Daily printout: April 29

Postal Service employees around the country recently took a pledge to always wear a seat belt when operating a motor vehicle on duty.

The seat belt pledge, organized by the USPS Chief Retail and Delivery Office, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, took place April 21.

Delivery units, district leaders and labor partners across the country rallied around a simple message: Safety first.

“Safety is not optional. It is a standard we own,” said Elvin Mercado, chief retail and delivery officer.

The pledge events included a stand-up talk and video with USPS and union leaders taking the pledge themselves.

“This was a six-month process at headquarters to put all the pieces together for this important safety initiative,” said Charles Headley, a delivery competency specialist in New Jersey who visited West Bloomfield, MI, for the event.

“We want all our employees to know how important it is that you stay safe. Let’s look out for each other,” he said.

Ontario Hopson, a customer services manager at Fort Dearborn Station in Chicago, stressed the urgency of the pledge.

“I don’t ever want to make a call to a family and tell them somebody was hurt. This needs to be taken seriously,” he said.

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The Postal Service is reminding employees to drive safely, especially on rural roads.

Recently, a rural carrier was driving along a gravel road on a clear day at a speed above the posted limit. The employee was not wearing a seat belt.

As the driver entered a curve, their vehicle collided head-on with a pickup truck pulling a trailer.

The impact heavily damaged the vehicle and trapped the carrier inside.

Emergency responders transported the employee to the hospital with serious injuries, which will require ongoing treatment.

This incident highlights several potential driving hazards, including the risks of speeding, failing to maintain control on loose gravel roads and the challenges of reduced visibility when approaching curves. It also emphasizes the importance of anticipating oncoming traffic.

Drivers must wear seat belts as required, consistently adhere to speed limits and stay aware of road conditions when operating postal vehicles or personal vehicles used for postal duties as a rural carrier.

The Workplace Safety page on MyHR has more information.