OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Sep 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $2,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to crushing injuries from a Toyota forklift equipped with roll over protection (ROPS) overturning or from the operator falling out of the forklift due to the fact that the operator restraint systems (seat belt) provided on the forklift was not used by the operator. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is for the employer to require and effectively enforce the use of the operator restraint systems provided by the manufacturer of the forklift.        a) Worksite: On or about March 18, 2015; an employee operating the Toyota forklift ID Number 38, was observed not wearing the seat belt provided.

Issued

Sep 9, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $2,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:Note:  Toeboards are only required when persons can pass, there is moving equipment or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.    a) Southeast end of the Plant: An employee working on top of the conveyor belt on the APBS #2 machine was exposed to falls of up to 8 feet, 4 inches and he was not protected from falls by guard rails or other proper means.     ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED.

Issued

Sep 9, 2015

Abate by

Oct 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $33,950 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(a): Where mechanical handling equipment was used, sufficient safe clearances were not allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways or wherever turns or passage had to be made.    a) Worksite: Aisle ways throughout the building used by powered industrial trucks (PITs) and personnel are blocked by containers of mail and equipment, restricting traffic flow.  The lack of  space around the equipment exposes pedestrians to struck- by hazards by PITs and other equipment.