OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Jul 30, 1991

Abate by

Sep 4, 1991

General-duty citation text

Section 1-201(a)  of the Executive Order 12196 of February 26, 1980:     The
head of the agency did not furnish employees places and conditions
of employment that were free from recognized hazards that were causing
or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employee in
that employees were exposed to:
(a)  The hazards associated with the operation loading maneuver-
ing and the unloading of the all purpose containers (APC's) and
the general purpose mail containers (GPMC's) as the top shelf
and gate latches malfunctions during the mail processing
operations.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct these hazards is to inclue, but not be limited
to the following:
1.  Establish inspection and prevention maintenance procedures
for the APC's and the GMPC's:
a.) Assure all containers are inspected before use.
b.) Repair and/or replace containers on a planned schedule.
c.) Install safety latches for the top shelf and gates with
safety hooks (ring type).
d.) Tag all damaged containers and move them to holding areas.
e.) Repair and/or replace damaged containers latches, tracks,
brakes, Etc.
f.) Provide holding area for each department for damaged con-
tainers with signs.
2.  Establish normal operating procedures for the APC and the
GMPC, in addition to written safety procedures.
a.) Instruct and train all affected management, supervisory and
operation personnel in these procedures.
b.) Provide periodic safety talks as a reminder of the hazards
associated with the APC and GMPC operation and procedures.
c.) Secure the top shelf and the gates of the APC amd GMPC by
inserting a plastic safety rod.
1.) The plastic rod consist of 3/4" plastic PVC stock which is
cut to length and inserted between teh container's top shelf
gates and body to eliminate the possiblility of injury due to
the gates and the top shelf latch malfunctioning.
2.) Provide storage bins for safety rods.
3.) Institute monitoring system to assure compliance.