Keepmoat victory in letterbox campaign

Health & Safety January 29 2019

In a major step forward, one of the UK’s leading housebuilders Keepmoat Homes has pledged to recommend an end to installations of low-level letterboxes at all their sites, following representations from the CWU.

After being alerted to a residential development at a huge site in Stoke-on-Trent, where low-level letterboxes were being installed, the union’s national health, safety and environment officer Dave Joyce launched a local campaign and wrote direct to Keepmoat’s corporate headquarters.

In his letter, Dave cited the recommended construction standard EN13724 and explained that this sets the midpoint of the mail slot at between 700mm (27½ inches) and 1700mm (67 inches) from the ground.

“If all these homes are fitted with low-level letterboxes, it will cause a health and safety risk to postal delivery staff, including back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, and will also increase the risk of trapped fingers and dog bites.”

As well as his urgent appeal to the company, our health and safety head also wrote to Stoke-on-Trent MPs, the city council and the council member for the ward where the development was being built.

Keepmoat regional managing director Gareth Roberts wrote back thanking Dave for highlighting the issue and explaining that this had been “due to a change of supplier.”

With regard to that particular site, Mr Roberts continued: “I have looked into the matter and I can confirm that the remainder of the site will be amended to ensure the recommended letterbox fixing height of between 700mm and 1700mm is achieved.”

And, as a result of the information received, the Keepmoat boss explained that “we have undertaken a full business review I can confirm that the recommendations will be followed on all future developments.”

Dave Joyce said this morning that he was “delighted with the outcome of our efforts to get the low-level letterboxes problem on this site resolved – and I welcome Keepmoat’s response.

“Our members delivering in that area were facing 200-plus houses and apartment blokes on the site about to get low-level letter box doors fitted and that’s now been stopped after our campaign, supported by the MP and Council leader and others.”

  • The CWU Campaign has included a lobby of Parliament to win support and, on January 16, a Private Members TMR Bill submitted by Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford – The Low-level Letterboxes (Prohibition) Bill 2019 – was passed in the House of Commons. CWU is calling on Minister Kit Malthouse to amend the Building Regulations to make the EN13724 Standard compulsory and make mid-door level letter boxes mandatory.