Mail carriers urge public to clear snow, ice for safety
By Jenna Wilson
Snow is still covering areas across St. Joseph, and the United States Postal Service is asking residents to help keep its workers safe.
If snow or ice is not cleared around the mailbox, it can create challenges for carriers trying to deliver mail.
“The road crews are doing a great job banking that snow up against the mailboxes on the side when they push it off the streets, though, unfortunately, it can cause problems for carriers,” said Mark Inglett, USPS strategic communications specialist. “So, we’re asking that people shovel a path, like a car length approach, to the curbside mailbox as well as a little path for us to get back out in the street, that would help us a great deal.”
Those with a mailbox attached to their house are advised to make a clear pathway to the porch.
Inglett said mail and deliveries may be delayed if letter carriers cannot reach the mailboxes or home safely, but they assure they will be back out the following business day to reattempt the delivery.
“We train our carriers on recognizing the signs of hypothermia, frostbite and things similar,” Inglett said. “They’re geared up in layers doing a great job trying to get everybody’s mail to them as quickly as possible but the safety of our carriers is a top priority and we’re doing everything we can. We really appreciate everybody’s patience during this time of year.”
USPS says the general rule of thumb for snow removal around mailboxes is about 15 feet before and 15 feet after the mailbox to allow carriers to deliver mail safely.
