OSHA Inspection: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, LEHIGH VALLEY PDCF

Issued

May 26, 2021

Abate by

Jun 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $8,582 · Current $8,582

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.165(e): Manual operation. The employer did not assure that manually operated actuation devices for use in conjunction with employee alarms are unobstructed, conspicuous and readily accessible.  a) South Loading Dock - On or about December 1, 2020, Employees were performing material handling tasks in this area and the installed and identified fire alarm pull station located near the emergency exit was obstructed by stored mail and therefore not readily accessible.

Issued

May 26, 2021

Abate by

Jun 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $13,653

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.176(a):Aisle(s) and passageway(s) were not kept clear and in good repair with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.  a)  South Loading Dock - On or about December 1, 2020, Employees were performing material handling tasks on the South loading dock.  Mechanical material handling aisles were obstructed with palletized bulk mail exposing employees to struck by and tripping hazards.  b) West Loading Dock - On or about December 1, 2020, Employees were performing material handling tasks on the West loading dock.  Mechanical material handling aisles were obstructed with palletized bulk mail exposing employees to struck by and tripping hazards.  c)  South Loading Dock - On or about February 10, 2021, Employees were performing material handling tasks on the South loading dock.  Mechanical material handling aisles were obstructed with palletized bulk mail exposing employees to struck by and tripping hazards.  d) West Loading Dock - On or about February 10, 2021, Employees were performing material handling tasks on the West loading dock.  Mechanical material handling aisles were obstructed with palletized bulk mail exposing employees to struck by and tripping hazards.

Issued

May 26, 2021

Abate by

Jun 8, 2021

Penalty

Initial $128,726 · Current $42,911 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  a)  USPS Lehigh Valley Distribution Center, South Loading Dock - On or about December 1, 2020 employees were performing warehouse tasks on the loading dock where two exit routes are delineated, one each leading to emergency exit doors nearest column line D.1 and E.1. Both exit routes were obstructed by palletized bulk mail exposing employees to unnecessary delay in evacuating the building during a crisis or emergency.  b) USPS Lehigh Valley Distribution Center, West Loading Dock - On or about December 1, 2020 employees were performing warehouse tasks on the loading dock.  Three exit routes are delineated on the West loading dock and two of the three exit routes, one each leading to emergency exit doors nearest column line A.8 and A.6,  were obstructed with palletized bulk mail exposing employees to unnecessary delay in evacuating the building during a crisis or emergency.  c)USPS Lehigh Valley Distribution Center, South Loading Dock - On or about February 10, 2021  employees were performing warehouse tasks on the loading dock where two exit routes are delineated, one each leading to emergency exit doors nearest column line D.1 and E.1..  Both exit routes were obstructed by palletized bulk mail exposing employees to unnecessary delay in evacuating the building during a crisis or emergency.  d)USPS Lehigh Valley Distribution Center, West Loading Dock - On or about February 10, 2021 employees were performing warehouse tasks on the loading dock where three exit routes are delineated on the West loading dock, and two of the three exit routes, one each leading to emergency exit doors nearest column line A.8 and A.6, were obstructed with palletized bulk mail exposing employees to unnecessary delay in evacuating the building during a crisis or emergency.  The United States Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1451114, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on May 14, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 56 Hughes Rd. Madison AL 35758.

Issued

May 26, 2021

Penalty

Initial $42,911 · Current $42,911

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(i):Employer provided a work space that was less than 30 inches wide in front of electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less:  a)  USPS Distribution Center, Processing Floor - On or about December 1, 2020 a mail processing machine (DBCS 23) was operating under commercial electrical power at 600 volts or less.  The available front working space for the electrical control panel was approximately 24".  The United States Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1367892, citation number 1, item number 1and was affirmed as a final order on 2/26/2019, with respect to a workplace located at 7001 S. Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90052.