OSHA Inspection: U. S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Jan 19, 2017

Abate by

Mar 8, 2017

Penalty

Initial $69,713 · Current $0 Reduced

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 recognized hazards related to working outside during periods of excessive heat:  a.) On August 13, 2016, at job sites located on mail routes in Martinsburg, West Virginia, with an afternoon heat index of 103 degrees Fahrenheit, the employer exposed employees to the recognized hazard of excessive heat during mail delivery.  Beginning at approximately 11:30a.m., a rural letter carrier began delivering mail from an enclosed Postal Service truck (LLV) without air conditioning and in the direct heat.  At approximately 1:30p.m. the employee began feeling the symptoms of heat stress.  The employee was hospitalized and diagnosed with heat related illness.     The United States Postal Service, was previously cited for a willful violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 538158, Citation 01, Item number 001 and was affirmed as a final order on 10/24/14, with respect to a workplace located at job sites on mail routes in Independence, Missouri.