A recent news article from the APWU contains important information for USPS workers who have OWCP claims arising from injuries caused by DBCS machines. The full article, which has embedded links to the documents referenced in the article, can be found at the APWU website at the following link:
http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2011/11-007-osha-dbcsmachines-110114.htm
OSHA determined that Delivery Bar Code Sorter machines pose a direct risk to workers’ health, and that there is a “general lack of understanding about the hazards and injuries” associated with the equipment among postal managers. OSHA also reported that supervisors have ignored injury complaints; encouraged clerks to “work through” the pain, or have discouraged the reporting of injuries. “This fosters a perceived ‘lack of caring’ about the worker,” the agency reported.If you are pursuing a FECA claim with OWCP with regard to repetitive motion injuries arising from using DBCS machines, you should read through the materials posted by APWU.
