OSHA cites USPS facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., with 8 safety violations, more than $164,000 in fines
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service at 3200 Summit Blvd. in West Palm Beach for eight alleged safety violations following a November 2010 inspection. Proposed penalties total $164,200.
Six repeat violations with penalties totaling $155,200 include failing to appropriately mark aisles on the loading dock where forklifts were operating; exposing employees to being struck by the forklifts; allowing employees on the loading dock to operate a dumper at the edge of the dock without fall protection; exposing them to a fall of 50 inches; blocking aisles with mail cages; preventing employees from quickly evacuating in case of a fire; exposing workers to fall and electrical hazards by requiring them to climb a ladder and reach over with a wooden pole in order to use disconnect switches for battery chargers; incorrectly labeling containers used to store waste oil and solvents in the battery and oil waste room; and failing to perform monthly inspections with certification records of the hoist chain on the overhead crane that moved batteries weighing up to 3,000 pounds. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
Two serious violations with proposed penalties of $9,000 include requiring forklifts to turn and travel in areas on the loading dock that were not kept clear of mail carts, thus exposing workers to being struck by the forklifts, and obstructing the exit route near the loading dock with boxes and equipment, decreasing the capacity of the exit route in case of evacuation. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
“Blocking aisles and placing workers in hazardous situations where they may be struck by a forklift are dangers that should have been identified and corrected by management without waiting for an OSHA inspection,” said Cindy Coe, OSHA’s regional administrator in Atlanta. “The Postal Service has been cited by OSHA at other locations for these same violations, and we will not tolerate this type of disregard for employees’ safety and health.”
The Postal Service has 15 business days from receipt of the latest citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The site was inspected by staff from OSHA’s Fort Lauderdale Area Office, telephone 954-424-0242. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
OSHA cites USPS in Nashville, Tenn., with $70,000 fine for safety hazard
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service on Royal Parkway in Nashville with one willful safety violation for allowing workers to use damaged and unrepaired dock levelers, carrying a penalty of $70,000.
OSHA began its inspection following a complaint that an employee was seriously injured while lifting a damaged steel-hinged plate that provides a bridge between the dock and a truck trailer. The strap that the employee was using to lift the plate slipped off the steel flap, which caused the employee to lose balance and fall backwards, striking the concrete floor.
A willful violation exists when an employer has demonstrated either an intentional disregard for the requirements of the law or plain indifference to employee safety and health.
“The Postal Service was made aware of the hazards related to its use of dock levelers that should have been removed from service,” said William Cochran, director of OSHA’s Nashville Area Office. “The hazard must be addressed and corrected because this type of disregard for employees’ safety and health will not be tolerated.”
The Postal Service has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The site was inspected by staff from OSHA’s Nashville Area Office, 51 Century Blvd., Suite 340, Nashville, TN 37214; telephone 615-232-3803. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).
After D.C. Explosion, USPS Issues Safety Talk On Handling Suspicious Packages
Safety Talk on Recognizing And Handling Suspicious Mail
Following the explosion of several mail pieces in Maryland and Washington, DC, the USPS has issued a Safety Talk [PDF] that instructs employees how to react to suspicious packages. APWU President Cliff Guffey is encouraging union members to follow the guidelines and to exercise caution. The union is monitoring the situation to make sure that the Postal Service takes prudent steps to protect the safety of postal employees and the public.
Mandatory Stand-Up Talk
January 7, 2011
Recognizing and handling suspicious mail Due to recent events involving suspicious packages, it is important for us to review our procedures concerning suspicious mail.
It is very important that you know how to recognize suspicious mail. Characteristics to pay special attention to include shape, look, address and packaging.
• Shape — Is it lopsided or uneven? Is it rigid or bulky?
• Look — Are there oily stains, discolorations, or crystals on the wrapper? Does it have a strange odor?
• Address — Is there a return address? Are there restrictive markings? Are there misspelled words? Is it addressed to a title rather than to an individual? Is it an incorrect title? Is it poorly typed or written?
• Packaging — Is it sealed with tape? Is there excessive tape?
Is there excessive postage?
Once a suspicious letter or package has been identified, it is important to respond appropriately. There are three main steps:
OSHA Fines USPS $210,000 For Safety Violations in Columbus, OH
APWU News
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the USPS $210,000 for willfully exposing employees to electrical safety hazards at the Columbus, OH Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC).
OSHA inspectors issued the Postal Service five citations [PDF] after they found the Postal Service failed to properly train employees on safe electrical work practices and failed to provide them with proper protective equipment when working on live machinery. The USPS also failed to utilize proper procedures to prevent electrical parts from being inadvertently energized.
The most recent violations bring the Postal Service’s total OSHA fines to over $5.1 million.
Postal Service Faces $8,000 In OSHA Fines At Binghamton, NY Mail Facility
The U.S. Postal Service faces roughly $8,000 in proposed fines after an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation in June found several “serious” safety violations at the Henry Street postal facility, according to the OSHA report.
The report states:
* Exit routes were not free and unobstructed but blocked by wire cages, a pallet tilt machine and other materials and/or equipment.
* Sufficient access and working space in front of some circuit breaker panels were not provided to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of the equipment.
* Employees performing troubleshooting on or near live energized circuits were not provided with proper protective equipment.
full story: PressConnects.com
OSHA Fines USPS $210,000 For Safety Violations at Cincinnati BMC
APWU Web News
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the Postal Service $210,000 for willfully exposing employees to electrical safety hazards at the Cincinnati Bulk Mail Center (BMC).
OSHA issued the USPS three citations after inspectors found that the Postal Service failed to provide employees working on electrically energized equipment with adequate training and protective equipment, exposing them to the risk of electric shock.
The latest citations in Ohio bring the Postal Service’s total OSHA fines to more than $4.6 million.
OSHA Proposes $191,000 In Fines Against USPS at Kansas Bulk Mail Center
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service Bulk Mail Center in Kansas City, Kan., for numerous serious and repeat safety violations endangering the health and safety of its employees. OSHA has proposed $191,000 in penalties against the facility.
An OSHA inspection revealed seven alleged repeat and 21 alleged serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. OSHA’s inspection was initiated under its site-specific targeting program which targets employers with high injury and illness rates.
“There is no excuse for the lack of attention to the work environment that resulted in a multitude of violations, including seven repeat violations,” said Charles Adkins, OSHA’s regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. “It is imperative that employers take the necessary steps to eliminate hazards and provide a safe working environment for all of their employees to prevent accidents from occurring.”
The serious violations stem from overall deficiencies in walking/working surfaces, fall protection, sling use, machine guarding, welding and electrical equipment. OSHA issues a serious violation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard that an employer knew or should have known about.
The repeat violations address hazards associated with exit routes, eye wash facilities, electrical equipment and hazard communication. OSHA issues a repeat violation when an employer has been previously cited for the same, or a substantially similar, violation within three years of the final order date.
The Labor Department has filed an enterprise-wide complaint against the U.S. Postal Service for electrical work safety violations. The complaint asks the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to order the USPS to correct electrical violations at all of its facilities nationwide. This complaint marks the first time OSHA has sought enterprise-wide relief as a remedy. Within the past five years, OSHA has conducted more than 900 inspections at USPS facilities across the country and has issued more than 600 citations.
The USPS Bulk Mail Center has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in Wichita, Kan., or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov
OSHA Proposes $350,000 In Fines Against USPS At Portsmouth, NH Mail Processing Facility
CONCORD, N.H. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service for five alleged willful violations of safety standards following an inspection at the Portsmouth, N.H., Processing and Distribution Center. The Postal Service faces a total of $350,000 in fines, chiefly for exposing workers to electrical hazards.
OSHA’s inspection, conducted in response to employee complaints, found untrained or inadequately trained employees at the Portsmouth distribution center performing troubleshooting and voltage testing on or near live electrical equipment and wiring that had not first been de-energized. The workers also lacked personal protective equipment and were not instructed on proper electrical lockout/tagout procedures.
As a result of its inspection, OSHA has issued five willful citations to the Postal Service for the conditions at the Portsmouth facility. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
“These citations and the sizable fines proposed here reflect the Postal Service’s ongoing knowledge of and failure to address conditions that exposed its workers to the severe and potentially deadly hazards of electric shock, arc flashes and arc blasts,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels.
The Postal Service has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with the OSHA area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA’s area office in Concord; telephone 603-225-1629. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.
The Labor Department has filed an enterprise-wide complaint against the U.S. Postal Service for electrical work safety violations. The complaint asks the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to order the USPS to correct electrical violations at all of its facilities nationwide. This complaint marks the first time OSHA has sought enterprise-wide relief as a remedy.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
“OSHA records state the postal facility was previously cited for that same infraction three years ago.”
USPS Mail Processing Center In Dayton, OH Fined $225,000 For Safety Violations
DAYTON, Ohio. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service with three alleged willful and six alleged serious violations at its Dayton, Ohio, processing center. The Postal Service faces a total of $225,000 in fines for electrical and equipment hazards following an OSHA inspection conducted in response to employee complaints.
OSHA’s inspection, which began in April 2010, found that the Postal Service failed to provide adequate electrical safety training, ensure that workers followed safety-related work practices while working on electrical equipment, provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment while working on energized electrical equipment, address machine lockout procedures and hazards, and provide proper lockout/tagout training.
A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirement, or plain indifference to employee safety and health. An OSHA violation is serious if death or serious physical harm can result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists.
“These sizable fines reflect the severity and ongoing nature of these hazards,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “The Postal Service ignored long-established safety standards and knowingly put its workers in harm’s way.”
The U.S. Postal Service has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA’s area office in Cincinnati, Ohio; telephone 715-832-1147. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.
The U.S. Department of Labor has filed an enterprise-wide complaint against the U.S. Postal Service for electrical work safety violations. The complaint asks the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to order the USPS to correct electrical violations at all its facilities nationwide. This complaint marks the first time OSHA has sought enterprise-wide relief as a remedy.
Department of Labor Files Motion To Consolidate USPS Electrical Safety Charges
APWU Web News Article 081-2010, Aug. 6, 2010
The Department of Labor (DOL) is seeking to consolidate complaints regarding the Postal Service’s ongoing and systemic violations of safe electrical work practices, and has initiated settlement discussions with the Postal Service in an attempt to correct the hazards. The DOL has invited the APWU to participate in the discussions.
Responding to APWU safety complaints, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued fines of more than $3.7 million for “willful and serious” electrical safety violations at 17 USPS facilities since January. Inspectors found that the Postal Service failed to provide employees working on electrically energized machinery with adequate training and protective equipment. The violations expose workers to the risk of severe electric shock, burns, or death, OSHA concluded.
In a motion filed Aug. 3 [PDF], the Secretary of Labor said that the Postal Service has approximately 260 Mail Processing & Distribution Centers and Network Distribution Centers across the country with similar hazards. In a cover letter accompanying the motion, the DOL Solicitor’s Office wrote, “Inspections continue with more citations expected.”
“Given the common issues and parties, and the number of citations to be issued in total, which may exceed 30-40, a consolidation of all these cases would conserve judicial and litigation resources,” the letter said.
On July 6 the DOL filed a complaint requesting “enterprise-wide” relief for the safety violations. The complaint asks the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to order the Postal Service to correct the violations; uphold the fines and penalties; conduct training on safe electrical work practices; provide personal protective equipment to affected employees, and withdraw flawed management orders and instructions regarding safe electrical work practices.
“The Department of Labor motion to consolidate the cases would merge these similar complaints so that the result of any litigation or settlement discussions would be applied to every postal facility where APWU members are exposed to electrical hazards,” said Greg Bell, APWU Director of Industrial Relations. “It would provide a uniform remedy and prevent the Postal Service and OSHA from negotiating separate, individual settlements at different locations.” Bell noted that the DOL’s motion mentioned 260 facilities and said, “The APWU is adamant that any settlement must be applied to all postal facilities that have deficient electrical safety work practices.”
The motion also requests a 90-day “stay,” which would hold proceedings in abeyance to allow the parties to pursue negotiations at the national level without being hampered by discovery issues or mandatory settlement proceedings. The stay would not prevent OSHA from conducting inspections or filing additional complaints.
The APWU has intervened as a party to the proceedings, which will ensure that the union is notified of developments in the case and given the opportunity to present the union’s position.
The APWU attended a preliminary meeting with representatives of the DOL, OSHA, and the USPS on July 27 to begin discussions of a possible remedy for the safety violations. “Throughout this process, the APWU will continue to insist that these outrageous hazards are corrected and that union members are protected,” Bell said.