Failing to develop procedures and provide training for locking out machine power sources to prevent unexpected startup brought a serious citation in the case.

Postal Service Hit with $558,000 Fine

OSHA announced Friday that the U.S. Postal Service received eight willful citations after inspectors found four untrained or unqualified workers performing tests on live electrical equipment.

  • May 03, 2010

OSHA has fined the U.S. Postal Service $558,000 in connection with alleged violations at a processing and delivery center in Providence, R.I. The agency announced Friday that USPS has received eight willful citations after inspectors found four untrained or unqualified workers performing tests on live electrical equipment, and those citations were the source of $530,000 of the fine.

"These sizable fines reflect the severity and ongoing nature of these hazards," Dr. David Michaels, the OSHA assistant secretary, said in a news release. He added that USPS "ignored long-established safety standards and knowingly put its workers in harm's way."

The inspection revealed training, PPE, work practices, and warning signs were inadequate, according to OSHA. The inspections of lockout/tagout procedures were conducted by employees who "lacked the knowledge and training to determine if those procedures were performed correctly," the release stated.

The remaining $28,000 in fines were associated with four serious citations for failing to develop procedures and training for locking out machines' power sources to prevent unexpected startup during maintenance and for related hazards.

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