Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002B Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.1101(k)(8)(vii): After the building owner or employer identified previously installed presumed asbestos containing material (PACM) and/or asbestos containing material (ACM), labels or signs were not affixed or posted so that employees would be notified of what materials contain PACM and/or ACM, and/or the employer did not post signs in lieu of labels, and/or ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who come in contact with these signs or labels could comprehend them. Location: Worksite On or about November 20, 2024, employees were exposed to asbestos hazards when accessing the janitor's closet, where a USPS asbestos label consisting of a blue capital letter "A" within a blue triangle with yellow background on a white label was in poor condition, and the employer did not ensure that those who come in contact with this label could comprehend the label. Employees that have not received asbestos training from the employer that included information regarding the USPS asbestos label being used would not be able to comprehend the label, even if in good condition. Additionally, the employer did not ensure that a label or sign was affixed or posted to notify employees that the stock room floor tiles contained asbestos until after the work operation to unblock the doorway access between the stock room and battery room was complete. 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 inform employees of the location and quantity of asbestos-containing material present before initiation of an operation, as seen below in prior violations (cited under the alternative OSHA General Industry OSHA Standard): a) 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. b) 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. c) 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.