This notice is to inform members of the hazard of moving and working around the Hazardous Material Pods on 2018 and 3318.

On 8 June a pod fell off the tail-lift of 2018 during an incident, narrowly missing a group of children who passed by on the footpath.

Fortunately, no one was injured in this predictable and preventable near-miss accident, which only damaged several thousand dollars' worth of operational equipment.

The Union is taking steps to have this hazard addressed. This hazard has been raised by the Union on numerous occasions. Any good employer would, in normal circumstances, eliminate such a dangerous and flawed piece of equipment or process in order to fulfil its duty to protect employees from harm or serious harm accidents.

The lack of action in addressing the concerns of the Union demonstrates a willingness to be exempt from this category.

The manual handling of the pods and related equipment has resulted in a high number of accidents and near-misses, very few of which have been investigated despite being signed off by Management.

The Local has today issued yet another Hazard Notice to Management detailing the numerous significant hazards that still exist with the deeply flawed Hazmat Pod system.

The Union has instructed its Solicitors in this matter and, in the meantime the Auckland Local, on advice from the National Office, advises members there is a ban on the loading and unloading of the pods until at least the occasion of urgent discussions with the employer.

Union Representatives will be meeting with the Solicitors tomorrow afternoon in regard to this matter.

Members will be informed when more information is available.