OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Feb 18, 2016

Abate by

Jun 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $7,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8330

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 excessive heat while delivering the U.S. mail.  Such exposure(s) may lead to serious and life-threatening heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion:    a)      On or about September 17, 2015, at job sites located on mail routes in Pensacola, Florida, employees were exposed to the hazards of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke during mail delivery when exposed to a heat index inside the vehicle which exceeded 100 degrees F.        Feasible and acceptable methods to abate this hazard include, but are not limited to:      Ensure affected personnel working in the field have adequate amounts of cool (50 degrees to 60 degrees F), potable water and electrolyte replacements (specific recommendation should be made by medical consultation) along their route and not just back at the station. And require affected personnel to drink them frequently.      Develop and implement a process for identifying appropriate rest locations where letter carriers have adequate facilities for climate-controlled air or shade during the route.      Develop and implement a system to alert letter carriers to the heat index anticipated for the day and identify each precaution they should take to reduce the risk of heat-related illness.      Develop and implement a system to check and monitor letter carriers in the field when the National Weather Service heat advisories are in effect or when the heat index exceeds or is expected to exceed 91 degrees.      Establish work rules that instruct employees to report to management heat stress symptoms and seek assistance and evaluation when experiencing them.      Conduct in-person evaluations of employees complaining of heat-related illness symptoms, and arrange for medical attention or other assistance as necessary. This may include providing first aid to the employee.      Train managers, supervisors, and employees in the measures to take to prevent heat-related illnesses, how to recognize in themselves and others the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and the procedures to follow when they or others are experiencing heat-related illnesses or emergencies, and the actions that should be taken in those situations, including first aid.  Such training should be conducted annually in advance of the hot weather season and throughout the season when excessive heat is predicted.  Ensure all trained personnel confirm their receipt and understanding of the training and that training records are maintained.    The U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1) , which was contained in OSHA inspection number 917092, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 04/30/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 20 Forest Street, Medford, MA 02155.    The U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of the OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 538158, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 10/24/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 3525 South Cottage Avenue, Independence, MO 64055.

Issued

Feb 18, 2016

Abate by

Mar 3, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,100 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.35(b)(2): The employer did not give their employees, former employees, their personal representatives and their authorized employee representatives the OSHA injury and illness records:    a) On or about August 19, 2015, an authorized representative from the National Association of Letter Carriers requested copies of OSHA 300 logs or equivalents from USPS Myrtle Grove Pensacola Station and was not provided copies within 7 calendar days as required.