The United States Postal Service® (USPS®) is bolstering its efforts to safely identify, handle, and deliver mailable hazardous materials (hazmat). The organization is reminding all employees to always ask customers if the parcel contains anything potentially hazardous, and to thoroughly examine every box for hazmat markings.
USPS has also improved its longstanding hazmat policies and procedures in the aftermath of recent incidents, including fires in packages with lithium batteries that exceed the 100-watt limit, and corrosive fluid and mercury spills.
These efforts include improved communication and coordination with shippers, enhanced systems to accept and process packages that contain hazardous materials, and better use of data to correct deficiencies.
Other measures include refreshed training for employees, improvements to the system used to report hazmat incidents, new signage in Post Office™ retail lobbies, and continued work with the United States Postal Inspection Service® to address hazmat incidents.
In November, the Postal Service™ is marking Hazmat Awareness Month, including distributing communications to reinforce the organization’s policies and procedures and to recognize employees for the crucial role they play in keeping the organization’s network safe.
n Poster 37, Is Your Package Safe to Mail? (see below).
n Poster 81, Shipping Reused Boxes.
n Poster 298, Domestic Hazardous Materials Warning Labels and Markings.
n Poster 318, Civil Penalty Notice.
n Poster 702, Dangerous Goods Warning Labels Prohibited in International Mail.
n HAZMAT Awareness Month promotions in targeted channels, such as the Postal Bulletin and LINK.
All posters can be found at blue.usps.gov/cpim/posters.htm.
— Retail and Post Office Operations, 11-16-23
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