OSHA Cites USPS In Nashville, Tenn With $50,000 Fine For Repeat Safety Hazard

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US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites US Postal Service in
Nashville, Tenn., with $50,000 fine for repeat safety hazard

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service on Royal Parkway in Nashville with a repeat safety violation following an employee being struck by a mail cart. The proposed penalty totals $50,000.

In December 2010, an industrial powered tug with defective brakes hit a mail cart, which in turn struck a worker. The Postal Service is being cited with one repeat safety violation for exposing workers to being struck by powered industrial trucks when power tugs were not removed from service after being identified with damaged or defective parts.

OSHA has cited other Postal Service facilities for the same violation as recently as July 2010. 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 other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

“Using equipment that is not in proper working condition, especially defective brakes, is dangerous and that equipment should be removed from service,” said William Cochran, director of OSHA’s Nashville Area Office. “Such hazards must be addressed and corrected, and OSHA will not tolerate this type of disregard for employees’ safety and health.”

Separately, the Royal Parkway location was cited for a willful violation in February 2011 involving use of damaged or unrepaired dock levelers, and the Postal Service is currently contesting that citation.

The Postal Service has 15 business days from receipt of the latest citation and proposed penalty to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The site was inspected by staff from OSHA’s Nashville Area Office, 51 Century Blvd., Suite 340, Nashville, TN 37214; telephone 615-232-3803. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).