OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Sep 29, 2000

Abate by

Oct 29, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,275 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Amended Citation:
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) U. S. Postal Service, Terminal Annex: On or about August 9, 2000, An
employee sustained serious injury when the passenger elevator D-2 dropped
suddenly from a malfunction. Medical personnel were not readily available
for
consultation and approval to be taken to an emergency medical facility. The
employee was later taken by employees of the U. S. Postal Service General
Mail Facility, after waiting approximately 2 hours, to a hospital after
numerous failed attempts to contact Supervisory Personnel for permission
as is
the procedure with the U. S. Postal Service.
Abatement note: Among several methods to correct this deficiency is:
1.  Ensure that management personnel are available during all shifts to
handle
medical incidents, and ensure that there are no barriers to immediate
communication with management.
2.  Retrain managerial and supervisory personnel under the emergency action
plan on rescue  and medical duties for those employees who are to perform
them.
3.  Train managerial and supervisory personnel on the emergency action plan
whenever managerial or supervisory responsibilities or designated actions
under the plan change
4.  Designate a direct phone line to medical and management personnel for
emergency requests.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see
enclosed "Sample
Abatement-Certification Letter").