Postal Exam 916 key terms

Gear worn to reduce exposure to workplace hazards, such as gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, or steel-toed boots. Employers supply it and employees must wear it as trained.

A standardized document describing a hazardous chemical's dangers, safe handling, storage, and emergency first-aid steps. Workers check it before using an unfamiliar product.

The practice of identifying workplace chemical and physical dangers and sharing that information through labels, warnings, and training so workers can protect themselves.

A procedure that physically disables energy sources on equipment and attaches warning tags so a machine cannot start while someone is inspecting or repairing it.

A written, step-by-step instruction set describing how a routine task must be performed so results stay consistent and safe.

Following established written rules and steps exactly as directed, even when a shortcut looks faster, to prevent errors and injuries.

A written record of an accident, injury, near miss, or equipment damage, completed promptly and factually so supervisors can investigate and prevent a repeat.

An unplanned event that could have caused injury or damage but did not. Reporting near misses helps fix hazards before someone is actually hurt.

Any condition such as spilled liquid, loose matting, clutter, or poor lighting that can cause a person to lose balance and fall.

The designated path a worker follows to leave the building safely during a fire, drill, or other emergency, marked by signs and kept clear of obstructions.

A prearranged outdoor assembly location where employees gather after evacuating a building so supervisors can confirm everyone is accounted for and safe.

Giving full attention to a speaker, noting both words and tone, and confirming understanding by paraphrasing or asking clarifying questions before responding.

A structured transfer of information about work in progress, problems, and pending tasks from an outgoing worker to the one replacing them.

The defined order of authority in an organization, showing whom a worker reports to and who to notify when an issue exceeds their own authority.

Passing a problem or decision to a higher level of authority when it exceeds a worker's training, assigned scope, or ability to resolve it.

Specific information given about someone's performance or behavior, intended to reinforce what worked well or to guide improvement.

Working through a disagreement by focusing on the problem, listening to each side, and agreeing on a workable solution rather than assigning blame.

Information conveyed without words, such as facial expression, posture, gestures, and tone of voice, which can reinforce or contradict the spoken message.

Speaking or writing in short, direct sentences with familiar words so the message is understood quickly and misreading is unlikely.

A short meeting at the start of a shift where a supervisor shares goals, assignments, safety reminders, and changes that affect the crew.

The degree to which finished work is free of errors and matches the required standard, source document, or written instruction.

Checking one document or record against another to confirm that names, numbers, and dates agree before the work moves forward.

A difference between two records, or between what was expected and what was found, that must be investigated rather than ignored.

Reading text carefully to catch spelling, grammar, number, and formatting mistakes before a document is finalized or sent.

A planned inspection of completed work against a checklist or standard to catch defects before the item moves to the next step.

Placing each item into its correct category, route, or bin on the first attempt, confirmed by matching the label or code to the destination.

Arriving at work and returning from breaks at the scheduled time, ready to begin duties immediately rather than after extra preparation.

Taking responsibility for your own actions, results, and mistakes, and correcting problems instead of blaming circumstances or coworkers.

Doing the honest thing even when no one is watching, including following rules, protecting mail and property, and reporting your own errors.

Recognizing what needs to be done and acting on it without waiting to be told, staying within the limits of your authority.

Planning and prioritizing tasks so deadlines are met and the highest-importance work is finished before time runs out.

Protecting private information, such as addresses, medical details, or personnel records, from being shared with anyone not authorized to see it.

Completing a task or a promise through to its end and reporting the result, rather than leaving it partly finished or forgotten.

The ability to keep up sustained physical effort, such as walking a route or lifting repeatedly, across an entire shift without excessive fatigue.

Skill and speed in using the hands and fingers to grasp, sort, and manipulate small items accurately and repeatedly.

Damage to muscles, tendons, or nerves caused by performing the same movement many times, often prevented by breaks, stretching, and proper form.

A safe way to raise a load by bending the knees, keeping the back straight, holding the item close to the body, and lifting with the legs.

Adjusting the height, reach, seating, and layout of a work area so the body can perform tasks with less strain over a long shift.

A willingness to accept the physical demands and schedule of the position, including early starts, overtime, and outdoor conditions.