Be kind to your letter carrier and “break the ice.” Each winter, snowy and icy pathways, walks, and steps present a danger to mail delivery personnel.
While Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario have been experiencing milder than normal winter weather overall, there have been periods of heavy snowfall.
The amount of snow, combined with inconsistent weather patterns (from mild to freezing temperatures), have produced treacherous and icy conditions for our workers.
Every year, postal workers experience slip-and-fall accidents as a result of slippery winter conditions.
“Our letter carriers and rural mail service couriers are committed to providing excellent service all year around,” said David Gylwoychuk, manager of Operational Health & Safety, Prairie Region.
“Unfortunately, during the winter season our dedicated carriers are confronted with hazardous conditions on their routes, such as icy or snow-covered steps and uncleared pathways or driveways due to heavy snowfall,” he noted.
“Unfortunately, Canada Post delivery staff have already experienced 74 slips and falls—and we still have a long winter season ahead of us.”
If a carrier judges a walkway or set of stairs to be dangerous, he or she is not obligated to deliver to that particular address until the walking surfaces are improved.
This can cause unnecessary delivery delays.
In rural areas, Canada Post also needs customers’ co-operation to ensure the pathway leading to mailboxes and the area around Rural Mailboxes (RMBs) and Group Mailboxes (GMBs) are cleared and safe for travel.
“Please give your letter carrier and rural carrier a nice break this winter by keeping walkways and pathways clear of snow and ice,” said Gylwoychuk.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank those customers who have assisted us by keeping their delivery access clear so far this winter,” he added.
“Your co-operation is greatly appreciated by our employees and Canada Post.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
