OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Dec 6, 2019

Abate by

Dec 26, 2019

Penalty

Initial $104,192 · Current $45,916 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  (a)  On or about November 4, 2019, and at times prior, the exit routes were blocked by packages and equipment.  Packages for "customer pick-up" blocked the route to the southwest exit throughout the day.  Boxes and handling equipment blocked the exit route through the post office boxes distribution area behind the customer service desk (southeast route) throughout the day.  Boxes and handling equipment blocked the double doors (west exit) during sorting activities prior to carriers leaving for deliveries each.  Equipment regularly blocked the exit route at the dock (northeast exit) such as a hand truck.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").  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 1297911, citation number 1, item number 1b, and was affirmed as a final order on May 11, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 751 Palisades Avenue in Teaneck, New Jersey.  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 1295472, citation number 1, item number 1a, and was affirmed as a final order on May 11, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 4600 Aldine Bender Rd. in North Houston, Texas.  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 1289696, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on March 12, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 360 Ventura Ave. in Oak View, California.

Issued

Dec 6, 2019

Abate by

Dec 26, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,042 · Current $1,042

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":  (a)  On or about November 4, 2019, the west exit doors from the sorting area were not marked with an Exit sign. This exit is marked as the primary exit from the sorting room on the posted "Floor Emergency Exit Map."    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").  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(b)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1389026, citation number 2, item number 2, and was affirmed as a final order on October 15, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 95 Fountain Street in New Haven, Connecticut.  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(b)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1260720, citation number 1, item number 1a, and was affirmed as a final order on December 19, 2017, with respect to a workplace located at 1959 Loiza Street in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  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(b)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1186652, citation number 1, item number 2, and was affirmed as a final order on December 13, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 28201 Franklin Parkway in Santa Clarita, California.

Issued

Dec 6, 2019

Abate by

Dec 26, 2019

Penalty

Initial $1,042 · Current $1,042

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii): The required working space about electric equipment rated 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, was used for storage:  (a)  On or about November 4, 2019, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical hazards in that  the electrical panels in the electrical room were blocked by stored items such as a floor polisher and trash cans.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1389026, citation number 2, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on October 15, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 95 Fountain Street, in New Haven, Connecticut.  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1252921, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on June 13, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 117 N. Clinton in Stockbridge, Michigan.

Issued

Dec 6, 2019

Abate by

Dec 26, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(ii): There was a defect or evidence of damage that could have exposed an employee to injury and the defective or damaged item was not removed from service and an employee was using it before repairs and tests necessary to render the equipment safe were made:  (a)  On or about November 4, 2019, and at times prior, employees were exposed to shocks and electrical hazards in that the jacket of the electric charging cord of the Southworth pallet jack, Model TPU2-85, was ripped exposing the live conductors inside.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").