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Low level letter boxes and back injuries

EDM (Early Day Motion) 264: tabled on 16 October 2024

Tabled in the 2024-25 session.

This motion has been signed by 22 Members. It has not yet had any amendments submitted.

Motion text

That this House notes that low level letter boxes cause back injuries to postmen and women each year, force postal staff to stoop to ground level whilst carrying mail items and thus can cause back strain; further notes that low level letter boxes also present an increased risk of dog bites; also notes that the Communications Workers Union are calling for a standardised letter box height and safe design well above ground level and that they have been campaigning to outlaw low level letterboxes for many years, first raising the issue back in 1958; also notes that the EU standard requirement is for letterboxes to be at a height accessible to postal workers, significantly reducing possible injuries such as dog bites, fingers being trapped, or back strain caused when bending excessively or repeatedly to reach ground level boxes; also notes that this has not been enshrined into UK building standards and that low level letter boxes have been outlawed in many European countries, such as the Republic of Ireland in 2001; also notes that 154,000 days were lost in sick leave from Royal Mail in 2022 due to back pain, costing the Royal Mail £16 million, and that injury could be minimised by legislation to cover the manufacture of all new and replacement doors to have standardised letter box height and safe design well above ground level; and calls on government to promote the EU standard.

The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.

In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.

These members had previously signed the motion, but have now withdrawn their support. The date shown is when the Member withdrew their signature from the motion.