A major cold wave hit the country Chaunois recent days. With often around 0ºC thermometer in recent days and the first freezing rain, the outdoor work is hard and not safety. Workers need to wear safety vest to keep warm and safety.
“It’s not always easy, but we have the equipment to protect them," says Virginie, 39, a letter carrier in La Fere. Filled jacket, waterproof trousers, gloves, neck, ear protection, protective footwear, thermos, crampons, plus helmet and yellow safety vest is part of "paraphernalia" for 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours to pass out.
“Like an onion, the layers are multiplied," says Christelle, 44 years old, his colleague. Still, the cold feeling may be there and forties advocates suddenly tights under trousers.
To warm up, the five cyclists and agent walk from La Fere can take breaks to customers.
To organize the fight against the cold of winter, the weather map is on the Post Office. “The goal is to continue the activity by protecting our personal," says Françoise Fasquel, responsible communication platform preparation and delivery of mail to Saint-Quentin. He added: “We check that recently arrived young people do not go in sneakers and everyone is well equipped, including studs," continues the ruling.
Cyclist, “when there is frost, ice, they do not come out in principle and shifts the tour in time. There may be training in pairs by car. "
"To warm up, we will look for the current bags"
The general rule remains: “As soon as the mail arrives in the center is that it can come out.”
To clear the streets, squares or passages to public places, work up to the communities technical services. At Chauny, activity has increased since December 29. Five mornings, agents had to sand “before people will go to work," said Patrick Pezet, responsible road. Depending on weather conditions expected on the eve of the hotlines are established with the three drivers and four officers on foot. If necessary, the next day, intervention teams and trucks is launched after an inspection by the duty manager (5 hours). Addition to the facilities of the City, “everyone has his technique to fight against the cold," suggests Nicolas driver. “I have always worked out. Then after a moment, I feel less cold, "he continues. However, if the poor conditions persist, it is difficult to fight. In the winter of 2010, “even with the heater at the bottom, the windscreen froze, remembers the agent. And a moment the trucks more advanced. It took off and pushes. "
Work out, Christophe and Teddy also knows what it is. "Skids" for respectively thirteen and sixteen, they are accustomed to the vagaries of weather. “It is not always obvious. To warm up, running the reflective material bags we will look, "they smile.
Sometimes they also enjoy the hospitality of "clients": " There are nice people who pay us coffee ," say the two colleagues who, despite the cold, rain, sleet or conversely hot weather, take pleasure in this profession not always well considered. “We like our job," they confide.