OSHA Inspection: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Issued

Mar 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 28, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.176(a):  Aisles and passageways were not kept clear and in good repair with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.  (a)  Mail processing area, Northwest wall, 1420 Gardiner Ln, Louisville, KY: On or about 01/24/2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to struck-by hazards, in that the designated pedestrian aisle was blocked by pallets of cardboard, APC carts, and parked PITs, forcing pedestrians to walk into the aisles designated for PIT operation.  (b) Mail processing area, Northeast wall, 1420 Gardiner Ln, Louisville, KY:  On or about 01/23/2024, and at times prior, the the employer exposed employees to struck-by hazards, in that the designated pedestrian aisle was blocked by tool boxes and storage cabinets, forcing pedestrians to walk into the aisles designated for PIT operation.

Issued

Mar 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 28, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $16,131

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(g)(5): reinstalled batteries were not properly positioned and secured in the truck  (a) Battery room, Southwest corner of warehouse, 1420 Gardiner Ln, Louisville, KY:  On or about 01/24/2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to crushing injuries, acid burns, electrocution, and death, in that, the incorrect size battery and weight (1925lbs) was installed in the battery compartment of forklift #16 which allowed it to shift suddenly while PIT is being operated by employees to move pallets of cardboard from inside the warehouse to the outside compactor.    (b) Warehouse floor, 1420 Gardiner Ln, Louisville, KY: On or about 01/24/2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to crushing injuries, acid burns, electrocution, and death, in that, after market replacement batteries which are smaller than the original batteries, were installed in the battery compartment of ten Toyota forklifts, model #7FBEU20,  without properly securing them, which allows them to shift suddenly while PIT is being operated by employees to move pallets of mail throughout the facility and the loading docks.

Issued

Mar 11, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(q)(7): Industrial trucks were not examined before being placed in service:  (b) Warehouse floor, 1420 Gardiner Ln, Louisville, KY: On or about 01/24/2023, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to serious burn injuries and death from electrocution hazards, in that Toyota Forklift #1406, model #7FBEU20, was not being properly examined before being placed in service.  Inspection would have revealed that the right, rear panel was missing and live electrical components were exposed while it was being operated by employees to move loads within the warehouse floor.

Issued

Mar 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 28, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,218 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:   (a)  Electrical panel PPQ-12, Northwest corner of loading dock area, 1420 Gardiner Ln, Louisville, KY:  On or about 01/24/2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to electrical hazards in that the panel had a barrier installed within 12 inches of the front of the panel where Building Equipment Maintainers (BEM) were required to service and inspect breaker panels.

Issued

Mar 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 28, 2024

Penalty

Initial $1,294 · Current $1,294

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.176(c): Storage areas were not kept free from accumulation of materials that constituted hazards from tripping, fire, explosion or pest harborage:  (a) Exterior storage area, SW end of main building, 1420 Gardiner Ln, Louisville, KY:  On or about 01/24/2024, and at times prior, the employer exposed employees to struck by, fire, and tripping hazards in that trash, pallets of cardboard, various mail carts, lead acid batteries, and various other dunnage was stacked in a manner that made it unstable in an area frequented by both PITs and pedestrian employee traffic.