OSHA proposes $120,000 in penalties for USPS workers continued exposure to equipment hazards at Virginia mail center | PostalReporter.com
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OSHA proposes $120,000 in penalties for USPS workers continued exposure to equipment hazards at Virginia mail center

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OSHA: US Postal Service continues to expose workers at Virginia center to powered industrial equipment hazards; faces $120K in fines

5/4/16

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service for workplace safety violations found at a mail processing and distribution center located at 5801 Technology Blvd in Sandston, Virginia. Proposed penalties total $120,000.

OSHA initiated an inspection on Oct. 27, 2015 in response to a complaint alleging hazards involving power industrial equipment at the facility. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued one other-than-serious, and four repeat citations on April 26, 2016. Inspectors issued citations after they found the employer:

  • Allowed employees to operate powered industrial equipment despite the fact the equipment was not inspected or examined for defects after each shift.
  • Permitted employees to operate powered industrial vehicles without use of a seatbelt.
  • Allowed employees to operate powered industrial equipment in aisles clearly marked for wheeled mailed carts, exposing workers to struck-by or caught-between hazards.
  • Failed to provide employees with training to ensure they were competent to operate the equipment.
  • Let employees improperly tow wheeled carts using powered pallet jacks.

OSHA cited the U.S. Postal Service for similar hazards in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Proposed penalties: $120,000

The Postal Service has 15 business days from receipt of its 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.

Quote: “Every year, thousands of workers are injured – some fatally – while operating powered industrial equipment,” said Stan Dutko Jr., OSHA’s area director in Norfolk. “It is every employer’s responsibility to provide its employees with safe and healthful workplaces. Prompt and effective corrective action must be taken.”

[gview file=”http://www.postal-reporter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/USPostalServiceProcessingandDistributionCenterPDC_1102214.pdf” save=”0″]

8 thoughts on “OSHA proposes $120,000 in penalties for USPS workers continued exposure to equipment hazards at Virginia mail center”

  1. Come to my facility where there seems to be a two drink minimum to operate PIT. It’s a “disease” don’t you know and PIT makes it easier to get to the door and then the local gin mill on your extended break.

  2. I work at this paper factory and asked the MDO who is going to pay the fine? he laughed and said “they will never see a dime”!

  3. Big deal.

    OSHA fines the USPS multiple times every year.

    USPS treats the fines the same way they treat the labor contracts.

    By ignoring them.

  4. hahahaha watch your toes….. neener neener neener….. wooooooooopie .Can’t catch me rrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrr

  6. i worked in the Oakland plant for eight years and some of the PIT operators think they are badass because they have a vehicle and you are on foot. one even told me “watch you toes” how stupid is that.

  7. Everything listed seems to be the responsibility of the PIT driver. The employee is violating the safety regulations by not inspecting the PIT, not wearing a safety belt, or driving where prohibited.

  8. This is a Postal Service way of doing business. These postal management will be promoted for violating of the OSHA. The Postal Service will protect, defend and promote the management who violated the OSHA rules and regulations. That is the culture of Postal Service.

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