Industry and union stakeholders divided over OSHA action against USPS
TweetThe Inside OSHA Newsletter reports that “Industry and union stakeholders are sharply divided over an unprecedented move by the Department of Labor calling for the U.S. Postal Service USPS to fix electrical violations at 350 facilities, as it is the first time that DOL has executed such an enterprise-wide effort and could portend the way it responds to such findings in the future.”
Not surprisingly, the newsletter says reaction broke down on labor vs. management lines: “Union officials lauded the action. A union source said that taking action on a broad basis is positive and employers with multiple locations should be dealing with safety and health concerns at all of them. She noted that OSHA has taken related action through corporate-wide settlements.”
Meanwhile, an industry lawyer
questioned the legality of DOL’s “ground-breaking” move. “One of the touchstones of the OSHA statute is that OSHA can cite what it sees,” he said. Though OSHA found the hazard in multiple USPS facilities, it hasn’t seen it in all 350 against which the order has been issued. As a result, the industry attorney said he thinks the DOL action is problematic, from a legal perspective… Furthermore, he noted that the action couldn’t have been taken without the USPS contesting the violation. “It’s a penalty for contesting — for exercising your legitimate due process rights,” he said.
July 27th, 2010 10:58
“As a result, the industry attorney said he thinks the DOL action is problematic, from a legal perspective…”
It’s admirable that the industry lawyer’s priorities are so well thought out. Worker health and safety have always taken a back seat to Bureaucratic Speak (B.S.) at the U.S.P.S. I know this because ‘Safety Depends on Me!’
July 27th, 2010 17:27
Fine us $250k a pop for practices that have resulted in exactly ZERO injuries. The “safe” pratices that OSHA requires actually expose employees to MORE danger,i.e live circuits. This from the same people (the federal government) who refuse to return $75 billion in ill gotten gains and continue to fine us $5 billion a year for “retirement” benefits. It ain’t about safety, it’s all about the MONEY!!!
July 28th, 2010 18:56
It’s better to be safe than sorry. Even thoygh no one ws hurt it doesn’t mean no one would ever get hurt. That’s all we need at USPS is for a worker to get killed because of this. I think OSHA did the right thing and if it was about money just think what the fine would be in a wrongful death litigation. That’s what this lawyer wants he wants someone to get killed at USPS so he can represent their family and get a huge payday.
July 28th, 2010 21:12
There are probably issues in the facility but the question is where are the employees in trying to resolve these issues. It is there responsibility also to make sure things are identified properly. The employees have training regarding electrical quidelines and procedures so why weren’t they making sure things were done right. We need to work together because just wanting to get the organization hammered will only be a detriment to all employees.