OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Feb 5, 2004

Abate by

May 4, 2004

Penalty

Initial $5,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish
employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized
hazards that were
causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in
that employees were
exposed to:
a.At the facility, U.S. Postal Service, 1420 Gardiner Lane, Louisville, Ky
40231,
the employer failed to protect its employees engaged in maintenance work
on powered industrial
trucks from the generally recognized hazard of being crushed by the forks
and hydraulic system
while performing maintenance or repair of these systems. Employees were
required to elevate
the forks and placing them on a wire fence cage for support while removing
and replacing the
hydraulic lines and other parts associated with raising and lowering the
forks. This method of
supporting the forks and hydraulic system during maintenance activities is
not recognized in the
industry as a safe and prudent method of supporting the forks. Feasible
means of abatement
include, but are not limited to the following: a) the use of a chainfall
supported by an A-Frame
or overhead beam to support the forks; b) blocks properly positioned under
the elevated forks
and lifting cylinders.