In FY2015, the Postal Service will increase focus on at-risk employees and those who are new to the organization and less familiar with safe work practices. To refine this focus, the Postal Service will enhance reporting capabilities to allow for a proactive approach in tailoring safety programs to address concerns at a local facility level. Our efforts to improve accident reporting and analysis began with the launch of the new safety dashboard, an advanced reporting tool made available to field safety professionals. Providing real-time, informative data will quickly help identify accident causes and facilities where targeted interventions are required. A major part of these safety programs will be designed to address ergonomic impacts associated with the lifting, handling and repetitive motions required in all aspects of delivery, especially parcel delivery. In FY2014, the OSHA Injury and Illness (I&I) frequency rate for the Postal Service was 6.34 per 100 employees — a 12 percent increase over last year due to severe winter weather during December 2013 through February 2014.
Operating Statistics (see Managing the Changing Face of the Organization)
Career Employees
(actual numbers, unaudited)
FY2014
FY2013
FY2012
Headquarters and HQ related employees
Headquarters
2,934
2,967
2,922
Headquarters — field support units
3,618
3,870
4,189
Inspection service — field
2,376
2,411
2,403
Inspector general
1,132
1,135
1,124
Total HQ and HQ related employees
10,060
10,383
10,638
Field employees
Area offices
818
807
805
Postmasters/installation heads
16,538
17,804
17,376
Supervisors/managers
23,035
22,940
23,566
Professional administration and technical personnel
4,353
4,375
4,501
Clerks/nurses
118,925
118,751
139,666
Mail handlers
38,910
40,102
42,033
City delivery carriers
164,626
167,388
176,808
Motor vehicle operators
6,603
6,598
6,885
Rural delivery carriers — full-time
66,373
66,099
66,549
Building and equipment maintenance personnel
32,807
30,737
34,705
Vehicle maintenance employees
5,252
5,033
4,926
Total field employees
478,240
480,634
517,820
Total career employees
488,300
491,017
528,458
Noncareer employees
Casuals
1,658
1,779
5,651
Postal support employees
24,781
28,793
20,281
Nonbargaining temporary
276
249
3,537
Rural part-time: subs/RCA/RCR/AUX
48,099
46,607
48,170
Postmaster relief and leave replacements
13,207
13,454
8,727
City carrier assistant (CCA)
36,081
30,433
0
Mail handler assistant (MHA)
5,475
5,382
Transitional employees
14,204
Total noncareer employees
129,577
126,697
100,570
Total employees
617,877
617,714
629,028
Note: The Postal Support Employees category was created in 2011.
Note: The City Carrier Assistant and Mail Handler Assistant were newly created positions in 2013.
When employees are injured while on duty, the Postal Service proactively works to return employees to meaningful productive work. In FY2014, the Postal Service’s Return to Work initiatives contributed significantly in the reduction of the benefits paid (minus the Fair Share Administrative Fee) to the Department of Labor/Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (DOL/OWCP) for all injured workers (POD and USPS) by $1.7 million. In FY2015, the Postal Service will strengthen wellness programs to help reduce ergonomic and other workplace injuries, support employee health and foster a workplace where employees are productive and available.
