Thirteen Chicago post office employees were hospitalized for heat-related illnesses on Saturday morning. According to officials, almost a dozen ambulances responded to the post office located at W Ohio and N Dearborn Streets around 8 a.m. The Chicago Fire Department reports thirteen people were taken to nearby hospitals for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stress. Twenty-three other post office employees refused medical treatment on the scene.
According to the U.S. Postal Service, the air conditioning in the building was broken and it was over 100 degrees inside the facility, which housed 135 employees. Several postal workers were seen standing outside of the building or inside a cooling bus after the postal building was evacuated. One postal worker claimed two people were vomiting. Another claimed a postal supervisor passed out and was taken away in an ambulance. Employees were allowed to collect their belongings and relocate to continue working at the main post office at Harrison and Canal Streets in the South Loop. Employees were also allowed to go home, according to a spokesperson. The post office released a statement saying their priority is a safe working environment for employees, and they are sorry for any delay in mail service. This post office building will remain closed through Monday.
Employees have the right to a safe working environment. If you have been injured on the job, and you believe it was caused by an unsafe working environment, please contact Meyerkord & Kurth, LLC, today for a free consultation. Speak to one of our work accident attorneys to find out more about your legal rights and options.