01. Asbestos Risk
How Are Postal Workers Exposed to Asbestos?
United States Postal Service (USPS) workers may have worked around asbestos-containing materials. Areas of concern in post offices include flooring and high-speed mail sorters. Some post offices used asbestos floor tiles and black mastic. And the conveyor belts on mail sorters had brakes that contained asbestos components.
As asbestos products become worn, they can release asbestos fibers, exposing workers.
The United States regulates asbestos but has not banned it. Older buildings and equipment may contain the mineral, including older post offices and postal vehicles. As these buildings and vehicles age, the asbestos within them may crumble and become airborne.
What Asbestos Products Put Postal Office Workers at Risk?
USPS did not produce asbestos products, but it did use them. They used the products for their heat resistance and durability. Asbestos products were present in buildings, equipment and vehicles.
Buildings built before the 1980s likely used asbestos construction materials. Larger mail-sorting facilities also had sorting machines with asbestos components. And mail carrier trucks and vans had asbestos parts.
Post office workers may have been exposed to asbestos from:
- Brakes
- Ceiling tiles
- Clutch plates
- Drywall
- Floor tiles
- Insulation
- Joint compounds
- Mastics
- Roofing materials
- Sorting machines
Despite knowing the dangers of asbestos, companies continued to sell these products. Many different companies produced the asbestos-containing materials USPS once used.
Common Places Postal Workers May Find Asbestos
Post office workers may find asbestos in the buildings where they work. Asbestos-containing materials were often used in the facilities. For example, asbestos flooring may have been a problem in many post offices.
Locations in the workplace that may have exposed postal workers include:
- Break rooms
- Customer service areas
- Garages
- Mail handling areas
- Mechanical rooms
- Post office lobbies
- Sorting rooms
- Staff offices
Many post offices were built before asbestos was regulated. If the potential asbestos-containing materials were created or installed in buildings before the 1980s, asbestos is probably present.
Postal Workers and At-Risk Trades
The USPS employs not only postal carriers but many other types of workers across the organization. Many of them may have come in contact with asbestos-containing materials.
At-risk trades in the postal industry include:
- Automotive mechanics
- Custodians
- Customer service representatives
- Distribution associates
- Electronic technicians
- Mail clerks
- Mail handlers
- Mail processing clerks
- Maintenance mechanics
- Motor vehicle operators
- Postal carriers
Postal customers may risk exposure by visiting post offices with damaged asbestos products. Also, postal workers may bring asbestos home on their clothes or in their hair. This method of exposing family members to asbestos is called secondary exposure.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Mesothelioma Risk
Mesothelioma Risk for Post Office Workers
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has monitored post offices for asbestos. Some investigations include:
- West Baden Springs Post Office: In 2016, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigators cited the Indianapolis-area post office for failing to protect employees. Investigators found the postal workers at the facility did not receive proper training or notification about asbestos.
- Stateline Post Office: Investigators were called to the Stateline Post Office in Stateline, Nevada, in 2013. They found the facility had broken floor tiles and exposed black mastic. Employees routinely rolled heavy sorting carts over the damaged floor.
- Washington Bulk Mail Center: In 1981, inspectors visited the Washington, D.C., facility to check airborne asbestos. They found asbestos levels were well below OSHA standards. It’s important to note this facility was only six years old.
Researchers have performed fewer studies on postal workers and asbestos exposure than other jobs. Even short-term exposure can cause mesothelioma.
Some postal workers have filed asbestos lawsuits. A mesothelioma lawyer can work with people who get sick from asbestos exposure. These specialized attorneys have the skills and tools to help people get compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages and more.
03. Asbestos Precautions
Asbestos Precautions for Post Office Workers
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and OSHA have asbestos regulations to limit exposure. While there is no asbestos ban in the United States, regulations have been established to protect people.
USPS has guidelines for protecting postal workers. These include:
- The Asbestos Management Guide: Published in 1998, this guide outlines specific rules USPS must follow. It includes building surveys, abatement programs, training requirements and communications.
- The Maintenance Management Order: This document updates how USPS manages asbestos. It outlines procedures for handling any asbestos-containing products, including floor and ceiling tiles.
Regulations require post office workers to receive training on asbestos precautions. Post offices should also clearly note areas with suspected asbestos. Anyone exposed to airborne asbestos higher than OSHA limits may need regular medical monitoring.
