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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">United States of America</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1120 20th Street, N.W., Ninth Floor</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; text-align:center; margin-left:72px; margin-right:24px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Washington, DC 20036-3457</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">SECRETARY OF LABOR,</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">v.</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
								</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHRC Docket No.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
									</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">19-1072</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-transform:uppercase;font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; text-transform:uppercase;font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">DECISION AND ORDER</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Attorneys<span>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Christian P. Barber</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Attorney,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Office of the Solicitor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">U.S. Department of Labor,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Nashville</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">TN</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, for Complainant.<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Michael R. Skahan</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Attorney,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">U.S. Postal Service, Southern Area Law Office</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Dallas, TX,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>f</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Respondent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">JUDGE: </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">John B. Gatto</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, United States Administrative Law Judge.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<span style="font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">I.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "> INTRODUCTION</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In this proceeding,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the United States Postal Service</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">) was issued<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-item</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">c</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">itation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with a proposed penalty of $10,423<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the Act), 29 U.S.C. § 651<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">et seq.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref1" href="#ftn1">1</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">violating<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHA general housekeeping standard,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. §</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>19</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">10.22</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)(1)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">when ceiling tiles<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">allegedly</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“were not kept in sanitary condition in that water stains and discoloration were observed.”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Compl., Ex. A.) </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">After<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>timely contested the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">citation, the Secretary of Labor filed a formal complaint with the Commission seeking an order affirming the citation and proposed penalty.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref2" href="#ftn2">2</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">bench trial was held in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Birmingham, Alabama</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">There is no dispute that jurisdiction of this action is conferred upon the Commission by section 10(c) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 659(c)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. C-1<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">¶<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1). The Court also finds, a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nd the parties have<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">stipulated,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was engaged in a business affecting commerce and was an employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">within the meaning of sections 3(3) and 3(5) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 652(3), (5)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. C-1<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">¶</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>2).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Pursuant to Commission Rule 90, after hearing and carefully considering all the evidence<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and the arguments of counsel</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the Court issues this Decision and Order</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which constitutes its final disposition of the proceedings under section 661(j) of the Act. 29 U.S.C. § 661(j)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>All arguments not expressly addressed have nevertheless been considered and rejected.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref3" href="#ftn3">3</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">F</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">or the reasons indicated<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">infra</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the Court<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">holds<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the Secretary has<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">proven<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">his<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">prima facie case</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">itation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">VACATED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">no civil<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">penalty is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">assessed</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:48px; text-indent:0cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; ">
				<span style="font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">II.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "> BACKGROUND</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS operates as a nationwide employer engaged in the business of providing postal services. (Ex. C-1 ¶¶ 2, 3.) It employs approximately 16 employees at its Dora, Alabama</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Post Office facility. (Tr. 19-20; Ex. C-1 ¶¶ 3, 4.)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On April 2, 2019,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officer Alisha Sledge<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">initiated an inspection of the Dora facility following an employee complaint</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">alleged employee exposure to mold and mildew due to water leaking onto ceiling tiles throughout the building. (Tr. 16; Exs. C-1 ¶ 5; C-2, R-8.)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Sledge<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">completed a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">walkaround inspection of the facility</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">observed water stains and discoloration on ceiling tiles and insulation in the mail sorting area, HVAC room, and utility closet. (Tr. 27-34; Ex. C-1 ¶ 6</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see also</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Exs.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>C-9, C-10, C-13, C-14, C-15.)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Although<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">some of the ceiling tiles had been removed from the ceiling before the inspection</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(C5, C-6; C</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">8 to C-10; C-11 to C-13)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">here is no evidence in the record that the water stains and discoloration on ceiling tiles and insulation resulted in any mold or mildew</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Sledge did acknowledge the appearance of remediation already underway on the day she inspected the facility. (Tr. 56-57.) Following the walkaround inspection, Sledge conducted interviews with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">two employees. (Tr. 34-35).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As a result of the inspection, OSHA issued<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one-item<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“repeat”</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref4" href="#ftn4">4</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>citation for a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n alleged</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1910.22(a)(1). (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Compl., Ex. A;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tr. 35-36; Ex. R-1;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see also</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Ex. C-1 ¶8.)</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref5" href="#ftn5">5</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
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			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:48px; text-indent:0cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; ">
				<span style="font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">III.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">
				</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">ANALYSIS</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The fundamental objective of the Act is to prevent occupational deaths and serious injuries.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Whirlpool Corp. v. Marshall</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 445 U.S. 1, 11 (1980). The Act “establishes a comprehensive regulatory scheme designed ‘to assure so far as possible safe and healthful working conditions’ for ‘every working man and woman in the Nation.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’ ”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Martin v. Occupational Safety & Health Review Comm'n</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">CF & I Steel Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 499 U.S. 144, 147 (1991) (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">quoting</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>29 U.S.C. § 651(b)). “The Act charges the Secretary with responsibility for setting and enforcing workplace health and safety standards.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“To implement its statutory purpose, Congress imposed dual obligations on employers. They must first comply with the ‘general duty’ to free the workplace of all recognized hazards.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">ComTran Grp., Inc. v. U.S. Dep't of Labor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 722 F.3d 1304, 1307 (11th Cir. 2013). “They also have a ‘special duty’ to comply with all mandatory health and safety standards.” (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at § 654(a)(2)).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“With respect to the latter, Congress provided for the promulgation and enforcement of the mandatory standards through a regulatory scheme that divides responsibilities between two federal agencies.” (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“The Secretary establishes these standards through the exercise of rulemaking powers.”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">CF & I Steel Corp.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 499 U.S. at 147.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>29 U.S.C. § 665.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#212121; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Pursuant to that authority, the standards at issue in this case were promulgated.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Meanwhile, the Commission is assigned to carry out adjudicatory functions under the Act and serves “as a neutral arbiter and determine whether the Secretary's citations should be enforced over employee or union objections.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Cuyahoga Valley Ry. Co. v. United Transp. Union</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 474 U.S. 3, 7 (1985) (per curiam).</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Under the law of the Eleventh Circuit where this case arose,</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref6" href="#ftn6">6</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Secretary will<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">make out a prima facie case for the violation of an OSHA standard by showing (1) that the regulation applied;</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(2) that it was violated; (3) that an employee was exposed to the hazard that was created; and importantly, (4) that the employer “knowingly disregarded” the Act’s requirements.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">ComTran</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 722 F.3d at 1307;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Eller-Ito Stevedoring Co., LLC v. Sec'y of Labor</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 567 F. App'x 801, 803 (11th Cir. 2014).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The cited regulation, s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ection 1910.22(a)(1)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>mandates that t</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he employer must ensure that “[a]ll places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1910.22(a)(1). As indicated<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">supra</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the citation a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sserts<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS violated this general housekeeping standard when ceiling tiles in the mail sorting area, the HVAC room, and the utility closet<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">allegedly<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“were not kept in sanitary condition in that water stains and discoloration were observed.” (Compl., Ex. A.)<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:0; orphans:0; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The cited standard is contained in Part 1910, OSHA’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards, and more specifically, is found in Subpart D, the “Walking-Working Surfaces”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">S</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tandards.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">h</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e Secretary a</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sserts<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[b]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">y its own terms, the standard applies to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“[a]ll places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces.”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Sec’y’s Br. 6.)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Court<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">finds no merit in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the Secretary</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’s position</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">fails to acknowledge<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2016 amendments to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Subpart<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">D.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:0; orphans:0; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Prior to 2016,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Subpart<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">D</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“include[d] separate scope requirements in various sections in the subpart[.]</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 81 Fed. Reg. 82494 (Nov. 18, 2016).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">And prior to 2016,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1910.22</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">did have<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">its own<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">scope provision, which indicated it<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">applie</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to all permanent places of employment, except where domestic, mining, or agricultural work only is performed.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1910.22</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(2014)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">However, that provision<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was eliminated with the 2016 amendments to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Subpart<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">D.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:0; orphans:0; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Prior to 2016,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“[e]xisting subpart D [did] not have a single scope provision<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">that applie[d] to the entire subpart</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Walking-Working Surfaces</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">id</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">emphasis added</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">However, w</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ith the 2016 amendments,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHA<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">added<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a new<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">single<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">scope provision</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1910.21(a)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">did<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">appl</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">y</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the entire subpart.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>That consolidated scope provision<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">provides<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Subpart D</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">covers all</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>walking-working surfaces</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">unless specifically excluded by an individual section of this subpart.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">29 C.F.R. § 1910.21(a)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(emphasis added)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thus, it is clear the consolidated scope provision contained in Subpart D’s section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1910.21(a) limits the applicability of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">various sections in that subpart</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">walking-working surfaces,”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">including the cited s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ection<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1910.22(a)(1).<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:0; orphans:0; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“walking-working surface” is defined as any “horizontal or vertical surface<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">on or through which an employee walks, works, or gains access to a work area or workplace location</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>29 C.F.R. § 1910.21(b)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(emphasis added)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">us, th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e plain language of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">scope of Subpart D<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">indicates<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the provisions of Subpart D<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">do not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">apply to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ceiling</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tiles<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">since</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by definition, they are not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“walking-working surface</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>since they<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">are not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">urface</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on or through which an employee walks, works, or gains access to a work area or workplace location</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref7" href="#ftn7">7</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:0; orphans:0; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Therefore,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the Court concludes<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">after<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the 2016 revisions to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Subpart D</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, it</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">only applie</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to “walking-working surfaces</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">since<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ceiling tiles</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>by definition<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">we</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">re not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“walking-working surface</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the Secretary</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not authorized to cite<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ceiling tile</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>violation</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>under<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Subpart D</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">or any<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">individual section of th</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>subpart</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, including<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ection 1910.22(a)(1)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Thus, the Secretary<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">has failed to make out a prima facie case for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">violation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">since<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he failed to show that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ection 1910.22(a)(1)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>applied.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Accordingly,</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p style="page-break-before:page; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span> </p>
			</div>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:0; orphans:0; "> </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:48px; text-indent:0cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:center; ">
				<span style="font-weight:bold; font-weight:bold; padding-right:20px;">IV.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">ORDER</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the c</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">itation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">VACATED</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a civil penalty is not assessed.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; margin-right:-3.2px; "><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">SO</span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ORDERED</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; margin-right:-3.2px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; margin-right:-3.2px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; margin-right:-3.2px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;">/s/</span><span style="color:#000000; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline ;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; margin-right:-3.2px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>First Judge John B. Gatto</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; margin-left:288px; text-indent:1.27cm; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dated: </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">January 25, 2021<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1.5; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Washington, D.C.</span></p>
			</div>
			<hr/>"
      <div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; ">
					<a name="ftn-1" href="#ftnref-1"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; ">
					<a name="ftn0" href="#ftnref0"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">1 </span></a><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The Secretary of Labor has assigned responsibility for enforcement of the Act to OSHA and has delegated his authority under the Act to the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, who heads OSHA.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">Order 8-2020,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Delegation of Authority and Assignment of Responsibility to the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">, 85 Fed. Reg. 58393 (Sept. 18, 2020),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; color:#212121; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">superseding </span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">Order No. 1–2012</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">77<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">Fed. Reg.</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>3912</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Jan. 25, 2012</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">Order No. 1–2012</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was in effect when the citation was issued)</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">The Assistant Secretary has redelegated his authority to OSHA’s Area Directors to issue citations and proposed penalties.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>29 C.F.R. §§ 1903.14(a) and 1903.15(a). The terms “Secretary” and “OSHA” are used interchangeably herein.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn2" href="#ftnref2"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">2 </span></a><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">Attached to the Complaint and adopted by reference was the citation at issue</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Compl., Ex. A) Commission Rule 30(d) provides that “[s]tatements in a pleading may be adopted by reference in a different part of the same pleading or in another pleading or in any motion. A copy of any written instrument which is an exhibit to a pleading is a part thereof for all purposes.” 29 C.F.R § 2200.30(d).</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn3" href="#ftnref3"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">3 </span></a><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">If any finding is in truth a conclusion of law, or if any stated conclusion is in truth a finding of fact, it shall be deemed so.</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn4" href="#ftnref4"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">4 </span></a><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The Act contemplates various grades of violations of the statute and its attendant regulations— “willful”; “repeated”; “serious”; and those determined “not to be of a serious nature” (referred to by the Commission as “other-than-serious”). 29 U.S.C. § 666. Only a serious violation is defined in the Act.</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">29 U.S.C. § 666(k)</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">.</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn5" href="#ftnref5"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">5 </span></a><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">USPS was previously cited for violations of this same standard in OSHA inspection number 1221504, citation number 1, item number 1, which was affirmed as a final order on August 18, 2017, with respect to a workplace located in Birmingham, Alabama, and in OSHA inspection number 1119279, citation number 1, item number 1, which was affirmed as a final order on December 30, 2016, with respect to a workplace located in Center Point, Alabama. (Ex. C-1 ¶¶10, 11;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">see also</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Exs. C-19, C-</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">20 .</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">)</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; ">
					<a name="ftn6" href="#ftnref6"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">6 </span></a><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The employer or the Secretary may appeal a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">final decision and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">order to the federal court of appeals for the circuit in which the violation allegedly occurred or where the employer has its principal office, and the employer also may appeal to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">D</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">.C.</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Circuit.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>29 U.S.C. §§ 660(a) and (b). Here, the violation occurred in Dora, Alabama, in the Eleventh Circuit, and USPS’s principal place of business is in Washington, D.C., in the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">D</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">.C.</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Circuit.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>29 U.S.C. § 660(b). The Commission has held that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">w</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">here it is highly probable that a case will be appealed to a particular circuit,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">it<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">generally has applied the precedent of that circuit in deciding the case— even though it may differ from the Commission’s precedent.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; font-style:italic; ">Kerns Bros. Tree Serv.</span><span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Calibri; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; font-size:11pt; ">, 18 BNA OSHC 2064, 2067 (No. 96- 1719, 2000). The Court therefore applies the precedent of the Eleventh Circuit in deciding the case where it is highly probable the case would be appealed.</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:1; text-align:justify; widows:0; orphans:0; ">
					<a name="ftn7" href="#ftnref7"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">7 </span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“In situations in which ‘the meaning of [regulatory] language is not free from doubt,’ the reviewing court should give effect to the agency's interpretation so long as it is ‘reasonable,’<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Ehlert v. United States</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 402 U.S. 99, 105 (1971), that is, so long as the interpretation ‘sensibly conforms to the purpose and wording of the regulations,’<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Northern Indiana Pub. Serv. Co. v. Porter County Chapter of Izaak Walton League of America, Inc.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 423 U.S. 12, 15 (1975).”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>149-50. Even assuming the language is ambiguous, t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he Court does not find the Secretary’s position<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">reasonable</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">t<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">does not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">sensibly conform to the purpose and wording of the regulation</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>since a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ceiling is not a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">horizontal or vertical s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">urface<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">on or through which an employee walks, works, or gains access to a work area or workplace location</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
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