OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Jun 1, 2016

Abate by

Dec 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(4):  Safeguard(s) designed to protect employees during an emergency (e.g., sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting), were not in proper working order at all times:    The employer is failing to protect employees from fire hazards during mail processing operations.  This was most recently documented at 2323 Forest Avenue Des Moines, Iowa, where the fire door installed between the vehicle parking garage and the mail sorting area had not been maintained in proper working order as the operating mechanism was severely rusted and birds had nested within the operating mechanism.        Abatement verification is required for this violation.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citation(s).

Issued

Jun 1, 2016

Abate by

Jun 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $55,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:    (a)  The employer is failing to protect employees from tripping and burn hazards by allowing exit routes  to be blocked during mail sorting job tasks.  This was most recently documented at 2323 Forest Avenue Des Moines, Iowa, where exit routes were blocked by mail carts.      (b) The employer is failing to protect employees from tripping and burn hazards by allowing emergency doors to be blocked during mail sorting job tasks.   This was most recently documented on March 3, 2016 at 2323 Forest Avenue Des Moines, Iowa, where emergency doors were blocked by carts and parcels.    Abatement verification is required for this violation.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citation(s).      The U S Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard, 29CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 924726, Citation number 2, Item 2, and was affirmed as a final order on August 11, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 578 W. Main St., Dothan, AL 36301.    The U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 314663360, Citation 2, Item 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 4/19/2011 with respect to a workplace located at 7755 E. 56th Ave., Denver Co 80266.      The U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 98297, Citation 1, Item 2b and was affirmed as a final order on 6/25/2012 with respect to a workplace located at 120 W. 1st Street, Geneseo, IL 61254.

Issued

Jun 1, 2016

Abate by

Jun 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $55,000 · Current $43,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.38(f)(1): The employer did not review the emergency action plan with each employee covered by the plan when the plan was developed or when the employee was assigned initially to a job:    The employer is failing to protect employees from hazards such as but not limited to burns, broken bones, smoke inhalation, and death in the event of an emergency situation.  This was most recently documented at 2323 Forest Avenue Des Moines, Iowa, where employees are required to evacuate in the event of an emergency and the plan had not been reviewed with employees.       The United States Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.38(f)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1055731, Citation Number 2, Item Number 2, issued on 7/17/2015, with respect to a workplace located at 1300 NE 56th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50317 and became a Final Order on 8/6/2015.    The United States Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.38(f)(1) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 941333, Citation Number 1, Item Number 1, issued on 01/17/2014, with respect to a workplace located at 3100 SWS Young Drive Killeen, Texas 76542, and became a Final Order on 02/06/2014.    Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos, which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citation(s).