Well, I’m still working on the commercial waste collections and enjoying it. Prospect of a job offer if I continue through agency.
However, one issue I’m having is my current loader not understanding the rules around breaks and getting a bit mardy about it.
Today, I had to put my foot down and just pull over which caused much huffing and puffing as we were already a bit behind due to an issue with the compactor blade. It’s in my interest to get on with my loaders as I’m still a little slower than some of the regular drivers who’ve been doing the same routes for years and can reverse in a jiffy (I have to take a little longer as don’t know where the bollards etc are at the sites and I’m reversing in the dark for first few hours, which adds up over a shift). Whether or not the loaders like you or not seems to determine whether you’re ‘learning the ropes’ or regarded as a painfully slow driver (which I’m not).
Today, we’d had a 15 min and my loader didn’t think we needed another before the six hours working time was up. I think he’d made the mistake of thinking we’d save time by having a 15 and a 30 (technically allowed an hour) but he didn’t realise both breaks would have to be within first 6 hours to make this work.
I tried to explain it but it’s quite convoluted to explain in a few sentences.
How much driving time are you accruing during those 6 hours?
If the job is anything like mine (I know, it’s not) it’s about 2.5 to 3 hours. Can happily set off after a 15 for the second 6 hours WTD, just keep an eye on drive time.
My drivers mates are usually pretty genned up about WTD and Driving Time, but on the odd occasion I’ve had to tell em something like…
WTD and Driving time are two separate things. WTD is a definite 15 mins before completing 6 hours at work, and Driving time…means we get to take another 30 mins before I complete 4.5 hours actual driving. Ok mate?
I was under the distinct impression that WTD is ‘30 mins before or at the end of a six hour working period’. I’ve just double checked and that’s what I’ve read online (unless I’ve got it mixed up).
Yeah, I’d done pretty much bang on 3 hours driving by the time the 6 hours was looming, so a 15+30 within first six hours would’ve seen us to end of the 10 hour shift.
It’s going well in general. I don’t miss multidrop in a 26t around central Brum and tight residential areas tbh. I do loads of reversing but the dustcarts seem very manoeuvrable. Being out with a loader for company is nice (apart from the flatulent ones) and we’re rarely too rushed not to be able to get in an extra coffee or butty on top of our break. I’m yet to work through a break in fact.
That said, my loader is absolutely terrified of birds (recently got attacked/pecked by a seagull which was guarding its young lol) so if he even catches sight of a pigeon near the bins I have to do the drop.
Note it doesn’t actually state the length of break required for the 6 hour rule so it’s assumed to be 15 minutes which is the shortest break that counts for the RT(WT)R 2005.
Sounds like you’re in a better job that suits you, mate. Nice one . You harvested any decent stuff from the bins yet? SOme of the stuff that gets thrown out is incredible.
If my firm would just relax its rules on TV disposals I could make a fortune in second hand, fully working, TVs
“mobile worker” means any worker forming part of the travelling staff, including trainees and apprentices, who is in the service of an undertaking which operates transport services for passengers or goods by road for hire or reward or on its own account;
ROG:
How long is you average SHIFT ?
How many driving time hours do you do in an average shift ?
Shifts are 10 hours and only occasionally go over and never by more than 30-60 mins.
I now realise that I’ve probably had many situations previously where I’ve taken a second break unnecessarily! I normally have a 15 and a 30, but I’ve always taken both within first six hours to ensure I’ve had 30 mins by the six hour stage. Sometimes, this has meant taking another 30 mins if I’m still working at the 12 hour stage.
So, by my understanding, I could instead take 15 mins in first six hours, then a 30 before my 4.5 hours is up, and this would give me the required 45 mins to have worked a 12 hr shift.
steviespain:
Sounds like you’re in a better job that suits you, mate. Nice one . You harvested any decent stuff from the bins yet? SOme of the stuff that gets thrown out is incredible.
If my firm would just relax its rules on TV disposals I could make a fortune in second hand, fully working, TVs
I collected the recycling from an arcade in Stratford upon Avon the other day and I’m guessing an art shop was closing down. There were boxes of paintings which apparently had nothing wrong with them. Obviously no Van Gogh originals but they weren’t all prints. I fished out a good one called ‘Venetian Bird’ for a ladyfriend of mine. There was also a huge mirror which I’d have taken if I’d had space (considered asking my loader to hop into the crusher for the journey back! ).
ROG:
How long is you average SHIFT ?
How many driving time hours do you do in an average shift ?
Shifts are 10 hours and only occasionally go over and never by more than 30-60 mins.
I now realise that I’ve probably had many situations previously where I’ve taken a second break unnecessarily! I normally have a 15 and a 30, but I’ve always taken both within first six hours to ensure I’ve had 30 mins by the six hour stage. Sometimes, this has meant taking another 30 mins if I’m still working at the 12 hour stage.
So, by my understanding, I could instead take 15 mins in first six hours, then a 30 before my 4.5 hours is up, and this would give me the required 45 mins to have worked a 12 hr shift.
This example would be legal for a 10/11 hour shift
during the first 6 hours you drive for 3 hours and work for 3 hours
break of 15 mins which covers WTD and the first part of a driving time split break
then during the next 3 hours you drive for 1.5 hours and work for 1.5 hours
break of 30 mins taken which covers WTD for the whole shift and the next possible 6 hours of work/drive mix as well as resetting the 4.5 driving time
15 minute breaks are pointless. Your not really rested in that time. Just take a 30 every time. I mostly split breaks and just do 30 and 30. Make life easy.
ROG:
How long is you average SHIFT ?
How many driving time hours do you do in an average shift ?
Shifts are 10 hours and only occasionally go over and never by more than 30-60 mins.
I now realise that I’ve probably had many situations previously where I’ve taken a second break unnecessarily! I normally have a 15 and a 30, but I’ve always taken both within first six hours to ensure I’ve had 30 mins by the six hour stage. Sometimes, this has meant taking another 30 mins if I’m still working at the 12 hour stage.
So, by my understanding, I could instead take 15 mins in first six hours, then a 30 before my 4.5 hours is up, and this would give me the required 45 mins to have worked a 12 hr shift.
. You harvested any decent stuff from the bins yet? SOme of the stuff that gets thrown out is incredible.
