DOTHAN, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service on Main Street in Dothan for four safety violations carrying $84,000 in proposed penalties following the agency’s inspection begun in July in response to a complaint.
“The Postal Service continues to expose workers to hazards that put employees at risk of serious injury,” said Joseph Roesler, OSHA’s area director in Mobile. “The employer has an extensive OSHA history and needs to take immediate action to eliminate unsafe working conditions from the workplace.”
Two repeat violations, with $77,000 in penalties, involve the employer’s failure to provide adequate exit routes and for allowing blocked and obstructed exits. 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 facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. The Postal Service received citations for the same hazards in 2012.
One serious violation, with a $7,000 penalty, involves exposing workers to slip and fall hazards by not addressing damp and wet conditions in the shop area. 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.
An other-than-serious violation was also cited for failing to train workers on the basic information related to the voluntary use of respirators, contained in Appendix D of the respirator protection standard. No monetary penalty was assessed. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
The Postal Service has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
via OSHA Cites U.S. Postal Service in Dothan
Amen to that.
Sadly, the employee that recklessly pushed equipment in front of an emergency exit, is not likely to be removed. Though, that is exactly what should happen. Fired. Then let the union demonstrate their concern for employee safety (not) by fighting to get them reinstated.
business as usually
Yet, not one postal mgr. will be held accountable, even for the repeat violations and fines.