Protective gloves for Blackburn posties over syringe fears (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Protective gloves for Blackburn posties over syringe fears

7:10pm Tuesday 15th December 2009

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PROTECTIVE gloves have been issued to posties in Blackburn to stop them being injured by needles left in postboxes.

Royal Mail has taken the action after a postman cut himself on a discarded syringe which had been left inside the postbox in Preston Old Road, Cherry Tree, Blackburn, in May.

The victim, who has remained anonymous, went off sick and had to undergo tests to find out if he had been infected by the needle.

Nick Turner, Royal Mail external relations manager, said they were continuing to monitor the situation. He said: “Royal Mail takes very seriously the safety of its employees, particularly our frontline postmen and women who deliver and collect the mail.”

He added: “All officers have been refreshed on health and safety and been provided with protective gloves for that collection route while the case is ongoing.”

The postbox is still open to use but with a special ”restrictor” in place, only allowing small objects to be posted inside.

Resident Trevor Aldrid, 66, who lives in Preston Old Road, said it was an inconvenience with posting Christmas cards.

He said: “You have to individually post them. It’s terrible, I can’t understand it. These yobbos spoil everything for everybody.”

Sheila Sagar, receptionist at Branch Surgery opposite the postbox, said: “It has been a nuisance and caused many problems for local residents.”

Michael Burgess, 67, also a resident, said he felt for the postmen.

He said: “It’s much better now with people not being poked with a needle.”

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