OSHA Inspection: US POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Nov 7, 2018

Abate by

Dec 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $129,336 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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 hazards:    (a) On or about August 1, 2018, for the employee who sustained a heat-related illness resulting in hospitalization while delivering mail with a heat index in excess of 99 degrees Fahrenheit at locations in and around 455 East Pebble Road, Las Vegas, NV.    (b) On or about July 31, 2018, for the employee who sustained a heat-related illness resulting in medical treatment while delivering mail with a heat index in excess of 101 degrees Fahrenheit at locations in and around 455 East Pebble Road, Las Vegas, NV.    (c) On or about July 26, 2018, for the employee who sustained a heat-related illness resulting in medical treatment while delivering mail with a heat index in excess of 105 degrees Fahrenheit at locations in and around 455 East Pebble Road, Las Vegas, NV.    (d) On or about June 19, 2018, for the employee who sustained a heat-related illness resulting in medical treatment while delivering mail with a heat index in excess of 95 degrees Fahrenheit at locations in and around 455 East Pebble Road, Las Vegas, NV.    Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to: 1) Conduct a comprehensive safety analysis of letter carrier work assignments during a heat index of 91 degrees Fahrenheit and above. 2) Develop and implement control measures to include but not limited to engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment (PPE).  3) Provide a standardized method of monitored emergency communication for employees working in the field. 4) Provide comprehensive heat illness prevention training to employees and management staff to include but not limited to heat index and the effects on the body, symptoms of heat-related illness, and control measures.     The U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 1093157, Citation 1, Item 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 09/08/2016, with respect to a workplace located at 1910 Navarre School Road, Pensacola, FL 32501.    The U.S. Postal Service  was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 1075844, Citation 2, Item 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 09/08/2016, with respect to a workplace located at 616 West Second Street, Ottumwa, IA, 52501.    The U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 917092, Citation 1, Item 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 this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard which was contained in OSHA Inspection Number 538158, Citation 1, Item 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.