safety

This is the time of year that we, as Letter Carriers, may have to perform our work in the dark. Because this comes up every year, the bottom line is that every carrier must perform their job safely.

"Safe" depends on you and your route. There is no blanket policy on delivering in the dark because the issue is whether a particular carrier on a particular route can deliver the mail safely. Every Carrier must evaluate the circumstances on that particular route. Is the carrier familiar with their surroundings? For example, are there many steps, high crime area, or frequent issues with loose dogs?

The Carrier cannot just say "It's dark; I cannot deliver the mail." Arbitrators have ruled that darkness alone is not a reason for non-delivery.

There are things that carriers can do to protect themselves during this time.  Like any other time of the year, we should be filling out PS Form 3996s  to inform management that you will not complete your assignment before dark. Put the decision of what to do back in management's hands. If they have not decided how to handle the potential delivery in the dark, communicate with management later in the afternoon and ask for instructions at that time of what they want you to do.

You should continue to deliver until YOU feel it is unsafe.  Once you have made that determination, you need to notify management that you have brought mail back because of hazardous conditions (list the conditions) and fill out PS Form 1571.

Postal vehicles in need of service or repairs:

There is a growing concern about the postal LLVs.  Those concerns are the service and repair of these vehicles.  The NALC at all levels continues to emphasize the need for Letter Carriers to perform their daily morning vehicle check so that you can catch all items that need repair or service.

Continue to record your findings on PS form 4565 and keep a copy for your records after management has signed it.

We must also folllow the trail of written-up vehicles being reassigned to another employee at another station (an unsuspecting victim)and hold management accountable to ensure the Postal fleet of LLVs are properly repaired and serviced.

1.  Keep a wide base of support-feet should be shoulder-width apart.

2.  Squat down-bend at he hips and knees only.

3.  Keep good posture.

4.  Slowly lift-straighten hips and knees.  Keep your back straight and don't twist as you lift.

5.  Hold the load as close to your body as possible.

6.  Don't be a hero.  Ask a co-worker for help with heavy or oversized packages.