OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Apr 14, 2021

Abate by

Jun 1, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · 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 working in close proximity to each other and were exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19:  On or about October 28, 2020, and thereafter, employees working throughout the facility, including, but not limited to, near mail machines APPS1, "Walmart," and FSS, worked in close proximity to each other during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The employer did not fully implement and enforce the use of face coverings, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, screening of employees for recent travel, and other feasible controls.  These conditions exposed employees to the hazard of contracting COVID-19 from other employees in the facility.  As of March 4, 2021, the employer had 175 employees who tested positive out of approximately 1500 employees.

Issued

Apr 14, 2021

Abate by

Apr 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $21,461 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.4(a): The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent.    U.S. Postal Service, located at 190 Fiberloid Street, Springfield, MA:    On or about January 27, 2021, the employer did not record the following workplace illnesses on the OSHA 300 log or its equivalent:  From the time period between October 17, 2020 and January 27, 2021, six (6)  cases of COVID-19 infection resulted in 16 to 30 days away from work.  U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1904.4(a), which was contained in OSHA inspection number, 1248704, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on October 23, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 3375 South Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV.  U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1904.4(a), which was contained in OSHA inspection number, 1194085, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on January 18, 2017, with respect to a workplace located at 200 W. Second St, Royal Oak, MI 48068.  U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1904.4(a), which was contained in OSHA inspection number, 1139218, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on June 24, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 1601 W. Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK, 99517.  Abatement Certification and Documentation is required

Issued

Apr 14, 2021

Abate by

Apr 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.5(a): The employer did not consider an injury or illness to be work-related when an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a pre-existing injury or illness.  Work-relatedness is presumed for injuries and illnesses resulting from events or exposures occurring in the work environment, unless an exception in �� 1904.5(b)(2) specifically applies.  U.S. Postal Service, located at 190 Fiberloid Street, Springfield, MA:    On or about January 27, 2021, the employer had not evaluated employees' work duties and environment to determine if exposures in the work environment may have caused or contributed to infection with COVID-19:    From the time period between October 17, 2020 and January 27, 2021, at least 6 (six) cases of COVID-19 infection occurred at this facility and were not evaluated for work-relatedness.  U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of a substantially similar Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1904.4(a), which was contained in OSHA inspection number, 1248704, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on October 23, 2019, with respect to a workplace located at 3375 South Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV.  U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of a substantially similar Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1904.4(a), which was contained in OSHA inspection number, 1194085, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on January 18, 2017, with respect to a workplace located at 200 W. Second St, Royal Oak, MI 48068.  U.S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of a substantially similar Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1904.4(a), which was contained in OSHA inspection number, 1139218, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on June 24, 2016, with respect to a workplace located at 1601 W. Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK, 99517.