Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.1101(f)(2)(i): The employer with a work operation covered by the asbestos standard did not ensure that a "competent person" conducted an exposure assessment immediately before or at the initiation of the operation to ascertain expected exposures during that operation or workplace. Location: Worksite On or about November 20, 2024, employees were exposed to asbestos hazards while working to unblock the doorway access between the stock room and battery room and the asbestos-containing floor tiles in the stock room were disturbed, where the employer did not ensure that a competent person conducted an exposure assessment before the work started, to be able to assess expected employee exposure during the operation. The operation exposed and disturbed an area of approximately 31.5" x 34" of the stock room floor tiles containing 10% chrysotile asbestos and created dust and debris when a sawzall was used to cut a desk that was standing on the floor, causing vibration in the floor tiles. Additional disturbance was caused by removing desk portions and desk legs, by dragging a cabinet over the area, and by employees walking back and forth over the exposed asbestos-containing floor tiles to move vehicle parts and batteries from one room to the other. The employer has previously failed to assess employee exposures before initiation of an operation as seen below in prior violations (also cited under the alternative General Industry 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(3)(i): a) The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1713346 citation number 1 item number 1a and was affirmed as a final order on 1/2/2025, with respect to a workplace located at 1 Central Street, Norwood, MA 02062. b) The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a Repeat-Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1640228 citation number 2 item number 2 with an inspection date of 12/15/2022 with respect to a workplace located at 1020 SE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. c) The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for an Other-than-Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1458590 citation number 2 item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 6/15/2020 with respect to a workplace located at 20711 Holt Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044. d) The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1278348 citation number 1 item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 7/18/2018 with respect to a workplace located at 200 South Park Avenue, Herrin, IL 62948.