Serious Violations at Greensboro US Postal Service Facility After Amputation Injury
OSHA found that many machine safe guards had been removed at the USPS distribution center.
There isn’t any employee that leaves for their shift thinking they will return with an injury. Unfortunately, that’s what happened on September 27, 2021 in Greensboro, North Carolina when an employee came into contact with a machine that had it’s safety guard removed at a USPS distribution facility, leading to the amputation of their arm.
Following the tragic incident, OSHA conducted an inspection at the USPS facility, which operates as Greensboro Network Distribution Center. The inspection identified repeat and serious safety violations, including failure to ensure that safety guards were in place and allowing conveyor guards to be routinely removed, leaving workers at risk of injuries.
OSHA also found, according to a press release, that the facility had failed to ensure that employees were being trained on working near conveyors or proper methods for safely operating equipment using lockout/tagout safety measures. Additionally, the facility allowed unqualified workers—workers without adequate training and protective equipment—to perform tests on live electrical equipment.
OSHA issued two series and two repeat citations which totaled $170,918 in penalties.
“The U.S. Postal Service ignored long-established safety standards and put workers at risk,” said OSHA Area Director Kimberley Morton in Raleigh, North Carolina in a press release. “The USPS has an obligation to eliminate hazards to ensure safe working conditions and prevent another worker from suffering a tragic and life-altering injury.”