Implementation Process Agreed To For
Off-Site Safety and Health Inspections

(04/25/08) Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding MOU Re: Off-Site Safety and Health Program found on page 324 ofthe 2006 National Agreement requiring the National Joint Labor Management Safety and Health Committee to create an implementation process to ensure employees in off-site locations are fully protected by the Postal Service’s Safety and Health Program, the parties agreed to the following implementation process:

• The Postal Service Safety and Health Program and OSHA standards and regulations cover postal employees who perform postal duties in private employers’ establishments and while delivering mail and performing other activities off Postal Service Property.
  
• PS Form 1767 shall be made available in all off-site facilities. Reports of unsafe or unhealthful conditions will receive prompt attention in accordance with the Employee and Labor Relations Manual ELM, Chapter 8.
  
• The parties at the local level shall be responsible for enforcing the terms of the
  MOU. Disputes arising from the implementation of the MOU shall be processed at
  the local level in accordance with the National Agreement.
  
• Districts must conduct a Safety and Health Inspection only ofthe work areas in
  which postal employees perform work in the Off-Site facilities.
  
• Safety Inspections of the postal employee off-site areas, e.g. office space and equipment, and APWU participation in such safety inspections will be conducted in accordance with Article 14, Section 8 of the National Agreement and Chapter 8 of the ELM. The appropriate safety inspection is determined by the size ofthe host postal facility. The parties agreed that annual inspections of an employee’s work area in off-site facilities must be conducted by the Facility Safety Coordinator when the employees report to a postal facility with less than 100 work years in the regular workforce in accordance with Article 14, Section 8 and ELM Chapter 8. Semiannual inspections of employee’s work areas in off-site facilities must be conducted by the district safety staff or plant safety specialist when the employees report to postal facilities with 100 or more work years in the regular workforce in accordance with Article 14, Section 8 and ELM Chapter 8.

If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Corey Thompson, APWU Safety and Health Specialist or Gary Kloepfer, Assistant Director, Maintenance Division Article 14 Case Officer.

Click here for a copy of the APWU'S Implementation Instructions

Click here for a copy of the USPS's Implementation Instructions

Click here for a listing of detached mail units (DMUs)

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