Safety Is A Fundamental Right for All Employees at the USPS

(This article appeared in the May/June 2026 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine)

Greetings APWU family. As Central Region Coordinator, I oversee many issues in the 13 states that I represent. This month, I want to discuss one that is especially important and often gets overlooked by postal management. I continue to read articles in USPS publications about safety. Yet there are so many safety violations across the country that put postal workers in harm’s way. USPS management needs to do better and recognize that there are Executive and Administrative Schedule (EAS) employees who do nothing to ensure facilities are safe.

Safety is a fundamental right for all employees who work for the United States Postal Service. We recognize that all APWU members work tirelessly to keep the mail moving, often under demanding conditions. Ensuring safe workplaces must remain a shared responsibility between management and employees, with accountability at every level.

USPS employees face a wide range of hazards, from repetitive motion injuries and heavy lifting to extreme temperatures and outdated equipment. These risks are real, and without proper safeguards, can lead to serious injuries and long-term health issues.

APWU leadership continues to advocate for improved working conditions, including proper staffing, functional equipment, and climate-controlled facilities. We recognize that when work environments are safe, you are all better prepared to perform your duties efficiently and with confidence.

I encourage you all to speak up when you see unsafe conditions. Reporting hazards with a PS Form 1767 Report of Hazard, Unsafe Condition or Practice, participating in safety committees and meetings, and knowing your rights are all critical steps in preventing accidents before they happen. We cannot be silent. If you see something, say something. If management does nothing to address your concerns, please reach out to your local union. If your local continues to have issues, they can reach out to us, your regional coordinators, to address them. Please do not be discouraged or intimidated into not reporting unsafe conditions.

Union solidarity plays a key role in workplace safety. We need to continue to educate ourselves and share that education with newer employees. By standing together, we can hold management accountable and push for necessary changes.

Key handbooks and manuals that provide guidance include Article 14 of the APWU-USPS Collective Bar-gaining Agreement; the “Employee and Labor Relations Manual” ELM Section 800; EL-801; EL-809; EL-814; and MS-10.  A PS Form 1767 should be located and easily accessible in every facility for you to report unsafe conditions.  

At the end of the day, every worker deserves to return home safely.