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On April 28, Stand Up for Safe Jobs!

Reposted from APWU.org.

On April 28, we observe Workers’ Memorial Day to remember workers who were killed or injured on the job and to fight for strong safety and health protections in every workplace. This year, the APWU is encouraging members who have observed a potential workplace safety hazard to fill out and submit a PS Form 1767 – Report of Hazard, Unsafe Condition or Practice to make sure management keeps our workplaces safe.

Workers’ Memorial Day is recognized on April 28 because this is the date the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was signed into law. This Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the agency that creates and enforces standards for safe and healthy working conditions in the United States.

Despite OSHA and protections from our contract, the U.S. Postal Service remains one of the most dangerous places to work. In fiscal year 2023, 34,472 employees were injured or had occupational diseases, with five employees killed on the job. This does not account for the thousands of unreported injuries that were not approved by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. Your work is dangerous, and OSHA serves as an essential protection in tandem with our union contract.

ON APRIL 28, WE ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO IDENTIFY WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND SUBMIT A PS FORM 1767 TO MAKE SURE MANAGEMENT KEEPS OUR WORKPLACES SAFE:

If you see something, say something – fill out and submit a PS Form 1767. Whether it is a blocked exit or a persistent problem, such as a toxic work environment, stand up with your coworkers and report workplace hazards.

If you currently do not have a workplace safety concern, it is important to stay aware and talk to your coworkers about how to file a PS Form 1767 when unsafe situations arise. It is every worker’s right to have a safe workplace environment. It is in our contract, and it is also the law. All APWU members should stay vigilant for workplace hazards.

It is management’s responsibility to ensure that our work environment is as safe as possible for everyone.

PS 1767 – Report of Hazard, Unsafe Condition or Practice
HOW A PS FORM 1767 WORKS

To report a hazard, find and fill out the PS Form 1767, then submit it to your immediate supervisor. These must be readily available to you on the workroom floor. If the forms are not readily available, you can file a grievance to have them made available to you.

The immediate supervisor must promptly (within the tour of duty):

  • Investigate the alleged condition;
  • Initiate immediate corrective action;
  • Record actions or recommendations on PS Form 1767;
  • Forward the original PS Form 1767 and one copy to the next appropriate level of management; 
  • Give the employee a copy signed by the supervisor as a receipt; 
  • Forward the third copy to the facility safety coordinator immediately.

If the hazard is not fixed within seven days, you can file a grievance to ensure that action is taken.

Below is a list of some issues you can report on a PS Form 1767:
  • Blocked fire extinguishers
  • Doors blocked
  • Pallets stacked too high
  • Mail Transportation Equipment overloaded
  • Red-tagged equipment not being repaired
  • Empty equipment stacked too high
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) not being provided
  • Safety service talks not being given to all employees
  • Fire extinguishers expired or not inspected
  • Restrooms inoperable or unclean
  • Emergency stops being bypassed on machine jams
  • Fire and spill drills not conducted
  • Safety barriers inoperable or unrepaired after damage
  • Tractor trailer backing lines not visible nor repainted
  • Insufficient parking lot lighting
  • Air conditioning and heating inoperable
  • Harassment, intimidation or bullying in the workplace
  • Hazmat spill procedures ignored
  • Compressed gas cylinders stored in unsafe areas
  • Exit routes not marked or illuminated

  • Doors, passageways, stairways not properly marked as “Not an Exit”
  • Floors obstructed with equipment
  • Inadequate lighting or ventilation
  • Eye flushing stations inoperable or unclean
  • Shelving not bolted down or to walls
  • First aid kit material outdated or unavailable
  • Missing guard covers on mail processing equipment
  • Shelter in place not properly labeled
  • Deaf and hard of hearing not included in safety talks
  • Mold and asbestos issues
  • Drilling without out proper vacuum and or ventilation
  • Dust and other unknown matter in ventilation systems
  • Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) not updated
  • Leaking roofs not repaired
  • Worn out or torn floor mats not replaced
  • Starting and stopping devices not clearly marked
  • Roll up doors inoperable or malfunctioning
  • DBCS machines damaged or malfunctioning
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