How to Use a PS Form 4707 to Enforce Workplace Safety

The PS Form 4707 - Out of Order notice is a critical tool for enforcing workplace safety, operational efficiency, and equipment integrity. Many times, Postal Service management will allow damaged equipment, that should be taken out of service after an employee fills out and submits a PS Form 4707, to continue to be used on the workroom floor, creating safety hazards.

Postal workers should use the PS Form 4707 to report and tag defective equipment as “Out of Order” when equipment is found to be defective. It should be removed from service immediately, tagged with PS Form 4707, and taken to be repaired or placed in an area designated for troubled equipment. This ensures that the equipment is fixed before it goes back into service, creating a safe workplace environment for postal workers.

Below are some of the reasons why proper use of the PS Form 4707 is essential:

Use PS Form 4707 to Report Damaged Equipment for:

• Safety Compliance – Reporting damaged equipment with a PS Form 4707 helps prevent accidents, injuries, or further damage by ensuring that employees are aware of malfunctioning or hazardous machinery and management can begin the work to fix or replace it.
• Operational Efficiency – Identifying and tagging broken equipment helps maintenance teams prioritize repairs, reducing downtime and improving work ow. If the damaged equipment cannot be repaired locally, it is sent to a regional facility for repair. For example, damaged equipment in the Southern Region must go to Atlanta, GA for repair.
• Regulatory and Policy Adherence – The USPS follows strict safety and maintenance regulations. Properly using a PS Form 4707 enforces compliance with internal policies and external safety regulations.
• Accountability and Documentation – This form provides a record of equipment issues, which helps track maintenance history, identify recurring problems, and support necessary repairs or replacements.

Employees Should Not Remove a PS Form 4707 Red Tag. It is Necessary to:

• Prevent Unauthorized Use – The red tag indicates that equipment is unsafe or non-operational. Removing it without proper authorization can lead to injuries or further damage.
• Ensure Proper Repairs – The tag remains in place until the maintenance team has assessed and repaired the issue. Premature removal could result in equipment being used before it is safe.
• Comply with Policy – USPS policies require damaged equipment to be properly tagged and assessed before returning to service. Removing a PS Form 4707 red tag without proper clearance violates these policies.
• Prevent Legal and Liability Issues – If an accident occurs due to the unauthorized use of tagged equipment, it could lead to liability issues for both the worker and the USPS.

By following proper procedures for reporting and tagging damaged equipment, postal workers can help maintain safe and efficient workplaces.

If you or any of your coworkers become aware of anyone on the workroom floor condoning the use of red-tagged equipment, please alert a shop steward to address the situation immediately.

The wellbeing or life that you may save could be a coworker or your very own! ■