Investigation Reveals Postal Service Ignoring Heat Risks for Mail Carriers
As the United States experiences its hottest summer on record, the U.S. Postal Service is facing allegations of neglecting the safety of its mail carriers in extreme heat conditions. Despite the increasing heat advisories across the country, letter carriers are reporting a lack of essential heat safety training and pressure to rush mail deliveries in sweltering conditions.
Heat Dome Incident in Upstate New York
The issue came to light when a U.S. Postal Service manager in Buffalo, New York, expressed frustration that letter carriers were lingering in air-conditioned post offices during a dangerous heat dome in July. In an email obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News, the manager ordered local supervisors to “get this time back” by turning off the air conditioning and driving the carriers out of the post offices. This directive raised concerns about the Postal Service’s approach to employee safety in extreme heat conditions.
Allegations of Falsified Safety Records
One year after being accused of falsifying heat-safety training records for thousands of letter carriers, the Postal Service is now facing additional allegations of pushing employees to rush deliveries in sweltering conditions. Letter carriers across the country have reported not receiving essential safety training on how to stay healthy in the heat, despite their personnel records indicating otherwise.
Calls for Safeguards
In response to these allegations, 77 House Democrats penned a letter urging Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to implement safeguards to protect workers from heat-related risks. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), who spearheaded the letter, emphasized the importance of addressing systemic issues that put employees at risk in extreme heat conditions. The accusations come as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigates the death of a USPS worker in North Carolina possibly due to heat-related causes.
Vulnerability of Letter Carriers
Letter carriers are among the workers most vulnerable to heat illness, as they often operate trucks without air conditioning and walk long distances carrying heavy mail bags. Hospitalizations for heat-related illnesses accounted for a significant percentage of the on-the-job injuries reported by USPS to OSHA. Despite the risks, the Postal Service has long denied the impact of heat on its carriers, leading to ongoing disputes with OSHA over safety citations.
Falsified Training Records
An investigation by E&E News revealed that the Postal Service faced allegations of falsifying safety records to show that letter carriers had received heat illness recognition and treatment training when they had not. The issue came to light after the death of letter carrier Eugene Gates Jr., who succumbed to heat stroke in June 2023. Records showed that Gates had not received the necessary training, prompting outrage from members of Congress.
Denial of Air Conditioning
As record-breaking temperatures swept the nation, Postal Service managers were accused of denying air conditioning to letter carriers and shifting blame onto the workers for heat-related issues. An employee in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, filed a complaint with OSHA in July, citing potential heat-related hazards due to the lack of air conditioning during route preparations. The complaint highlighted the need for proper cooling measures for employees working in sweltering conditions.
Concerns Over Rest Breaks
Postal Service headquarters expressed concerns about unauthorized rest breaks taken by letter carriers, citing significant hours of “inactive delivery time.” A PowerPoint presentation directed area supervisors to monitor “unauthorized periods of inactivity” using digital observance through letter carrier mail scanners. While the presentation emphasized the importance of monitoring breaks, it failed to address the necessity of rest and cooling breaks during heat waves, as recommended in USPS’ heat-protection plan.
Union Grievances
Cliff “Eddie” Davidson, representing southeastern letter carriers with the National Association of Letter Carriers union, reported a decrease in grievances filed this summer related to falsified heat safety training records compared to the previous year. Despite the decline, Davidson emphasized that the situation was still far from ideal, indicating ongoing challenges in ensuring worker safety in extreme heat conditions.
Congressional Inquiries
Members of Congress have been actively monitoring the Postal Service’s treatment of letter carriers in the heat, with multiple inquiries directed at Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Calls for adjustments in mail delivery schedules during heat waves and complaints about inadequate water provisions to San Antonio letter carriers underscore the ongoing concerns about worker safety within the USPS.
OSHA Safety Regulation
In July, OSHA proposed a safety regulation requiring employers to provide workers with water and rest breaks in cool areas when the combined heat and humidity exceed 80 degrees. The regulation also mandated 15-minute water and rest breaks every two hours when the heat index reaches 90 degrees. Despite calls from lawmakers for the Postal Service to adopt these safeguards voluntarily, USPS declined, citing potential changes in the rule before adoption and highlighting its existing heat-illness prevention program.
Worker Experiences
Mail carrier Kristie Jacob from Corpus Christi, Texas, shared her experience of fainting while delivering mail due to heat exhaustion, leading to a heart arrhythmia. Jacob recounted feeling mocked by her supervisor when she expressed her inability to complete her route due to feeling unwell from the heat. Her story reflects the challenges faced by letter carriers working in extreme heat conditions and the need for better support and training to ensure their safety.
Conclusion
The ongoing allegations of neglect and falsification of safety records within the U.S. Postal Service highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect letter carriers working in extreme heat conditions. As temperatures continue to rise across the country, addressing the systemic issues affecting worker safety is crucial to prevent further tragedies and ensure the well-being of those delivering essential mail services.