August 27, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites United Parcel Service
After Employee Injury in West Palm Beach County, Florida

RIVIERA BEACH, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited UPS Inc. for failing to protect employees working in excessive heat after an employee suffered heat-related injuries near the Riviera Beach, Florida, facility. The company faces $13,260 in penalties, the maximum penalty allowed by law for a serious violation.

The employee became ill while delivering packages and needed hospitalization. The heat index ranged between 99 and 105 degrees. OSHA cited the company for failing to adequately protect workers exposed to outdoor heat hazards.

“Employers must take proper precautions when employees work outdoors in excessive heat conditions, and ensure they receive prompt medical attention when exhibiting signs of heat-related illness,” said OSHA Area Director Condell Eastmond, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

OSHA conducts training and outreach on heat-related workplace hazards every spring and summer. OSHA’s occupational heat exposure page provides information on establishing a heat illness prevention program, a video on protecting workers from heat illness, and resources with other suggested best practices. The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool app is a free resource that calculates a worksite’s heat index and displays the associated risk levels.

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

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

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Media Contacts:

Michael D’Aquino, 678-237-0630, daquino.michael@dol.gov
Eric Lucero, 678-237-0630, lucero.eric.r@dol.gov

Release Number:  19-1468-ATL (303)

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The Department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).