Post office faces fine over carriers' hot deliveries

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — A federal safety agency has proposed fining the Ottumwa post office $46,600, saying postal officials had exposed mail carriers to excessive heat on at least two occasions.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a news release Tuesday that on June 10 a carrier reported heat illness symptoms and requested relief but was told to complete the route. The heat index that afternoon was 100 degrees. OSHA also says a different Ottumwa mail carrier was hospitalized for heat illness on July13. The carrier also had asked for relief due to feeling ill but was told to complete the route.

An Ottumwa postal worker referred questions to a district official in Des Moines, who didn't immediately return a call from The Associated Press.


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