OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE - SAN DIEGO

Issued

Jun 16, 2016

Abate by

Jun 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $42,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(g)(11): Precautions were not taken to prevent open flames, sparks, or electric arcs in battery charging area:      On or about February 29, 2016, and at times there prior to, in the battery charging area, the employer did not ensure that precautions were taken to prevent open flames, sparks, or electrical arcs, where:       a)      The insulation covering on a flexible cord attached to an electric water heater, plugged into the electrical outlet next to the sink, was pulled away approximately one quarter inch from the plug, exposing the wires beneath creating an arc or spark hazard;       b)       The emergency alarm system was cross-wired such that when the fire alarm was activated, the exhaust ventilation system turned off while the battery charging station remained turned on.  This condition allowed the accumulation of flammable gas to be produced by the battery charging process during alarm system testing and during actual emergency situations that could cause an explosion hazard.        The United States Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.178(g)(11), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 957149, citation number 01, item number 001 and was affirmed as a final order on March 31, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 15421 Gale Ave, City of Industry, CA 91715.      The United States Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.178(q)(11), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 895755, citation number 01, item number 004 and was affirmed as a final order on May 31, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 7001 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90052.    The United States Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.178(g)(11), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 315436014, citation number 01, item number 002 and was affirmed as a final order on August 24, 2011, with respect to a workplace located at 7001 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90052.

Issued

Jun 16, 2016

Abate by

Jun 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,722 · Current $4,033 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:      On or about February 29, 2016, the employer did not ensure that the flexible cable used to energize the hot water heater in the battery charging room, connected to the electrical outlet near the sink, did not have tension transmitted to the joint or terminal screws of the plug. The cable covering was pulled away one quarter inch exposing employees to electrical hazard from accidental contact with the damaged cable.