OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Aug 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $4,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9020

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(3)(i): Employers and building and facility owners did not exercise due diligence in complying with these requirements to inform employers and employees about the presence and location of ACM and PACM:     a)  In the Work Room - On or about February 15, 2015, the employer had not exercised due diligence to inform employees, working in the Sinking Spring Post Office, about the presence and location of asbestos-containing floor tiles, asbestos-containing material (ACM) and presumed asbestos-containing material (PACM).     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 14, 2015

Abate by

Dec 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9020

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1101(k)(1)(ii): The employer did not include asbestos in the program established to comply with the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), did not ensure that each employee had access to labels on containers of asbestos and safety data sheets, did not ensure that each employee was trained in accordance with the provisions of HCS and paragraphs (k)(9) and (10) of this section, and did not provide each employee information on at least the following hazards: Cancer and lung effects:     a)  In the Work Room - On or about February 15, 2015, the employer, assigning Class II 5% asbestos-containing floor tile removal work facilitation and observation tasks, failed to provide the Sinking Spring Post Office employee with effective information and training on the health effects of airborne asbestos exposure upon assignment to facilitate and observe the Class II work arranged by the landlord.      Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 14, 2015

Abate by

Sep 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $4,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9020

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1101(d)(3): The employer of employees who were exposed to asbestos hazards did not comply with applicable protective provisions to protect such employees:    a)  In the Work Room - On or about February 15, 2015, the employer, assigning Class II 5% asbestos-containing floor tile removal work facilitation and observation tasks at the Sinking Spring Post Office, failed to comply with applicable protective provisions to protect their employee-observer in that they did not ensure that the mandatory engineering controls and work practices listed in paragraph 29 CFR Part 1926.1101(g)(1) were used to minimize the airborne asbestos fibers generated and that the prohibited work practices and engineering controls of 29 CFR Part 1926.1101(g)(3) were not used in the completion of the Class II work that was arranged by the landlord.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 14, 2015

Abate by

Sep 10, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $4,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9020

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1101(f)(2)(i): The employer with a work operation covered by the asbestos standard did not ensure that a "competent person" conducted an exposure assessment immediately before or at the initiation of the operation to ascertain expected exposures during that operation or workplace:    a)  In the Work Room - On or about February 15, 2015, the employer, assigning Class II work facilitation and observation tasks at the Sinking Spring Post Office, failed to ensure that a "competent person" conducted an exposure assessment immediately before or at the initiation of the Class II work operation to accurately determine and ensure that the employee exposure to airborne concentrations of fugitive asbestos fibers were minimal and that the landlord-planned asbestos fiber control systems were appropriate and effective for Class II 5% asbestos-containing floor tile removal work.       Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.