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According to recent occupational safety reports for facilities in the Columbus Ohio Area, there has been an uptick in occupational injuries in association with lifting items and moving wheeled mail containers. As we enter our Peak Season, please review these safe practices as put forth in Handbook EL-814 Postal Employee’s Guide to Safety, Section 7d. For a more official review, invite and encourage your Manager/Supervisor to demonstrate these safety procedures during their Safety Talks.

Guidelines for Lifting: 1) Assess the load. If it appears to be too heavy or bulky to lift comfortably, get help. 2) Place one foot alongside the object being lifted and one behind. This method gives you greater stability and your rear foot gives you better upward thrust. 3) Use the sit-down position and keep your back in a straight line. A straight back keeps your spine, back muscles, and organs in correct alignment and minimizes organ compression, which otherwise could contribute to a hernia. 4) A palm grip is one of the most important elements of correct lifting. Keep your fingers and hands extended around the targeted object, using your full palm. Fingers alone have little power; you need the strength of your full hand. 5) Keep the load drawn close to your body. Tuck your arms and elbows against your side. 6) Position your body so that your weight is centered over your feet. This provides a more powerful line of thrust and ensures better balance. Start the lift with a thrust of your rear foot. 7) Avoid twisting during lifting; twisting is one of the most common causes of back injury. Simply turning your forward foot out and pointing it in the direction you are moving will avoid the greatest danger of injury.

Guidelines to move Mail Containers: Push, rather than pull, all hand trucks, containers, hampers, and other such equipment. Your hands must not protrude beyond the sides of the container you are pushing. Do not manually tow or pull containers. Push containers from the swivel-wheel end. Watch constantly for obstructions on both sides of the container.

Here is the third installment of the APWU Local 232 plan to embrace the USPS Safety Program and elevate positive change from both Management and Labor.

Part 3 – Identify and Engage the Leadership of the USPS and Encourage the “Team’ Attitude of Safety

WE MUST ESTABLISH A PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH MANAGEMENT SO THAT WE MIGHT INVITE AND ENCOURAGE SAFETY.

Bureaucracy by definition: At its core, bureaucracy is a systematic method of public administration that operates through hierarchical structures, standardized procedures, and professional expertise to ensure efficient implementation of government policies and services.

“[USPS] Management, which encompasses  all levels  including the first-line supervisor, is responsible and accountable for the prevention of accidents and control of resultant losses” (ELM 811.24.b). It is further recognized that the first-line Supervisor is closely associated with safety wherein they observe, identify, report, enforce, and train. But the bureaucracy can be hidden behind many doors; and consequently, it could be an inhibitor. It can be an inhibitor such that responsibility for safety becomes relaxed. It becomes easy for each element of the organization to expect the other to fulfill the role. Hence the oft quoted,  “You are right, that appears to be unsafe. We’ll let safety take care of that”. Who is ‘safety’ in this quote? The bureaucracy? There is no motivation, no accountability in such cases.

The APWU Local 232 must be familiar with  all levels  of management. We must be familiar with who reports to whom. We must understand the bureaucracy and how to change its nature. Our role is to “consult with management through appropriate employee representatives on safety and health matters” (ELM 814.1.c). Although the first-line supervisor carries great responsibility for safety, all, management and labor, are truly responsible. WE MUST ESTABLISH A PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP SO THAT WE MIGHT INVITE AND ENCOURAGE SAFETY. It is and should be the first and most effective tool of our influence.

Those tools of influence which the APWU Local 232 holds include, first, diplomatic (honored and respected dialogue motivated for the benefit of all), second economic (a recognition of potential financial loss or gain), and if necessary, third, our vigilant and united stance of the grievance process.

APWU Local 232 is intimately aware of matters of safety, a realistic approach to move the mail, and our mutual agreement via our contract. We appreciate the standard. Let us use our influence to train management to engage and have professional dialogue, particularly regarding matters of safety. We must learn of who they are.

Tony George

APWU Local 232 Safety Officer