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.

Product Showcase

  • Magid® D-ROC® GPD412 21G Ultra-Thin Polyurethane Palm Coated Work Gloves

    Magid’s 21G line is more than just a 21-gauge glove, it’s a revolutionary knitting technology paired with an advanced selection of innovative fibers to create the ultimate in lightweight cut protection. The latest offering in our 21G line provides ANSI A4 cut resistance with unparalleled dexterity and extreme comfort that no other 21-gauge glove on the market can offer! Read More

  • Safety Knives

    The Safety Knife Company has developed a quality range of safety knives for all industries. Designed so that fingers cannot get to the blades, these knives will safely cut through cardboard, tape, strapping, shrink or plastic wrap or a variety of other packing materials. Because these knives have no exposed blades and only cut cardboard deep, they will not only protect employees against lacerations but they will also save product. The Metal Detectable versions have revolutionary metal detectable polypropylene knife bodies specifically for the food and pharmaceutical industries. This material can be detected and rejected by typical detection machines and is X-ray visible. Read More

  • Full Line of Defense Against Combustible Dust Nilfisk

    Nilfisk provides a comprehensive range of industrial vacuums meticulously crafted to adhere to NFPA 652 housekeeping standards, essential for gathering combustible dust in Class I, Group D, and Class II, Groups E, F & G environments or non-classified settings. Our pneumatic vacuums are meticulously engineered to fulfill safety criteria for deployment in hazardous surroundings. Leveraging advanced filtration technology, Nilfisk ensures the secure capture of combustible materials scattered throughout your facility, ranging from fuels, solvents, and metal dust to flour, sugar, and pharmaceutical powders. Read More

Featured

Most   Popular

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars