OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Feb 12, 2013

Abate by

Jun 17, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,675 · Current $2,338 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, where employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8 hour time weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response), or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent:    (a) U.S. Postal Service, at 7755 East 56th Avenue, Denver, CO: On 12/19/12, U.S. Postal Service did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, where employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8 hour time weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response), or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent.  On 12/19/12 one employee working as an APPS sorter was exposed to noise at a dose in excess of the fifty percent dose Action Level (AL).  The employee was exposed to noise at a dose of 72.5%.  This is 1.45 times the Action Level.  This condition exposed the employee to a hazardous noise dose.    (b) U.S. Postal Service, at 7755 East 56th Avenue, Denver, CO: On 12/19/12, U.S. Postal Service did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, where employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8 hour time weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response), or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent.  On 12/19/12 one employee working at the APPS feedbelt was exposed to noise at a dose in excess of the fifty percent dose Action Level (AL).  The employee was exposed to noise at a dose of 62.4%.  This is 1.25 times the Action Level.  This condition exposed the employee to a hazardous noise dose.    (c) U.S. Postal Service, at 7755 East 56th Avenue, Denver, CO: On 12/19/12, U.S. Postal Service did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, where employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8 hour time weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response), or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent.  On 12/19/12 one employee working as a mechanic at PSM 3 and PSM 4 was exposed to noise at a dose in excess of the fifty percent dose Action Level (AL).  The employee was exposed to noise at a dose of 66.1%.  This is 1.32 times the Action Level.  This condition exposed the employee to a hazardous noise dose.

Issued

Feb 12, 2013

Abate by

Mar 17, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1030(h)(1)(ii)(B): The medical record for an employee with occupational exposure did not include a copy of the employee's Hepatitis B vaccination status, including the dates of all the Hepatitis B vaccinations or any medical records relative to the employee's ability to receive vaccination as required by 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2):                            (a) U.S. Postal Service, at 7755 East 56th Avenue, Denver, CO: On and preceding 12/19/12, U.S. Postal Service did not ensure that the medical record for an employee with occupational exposure included a copy of the employee's Hepatitis B vaccination status, including the dates of all the Hepatitis B vaccinations or any medical records relative to the employee's ability to receive vaccination as required by 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2).  The employer determined that custodians and first aid responders were occupationally exposed to bloodborne pathogens.  The employer offered the Hepatitis B vaccination series to occupationally exposed employees.  The employer did not ensure that the medical records of all employees whom accepted the vaccination series included the employee's Hepatitis B vaccination status, including the dates of all the Hepatitis B vaccinations.

Issued

Feb 12, 2013

Abate by

Mar 17, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not ensure that Material Safety Data Sheets were readily accessible to the employees in their work area during each work shift:    (a) U.S. Postal Service, at 7755 East 56th Avenue, Denver, CO: On and preceding 12/19/12, U.S. Postal Service did not ensure that Material Safety Data Sheets were readily accessible to the employees in their work area during each work shift.  Employees worked with or were exposed to battery acid (sulfuric acid), CRC Industrial Food Grade Silicone, Lawson Super 77 Moly Grease, and Safety-Kleen, among other chemicals, in the maintenance shops and mail sorting areas of the NDC.  Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) were filed in the storeroom, approximately six hundred feet from the battery maintenance shop, and in excess of six hundred feet from other areas where chemicals were used.  The employer did not ensure that MSDS's were readily accessible in employee work areas.  This condition exposed employees to a chemical hazard.