The Postal Service recently published an advanced notice requesting comments on how the Postal Service should proceed to prevent overweight items from entering into the postal network. After considering the comments received, the Postal Service is now moving forward to propose amendment of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual, (DMM) to prevent overweight items from entering the postal network. Continue reading
03/16/2018 – The APWU was informed on October 26, 2017 of the Postal Service’s intent to roll out a new program called the Safety Ambassador Program. The Postal Service intends to replace the safety captain program, and any other local safety programs, with this “standardized” and nationally controlled program. The American Postal Workers Union does not support, agree with, or endorse this program. Continue reading HAVERTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) — They work hard to deliver the mail on time year round and a group of letter carriers reached quite the milestone. Continue reading From Facebook: In a new “Business Focus” video, PMG Megan J. Brennan thanks employees for making safety “a core value for the Postal Service.” She praises employees for working safely throughout several instances of bad weather that affected operations this winter. Continue reading Employer name: U.S. Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center Inspection site: 8409 Lee Hwy, Merrifield, Virginia Citations issued: On Dec. 12, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to the postal service for three repeat and two serious safety violations, including one issued as a violation of the OSH Act’s general duty clause. Continue reading Employer name: U.S. Postal Service LLC, doing business as Brooklyn South Carrier Annex Inspection site: 1500 Cherry Hill Road, Brooklyn, Maryland Citations issued: On Nov. 22, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to the postal service for one serious, two willful, and three repeat health violations. Continue reading Employer name: U.S. Postal Service, 116 Oak St., Moorhead, Iowa Citations issued: March 24, 2016 Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration‘s Des Moines Area Office cited the postal facility for one repeated and four serious safety violations. The citations follow an October 2015 OSHA investigation of a complaint alleging visible mold in the vestibule area of the postal facility. An investigation found workers exposed to slips, electrical hazards and respiratory illness because water was leaking into the facility causing the mold to form and also dripping onto the electrical panel. Quote: “Employers must make visual assessment of their facilities on a routine basis and promptly repair maintenance issues that can cause an illness, slips, falls and other injuries,” said Larry Davidson, OSHA’s area director in Des Moines. Proposed Penalties: $63,500 View Citations here. To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Des Moines Area Office at 515-284-4701. DES MOINES, Iowa – Feeling the symptoms of heat-related illness, a 24-year-old U.S. Postal Service mail carrier asked her supervisor to be relieved after walking about half-way through her 11-mile delivery route on a hot June day in Des Moines when temperatures exceeded 93 degrees. Investigators from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration later learned the woman’s supervisor told her initially to continue walking her route despite feeling ill. Continue reading The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is seeking more than $49,000 in fines from the US Postal Service for repeatedly failing to keep employees safe from asbestos contamination at its West Baden Springs Indiana facility: Employer name: U.S. Postal Service Citations issued: July 29, 2016 OSHA found USPS failed to: Quote: “Until the early 1980s, asbestos – now, a known carcinogen – was used commonly in building materials such as floor tiles. Employers in workplaces with materials known to contain asbestos must train workers to take precautions when a spill or scratched tile creates the potential for a release of asbestos fibers,” said Vanessa Martin, OSHA’s area director in Indianapolis. Proposed Penalties: $49,720. View Citations here. To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Indianapolis Area Office at (317) 226-7299. # # #
safety
USPS issues proposed regulation aimed at overweight packages
APWU Doesn’t Support USPS “Safety Ambassador” Program
From the American Postal Workers Union:
Video: A million miles, accident free
LLV catches fire in Louisville
Safety and service: PMG updates employees in latest video
OSHA fines USPS $178K after inspectors find safety hazards at Merrifield VA distribution center
OSHA fines USPS $342K after workers exposed to bloodborne pathogen hazards at Brooklyn, Maryland, annex
OSHA: Iowa USPS facility exposes workers to mold, electrical hazards from unrepaired water leak
OSHA cites USPS after two Des Moines workers suffer heat illness while delivering the mail
OSHA finds USPS exposed workers to asbestos hazards at Indiana facility; proposes more than $49K in fines
8182 State Road 56
West Baden Springs, Indiana
Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration‘s Indianapolis Area Office has cited the West Baden Springs’ postal facility for four repeatedviolations. Acting on a complaint alleging safety concerns there, inspectors began an investigation on June 3, 2016, and found violations of OSHA’s asbestos protection standards.
