OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Apr 28, 2008

Abate by

May 1, 2008

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $200

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 potential hazard of being struck by falling
objects.
Detroit Bulk Mail Center, parcel sorter machines #3 and #4, employees
entered the chute
area to retrieve packages were exposed to falling packages from the
conveyor system. The
interlock toe pins that activate the gates to prevent packages from
falling from the dicharge
chute of the elevator were bypassed.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement to correct
this hazard
include: (1) the use of OTR containers per the design of the machine, (2)
the use of
interlocks or similar mechanisms where cardboard boxes are utilized, and
(3) to follow the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME B20.1-2003, Safety Standard
for
Conveyors and Related Equipment, Section 5.13 Transfer, Loading, and
Discharge Points.

Issued

Apr 28, 2008

Abate by

May 1, 2008