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USPS · Situational Judgment

You notice a coworker taking a shortcut that violates a safety procedure. What is the BEST action?

Correct answer

Address it appropriately — remind them of the safety procedure and/or report the unsafe practice to a supervisor, because safety procedures protect everyone

  1. A Copy the shortcut to save time too
  2. B Address it appropriately — remind them of the safety procedure and/or report the unsafe practice to a supervisor, because safety procedures protect everyone
  3. C Ignore it since it is not your concern
  4. D Tell other coworkers about it but not the supervisor

Why this is the answer

Safety is a core value the exam measures. The best response treats the safety procedure as important and acts to uphold it — by reminding the coworker and/or reporting the unsafe practice to a supervisor — rather than imitating the shortcut or ignoring it. Safety rules exist to protect workers, the public, and the mail, and overlooking violations can lead to injury. The VEA rewards responses that show you take safety seriously and are willing to act constructively when you see a problem, while gossip or copying the unsafe behavior reflects the qualities the test screens against.
Source: USPS 474 VEA — Safety Awareness

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