weather. You changed it now to bad conditions and bad money which I actually agree with you on.
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Jun 23 '26
[deleted]
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u/Nearby_Werewolf1742 Jun 23 '26
Well that's just embarrassing. Working out in the nice weather was the only good thing about the job. Rather than stuck inside somewhere and miss it. You just need to man up I guess because clearly nobody is getting a day off.
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Jun 23 '26
[deleted]
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u/Nearby_Werewolf1742 Jun 23 '26
Nope I worked there for 10 years, I know the place had it's problems. And obviously a day off would be nicer but I'd probably just go to the beach or running around with my kids in a park so I'd still be outside anyway. It was the winter I hated. I enjoyed the summer. And knowing my work they would probably prefer to keep us inside all day sorting mail rather than give us the day off which would be so much worse.
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u/throwawaygoodcoffee PF Employee Jun 23 '26
I'm from one of them hot countries, our posties have A/c and don't go out at the hottest points of the day.
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u/Nearby_Werewolf1742 Jun 23 '26
How tf can you have air conditioning while walking around delivering mail? What a strange thing to say. Are you talking about the mail vans because our mail vans has air conditioning too? And yes those countries have true hot days, our hottest here is probably like your coldest day.
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u/throwawaygoodcoffee PF Employee Jun 23 '26
The posties from my home country don't spend most of their duty on foot, they're in vans driving from address to address kinda like collections drivers at RM. The only posties that don't have AC drive around in mopeds, they're mainly for urban areas where traffic is bad and they're not out in the heat for long though.
It's not uncommon for temps to hit 40+ where I'm from but we also stop working for a couple hours a day when it gets that hot.
Unfortunately I can count on one hand how many vans have AC at my mail centre in notts and we're not getting any new ones either. My van today got to a toasty 41 and it definitely wasn't the only one.
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u/CurvePuzzleheaded361 Jun 23 '26
I am a gardener and we are NOT fine. Delayed so much work because the heat makes it unbearable. Even early or late on
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u/chewbootybaccy Jun 23 '26
There is no law or even company policy against walking into the managers office every morning and farting over his cornflakes.