Working in the post office can be a rewarding and relatively safe career. 

However, like any other job, the postal service has unique risks that you need to be aware of.

This article discusses measures to keep yourself safe while working in the post office by providing some precautionary steps and reminders.

The write-up also gives safety tips like preventing crime in the post office and detecting suspicious behaviors.

Safety is crucial in all settings, so follow these tips to stay safe in the post office. 

If you want to find out about other American post offices, here’s how to find post offices near you.

Ensuring Safety in the Post Office

You are responsible for keeping your workplace and coworkers safe as a postal worker. You can do this by:

• Proper handling of tools, equipment, and machinery within the office can help prevent accidents.
• Reporting unsafe conditions you notice in the post office to your supervisor.
• Being aware of your surroundings while working to avoid accidents or injuries is crucial. 

For example, if an object on the floor at work could cause someone to trip over it, notify the management immediately so they can fix it before someone gets hurt.

• Taking breaks will help reduce fatigue which could lead to mistakes when on duty at the post office.

How to Prevent Crime

Crime prevention can involve stopping opportunities for a crime. Here are some tips to keep yourself safe.

How to Prevent Theft

• Report possible theft to the United States Postal Service (USPS). The USPS has a variety of security measures in place to protect against theft.
• Understanding why people steal from their workplace and how they do it can help you prevent employee theft. 

If you notice any suspicious behavior, contact your supervisor immediately and fill out an incident report.

• By tracking inventory, postal workers can easily spot missing items and determine whether specific items were lost or stolen.

How to Prevent Physical Assault

• Be aware of your surroundings. Staying on guard is the most basic precaution you can take to avoid becoming a victim of crime. 
• Always be vigilant. Postal workers should always be alert to meet danger in their work area, especially when delivering mail.

Check for hazards like broken glass or loose dogs before entering a site where mail delivery occurs. 

• Prioritize safety. If you feel a sense of danger while attempting to deliver mail, prioritize your safety over completing the delivery.

 In general, postal workers should avoid dangerous interactions with angry citizens.

How to Detect Suspicious Activity

One of the most vital things you can do to keep yourself safe at work is to watch and listen. If something doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t.

• Drastically changing one’s behavior when others are watching
• Exhibiting unusual behavior or physical symptoms
• Unusual noises such as screams, yells, or gunfire
• People engaged in an intense argument, shouting at each other

If you see behavior that concerns or alarms you:

• Call 911 and note down information such as your name and location, what you see, a description of the person involved, and the location of the person involved.
• Keep an eye on the person only if it is safe to do so, and keep a safe distance from them.
• If personal safety allows, get a good description of the suspicious person. 

Note their height, weight, sex, complexion, and approximate age—this information will help police officers investigate.

Other Safety Tips for Postal Workers

• Prepare for the Weather. Postal workers must be on the lookout for all kinds of weather.

Postal workers should have proper clothing. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable material to keep your body temperature down on hot days.

You should also wear sunscreen on sunny days to prevent sunburns.

• Avoid Injuries While Delivering Mail. While delivering mail, it’s important not to slip or fall while walking on slippery sidewalks or uneven ground. It would be best to be cautious if dogs are within the area to avoid getting bitten.
• Be careful while driving. You must follow specific rules if you deliver mail in a USPS vehicle.

Always be alert, and watch for any pedestrians crossing your path.
Keep an eye on your vehicle to ensure it is in good working order.

To prevent accidents, the USPS requires its drivers to maintain a minimum four-second interval between vehicles in front of them.

If you are driving, keep your mail tucked away and be careful of the space in front of your mailbox when pulling out.

Ultimately, it is essential to remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility. 

Suppose postal workers notice something out of the ordinary and don’t speak up about it. In that case, they are putting themselves and their fellow employees and customers at risk.

 For this reason, being alert and taking note of suspicious activity should be part of your daily routine.