Onondaga’s Postal Branch Earns OSHA Top Honors for Safety

Friday Ceremony Hoists Flag Symbolizing Star Status

WHAT:
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the Syracuse Post Office’s Onondaga Branch has earned membership in OSHA’s prestigious “Star” Voluntary Protection Program. A ceremony on Friday, highlighted by the receipt of the OSHA Star flag, celebrates that achievement.

“Let me stress that this is a short ceremony. But it celebrates our long-standing commitment to safety,” said Syracuse’s postal officer in charge, Gail Weeks. “The Voluntary Protection Program is a rigorous process to administer your own workplace safety and health. In Onondaga, we proved we can do that and we are ready to celebrate. Safely, of course.”

WHERE:
Onondaga Branch
4912 W Seneca Tpke
Syracuse 13215

WHEN:
Friday, May 16 - 8 am
Media entry: Back door at dock

The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) promote effective worksite-based safety and health. Approval into VPP is OSHA’s official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health. OSHA’s verification includes an application review and a rigorous onsite evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts.

The Onondaga Branch of the Solvay Post Office is one of 1,945 worksites in 270 industries nationwide that have earned entry into the VPP. Other Syracuse postal worksites, including the Syracuse Main Post Office’s Processing Center at Taft Road and the Teall Station, are currently in the program.

Goals of VPP include injury reduction as well as enhanced workplace safety and wellness through partnerships with its unions, through mentoring for best practices among post offices and industry and through the active engagement of employees throughout the facility.

Applicants like the Onondaga Branch submit their average injury and illness data for the most recent three calendar years. To qualify for STAR, the highest ranking within VPP, the rates must be below the current, comparable private sector average rates published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Applicants also submit their Federal Occupational Injury and Illness Log for the most recent three calendar years.

According to Onondaga’s Station Manager, Michael Ackerman, the Onondaga facility has 20 employees who are represented by the American Postal Workers Union, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. The team leader for that station’s Safety and Health Committee is city letter carrier Gary LeBrun.