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New Fan Policy and Building Temperature Regulations by
As we all know, the anthrax attack that occurred through the use of the postal system in October 2001 brought about a number of operational changes by management on the workroom floor. These changes were designed to reduce the terrorist threat that existed and that could be attempted still again … remember, the perpetrator(s) are still at large. One of these changes was a general discontinuance of the use of fans on the workroom floor to reduce the possibility of circulating lethal anthrax spores into the air. As the summer months have already arrived, a re-examination of this "no fan" policy has been conducted and a new policy has been issued without the APWU’s endorsement. While the guiding policy is still to prevent anthrax spores from becoming airborne, a good deal of relaxation of the restrictions previously in effect has taken place. The new policy was delineated in a February 28, 2002 letter from Patrick Donahoe (USPS Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President) and Susan Medvidovich (USPS Senior Vice President, Human Resources) to various USPS officials nationwide. Some key points that were made by management in this letter were as follows:
The APWU reacted to this new managerial stance and grieved at the national level that the "no fan" policy be continued, and that the USPS maintains their HVAC equipment so that excessive heat would not become a problem necessitating the use of fans. It is the union’s position that this change in policy permitted fans to be placed back into operation without evidence that the hazard/risk and/or suspected hazard/risk (anthrax) that caused the fan(s) to be turned off, had been abated. The USPS stated that the risk of potential heat exhaustion is the reason for reintroducing fans into the work place. The APWU countered that the risk of heat exhaustion can be abated by adequate operation of the Facility's HVAC system controlling the work environment, specifically the temperature and the humidity. Perhaps in response to the APWU’s position, J. J. Holmes (Manager, USPS Maintenance Policies and Programs) sent a letter to all maintenance managers on March 5, 2002 encouraging them to verify that (1) preventive maintenance activities on air conditioning equipment have been executed; (2) refrigerant levels in chillers be checked; (3) leaks be repaired or scheduled to be repaired, and that a number of other related checks be completed as well. Fans or not, a number of helpful references are available should assistance be needed in maintaining a cool environment during these summer months. They are as follows:
With or without fans, postal workers can use these references to ensure that their workplace is comfortable and not excessively warm. You may also file a Form 1767 Report of Hazard, Unsafe Condition, or Practice, bring it up at your next local safety and health committee meeting, and/or see your steward without delay to file a grievance. Remember that OSHA has NO standards that regulate workplace temperatures such as those that we deal with on a daily basis. |
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