USPS makes changes to mail delivery in the middle of record heat
Depending on where you live, you can expect changes to your regular delivery schedule.
Those in the South of the United States much more heat that they are used to it. Temperatures are up to 20 degrees higher than normal For Texas residents, the States of the Gulf Coast, Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas, The New York Times Reported - and record heat should not release for the weekend of July 4. The current heat wave is not only uncomfortable, but also dangerous, having already led to Several dead During last week. Now, the American postal service (USPS) makes changes to the delivery of mail in the middle of this extreme heat. Read the rest to find out how the USPS changes its schedule.
Read this then: USPS makes these changes to your mail .
A carrier died by delivering mail.
On June 20, 66-year-old USPS Eugene Gates Jr. collapsed on his route in Dallas, Texas. An owner tried to perform the RCR, but after the carrier hospital , he was declared dead, The Dallas Morning News reported.
According to the WFFA ABC-Affiliate, the death of Gates is thought to be related to heat , but on June 27, which had not yet been confirmed. The exit also indicated that when the doors collapsed at 3 p.m., the heat index was 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
"We are always in a sort of limbo as of the exact cause of death , but we know that it was extremely hot the day Eugene passed, " Kimetra Lewis , the president of the Lonestar 132 branch of the National Association of Transporters of Letters, told Fox 4.
But while an official cause of death has not been announced, Lewis confirmed that on Monday, June 26, the carriers of the region have a revised calendar.
Beginning hours are now an hour earlier.
With the current heat wave, Lewis said that USPS letters from the Lakewood office, Texas, (Gates location) are now starting at 7:30 am, against 8:30 am, this followed a back and forth between Lewis and Managing the USPS, until the previous start time is finally confirmed.
Postal employees sent Fox 4 photos of a leaflet published in their workplace, which announced the start of 7:30 a.m. and asked the carriers to contact the management if I cannot spend this time. Initially, only letters of letters to Lakewood started earlier, but Lewis later said to Fox 4 that it Change is on a state level .
When Better life Contacted USPS for confirmation, a spokesperson had no other information to provide on the subject.
"The carriers are really, you know, they are a bit terrified about having to work in the elements we face here in Dallas and in all of Métroplex," Lewis told Fox 4. "The carriers are concerned To be there, when it is at the highest point of the day. And he did it, and it is their greatest concern. "
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The widow of Gates always has concerns.
Speaking with WFAA, the widow of Gates, Carla Gates , spoke of her husband, who had been a spokesman for almost 40 years. "If you came across his way, you have never forgotten it," she said at the point of sale.
She then expressed her frustration towards the USPS - and her convictions according to which the start time of 7:30 am will not be enough to ensure the safety of postal employees.
"Am I angry with postal service? Yes, I'm. Am I angry with postal service? Yes, I am," said Carla. "No one should work like that, no one. The mail will still be there, but my husband will not."
Carla told WFAA that her husband was starting to work early, take off at 6 am, which would be a better alternative "not only for postal service, for all those who train in this warm time from Texas to L 'exterior, there is a death trap. "
The USPS says security is its top priority.
While saying first that they had no additional information, the USPS provided a declaration to WFAA on Saturday, June 24. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
"Our operators deliver the mail throughout the year to variable temperatures and climatic conditions. This includes during the summer months when temperatures are increasing throughout the country," the statement said. "The safety of our employees is an absolute priority and the postal service has implemented a National Program for the Prevention of Heat Disease (HIPP) for all all employees and ensures that they have the resources necessary to do their job safely. "
The postal service has added that all vehicles purchased since 2003 have air conditioning and 34% of vehicles currently have air conditioning. However, Lewis was informed that the air conditioner of the Gates USPS vehicle was broken, several points of sale reported. As the employee's responsibility to report a defective AC, Lewis told WFAA that she was looking for if a repair ticket had been filed.
The OSHA Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also opened an investigation into the death of the doors, The Dallas Morning News reported.
"While temperatures continue to go beyond dangerous levels in Texas and in many regions of the country, employers must act responsible for their legal obligations to protect their workers from the well -known dangers of heat disease," said declared the OSHA to the point of sale.