Darkness and Safety
The time of year is almost upon us (Standard Time) when darkness comes much earlier in the evening including late afternoons on some occasions. Because of later starting times and/or staffing problems in some office’s, darkness can certainly become a challenge and in some cases cause issues with a Letter Carriers safety. To make matters worse, during most of the period during Standard Time, temperatures here on Long Island like elsewhere in the Northeast drop to dangerously sub freezing temperatures that compound the issue of delivering mail in the dark.
The first thing for every letter carrier to know is that there is no blanket policy regarding delivery after dark. Arbitrators have ruled that darkness in and of itself is not unsafe. With that in mind for instance no Letter Carrier should ever return back to the office with undeliverable mail and simply leave the undeliverable mail behind or state to a Supervisor I am ending my tour because it is dark out.
With this in mind each letter carrier must weigh individual circumstances about the type of delivery including the surrounding area where the deliveries are being made and your past experiences with after dark deliveries. Although darkness in and of itself may not be unsafe, darkness may contribute to an unsafe situation. For example, not being able to see the steps you have to walk up and down is unsafe. Not being able to see ice that has accumulated on walkways, steps or the ground is unsafe. Not being able see dogs or other animals is unsafe. In certain areas, Letter Carriers delivering in a high crime neighborhoods after dark may be considered unsafe.
There are several things a Letter Carrier can do to help stay safe while delivering mail when it is dark. If you are on a walking route and it is not well lighted then you may want to consider not cutting lawns. (Especially if the lawns are uneven or often littered with toys, sporting equipment, ornaments etc.) Always walk when it is dark out where it is safest. This is usually the driveway and sidewalk. If the area is not well lighted then you may not be able to finger the mail while walking. This is especially true because one’s peripheral vision may be compromised due to the darkness. If this is the case one will need to be more aware of their surroundings and watch more closely where they are walking.
In addition to walkout routes, a Letter carrier may have problems due to darkness when delivering on cluster box routes and dismount and mounted routes. If a Letter Carrier has to turn on the light in their vehicles to sort the mail for delivery, you may need to adjust your eyes to the dark again before driving to the next stop.
Another consideration a Letter Carrier may have to consider is how familiar he or she may be with the route that you are being asked to deliver mail on. If one is unfamiliar with the route then more precaution usually needs to be taken. This is especially true if he or she is carrying part of another route because of pivoting or overtime.
If at any time you chose to bring the mail back because of Safety reasons let your supervisor know what unsafe factors the darkness caused you that made you bring the mail back. Let them know where the unsafe factors along the assignment that you were doing existed. (For Example, Front Street the last relay) It is recommended as should always be the practice, to fill out Form 1571 (Undelivered Mail Report) and fill out a PS Form 1767 (Report of Hazard, Unsafe Condition or Practice). Make sure you receive a copy or receipt back of both forms. Also, once you know that because of the darkness you may not be able to return from your assignment in the expected time, that you inform management that you will be not be able to return on time and ask them for further instructions. If management should try and discipline you for any reason please see the Shop Steward so that any such action will be grieved.
In closing, remember there is no blanket policy regarding delivery in the dark. It is about each carrier’s responsibility to measure safety and report to supervisor’s any unsafe conditions encountered. It is management’s responsibility to provide a safe environment.
