Health and safety issues related to the delivery of mail

Abstract

This essay is a study discussing ways on how to reduce the likelihood of injury in the two types of mail delivery by post persons in Malta: When delivering mail on foot When delivering mail while riding a motorcycle to affect deliveries in rural areas. While Maltapost plc is, at present, going through a process of change, so has it committed itself in ensuring that the Health and Safety of its employees is given the attention it deserves. Surveys conducted locally and in the U.K. conclude that a new form of mail delivery pouch, the dual pouch, has less adverse effects to the Health and Safety of letter carriers whilst carrying out deliveries on foot. Another study about the interaction between a post person and a motorcycle conclude that there has to be sufficient employee training about road safety and about the need to have suitable and sufficient loading devices to render the bike more stable and safe while carrying mail loads. These loads can reach up to 40 Kg in weight. The importance of risk assessments has been addressed by including two risk assessments carried out at Maltapost for the purpose of identifying the hazards and risks associated with these two work practices.