Job Safety Analysis

Title: Setting up MTE

*Note: This document verifies the hazard assessment

as required by 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2).

Location (e.g., Station, Branch, Plant)

Job Description:

Titles of Employees Performing the Job:

Occupational Codes:

Name:

Setting up work areas with GPMCs, ERMCs, tray carts, hampers,

utility carts, OTR/BMCs, wire containers, platform trucks (dollies or
Netting trucks), & Postalpaks. Includes stacking & unstacking
hampers; moving trays & flats; & installing false bottoms.

Clerk

None assigned

Street Address 1:
Street Address 2:
City:

Mail Handler
Rural Carrier
City Carriers

Location Description:
workroom floor plants and post offices

State:
Zip Code:
Area:
PC:

Author

Headquarters Safety Review

Local Review

Name: Hank Woodcock, CIH

Name: Frank Lundblad, CIH, CHMM

Name:

Title: Safety Consultant

Title: Manager, Safety Programs

Title:

Date: 6/12/2001

Date: 6/12/2001

Date:

Approval: Yes

Approval:

Sequence of Basic Steps

1. Check MTE condition and move to staging or
work area.

Potential Hazards and Effects

1.1. Hazard: See JSA for handling MTE

Yes

No

Safe Work Practices

Required PPE*

1.1.See JSA for handling MTE

1.1.<None>

2.1. Hazard: Single person lifting the top and

bottom to assemble Westpak or Postalpak.

2.1.Use 2 people to lift top and bottom of Westpak

or Postalpak to assemble.

2.1.<None>

Effect: Shoulder and back strain.

Leather or fabric gloves with gripping surfaces may

be worn to improve grip.

3.1. Hazard: Bottom of GPMC or ERMC rolls away

and top falls toward assembler.

3.1.Hold onto the center portion and one side of

the GPMC or ERMC until the bottom holds the
sides in place.

3.1.<None>

4.1.Make sure the bottom shelf is firmly seated.

4.1.<None>

5.1.Make sure the webbing and web support bar

are securely stowed on shelf.

5.1.<None>

Effect:
2. Assemble Westpaks or Postalpaks (if used).

3. Assemble GPMC or ERMC (if required): swing

sides of GPMC or ERMC into place.

Effect: GPMC or ERMC strikes assembler.

4. Assemble GPMC or ERMC (if required): release

bottom shelf so it holds the sides of the GPMC or
ERMC into place.

4.1. Hazard: Bottom shelf not seated in the Ushaped retainers on each side.
Effect: Sides spread so GPMC or ERMC collapses
and strikes assembler.

5. Assemble GPMC or ERMC (if required): place

webbing and web support bar or ERMC on bottom
shelf.

5.1. Hazard: Web or bar falling out during

movement of ERMC.
Effect: Slip, trip, fall

6. Unstack hampers (if used): push pile onto floor.

6.1. Hazard: Object or worker in the path of falling

pile of hampers or carts.

6.1.Make sure area is clear and workers who

might move near pile are warned.

6.1.<None>

7.1.Don't jerk at MTE to remove it from pile. Pull

loose cart away from pile first. Don't bend at the
waist. Lift with hands near the body.

7.1.<None>

8.1.Install a false bottom in hampers before

loading them to prevent stress for workers
unloading them.

8.1.<None>

9.1.None

9.1.<None>

10.1.Use 2 workers to lift canvas hampers and

count, "1,2,3 lift" to make sure the lift is
coordinated. Lift smoothly without jerking the
hampers. Don't attempt to lift the polyethylene
hampers, push them on their sides to stack them.
Use 2 workers to lift the polyethylene stack upright.

10.1.<None>

Effect: Pile strikes worker or object.

7. Unstack hampers (if used): pull each MTE from
pile; lift it and set it upright.

7.1. Hazard: Pulling, jerking or lifting while bending

and reaching away from body.
Effect: Back and shoulder strain.

8. Install false bottom in hamper (if used).

8.1. Hazard: Lifting heavy mail from bottom of the

hamper while leaning over the side.
Effect: Back strain.

9. Stack hampers (after using them): position

hampers next to each other.

9.1. Hazard: None

Effect:

10. Stack hampers (after using them): Stack

canvas hampers 3 high: lift 2 hampers (1 at a time)
& place into third hamper; or push polyethylene
hampers onto their sides & slide 2 hampers into
another one

10.1. Hazard: One person lifting hampers, lifting

heavy polyethylene hampers into a stack
Effect: Back and shoulder strain.

Leather or fabric gloves with gripping surfaces may

be worn to improve grip.
11. Position MTE in the work area.

11.1. Hazard: See JSA for handling MTE

11.1.

11.1.<None>

11.2.Arrange MTE so aisles remain open and so

walking paths in work areas are not obstructed.

11.2.<None>

11.3.Set brake of MTEs that have brakes. Brace

MTE against objects when possible to keep them
from rolling.

11.3.<None>

Effect:
11.2. Hazard: MTE blocking aisles or pathways,
obstructing free flow of traffic.
Effect: Slips, trips, falls; reduces visibility of
powered equipment drivers to see and avoid
pedestrians.
11.3. Hazard: MTE that can inadvertently move
during loading or unloading.
Effect: MTE strikes worker or equipment; back
strain from sudden movement.

11.4. Hazard: Stacking pouches, sacks, trays, and

loose items in walking paths.

11.4.Store loose items away from walking paths,

beneath tables and bins where possible. Store
sacks and pouches in a sack or pouch.

11.4.<None>

12.1. Hazard: Displaced air in the tub or tray

causes debris and dust to fly into the air.

12.1.Dump visible dust. Keep face and head away

from airstream.

12.1.<None>

Effect: Debris or dust in eye.

Impact resistant spectacles may be worn

12.2. Hazard: Piling stack too high.

12.2.Keep stacks low enough to see over and

control. Separate large stacks into smaller stacks.

12.2.<None>

13.1.Either have 2 workers lift fallen stack or

restack by removing 2 or 3 trays or tubs from floor
at a time.

13.1.<None>

Effect: Slips, trips, falls.

12. Stack MM trays or flat tubs: toss empty MM

trays into an MM tray or empty flat tubs into a flat
tub to form a stack.

Effect: Stack blocks visibility and reduces control;

worker strikes object or equipment.
13. Move MM tray of flat tub stacks: lean stack at a
45-degree angle, push to the location, then lean
stack upright.

13.1. Hazard: Stack falls and must be lifted.

Effect: Heavy lift from floor strains back.

Leather or fabric gloves with gripping surfaces may

be worn to improve grip.
13.2. Hazard: Stack bends and collapses.

13.2.Stop, place stack upright and restack into a

shorter stack.

13.2.<None>

Effect: Back and shoulder strains from supporting

or holding stack at 45-degrees.
Health Risk Assessment: 5 (Negligible)

Ergonomic Risk Assessment Code: 4 (Minor)

Safety Risk Assessment: 4 (Minor)

Qualitative/Quantitative Exposure Assessment Data
n/a

Supporting Postal Service Policy Documents

PO-502
EL-814

Supporting Safety Talks

Title:
Dos and Don'ts of Lifting
Hand Protection
Manual Handling of
Materials
Team Lifting

Link:

Container Handling Methods

Postal Employee's Guide to Safety
Required Training

Course No.

Course Title: