IMPROPERLY CONSTRUCTED CONCRETE SLAB LEADS TO SLIP AND FALL INJURY

During a routine delivery route within a multi-family residential community, a Postal Carrier for the United States Postal Service (USPS) slipped on the forward sloped edge of the concrete pad located below the cluster box units (CBUs), fell into the CBUs and landed on top of the concrete pad.

The Postal Carrier suffered a laceration to her head and minor cuts and bruises to other body parts. After the accident the Postal Carrier filed a lawsuit against the multi-family residential community claiming that the concrete pad did not meet applicable standards and details, and that the concrete pad required removal and reconstruction.

In closely examining photographs of the existing concrete pad in question we noted that it was constructed on grade within a landscaped area. We noted that between the top of the concrete pad and the top back of the curb there was a difference in elevation which created a sharp slope. This sloped area is where the Postal Carrier slipped and fell.

VMAR performed extensive research into the applicable standards and details for the construction and installation of the concrete pad. Through our research we located a publishing of the USPS National Delivery Planning Standards, A Guide for Builders and Developers. We discovered that based on these standards and details, there should not be a slope from the top of the concrete pad to the top back of the curb (see exemplar concrete slab photo). The detail on page 13 of the guide states, “Chamfer edges in landscape areas – tool edges flush with adjoining surfaces in paved areas” and “[m]atch existing grade in paved areas.” (See detail below.)

Therefore, the concrete pad constructed and installed below the CBUs within the multi-family residential community is not in compliance with the current USPS standards and details.

Examining concrete slab beneath cluster mailbox units
Examining slope of concrete slab beneath cluster mailbox units
Examining exemplar concrete slab beneath cluster mailbox units
Exemplar properly constructed concrete slab beneath cluster mailbox units
U. S. Postal Service National Delivery Planning Standards A Guide for Builders and Developers, Page 13

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