Postal officials are asking London and area residents to clear away ice and snow so the men and woman who deliver the mail can safely go about their appointed rounds. Slips and falls caused by snow and ice are a major cause of serious injury to postal employees, said Darlene Jaremchenko, Canada Post's manager of occupational health and safety for the Southwestern Ontario area.

Between Nov. 1, 2002, and March 31, 2003, injuries from slips and falls in London and the immediate area, including Aylmer, St. Thomas and Strathroy, resulted in 910 days lost from work by postal employees at a cost of $173,000, records show.

For other areas of Ontario, excluding Metro Toronto and Northwestern Ontario, the totals in the same period were 2,800 days lost at a cost of $525,000.

Letter carriers are vulnerable to injury when conditions are slippery because they walk 10 kilometres a day carrying a satchel weighing as much as 16 kilograms while delivering mail to 500 households, Jaremchenko said.

"We're asking that our customers not allow their property to become an obstacle course for our employees this winter. It only takes a few minutes to clear away snow and ice from access to mailboxes and mail slots."

To curb injuries resulting from slips and falls, Canada Post has developed stick-on notes that mail carriers can place on the doors of customers with icy sidewalks.

"It reminds home owners of their obligation to maintain a safe environment for workers entering their property," said Jaremchenko.

In extreme cases, Canada Post can suspend mail delivery to a home to protect its employees, she said.

The suspension remains until the dangerous condition has been corrected.

Along with icy sidewalks, painted porches and steps are a major hazard, said postal officials. They recommend the use of salt or other ice-melting compounds to make these areas safer.