OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

May 31, 2023

Abate by

Jun 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,278 · Current $12,278

Hazardous substances 9020

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1001(k)(4): The employer did not use and/or empty vacuuming equipment with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in a manner which minimized the reentry of asbestos into the workplace:  a) On or about 12/15/2022 and at times prior thereto, at the sorting and distribution area in East Portland Station Post Office, located at 1020 SE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214, where floor tiles known to contain asbestos were visibly deteriorated and disturbed by contact with a door locking mechanism, the employer failed to ensure that custodians and other housekeepers were trained to empty the HEPA vacuums in a manner which prevented reentry of asbestos into the workplace due to dust escaping from the back of the vacuum when it was emptied into the garbage can.

Issued

May 31, 2023

Abate by

Jun 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $61,391 · Current $61,391

Hazardous substances 9020

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1001(k)(1): The employer did not maintain all surfaces as free as practicable of ACM waste and/or debris and accompanying dust:  a) On or about 2-10-2022 and at times prior thereto, at the sorting and distribution area in East Portland Station Post Office, located at 1020 SE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214, where floor tiles known to contain asbestos were visibly deteriorated and disturbed by contact with a door locking mechanism in the vestibule, postal workers were exposed to asbestos hazards because the employer failed to ensure that the floors were as free as possible of asbestos-containing dust.  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1001(k)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1537592, citation number 1, item number 3a and was affirmed as a final order on 09-14-2022, with respect to a workplace located at 3775 Industrial Blvd, West Sacramento CA 95799.  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1368195 citation number 1 item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/6/2020 with respect to a workplace located at 5108 West 74th Street Edina, MN 55435.  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1367868 citation number 1 item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/5/2020 with respect to a workplace located at 4048 Lakeland Avenue North Robbinsdale, MN 55422

Issued

May 31, 2023

Abate by

Jun 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $9,822 · Current $9,822

Hazardous substances 9020

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1001(j)(3)(i): The building or facility owner did not determine the presence, location, and quantity of ACM or PACM at the work site and  inform employees about the presence and location of ACM and PACM:   a) At the sorting and distribution area in East Portland Station Post Office, located at 1020 SE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214: on or about and at times prior to 2-10-2022, where floor tiles containing asbestos were visibly deteriorated and disturbed by contact with a door locking mechanism in the vestibule, the employer attempted repairs but failed to  determine the potential amount of released asbestos that employees may have been exposed to.  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1278348 citation number 1 item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 7/18/2018 with respect to a workplace located at 200 South Park Avenue, Herrin, IL 62948  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1458590 citation number 2 item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 6/15/2020 with respect to a workplace located at 20711 Holt Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044

Issued

May 31, 2023

Abate by

Jun 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,731 · Current $14,731

Hazardous substances 9020

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(7)(iv): The employer did not provide an annual asbestos awareness training course covering the requirements specified in this standard related to housekeeping to all employees who perform housekeeping work in areas where ACM and/or PACM is present:  a) On or about 11/29/2022 and at times prior thereto, at the sorting and distribution area of the East Portland Station Post Office, located at 1020 SE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214, where floor tiles known to contain asbestos were visibly deteriorated and disturbed by contact with postal transport equipment, employees performing housekeeping work were exposed to asbestos hazards because the employer failed to ensure that they received annual asbestos awareness training containing all of the required elements specified in this standard,  including the location of ACM/PACM in the building, recognition of ACM/PACM damage and deterioration, and the requirements of this standard relating to housekeeping.  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1537592, citation number 1, item number 2a and was affirmed as a final order on 09-14-2022, with respect to a workplace located at 3775 Industrial Blvd, West Sacramento CA 95799.   The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1567325 citation number 1 item number 1a and was affirmed as a final order on 5/5/2022 with respect to a workplace located at 300 Packerland Drive, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 54303  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1369230 citation number 1  item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/22/2019 with respect to a workplace located at 11600 E. Washington Street, Cumberland, Indiana, 46229.

Issued

May 31, 2023

Abate by

Jun 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,910 · Current $4,910

Hazardous substances 9020

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1)(i):The employer did not compile a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that was referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet.  a) On or about 2-10-2022 and at times prior thereto, at the sorting and distribution area in East Portland Station Post Office, located at 1020 SE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214, where floor tiles known to contain asbestos were visibly deteriorated, the employer did not include asbestos on a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that is referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet, such as CAS 1332-21-4.  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1584087 citation number 1 item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 8/11/2022 with respect to a workplace located at 2650 Richmond Highway, Stafford, VI  22554  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1595750 citation number 1  item number 4a and was affirmed as a final order on 8/8/2022 with respect to a workplace located at 2100 16th St., Great Bend, KS  67530.

Issued

May 31, 2023

Abate by

Jun 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,910 · Current $4,910

Hazardous substances 9020

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(g)(8):  The employer did not ensure that Safety Data Sheets were readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they were in their work area(s):  a) On or about 2-10-2022 and at times prior thereto, at the sorting and distribution area in East Portland Station Post Office, located at 1020 SE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214, where floor tiles known to contain asbestos were visibly deteriorated, the employer did not include asbestos, CAS 1332-21-4. among the safety data sheets provided for employee use at the worksite.  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1584087 citation number 1 item number 3b and was affirmed as a final order on 8/11/2022 with respect to a workplace located at 2650 Richmond Highway, Stafford, VI  22554  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1595750 citation number 1  item number 4b and was affirmed as a final order on 8/8/2022 with respect to a workplace located at 2100 16th St., Great Bend, KS  67530.  The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1595750 citation number 1  item number 1b and was affirmed as a final order on 6/30/2021 with respect to a workplace located at 5801 Technology Boulevard, Sandston, VI  23150.