To protect the health and safety of the public and our employees, the Postal Service™ has developed specific procedures for safeguarding, identifying, and handling and delivering hazardous materials (HAZMAT). Due to several recent incidents of non-mailable HAZMAT in the mailstream, the Postal Service has designated November as HAZMAT Awareness Month to highlight these issues.
Lithium battery fires (exceeding the 100-watt-hour limit) and mercury and corrosive liquid spills in packages continue to pose a threat. There has been an increase in undeclared HAZMAT, such as items that do not display the required markings or are improperly packaged mailable HAZMAT — or both.
These includes the following:
n Liquids with no absorbent material.
n Mercury.
n Aerosol cans in non-rigid packaging.
n Reused boxes with former markings that are still visible.
During HAZMAT Awareness Month, the Postal Service will provide the following targeted communications to reinforce awareness of HAZMAT policies and procedures:
n Poster 298, Domestic Hazardous Materials-Warning Labels and Markings (see below).
n Poster 37, Is Your Package Safe to Mail? (see below).
n Poster 702, Prohibited Goods Warning Labels.
n Poster 81, How to Reuse a Box for Shipping (see below).
n Poster 318, Civil Penalties, Mailing Hazardous Material (see below).
n Postal Bulletin and LINK articles.
As peak season begins, the Postal Service expects increased mail volume and its potential risks. Let’s be diligent and focus on the importance of adhering to USPS HAZMAT policies and procedures.
You can find all posters at blue.usps.gov/cpim/posters.htm.
— Retail and Post Office Operations, 11-14-24
