Last year Letter Carriers proudly collected 70.2 million pounds of food. This was the eighth consecutive year the drive collected more than 70 million pounds of food. Since the drive began in 1993, we have collected more than 1.1 billion pounds of food. Assisting us are the drive official sponsors, such as National Rural Letter Carriers Association, Campbell Soup Company, Valpak, U.S. Postal Service, United Way, AFL-CIO, Feeding America, Uncle Bob's Storage, and AARP.

This year we enter the drive with high unemployment, sky-high food and gasoline prices, and budget cuts to federal nutrition programs. Some of our larger food banks are reporting declines in food inventories. The food drive helps replenish the food supplies in our local pantries. Back again as the drive's official spokesperson is singer and "America's Got Talent" host Nick Cannon, and this year's special "Family Circus" artwork is dedicated to the memory of long-time supporter and famous "Family Circus" cartoonist Bil Keane who died in November. Once again during the drive's campaign, letter carriers from Branch 36, along with carriers across the nation, will be allowed to wear T-shirts to promote and support the food drive. Your shop steward will be taking orders for T-shirts.

With your support, we can make this year's food drive the best ever. For all inquiries contact your food drive coordinators David Velazquez and Mike Kelly at (212) 239-3901. A huge shout out to my partner and friend Orlando Gonzalez. Wish you the best and congratulations on your new position.

Perfect world and the USPS in the same sentence might seem impossible. There are other ways to accomplish this feat. One method is to establish a committee. Art. 14.4 in the JCAM requires the creation of local, joint safety committeesvat each installation with fifty or more employees, and encourages creation of committees at smaller facilities when requested by the union. In small facilities without committees, safety and health issues may be discussed in labormanagement meetings. Who are the members of the safety committee?

At the local level the safety committee shall consist of one representative from each of the unions at the installation; letter carriers, clerks, mail handlers, maintenance. There shall be equal representation on the committee between the unions and management. The safety philosophy of the committee is as follows: A: All injuries can be prevented. B: Management, which includes all levels through the initial level supervisor, has the responsibility of preventing injuries. C: It is possible to safeguard against all operating exposure that may result in injuries. D: All employees must be trained to work safely and to understand that it is to their advantage, as well as the Postal Service's, to work safely, and that they have a definite responsibility to do so in order to avoid the pain and suffering caused by accidents. E: It is good business from the standpoint of both efficiency and economy to prevent personal injuries on-the-job and off the job.

As a Branch 36 Letter Carrier serving on the safety and health committee, you must have a personal commitment to make accident prevention a part of your daily work. You can demonstrate your commitment through leadership and by setting an example by working safely and observing safe practices. Safety never just happens. If a workplace is safe, it is because somebody is working to make it safe. As a member of the safety and health committee, you are playing a major role in making your workplace safe for all employees. On the spot inspection of particular troublesome areas may be made by individual committee members when requested to the chair of the committee. Such request shall not be
unreasonably denied.

Responsibility of the committee members are as follows. Attend all scheduled meetings. Create and maintain an interest in safety and health and thereby help to prevent accidents. Review local safety and health rules and assist management with the enforcement of these rules. Review all letter carriers safety and health suggestions. Review all Forms 1767 (report of hazard, unsafe condition) and 1769 (Accident Report). Individual grievances will not be discussed during a local committee meeting. Article 14.7 in the JCAM states, the local safety and health committee must meet at least quarterly, but may meet more often if it wishes, on official paid time. The contract specifically identifies the creation of a Safety Committee. If your station does not have a Safety Committee, let's get involved and create one. For any further assistance you can contact me at 212-239-3901.

Being uncomfortable is not the major problem for letter carriers working in high temperatures and humidities. Letter carriers exposed to working in a hot environment face additional and generally avoidable hazards to their safety and health.

Be cautious when you are delivering on your routes. Don't let yourself be overcome by hot weather. Watch out for heat-related problems, such as heatstroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps. To reduce heat-related problems, drink plenty of fluids.

In the course of a day's work in the heat, a letter carrier may produce as much as two to three gallons of sweat. Because so many heat disorders involve excessive dehydration of the body, it is essential that water intake during the workday be about equal to the amount of sweat produced. Most letter carriers exposed to hot conditions drink less fluids than needed because of an insufficient thirst drive. Letter carriers therefore, should not depend on thirst alone to signal when and how much to drink. Instead, the carrier should drink five to seven ounces of fluids every 15 to 20 minutes to replenish the necessary fluids in the body. There is no optimum temperature of drinking water, but most people tend not to drink warm or very cold fluids as readily as they will cool ones. Whatever the temperature of the water, it must be palatable and readily available to the worker.

I urge all letter carriers to be aware of the following symptoms: dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting or dry pale skin without sweating. If you experience any of these symptoms, inform management and please seek medical attention immediately.

Working conditions play a primary role in causing job stress. Stress sets off an alarm in the brain, which responds by preparing the body for defensive action. The response is preprogrammed biologically. Everyone responds in much
the same way, regardless of whether the stressful situation is at home or work. Short- lived or infrequent episodes of stress pose little risk. But when stressful situations go unresolved, the body is kept in a constant state of activation, which
increases the rate of wear and tear to our biological system. Stress plays an important role in several types of chronic health problems, such as cardiovascular, musculoskeletal disorders and psychological disorders.

Some employers assume that stressful working conditions are a necessary evil, that companies must turn up the pressure on workers and set aside health concerns to remain productive and profitable in today's economy. But research findings challenge this belief. Studies show that stressful working conditions are actually associated with increased absenteeism, tardiness and intention by workers to quit their jobs, all of which have a negative effect on the bottom line. Low morale, health and job complaints, and employee turnover often provide the first signs of job stress. But sometimes there are no clues, especially if employees are fearful of losing their jobs. Letter carriers should not make a hasty decision while under stress. You should seek assistance immediately. The U.S. Postal Service has an EAP (Employee Assistance Program). EAP is a free, voluntary and confidential program that offers work or life consultation to postal employees and their families. You can call 800-327-4968 (800-EAP-4YOU) anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will always speak to an EAP representative when you call. For the hearing impaired with TTY equipment, call TTY at 877-492-7341. Remember your first visit to EAP is conducted on the clock.

As a basic ingredient of life, water should be a concern for all of us. Everyone must be aware of his or her water intake because hydration affects the whole body, from the cells to the digestive system to the brain and everything in between. The body is made up of 60 percent water, and every system of the body depends on it. It flushes toxins out of the organs and provides a moist environment for body tissues. It lubricates body tissues and joints. It regulates body temperature and metabolism. It eliminates waste in the blood and the intestines. All the cells in our body require it.

Many of us make the mistake of not drinking enough water throughout the day. The average recommendation for women is to drink six to eight glasses of water a day. For men, the average is a minimum of eight glasses a day. Those are the average recommendations, but overall it depends on the person's size, their environment and how much they sweat.

Some people think if they drink tea or coffee, they are ingesting a good amount of water. You should not rely on caffeinated beverages as your main drinking source. Too much caffeine causes the kidneys to excrete more fluid.

The fluid you are taking in is being released too quickly. Also alcohol is a diuretic which can increase urination and in turn cause a dehydrating effect. If we drink too little water, we get dehydrated. There's a test you can try to see if you are dehydrated. Pinch the skin on top of your hand and then let go. The skin should sink immediately back to your hand. If it slowly lies down, you need to drink.

People don't always need water to hydrate, for example, fruits and vegetables contain a lot of water. Watermelon and tomatoes, for instance, are 90 percent water by weight. The human body wants balance. So sipping water throughout the day helps our body stay on an even keel. Drinking the right amount of water also helps us maintain a healthy weight. In our sugar-laden culture, many of us drink unhealthy beverages with meals. You should drink water with your meals because there is no reason to have extra calories while eating. Not only does drinking the right amount of water help with our health and weight, it also can affect our mood. Water is one of the basic nutrients. A hydrated being is a happier being. Ultimately, water is very important for every part of our lives.

P.S.: Safety Captains, just a reminder: March 30th is the end of the 1st Quarter - don't forget to conduct your Safety and Health committee meeting with management. If you don't have a safety and health committee you can discuss safety and health issues at the Labor-Management meeting.

Technically, winter has officially arrived. For the next few months, letter carriers will be required to work briefly or for sustained periods in cold weather conditions. Letter Carriers will face special hazards that such work entails. Regardless of your age or physical condition, avoid overexertion in the winter. Cold weather puts a strain on your heart even without exercise.

A cold environment forces the body to work harder to maintain its temperature. Cold air, water and snow all draw heat from the body. Working in cold weather puts a tremendous strain on the body, even for people in good shape. Take frequent breaks and don't overexert yourself. Make sure you dress properly for the conditions. Wear several layers of lightweight clothing. Air is trapped between the layers to help keep the body warm. Protect your hands, feet and ears as they are the most susceptible to frostbite. Wear a hat as a large percentage of the body's heat is lost through the top of the head. Letter Carriers should be able to identify symptoms of cold-related problems.

The two main health hazards of overexposure to cold weather are frostbite and hypothermia.

Frostbite occurs when body tissues freeze. Skin becomes hard and numb. Most often frostbite affects fingers, toes, nose, cheeks, and ears. If you suspect frostbite, you should seek medical attention immediately. Move the person to a warm dry area. Don't leave the person alone. Remove any wet or tight clothing that may cut off blood flow to the affected area. Do not rub the affected area, because rubbing causes damage to the skin and tissues. Don't pour warm water directly on the affected area because it will warm the tissues too quickly causing tissue damage.

Hypothermia occurs as a result of exposure to cold, which can send body temperatures down to a dangerously low level. Hypothermia can occur in above freezing temperature when it's windy or when a person is exhausted or wearing wet clothes. Untreated, hypothermia can lead to unconsciousness and death. Symptoms of hypothermia may include fatigue or drowsiness, uncontrolled shivering; cool blush skin; slurred speech; irrational or confused behavior.

If you suspect hypothermia you should call for emergency help, ambulance or call 911. Move the person to a warm dry place. Remove any wet clothing and replace with warm dry clothing or wrap the person in blankets. Have the person drink warm, sweet drinks if they are alert. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

The major risk factors for cold-related stresses:
1. Wearing inadequate or wet clothing increases the effects of cold on the body.
2. Taking certain drugs or medication such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and medications that inhibit the body's response to the cold or impair judgment.
3. Having a cold or certain diseases such as diabetes, heart, vascular, and thyroid problems, may make a person more susceptible to the winter elements.

There are other safety hazards involved with working in the cold. For example, the cold can affect the functions of hands and fingers so that a worker loses feeling and dexterity, making it difficult to handle letters and pushcarts, thereby increasing the chance of an accident. The cold can also affect a worker's mood. Letter carriers who are cold and uncomfortable may be less alert to hazards or may rush to get the job done so that they can get inside and get warm.

Attention letter carriers, remember to work safe and smart during the winter months.

A workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that threatens your employees, customers or the public, disrupts or shuts down your operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies may be natural or manmade and include the following: Floods, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Fires, Toxic gas releases, Chemical spills, Radiological Accidents, Explosions, Civil Disturbances, and Workplace violence resulting in bodily harm and trauma.

What are the U.S. Postal Service responsibilities concerning an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency?

A Postal Service facility with more than 10 employees must maintain a written Emergency Action Plan (EAP). If there are 10 or fewer employees, a written plan is not required. Before an EAP is implemented, train designated employees to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of all employees.

Every USPS facility is responsible for conducting an unannounced emergency evacuation drill once each quarter. To spell it out, that would be four times a year. One quarterly drill must be a total evacuation. The other three will be only to the fire exits. Management is responsible for assigning responsibilities to personnel assigned to evacuation duties. Duties listed are squad monitors, searchers, exit guards, fire wardens and assistant wardens. Management is also responsible to train employees upon their initial assignment to the duties listed.

The first part of an emergency plan is to become familiar with your floor plan. In case of fire, you should know the location of and how to use all fire alarm stations and the location of all fire exits for your facility.

Follow the directions given by the assigned emergency evacuation team members and supervisors in your area. Evacuate your area immediately. Do not go to your locker to retrieve personal items. Do not use elevators during an emergency. Elevator use during an emergency evacuation is prohibited.

Follow all fire evacuation procedures during fire drills as well as during an actual emergency. Your local office must provide a method or methods to get disabled or handicapped employees out safely. Do not engage in any disruptive or unnecessary talking that might prevent others from hearing and understanding instructions and direction. Move quickly but do not run to the nearest exit. If you follow these simple emergency evacuation procedures, the outcome will be positive.