CLEVELAND, Ohio–With the recent winter weather challenges, Postal Service carriers are diligently attempting to make deliveries wherever possible. Area Post Offices are asking customers to help with the safe delivery of mail by keeping walkways and sidewalks clear from snow and ice. In past winter storm events, Postal carriers have suffered serious injuries related to slips, trips and falls due to icy and snow covered walkways and porch steps.
Letter carriers are instructed to use good judgment, and if a potential hazard exists may hold mail to addresses where ice and snow are not cleared. The Postal Service does not want to inconvenience any customers, but it must ensure the safety of its employees.
The Postal Service is asking customers to help keep their letter carrier safe this winter through the following actions:
• Clear enough snow from curbside boxes to allow mail trucks to approach the box, deliver the mail and to drive away from the box without danger of the need for backing.
• Walkways should be cleared of snow and ice and allow enough traction to avoid slips, trips or falls.
• Steps should also be kept clear of ice and snow and in good repair so as not to cause injury to the letter carriers or others who visit the customer’s home.
• Overhangs should be clear and free of snow and ice to avoid injury.