CONCERNS have been raised over the safety of postal workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Relatives of one Darlington Royal Mail worker claimed staff are being sent door to door without hand sanitiser and the only safety equipment they have been given are ill-fitting gloves.

They said: “They’ve been given nothing except badly fitting gloves which they can’t wear – they’re not even disinfecting the vans. In the bad weather Royal Mail provide the workers with equipment to keep them safe so we cannot understand why they aren’t protecting them now.”

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has also spoken out encouraging Royal Mail to change the nature of the service during this national emergency, with the strongest possible focus on essential deliveries across the country – while ensuring the safety of all postal workers.

Speaking to the union’s Royal Mail members on Tuesday evening, general secretary Dave Ward and deputy general secretary postal (DGSP) Terry Pullinger set out a robust agenda ahead of top-level talks with the business.

The pair have presented the union’s comprehensive crisis-working plan to the business, calling for a suspension of all non-essential D2D (unaddressed mails) delivery, a prioritisation of medical equipment and services to the vulnerable, as well as alternating individuals’ working days to reduce numbers in the workplace at the same time.

In response, a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We continue to actively monitor this rapidly evolving situation. Royal Mail takes the health and safety of its colleagues, its customers and the local communities in which we operate very seriously.

"The Universal Postal Service provides a lifeline to businesses and communities everywhere. The delivery of parcels and letters is a key way of keeping the country together and helping many people who may not have the option to leave their homes.

"We have put in place a comprehensive range of preventative measures to protect both our customers and our colleagues in line with guidance from Public Health England. We continue to follow the guidance of public health authorities.

“Public Health England guidance says there are no additional precautions needed for handling post or packages. We are also providing disposable latex gloves to colleagues who want them. These are available on request.

“In line with guidance from the UK’s chief medical officer and public health authorities, we are advising colleagues that good hand hygiene is the first and most important line of defence. We have taken a number of measures and provided preventative guidance to our colleagues. This includes promoting regular hand washing with soap and water.

“The hand soap that we provide is effective for hand washing and good hand hygiene in line with the guidance from public health authorities.”

“We have good supplies of soap and paper towels. We have also adopted enhanced disinfectant cleaning of communal areas in all Royal Mail sites on a daily basis.”