OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Nov 29, 2021

Abate by

Dec 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $8,192 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(d)(1): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:   a) Worksite: The exit door on the north-east wall which would lead to the hallway and exit door to the outside, was equipped with 2 locks (a standard dead bolt lock and above it, a handle lock). When leaving the area the CSHO had to be told which one to use and how to use it, so special knowledge had to be obtained in order to exit the area.   b) Worksite: The main exit door on the west end which opened to the outside during the morning was left open with a door stop to load vehicles, but the rest of the day the door was kept locked with a dead bolt to keep the public out, there was even a sign on this Exit door reminding everyone to keep it locked. Special knowledge had to be obtained by employees in order to exit the area.   c) Worksite: The door leading to the main exit on the west end was left open during the morning ours with a door stop to load vehicles, but the rest of the day the door was kept locked with a dead bolt to keep the public out. Special knowledge had to be obtained by employees in order to exit the area.

Issued

Nov 29, 2021

Abate by

Dec 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(e)(2):The door that connects any room to an exit route did not swing out in the direction of exit travel when the room is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people or if the room is a high hazard area:  a) Worksite: The exit door on the north-east wall which would lead to the hallway and exit door to the outside, opened in the opposite direction of exit travel. The area in which the exit was located contained high volumes of paper mail and packages which would be highly combustible during a fire.   b) Worksite: The main exit door on the west end which opened to the outside of the building opened in the opposite direction of exit travel. The area in which the exit was near contained high volumes of paper mail and packages which would be highly combustible during a fire.

Issued

Nov 29, 2021

Abate by

Dec 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(6): Each exit sign was not illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54 lux) by a reliable light source and be distinctive in color:   a) Worksite: The exit door on the north-east wall which would lead to the hallway and exit door to the outside had an adhesive EXIT sign placed above the door. The sign was only visible due to normal lighting in the room. During a fire or other emergency it would not be illuminated enough for employees to see.   b) Worksite: The main exit door on the west end which opened to the outside during the morning had a paper EXIT sign placed above the door. The sign was only visible due to normal lighting in the room. During a fire or other emergency it would not be illuminated enough for employees to see.   c) Worksite: The door leading to the main exit on the west end was left open during the morning ours with a door stop to load vehicles had a paper EXIT sign placed above the door. The sign was only visible due to normal lighting in the room. During a fire or other emergency it would not be illuminated enough for employees to see.

Issued

Nov 29, 2021

Penalty

Initial $10,728 · Current $6,437 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(g)(4):Objects that projected into the exit route reduced the width of the exit route to less than the minimum width requirements for exit routes.  a) Worksite: In the Customer Service Area: Both cubicles used to meet with customers were filled with small trays containing mail of all types restricting the work area. the pathway from those to the exits  have small containers of mail and boxes making the width of the way of exit between 10 inches to 23 inches, less than the 28 inches required.   b) The way of exit between the Customer Service Area and the Exit door on the north-east wall: Boxes and containers of mail on the floor reduced the width of the aisle way to between 19 inches and 23 inches in a couple of areas.   ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED

Issued

Nov 29, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:   a) Worksite: During the inspection CSHO noticed both exit doors in the main work area with large carts full of mail which were left directly in front of the exit doors for several minutes each. Due to the lack of space in this post office this a reoccurring event . A tub of mail had to be moved for the CSHO to leave the building.   ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED