American Postal Workers Union leaders are demanding more answers and further investigation after five US postal workers at the mail center in Pontiac have died on the job.
These deaths happened in a 14-month time frame, the latest occurring in October of 2015.
Area Local 480-481 Union President Roscoe Woods tells us there was concern over the methane detection system.
According to a report by the Office of the Inspector General, the system had not been working correctly since March of 2015. Woods says an investigation recently concluded, finding the gas level safe and no health concerns.
He still finds it alarming how many workers, some his friends, have died on the job in a short period of time.
Woods says, "We have an aging workforce, way too much overtime, a sometimes hostile work environment, and I have concern about the overall workplace environment."
All of those deaths have been ruled natural. In response, management says there were never any health concerns for the workers, and they're committed to a safe workplace.
The U.S. Postal Service Distribution Center on Glenwood Road sits on an old car manufacturing plant. A gas ventilation system was initially installed to stop the buildup of methane gas.
