this is what the post office tells the clerks to do about OOS.

Processing Operations
Service Talk

Preventing Out Of Sequence DPS Letters

The delivery point sequence (DPS) operation is a two-pass procedure which allows the delivery bar code sorter to sort mail in delivery sequence for a letter carrier. During the first pass, mail is sequenced by delivery points for all routes within a zone. During the second pass, mail is put into delivery sequence for a specific route. Since out of sequence errors occur during the second pass, I want to discuss what you can do to minimize these errors that result in non-delivery of mailpieces and service failures.

Double feeds can cause some letters to become out of sequence. To remedy this problem, always jog the mail. In some instances, mail has a tendency to double feed, such as postcards that are short in length and have a slick surface. Worn pick-off belts at the Feeder Module can also contribute to the problem of double feeds and out of sequence errors. Please alert our maintenance staff whenever you think the DBCS is not running well.

Improper sweeping is usually the root cause of most DPS out of sequence errors. When it is time to pull down the DBCS, it is important for you to keep track of the stacker number being swept, even if you are interrupted when doing the job. Be sure all trays have been correctly labeled. Put the right mail in the right tray.

Jams can also lead to out of sequence letters. Jams will be reduced if you continually sweep bins before mail volume in bins exceeds the 50% level. When a jam occurs at a gate opening, those letters involved in the jam must be cleared. In other words, 5 to 6 letters should be removed from the bin in the event they are out of sequence. When this occurs during the DPS first pass, those letters can be re-run on the machine. When jams occur during the second pass DPS run, remove 5 to 6 letters associated with the jam and place these letters in the reject tray. Do not rerun them through the second pass operation.

Let me summarize the key things you can do to prevent out of sequence letters:
1. Jog the mail to prevent double feeds and jams.
2. Check the mail sorted in bins to ensure the machine is sorting correctly.
3. Continually sweep bins before they reach 50% to minimize jam conditions.
4. Verify that label information is correct and matches the sort program in use.
5. Ensure mail swept from bins is placed in the correct tray
6. If you notice an increase in mechanical rejects to the last bins, or low read rate conditions, notify a supervisor or someone from maintenance.

How you perform your job of processing DPS letters has a direct impact on the letter carriers who deliver the mail and on customer satisfaction. During second pass runs, let’s stay focused on reducing out of sequence errors.

Yes, very familiar with that "process".

Sweeping errors, no doubt.. However, it's easy to tell when thats the case.

Jams leading to OOS errors is known but a small percentage of the real problem. 20 jams on a 1st pass would be exceptionally high in our plant. We see oss errors everynight from 100's to several hundreds to thousands.
No chance jams are causing that ;)

Why not just fix the problem, instead of maintenance and automation pointing fingers?

you really need to tell me what kind of facility you work at. because everytime I try something you say you know that.

Edited by author 09-29-2009 02:39 PM
I'm not looking for procedural information. I am trying to figure out why the USPS constantly barks about oos errors, yet seem to be unwilling to look at easy solutions.

I can only wonder how many man hours are spent on the topic at our facility.

In my opinion the cost is minimal as long as there are humans running these machines there is always a chance of OOS.

I'm not so sure... Currently, we have a supervisor that is on detail for three weeks in order to "monitor" the automation section. They're trying to minimize oos errors using the standard process you listed below. Unfortunately, they will turn blue in the face before those procedures cure the problem.

As for overall cost, I have a hard time believing that rehandling thousands of pieces of mail is free or of no cost. Add managements continual time and effort into reducing oos errors and the cost most assuredly adds up, especially across the nation.

Ultimately, I am beginning to understand why many of the regulars don't really care. You can only care as much as your supervisors/management. If they only see what they want to see, it's hard to try to improve when nobody listens to the people doing the work.

Blinders anyone ;)

Sequencefix...I think you're finally getting a grasp of Today's Postal Operations/Management Concepts...If nothing's broke then who will you blame?
Something has to be broken so you can submit your "goal" and get your bonus, err, I mean Pay for Performance.
Op's can cry all they want on how they want to reduce OOS, but when they have 1 clerk load AND sweep a machine, how serious can they be?

"Op's can cry all they want on how they want to reduce OOS, but when they have 1 clerk load AND sweep a machine, how serious can they be?"

True, true...

Although, the oos problem isn't related to operators as much as everyone wants to insist. There is a fundamental flaw in the process that people are missing ;)

Does anyone know if there is any documentation that describes the time required to sort a certain amount of letters by hand? Say if your plant is sending out 10-30k rejects nightly. How much does that cost the USPS?

if I remember correct, a few years ago the costs broke dwon something like this;

manual $43.00 per 1000
automation $21.00 per 1000

maybe someone else will come up with new numbers.

Hi Everyone
Did anyone file a greavience on how the postal service was able to
rescore our 955 test results?
Iwas able to score on all of the tests,But when they restructure the
results I missed the bem and mpe.Do I do a up date or wait for the greivence to go to national?
Thanks
Roy

Edited by author 10-26-2009 10:50 PM
The Latest:

I have now figured out how to make all DBCS's operae at a .5-1 per thousand OOS reject rate.

What is your plant operating at nightly, oos rate??

PLEASE reply if you know...

Edited by author 10-27-2009 02:40 AM
On the DBCS's I maintain I am currently getting an OOS rate for the second pass of between .1-.2 per thousand.

Edited by author 10-27-2009 08:32 AM
Thank You for the reply. Does that include Phase 6's?

.1-.2 is not bad. Some of our runs are a joke. .30- .60 and higher depending on several factors. All of which can be eliminated...

Is there a "list" of all Processing facilities and their respective OOS rate?

Or how about a Nationwide mean OOS rate?

Hi
Has anyone heard of anyone having trouble getting past the unproctured portion of the new 955 exam?

I hope someone can point me in the right direction. I remember reading about how on your route sheets that the supervisor is not supposed to put on them more work than you can get done in your workday. But, I on my daily route sheets I consistently see over 10 hours of work. I only sign off on 7.5 hours no matter how many hours extra management puts on the sheets. I would like to be able to show them that they should only be putting on a certain amount of hours for each day.

Hi Guys
I need your help tonight,Did the post office say or put in writing
that they were going to change the way they grade the 955 test?This
was about july or august.
Thanks alot
Roy