OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Dec 21, 2015

Abate by

Jan 19, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,675 · Current $2,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(D): The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the requirements for testing machines or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures:    a)  U.S. Postal Service at 7755 E. 56th Street, Denver, CO 80217:  On or before August 13, 2015, the energy control procedures for the Singulation and Sortation Induction Units (SSIUs) #3 and #4, did not clearly and specifically outline lockout tagout requirements in the following instances:    -DELETED-1)  The procedure stated in DNDC-001, Specific Energy Control Procedures for Standard Conveyors without Gravity Take-up Roller, allowed mechanical testing to verify that the machines will not start in steps 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c) (on pages 2 and 3), even when low air pressure could provide a false positive that the machines are de-energized.  A return of air pressure could then re-energize the machine while maintenance employees are working on motors or rollers.  The procedure does not require the verification of electrical deenergization through the use of a voltmeter.  (Note DNDC-001 is used for partial shutdown, as compared to DNDC-022 which is used for complete shutdown);-DELETED-    2)  DNDC-001 contained several inaccurate procedures for the SSIUs #3 and #4, such as a) referencing motor control panels (MCPs), when the SSIU motors do not have MCPs;  b) referencing 120 and 220 volt circuits when the SSIU's have only 480 volt circuits; and c) failing to address individual motor control by unplugging the motor.    -DELETED-3)  The procedures stated in Volume B Section 3, Modified Alignment and Adjustment Procedures, Section 3.7.1.3.2, Conveyor Belt Speed Adjustment, in steps 6 and 7 on page 1, that the maintenance employee was to open the DCC door and turn the power disconnect switch to the "On" position, resulting in the potential activation of machines while the SSIUs # 3 and #4 are being worked on.  The individual disconnects for the SSIUs were not capable of being locked out because they could be energized without removing the locking devices;-DELETED-    -DELETED-4)  The procedures failed to explain how to program Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) while eliminating or controlling shock and arc flash hazards; and-DELETED-    -DELETED-5)  The procedures did not allow maintenance personnel to place their own lockouts on the energy controlling devices on the roof, in that they had to depend upon HVAC mechanics to lockout on the roof.-DELETED-    Conditions exposed employees to amputation and electrical shock hazards.