Suspected mold inside the Hilliard post office has gone from workplace grumbling to a full-on safety fight, with local postal union leaders saying the problem has quietly spread through the building for years while complaints piled up.
According to the local postal workers’ union, employees have reported dark spots, musty odors, and water intrusion in the Hilliard facility for months. Workers say written complaints to upper management date back to August 2025, and some staffers recall seeing black spots as far back as 2023. Union officials say they have pressed the issue through grievances and formal safety reports while urging a federal review of the building.
The Columbus-area chapter of the American Postal Workers Union says members have filed grievances, PS Form 1767 hazard reports, and complaints to federal regulators, according to NBC4. The chapter directs members to safety resources and hazard-reporting guidance on its website at APWU Local 232. Union leaders told the station they stepped up their efforts after what they describe as ongoing water intrusion and visible mold went unaddressed by management.
Federal records show the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been active on Postal Service complaints in the Columbus area. OSHA’s inspection database lists a complaint inspection opened March 6, 2026, and closed May 6, 2026, under the Columbus Area Office for a USPS site. The entry does not identify the Hilliard retail branch by name, but it does confirm recent OSHA engagement with Postal Service workplace complaints in the district. When mold is suspected, OSHA typically works with employers on moisture-source investigations, air quality assessments, and remediation recommendations, according to OSHA inspection records.
In a statement to NBC4, the Postal Service said it is aware of the concerns and that district and local management are following safety guidelines to resolve the matter. The outlet reported that OSHA emailed a request for the building to be evaluated for potential mold exposure, while workers interviewed by the station said they remain uneasy about the conditions. Jojo Mercer, a roughly three-year employee at the Hilliard post office, told the station he remembers black spots in the building going back to 2023.
The dispute is unfolding against a broader backdrop of tight postal finances and long-delayed upkeep. The Postal Regulatory Commission notes the Postal Service logged a $9 billion net loss in fiscal year 2025, and labor leaders say budget pressures have slowed basic repairs. The APWU has previously highlighted an Office of Inspector General review that found maintenance shortfalls at both processing and retail facilities, a report the union argues helps explain recurring problems such as leaks and mold. Union officials say those audits and ongoing complaints have fueled calls for quicker repairs and clearer timelines for cleanup at affected locations.
What Happens Next
OSHA can order testing or recommend cleanup steps if inspectors determine workplace conditions put employees at risk. The union is urging workers to document every concern using PS Form 1767 so there is a written trail of reports and management responses. APWU Local 232 provides hazard-reporting information on its website, and federal guidance on mold cleanup and moisture control in commercial buildings is available from the EPA. Typical remediation involves tracking and fixing leaks or other moisture sources, removing contaminated porous materials, and bringing in qualified contractors where testing confirms significant growth.
Employees worried about symptoms or exposure are encouraged to check in with union stewards and medical providers while officials sort through inspections and recommendations. For now, staff and union leaders in Hilliard say they are waiting on OSHA’s findings and any remediation plan district management may roll out. Hoodline will follow updates on testing, cleanup, and any operational changes at the office.
