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				<p style="text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:11pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">United States of America</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; font-weight:bold; ">OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:10pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">1120 20th Street, N.W., Ninth Floor</span></p>
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				<p style="text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:10pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt; ">Washington, DC 20036-3457</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:3.467px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">SECRETARY OF LABOR,</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:7.667px; margin-bottom:3.467px; "> </p>
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							<p style="margin-top:7.667px; margin-bottom:3.467px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Complainant,</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:7.667px; margin-bottom:3.467px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">v.</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:7.667px; margin-bottom:3.467px; text-align:right; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">OSHRC DOCKET N</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">o. 17-0419</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:3.467px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, d/b/a Lehigh Valley Processing & Distribution Center,</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:7.667px; margin-bottom:3.467px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Respondent</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:24px; margin-bottom:0px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<span>
									</span></span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:16px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION, AFL-CIO,</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:3.467px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Authorized Employee Representative.</span></p>
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							<p style="margin-top:7.667px; margin-bottom:3.467px; text-align:center; "> </p>
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							<p style="margin-top:7.667px; margin-bottom:3.467px; "> </p>
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				<p style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:0px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">DECISION AND ORDER</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; ">APPEARANCES:</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:48px; ">For the Complainant:</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:72px; ">Jennifer L. Bluer, Esq.<span>
					</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-left:24px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">U.S. Department of Labor</p>
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				<p style="margin-left:24px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Philadelphia, Pennsylvania</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:1.27cm; ">For the Respondent:</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:72px; ">Mark J. Manta,<span><span></span>
					</span>Esq.</p>
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				<p style="margin-left:72px; ">United States Postal Service</p>
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				<p style="margin-left:72px; ">Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<span>
					</span></p>
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				<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:48px; ">For the Authorized Employee Representative</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:5.333px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:72px; ">Jason<span>
					</span>R.<span>
					</span>Veny, Esq.</p>
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			<div>
				<p style="margin-left:72px; ">Murphy Anderson, PLLC</p>
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				<p style="margin-left:72px; ">Washington, D.C.</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:12px; margin-bottom:0px; ">BEFORE:<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>William S. Coleman<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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				<p>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>
					<span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span>Administrative Law Judge</p>
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				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">I. INTRODUCTION</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span>
					</span>United States Postal Service (USPS) operates a mail processing facility<span>
					</span>in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania,<span><span></span>
					</span>called<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>“Lehigh Valley Processing<span>
					</span>&<span><span></span>
					</span>Distribution Center”<span><span></span>
					</span>(Center). A<span>
					</span>sprawling<span><span></span>
					</span>multi-component<span>
					</span>machine<span><span></span>
					</span>called an<span>
					</span>APPS<span>
					</span>(standing<span><span></span>
					</span>for “Automated Package Processing<span><span></span>
					</span>System”)<span><span></span>
					</span>occupies about 75% of the Center’s floorspace.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(T. 25).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">On October 15, 2016, one of the many conveyor belts on the APPS broke<span><span></span>
					</span>and required repair. Employees<span>
					</span>doing the repairs<span>
					</span>were trained and experienced in<span>
					</span>controlling<span><span></span>
					</span>hazardous energy<span><span></span>
					</span>during such repairs<span>
					</span>by applying USPS’s APPS-specific procedures<span><span></span>
					</span>for the control of hazardous energy.<span>
					</span></p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The APPS is configured with multiple energy isolating devices (EIDs) that control electricity. USPS instructed employees performing the<span><span></span>
					</span>repair to lock out an EID that de-energized<span><span></span>
					</span>only<span><span></span>
					</span>the conveyor lane on which the broken conveyor belt was located. Doing<span>
					</span>this<span><span></span>
					</span>made it<span>
					</span>possible for<span>
					</span>all other components of<span>
					</span>the APPS to<span>
					</span>run and<span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>process mail while<span>
					</span>repair work was ongoing.</p>
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				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Under optimal circumstances<span>
					</span>the repair<span>
					</span>would<span>
					</span>have been completed in<span>
					</span>about<span>
					</span>six<span><span></span>
					</span>to twelve<span>
					</span>hours, but<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>repair was<span><span></span>
					</span>not completed<span>
					</span>until five days after the breakdown. (T. 96, 227, 247, 549). The<span>
					</span>repair effort was<span>
					</span>slowed<span><span></span>
					</span>mainly because of problems<span><span></span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>getting necessary<span>
					</span>parts. But also<span>
					</span>complicating the repair<span>
					</span>effort was<span><span></span>
					</span>the resistance of<span>
					</span>some<span>
					</span>maintenance<span>
					</span>employees<span><span></span>
					</span>to management’s instruction to lock out<span>
					</span>an<span><span></span>
					</span>EID that enabled the APPS to continue to process mail during the repair. Those employees<span>
					</span>had expressed the<span>
					</span>view<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>USPS’s<span><span></span>
					</span>APPSspecific<span><span></span>
					</span>energy<span>
					</span>control<span>
					</span>procedures<span><span></span>
					</span>specified<span>
					</span>locking out a<span>
					</span>different EID—one that would<span>
					</span>have<span>
					</span>effectively rendered<span><span></span>
					</span>the APPS nonoperational<span><span></span>
					</span>during repair<span><span></span>
					</span>work.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Management<span>
					</span>decided otherwise,<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>so<span>
					</span>the repair was completed by locking out the EID that management had directed.</p>
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			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">After the repair was completed,<span>
					</span>someone<span>
					</span>complained to the<span>
					</span>Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)<span>
					</span>about<span>
					</span>management’s instruction<span>
					</span>on<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>EID to lock out<span><span></span>
					</span>during the<span>
					</span>repair. OSHA<span>
					</span>then<span><span></span>
					</span>conducted<span><span></span>
					</span>an<span><span></span>
					</span>inspection and investigation<span><span></span>
					</span>that resulted in<span>
					</span>OSHA issuing to USPS<span><span></span>
					</span>a one-item citation<span><span></span>
					</span>alleging<span><span></span>
					</span>that during the repair<span>
					</span>USPS<span>
					</span>had<span>
					</span>violated<span>
					</span>OSHA’s<span><span></span>
					</span>“control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)” (LOTO) standard, codified at 29 C.F.R. § 1910.147. The citation<span>
					</span>characterized the<span>
					</span>LOTO<span>
					</span>violation<span>
					</span>as<span>
					</span>having been<span>
					</span>“willful”<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>proposed<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span><span></span>
					</span>penalty of $99,630.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span>
					</span>gist<span><span></span>
					</span>of the alleged<span>
					</span>LOTO<span>
					</span>violation is that<span>
					</span>USPS<span><span></span>
					</span>instructed employees to lock out an EID other than the<span><span></span>
					</span>EID<span><span></span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>APPS-specific<span>
					</span>LOTO procedures<span><span></span>
					</span>specified<span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>be locked out<span><span></span>
					</span>for the<span>
					</span>repair<span>
					</span>of<span>
					</span>the broken<span>
					</span>conveyor<span>
					</span>belt. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">USPS<span><span></span>
					</span>timely contested the citation and proposed penalty, bringing the matter before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (Commission)<span>
					</span>under section 10(c) of the<span><span></span>
					</span>Occupational Safety and Health Act<span>
					</span>of 1970,<span><span></span>
					</span>29 U.S.C. §§ 651–678<span>
					</span>(Act). The Secretary<span>
					</span>of Labor (Secretary)<span>
					</span>thereafter<span>
					</span>filed<span>
					</span>his<span><span></span>
					</span>complaint pursuant to Commission Rule 34(a)<span><span></span>
					</span>in which he<span>
					</span>realleged<span><span></span>
					</span>the citation and<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>proposed penalty as originally issued.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>29 C.F.R. § 2200.34(a).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>In addition to characterizing the violation<span>
					</span>as “willful”<span>
					</span>within the meaning of section 17(a) of the Act,<span>
					</span>the complaint<span>
					</span>alleged<span>
					</span>further<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>violation<span>
					</span>was also<span>
					</span>"serious"<span>
					</span>within the meaning of<span>
					</span>section<span><span></span>
					</span>17(k),<span><span></span>
					</span>in that there was a substantial probability that<span>
					</span>death<span>
					</span>or<span><span></span>
					</span>serious physical harm could have resulted from the violative conditions or practices.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>29 U.S.C. §§<span><span></span>
					</span>666(a)<span><span></span>
					</span>&<span><span></span>
					</span>(k).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Complaint ¶ 6). </p>
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			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(APWU)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">elect</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">party status<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">in the Commission proceedings<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">as<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Authorized Employee Representative pursuant to Commission Rule<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">20(a)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. 29 C.F.R. § 2200.20(a) (201</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">7</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">B</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">y order of the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Commission’s Chief Judge dated June 16, 2017,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">APWU’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>party status<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">in this proceeding<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">was<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">formally<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">recognized</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The matter was<span>
					</span>thereafter<span><span></span>
					</span>assigned to the undersigned administrative law judge,<span>
					</span>and an<span><span></span>
					</span>evidentiary hearing<span>
					</span>was conducted<span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>Allentown, Pennsylvania, on<span><span></span>
					</span>June 5 & 6, 2018. Post-hearing briefing was completed on<span>
					</span>October<span><span></span>
					</span>19, 2018. (APWU<span><span></span>
					</span>opted not to file a post hearing brief.)</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The principal issues presented, and the decisions thereon, are as follows: </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:72px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-right:96px; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-family:Symbol; padding-right:20px;">·</span>Did<span><span></span>
				</span>the Secretary prove by a preponderance of the evidence that USPS<span>
				</span>instructed<span><span></span>
				</span>employees<span><span></span>
				</span>to lock out<span><span></span>
				</span>an<span><span></span>
				</span>EID<span><span></span>
				</span>other than the EID<span><span></span>
				</span>that the APPS-specific LOTO procedures<span><span></span>
				</span>instructed<span>
				</span>to<span>
				</span>be locked out, in violation of § 1910.147(d)(2)?<span>
				</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:144px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Decision</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">:</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Yes.<span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:-48px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-right:96px; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-family:Symbol; padding-right:20px;">·</span>Did the Secretary prove by a preponderance of the evidence that<span>
				</span>the violation was willful?<span><span></span>
				</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:144px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Decision</span>: No. </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:-48px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-right:96px; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-family:Symbol; padding-right:20px;">·</span>Did the Secretary prove by a preponderance of the evidence<span><span></span>
				</span>that<span><span></span>
				</span>the<span><span></span>
				</span>established<span><span></span>
				</span>violative condition<span>
				</span>created a<span>
				</span>substantial probability<span>
				</span>that<span>
				</span>death or serious physical harm<span><span></span>
				</span>could result,<span>
				</span>so that the violation was “serious”<span><span></span>
				</span>within the meaning of section 17(k) of the Act? </p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:144px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Decision</span>: No. </p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:-48px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:-.635cm; margin-right:96px; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-family:Symbol; padding-right:20px;">·</span>What is the appropriate penalty for the<span><span></span>
				</span>proven<span><span></span>
				</span>other-than-serious violation of the LOTO standard?<span>
				</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:1.27cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Decision</span>: The maximum allowable<span><span></span>
					</span>penalty is assessed.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">For the reasons described below, a penalty of $12,675 is assessed for the<span><span></span>
					</span>proven<span><span></span>
					</span>otherthanserious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1910.147(d)(2).<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">II. </span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">FINDINGS OF FACT</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Except where the following findings indicate<span><span></span>
					</span>the absence or insufficiency of<span>
					</span>evidence<span>
					</span>to prove<span>
					</span>a matter of fact, the following facts were established by at least a preponderance of the evidence:</p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">1.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">United States Postal Service<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(USPS)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employs employees<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in processing U.S. Mail at its</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Lehigh Valley Processing<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">&</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Distribution Center (Center)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">located<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Automated Package Processing System (APPS)</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref2" href="#ftn2">1</a></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">2.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Center is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">outfitted</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>with<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Automated P</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ackage</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>P</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rocessing<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">System</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(APPS)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>for processing<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and sorting<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">mail. The</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>APPS at the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Center</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is one of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">74</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">such machines<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that USPS operates</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">throughout the nation</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (Ex.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">R-30 at 1).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">3.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">unloads<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">mail items (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">letters,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">magazines,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">parcels</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">onto</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>an input conveyor,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">organize</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>items</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">into a single layer</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on a conveyor (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a process<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">called<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">singulat</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing”)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">photographs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">each item</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and sorts<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">each item</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">4.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Some<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of the 74<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that USPS operates nationally<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">are<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">dual-sided</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>but t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he APPS at the Center is single-sided. (Ex. R-30 at<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">–</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">D</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ual-sided APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">machine<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">are</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>capable of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">process</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>mail when<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">side is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">shut down</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">0 at<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">16</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. R-30 at 35</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Three Subsystems of an<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">APPS<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Machine</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">5.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">machines<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">have</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">three subsystems</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, each of which is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">modular and scalable to meet a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>particular</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>facility’s capacity<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">needs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">floor<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">configuration</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. R-30 at 1 & 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Those</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>three subsystems</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">are</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(a)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">eed, Singulation and Distribution</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Subsy</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(FSD Subs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ystem)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(b)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduct</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(IND Subsystem)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(c)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the Sorter Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The broken<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">belt<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that was repair</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed in October 2016</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wa</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">located in</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the IND Subsystem.)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span>The<span><span></span>
				</span>illustration of the APPS on<span>
				</span>page 2 of Exhibit R-30 (labelled Figure 2) is a complete depiction of all three subsystems of a single-sided APPS machine such as the one at the Center.<span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">6.</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Feed, Singulation and Distribution Subsystem</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(FSD Subsystem)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">FSD Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">consists</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">belts and roller conveyors<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that are<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">arrayed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>series<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(1)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">unload mail onto</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>receiving conveyor</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(2)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">singulate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and weigh<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">individual mail<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">items</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(3)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">capture a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>photographic</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>image of each item,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(4)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">transfer each<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">item<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to the I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>any<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">conveyor<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in the FSD Subsystem become</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>inoperable, the entire FSD Subsystem is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rendered<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">inoperable</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">For a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">single</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sided</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">such as the APPS at the Center, if the FSD Subsystem were to be inoperable, the APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">would not be</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>capable of processing mail</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. R-30</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>at<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 34</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">7.</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Induct</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">ion</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Subsystem</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(IND Subsystem)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>diagram of the IND Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that also reflects</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>its relation to the two other subsystems</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in footnote 2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref3" href="#ftn3">2</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:144px; text-indent:-.318cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">a.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The sole components of the IND Subsystem are<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">four<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sometimes</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>called<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduct<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">—three<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">utomated</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">emi-automated</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">h</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">induction lanes<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">convey</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>mail</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>items from the FSD Subsystem to the Sorter Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. A</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>conveyor known as the “</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hoe<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">orter</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a co</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nveyor in</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">FSD Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>transfers mail items<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">onto<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which in turn<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">transfer the items</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“sorter train”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a conveyor</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in the Sorter Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:144px; text-indent:-.318cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">b.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The three<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">utomated<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes are arranged adjacent and parallel to one another. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Ex. R-30 at 8). Each<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">utomated<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane consists of five conveyor belts, numbered 1 through 5 in the order of mail flow</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>The top surface of the conveyor belts<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>elevated about<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">66 inches</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(5.5 feet)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>above floor level. (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">48,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">551</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:144px; text-indent:-.318cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">c.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Belt number 2<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">utomated<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane is curved to make a ninety-degree<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">turn</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">described in<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">maintenance manual as the “induction curve conveyor.” (Ex. C-46 at 1). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Belt 2 on induction lane 3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>belt that broke and required repair at the Center in October 2016<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">identified hereafter as conveyor belt “I-3-2”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>for<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">induction lane 3, belt 2”)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:144px; text-indent:-.318cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="padding-right:20px;">d.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Belt<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">number<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">utomated<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is immediately adjacent to the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hoe<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">orter</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>co</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nveyor in</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the FSD Subsystem)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and Belt 5 is immediately adjacent to the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">orter<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rain</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">co</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nveyor in</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the Sorter Subsystem)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Ex. C-1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">;<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">R</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-30 at 8</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Belts 1 and 5<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">are<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">described as “45 degree”<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">conveyor<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">belts because<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is the angle at which<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">each meets</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the conveyors of the adjoining subsystems</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Belts 1 and 5 are also<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sometimes<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">referred to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as the “outside” belts because<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">they<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">bookend<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the “inside” belts (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elts 2, 3 and 4</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">adj</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">oin</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>conveyor belts<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">located<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in the other two</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">subsystems.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">8.</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Sorter Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The main components of the Sorter Subsystem are (1) a conveyor called the sorter train, and (2) multiple output chutes. The sorter train conveys mail items to various output chutes, which discharge the items into a variety of container types for subsequent delivery. (Ex. R-30 at 2).</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">IND Subsystem’s Interlocked<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Maintenance Access Gates</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">9.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Employees</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">needing to work on an i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">can only get to it<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by opening and passing through<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one or more<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">interlocked<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“M</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">aintenance<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ccess<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">G</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ates</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” (“access gates” or “gates”). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. R-30 at 9</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> In the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">diagram</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in footnote 2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">supra</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the four<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">access<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">gates are</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">designated<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with the letters</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>A, B, C and D.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (Ex. R-30 at 9).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> The cross-hatched quarter circle</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">diagram</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">reflect the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wing radi</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">us</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>of each gate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">53-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">54,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">463</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">region<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">between</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">g</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>A</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane 4<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">known as the “induction area” and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">regarded as<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">m</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">aintenance<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nly” area</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to be accessed only b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">y<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">highly trained<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">maintenance<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employees<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">who are<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">known as<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mail Processing Equipment mechanics (MPEs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">R-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">30 at 9; T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">24</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">52</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">10.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n access gate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is opened<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">while<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the IND Subsystem is operatin</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">g</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>interlock feature<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">will cause<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ll<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">h</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e conveyor belts on the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduct</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">immediately beyond the gate<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to stop</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex. R</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">30 at 9). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>interlock feature prevent</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employees<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">from<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">making inadvertent contact with an<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">moving belts. (</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">id.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, noting that the interlock feature “would prevent an inattentive employee from wandering up to the conveyor and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">reaching on top of the lane where moving belts are present</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">11.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Each</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ccess<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">g</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ate<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">about<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">four</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>feet high. (</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Ex. C-8</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">;</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">56-57</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 59</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Before o</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">pening<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">gate,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPE</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is supposed to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">depress a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">white-colored<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">button<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">located<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">near<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">gate<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">entrance</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Depressing the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">white<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">button</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">causes the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">beyond the gate<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to clear<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">itself of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">any mail items</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">then to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">bring a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ll the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">conveyor belts<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">halt</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">So,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for example,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">depressing the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">white<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">button at the entrance to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">g</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ate A<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">will<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cause a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ll</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>mail<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">items on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">induction l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane 1 to be<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">moved off the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’s five conveyor belts</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">then<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ll five belts</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">w</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ould</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>come to a halt</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Opening<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">g</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ates B, C and D ha</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ve</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the same effect on the belts in<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes 2, 3 and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">4</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">respectively</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">R</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">30 at 9). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane is cleared of mail</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>its</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">belts<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">come to a standstill</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">white-colored<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">button</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>then<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">illuminate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">which<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sign</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">als to the MPE<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that it is then permissible to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">open<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the gate and pass</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>through</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Typically, after an MPE passes through a gate, the gate<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is kept<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">open</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and the induction lane beyond it remains at a standstill</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>for so long as<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>MPE<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">remains</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on the opposite side of the gate entrance. (T. 112-13, 116-17, 277-79).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">12.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">An<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane that has been<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">brought to a standstill<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in the manner described in the pre</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ceding</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>paragraph<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">can be<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">returned to operation<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an MPE<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">closing the gate and then depressing<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a green</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-colored</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“reset”<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">button<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">located<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on the same switchbox<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the white-colored button</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>for that gate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dep</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ressing th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e reset<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">button</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>after the gate is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">closed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">causes the conveyor belts on the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">associated with that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">button to resume processing mail.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">13.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The interlock<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">feature<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for the gates<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">can be<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">bypassed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by an<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPE</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">passing through a gate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">closing<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the gate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>behind<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">her</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">then<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">reaching<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">back<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">over the top of the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">now<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">closed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">gate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">through a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">opening</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">between the top of the gate and the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">underside of the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>elevated<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">induction lane belt 2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and then<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">de</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">press</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>reset</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">button</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. This method of bypassing the interlock is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">depicted in the photograph at Exhibit<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-9. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">231</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">B</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ypassing the interlock<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in this manner will<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cause the conveyor<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">belts</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane on the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">exit side of the closed gate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o resume operating and processing mail</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">So, for example, depressing the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">reset</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>buttons associated with<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">g</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ates A and B after those gates have been closed behind an<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPE</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">who<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">has passed through th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ose</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>gates will cause the conveyor belts of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes 1 and 2 to resume processing mail. (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">259</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">14.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">To rebuild<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>I-3-2, MPEs had to pass through<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">g</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ates A, B, and C</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">get to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">For</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes 1 and 2 to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">process mail<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">while<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>rebuilt<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs had to close<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">g</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ates A and B<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">behind them<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">then<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">bypass</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the interlock</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>feature by pressing the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">reset</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>button</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">while<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">standing on the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">opposite side of the closed gate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>reaching<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">over the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">top of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">closed gate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in the manner depicted in Exhibit C-9. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">81-82</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 109-1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>116-17</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">20</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">257-59</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 277-79</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>MPEs are generally prohibited from bypassing the interlock<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">feature in this manner</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (T.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">116-17</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>136,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>230-32</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 255</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 502</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 601</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. R-30 at 11-12</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS’s voluminous maintenance manual for the APPS (MS-202,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see infra</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>¶<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">32</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">),</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>instructs MPEs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that the reset button</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>“should not be pressed until maintenance personnel leaves that area and closes the access</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>[gate],” and that when the reset but</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ton is pressed “all personnel should be clear of the area</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. R-30 at 12</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">15.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>repair and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>rebuild of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3-2, the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>MPEs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">did their work<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">while<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">positioned<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the floor</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>are</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>that is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>between<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes 2 and 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>as depicted in the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">diagram in footnote 2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">space, t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he distance between the inner radius of curved<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2 and the outer radius of curved<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-2-2 is about<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">three feet</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">478</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The distance from belt I-3-2 to the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">shoe sorter is about 3.5 feet</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the distance<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">from belt I-3-2 to the sorter train is about<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">4.5 feet. (T. 551).</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Control of Electricity to the APPS and its Subsystems</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">16.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">receives power via a single<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">480-volt</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(AC)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">power drop to the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Sorter Main Control Cabinet (“SMCC”)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(T. 36-37, 39; Ex. C-10 at 6</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. R-30 at 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">17.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e SMCC<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is the main power source for the entire APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">distribut</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">es</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">electricity<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to each of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">its</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>three subsystems. If<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">power is shut off at the SMCC, the entire APPS is de-energized</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(T. 36-37; Ex. C-10 at 1, 5).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">18.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The SMCC is outfitted with an energy isolating device (EID)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that is capable of being locked out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. When<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in the off position</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>EID</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">de-energizes all three subsystems of the APPS.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (Ex. C-10 at 8).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Center’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">APPS cannot process mail<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">when the SMCC is de-energized</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">19.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The SMCC<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">delivers<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">electricity to the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">FSD Subsystem<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by delivering<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it to the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">FS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">D</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>System’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Main Control Cabinet</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(FSD-MCC).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The FSD-MCC is outfitted with an EID that is capable of being locked out. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When in the off position, th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>EID de-energizes the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">entire FSD Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Center’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">APPS cannot process mail with the FSD Subsystem de-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">energized</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Ex. C-10 at 16).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">20.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The SMCC<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">delivers electricity<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Subsystem by delivering<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it to the I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ystem’s Main Control Cabinet (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">IND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-MCC).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The IND-MCC is outfitted with an EID that is capable of being locked out. When in the off position, th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>EID de-energizes the entire I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Subsystem. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">electricity</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to the IND-MCC is disconnected, the entire I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ubs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ystem is de-energized</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. T</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Center’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">APPS cannot process mail</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>with the I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>de-energized</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(Tr. 40; Ex. C-10 at 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">4</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">21.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Unlike the FSD Subsystem and the IND Subsystem, the Sorter Subsystem does not have a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">dedicated</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Main Control Cabinet. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Rather, t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he SMCC delivers electricity directly to the Sorter Subsystem. </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">22.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Both t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he FSD-MCC<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and the IND-MCC<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">distribute the 480 volts<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">AC<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of power<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">receive</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">from the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">SMCC to the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ir respective subsystem component</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by delivering the electricity to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">multiple<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Distributed Control Cabinets (DCCs)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>within<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">their respective<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">23.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he FSD-MCC<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">delivers 480 volts AC to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">eight<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">FSD<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Distributed Control Cabinets</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(FSD-DCCs)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that are<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">identified as FSD-DCC-1 through FSD-DCC-8.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (Ex. C-10 at 16</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. R-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">30 at 7</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">E</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ach</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>of the eight</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">FSD-DCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">distributes power to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">specific<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">group of conveyors</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">FSD Subsystem</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Consequently,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">some<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">adjacent<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">conveyor<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">belts</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in the FSD Subsystem receive power through different FSD-DCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex. C-10 at 16;<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. R-30 at 7</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 34</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Each FSD-DCC is equipped with an EID<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that is capable of being locked out and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">when in the off position<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">de-energize</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the component of the FSD Subsystem t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o which that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">particular<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">FSD-DCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>supplies<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">electricity</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. R</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">30 at 7</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">24.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he IND-MCC d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elivers<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">480 volts<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">AC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>that it receives from the SMCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to f</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">our</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Induct</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Distributed Control Cabinets</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(IND-DCCs)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that are<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">identified as</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>IND-DCC-1 th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">r</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ough IND-DCC-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">4</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(Ex. C-10 at 34).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Each induction lane has a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">dedicated</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>DCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which is located<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">underneath</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>belt 3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of each induction lane as indicated in the diagram in footnote 2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction lane 1 receives power through IND-DCC-1,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">induction lane 2 receives power though IND-DCC-2, and so forth</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Ex. C-1; Ex. R-30</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>at 3-4;<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T. 36-37, 40</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 66-67, 75</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Each<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">IND-DCC is equipped with an EID</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>that is capable of being locked out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. When<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the E</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">D for an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduct</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">IND-DC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in the off position</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">480 volts<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">AC<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">remains at the top of the IND-DCC enclosure but is removed from the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduct</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane itself (except for a residual 24 volts, which</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is deemed a non-hazardous level under<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS’s hazardous energy control procedure</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 62-64;<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-10 at 2).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> When<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the E</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">D for<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">utomat</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduct</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane’s IND-DCC is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in the off position</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">electricity</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cannot be<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">dist</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ributed to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">any of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>five motors<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>drive</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the lane’s five conveyor<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elts</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">each<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of the five<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">belt</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>being<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">driven</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>by<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a separate motor</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (Ex. R-30</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>at</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>3-4</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 14</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Consequently, when<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduct</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane’s IND-DCC is de-energized,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">all five belts in that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduct</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane are de-energized</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex. R-30 at 7</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-8</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">512</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">25.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an induction lane’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">IND-DCC<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">de-energized,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">other</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduct</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that are not de-energized at their respective IND-DCCs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">can continue</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">process mail.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. R-30</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Hazardous Energy Control Procedure</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">s (LOTO)</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">26.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">has<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">developed a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>written</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>APPS-specific hazardous energy control procedur</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that applie</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">every</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>APPS that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>operates</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in the field.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">written</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">procedure is in the form of a USPS “Maintenance Management Order” (MMO)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>that was prepared and issued<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>USPS’s headquarters for Maintenance Operations located in Norman, Oklahoma.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The APPS-specific energy control procedure that was in effect in October 2016</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">titled<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“Equipment Specific Energy Control Procedure: Automated Package Processing System<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">––<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Single and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Dual (APPS)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>dated June 22, 2015 and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">designat</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>“MMO-037-15.” There had been pr</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ior<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">iterations of the APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">specific energy control procedure that bore<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">different<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MMO designations</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">13</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">9</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">490-91</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">27.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">developed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MMO</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">0</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">37-15</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, as well as<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">its<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">prior<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">iterations,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">meet the requirements of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">OSHA’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">LOTO<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">standard</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Ex. C-10 at 1).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">28.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MMOs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">like MMO-037-15<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">contain mandatory instructions that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">all of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>are required to follow. (Ex. C-10; T. 171-72, 123-24, 216, 235).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">29.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MMO-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">0</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">37-15</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>has a total of 57 pages<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">some intentionally b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lank). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The first<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">three pages<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">set forth basic provisions</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with the third page being the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">signature<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">page for the USPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">official who approved the MMO</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The remaining 54 pages of the MMO<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">re made up of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">eight “attachments,” each of which pertain</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to discrete components and functions of an APPS. (Ex. C-10 at 3).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">30.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ection 1.0 of the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MMO</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>declares its<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">General Principle</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to be<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as follows</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">:<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Under OSHA’s Standard on Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), 29 CFR 1910.147,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">before service or maintenance is performed on machines or equipment, the machines or</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">equipment must be turned off, disconnected from all energy sources, and then have an energy</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">isolating device, lock, and identification tag applied, unless an exception exists as identified in</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Section 3.0 Exceptions to Lockout.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The United States Postal Service requires the application of a locking device and personal</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">identification tag for each technician working on the machine or equipment.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The discussion below explains when this general principle is to be implemented with equipment</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">in Postal facilities.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-right:5.733px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Ex. C-10 at 1).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Immediately following this statement of “general principle,” section 2.0 of the MMO states its applicability to servicing and maintenance operations</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, providing in its entirety as follows:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Equipment must be locked out for all maintenance or servicing activities any time the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">unexpected startup, application of power or release of stored energy could injure someone or</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">could damage the equipment.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">This includes all preventive, corrective, breakdowns, or</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">maintenance activities occurring during the run-tour; work such as cleaning, lubricating, and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">component replacement is included</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>In addition, employees must also lockout as required by</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>m</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">aintenance documentation, local policy, or supervisor direction.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:90.267px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The MMO’s section 3.0</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>captioned “Exceptions to Lockout</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>This section</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">includes</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the following paragraph</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(bold typeface in original)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:101.733px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Some machines have modular assemblies that are designed for separate subassembly de-energization and isolation, to enable performance of service or maintenance activities.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Provided there is no exposure to injury from unexpected startup, application of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">power, or release of stored energy, portions of the machine, such as, the ink jet printer and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">computer may remain powered to prevent clogs and loss of run<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">data</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>respectively.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">31.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Attachments one through five of the MMO address hazardous energy control procedures. (T. 369; Ex. C-10 at 1). Attachment 1 addresses the procedure for de-energization of the entire APPS machine, which occurs at the SMCC. (Ex. C-10 at 3, 5-14). Attachments 2, 4 and 5 each address the procedure for de-energization of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">each<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of the three subsystems. (T. 369, 460). (T. 369; Ex. C-10 at 3, 15-24, 33-48). Attachment 3 addresses procedures for de-energization of the DCC for the unloader (which is part of the FSD Subsystem and receives electricity directly from the FSD-MCC). (Ex. C-10 at 25-32; Ex. R-30 at 34-35). Attachment 3 is the only attachment that is dedicated to describing energy control procedures solely for one of the DCCs. (Ex. C-10 at 3, 25-32; T. 491). (Attachments 6, 7, and 8 are supporting documents that are not pertinent to the issues presented here. [T. 369; Ex. C-10 at 3, 49, 51, and 53].)</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">32.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs, i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n addition to re</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lying on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MMO-037-15</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>for LOTO procedures,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rely</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>also<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS’s maintenance manual for the APPS, which is titled “Maintenance Series Handbook</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">202</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” (MS-202).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">123, 149,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">155-56, 238-39</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 296-98</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">202 is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in six volumes and is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">thousands of pages long</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 157, 314). Its table of contents contains roughly 3000 separate headings.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(E</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">x</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. C-42).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">33.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The energy control procedures set forth in attachments 1 through 5 of MMO-037-15 contain multiple references to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>MS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">202</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (Ex. C-10 at 8, 9, 10, 12, 20, 28, 43, 44). For example, in detailing the shutdown procedure for the entire APPS by de-energizing the SMCC,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Attachment 2 of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MMO-037-15 states: “</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">For detailed steps to properly shut down the APPS system refer to MS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">202, Volume A, Section 3.5.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” (Ex. C-10 at 8).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">34.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">202 contains specific instructions regarding how to repair or replace<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">particular</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>part</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, as well as listing the parts needed for the repair, and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>some</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">times</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">identifies<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">which EID to lock</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">out<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">before performing<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a particular repair or maintenance activity. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T. 155-56, 238-39;<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e.g.,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. C-45 [sec. 5.8.6.1, ¶1]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">;</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-46 [sec. 5.8.12.1, ¶1]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. R-30 at 26 [sec. 4.9.1.2, ¶1], at 30</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">31 [sec. 4.9.3.5.4, ¶¶10 & 21], at 32 [sec. 5.8.5.5, ¶1], at 33 [sec. 5.8.5.6, ¶1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">]</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">35.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MS-202 contains</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>specific</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>instructions on performing<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">some<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tasks that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">had to be done to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>rebuild<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2. MS-202<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">identifies<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">IND-MCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to be locked out for<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">some<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">those<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">tasks</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, such as the removal of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>certain guards, removal of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the wheel and shaft</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and removal of the pressure rollers</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (T. 16</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">5</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-72,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">238-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">43</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">296-98; Ex. C-45</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>at 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">;</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">C-46 at<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1-2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>12,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>25</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. R-30 at<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">23</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-24, 30-31</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">202<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">generally<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">does not<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">set forth specific procedural steps for de-energizing and locking out an EID. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">But<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MS-202<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sets forth the following</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>“W</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">arning</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>immediately before<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it identifies a particular EID to be<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lock</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>out:</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">WARNING</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Refer to local lockout procedures to properly shutdown and lockout this machine before performing the following task.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(Ex. R-30 at 21, 23, 24, 26, 29–33; Ex. C-45<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">at 1 & 3; Ex. C-46 at 3, 6,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">7, 9, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24, 25</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">).</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">36.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Center had no local procedures that augmented the lockout procedures set forth in MMO-037-15 or MS-202. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T. 150,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">156, 171,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">503-04</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Center’s management had not developed or trained MPEs on any formal local LOTO procedure specifying the lock out of an IND-DCC for the repair of an automated induction lane’s “inside” belt (belts 2, 3 or 4). (</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">37.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MS-202 describes some minor<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">service and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">maintenance<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">activities</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, such as photo-eye alignment,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">are</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>completed by locking out<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>IND-DCC. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T. 142-43,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">288-89, 301,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">595-98</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. R</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">30 at<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">26</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">38.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MMO-037-15</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, as<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">aug</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">mented by MS-202</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">set</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>forth<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">complete<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">approved APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">specific<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">LOTO<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">procedures<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">appli</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Center’s APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in October 2016</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T. 123, 138-39, 294-99, 309-312, 335-36, 350-51, 503-04).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; widows:2; orphans:2; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">39.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Attachment 4 to MMO-037-15<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is titled “Isolation of the Induction Main</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Control Cabinet – IND-MCC-X</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. C-10 at 33</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(The “X” designation<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">pertains<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">only<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>dual</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sided APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>machines</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">—</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the “X” is a placeholder for<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the number “1” or “2” to reflect<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">one of the two sides.)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Attachment 4 is the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">only</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>attachment that addresses de-energization of the IND Subsystem or any components of that subsystem, including<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">each induction lane’s dedicated<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">IND-DCC. (T. 138-140, 152-53, 236, 310-12)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Attachment 4 does not contain any specific LOTO procedures directed to any of the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>f</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">our</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">IND-DCCs. (T. 295, 310-12, 501; Ex. C-10</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">introductory<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and prefatory<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">paragraph</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">of Attachment 4<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">provide as follows</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(formatting</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">bold<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">typeface</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in original):</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:42.267px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The following procedure has been developed specifically for locking out the Induction Main Control Cabinet – IND-MCC-X when performing corrective or preventive maintenance. Each facility will use this procedure.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">...</span></p>
			</div>
			<div style="border-top:solid 0 #000000; padding-top:.035cm; border-bottom:solid 0 #000000; padding-bottom:.035cm; border-left:solid 0 #000000; padding-left:.035cm; border-right:solid 0 #000000; padding-right:.141cm; ">
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:normal; margin-left:252.467px; margin-right:252.467px; border-bottom:solid 2.25pt #000000;border-top:solid 2.25pt #000000;border-right:solid 2.25pt #000000;border-left:solid 2.25pt #000000;"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">WARNING</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">Failure to comply with lockout procedure may result in injury or death to personnel and/or damage to equipment.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:center; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:center; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">NOTE</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Employees must adhere to the policies of the Electrical Work Program (EWP), which includes Energy Control Procedures (ECP). Failure to properly observe ECP will result in appropriate action.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:normal; text-align:center; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">* * * * *<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">]</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT UTILIZING THIS PROCEDURE:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">APPS Induction Main Control Cabinet – IND-MCC-X</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:center; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[End Page 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and Begin Page 2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of Attachment 4]</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">The APPS is designed with multiple maintenance accessible disconnect switches to facilitate certain limited repairs without locking out the entire APPS machine.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> There are numerous disconnect switches located on Distributed Control Cabinets (DCCs) in the Feed and Induction sections of the APPS. It is not recommended to isolate power at the DCCs because there are belts<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in close proximity to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>each other that are controlled by separate DCC enclosures.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">This would necessitate the use of multiple locks to prevent motion of adjacent belts or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">assemblies. It is recommended that the Main Control Cabinet (MCC) enclosures be used as isolation points for conveyor repairs. The Induct Main Control Cabinet (IND-MCC-X) for Induction repairs and the Feed, Singulation & Distribution Main Control Cabinet (FSD-MCC-X) for FSD repairs for each side of the APPS.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>[</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">sic</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">]</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref4" href="#ftn4">3</a></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:normal; text-align:center; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">NOTE</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Isolation of an IND-MCC-X will prevent the ability to process mail on that side of an APPS. The opposite side of a Dual Sided APPS can only process mail if a Single Sided<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">sort</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>plan has been written for the opposite side of the APPS.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:48px; margin-right:48px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The IND-MCC-X supplies 480 VAC to all IND-DCC-X enclosures (IND-DCC-X 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">through 4) for that side of the machine. Opening the disconnect on this enclosure will remove 480<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">VAC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from the conveyors of the Induction section of the machine, preventing motion of all conveyors in the Induction section in order to facilitate belt, bearing, or roller replacement.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div style="border-top:solid 0 #000000; padding-top:.035cm; border-bottom:solid 0 #000000; padding-bottom:.035cm; border-left:solid 0 #000000; padding-left:.141cm; border-right:solid 0 #000000; padding-right:.141cm; ">
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:normal; text-align:center; margin-left:252px; margin-right:252px; border-bottom:solid 1.5pt #000000;border-top:solid 1.5pt #000000;border-right:solid 1.5pt #000000;border-left:solid 1.5pt #000000;"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; ">WARNING</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">Repairs may not be performed on the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">45 degree</span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>induction conveyor belts adjacent to the Shoe Sorter unless the FSD section has also been isolated to prevent belt motion.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">Repairs to the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;">45 degree</span><span style="font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>belt adjacent to the cross belt Sorter may only be performed while the entire APPS is locked out.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">After stating one<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">additional</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“warning” and one<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">additional<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“caution” not relevant to the issues<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">here</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Attachment 4<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">has a paragraph<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">captioned<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“Purpose”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">states in its entirety as follows:<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">To prevent mechanical motion of conveyors within the Induct system and remove the potential hazard of 480 VAC at conveyor drive motors<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">in order to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>facilitate repairs or replacement<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">without powering down the entire APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Training and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Historical<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Application of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">APPS LOTO</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Procedures</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">40.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs attend</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>approximate five-week training course on the repair and maintenance of the APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, which is conducted<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at USPS’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>national</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>training center in Norman, Oklahoma. (T. 181). MPEs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">are</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>trained that for major service and maintenance of any induction lane belts, the IND-MCC should be de-energized. (T. 143, 224-25, 233, 239-40, 289-91, 294-95, 592-93 310-12, 600).<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">41.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Prior to the rebuild of belt I-3-2 in October 2016, none of the MPEs at the Center had been trained to lock out only the IND-DCC for the repair of an “inside” belt on an automated induction lane. MPEs understood<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MS-037-15 to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">specif</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">y</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>that the IND-MCC be locked out<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>conveyor repairs and for<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">belt, bearing, and roller replacement</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">all of which<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">had to be done to repair</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>belt I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 118, 144, 225, 233, 239-240, 289-91, 294-95, 310-12).<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">42.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Prior to the rebuild of belt I-3-2, MPEs at the Center had<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">not<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locked out an IND-DCC<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to control hazardous energy during the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">repair</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>an<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">induction lane’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“inside” belt</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 225, 296). </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">43.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In October 2016, the maintenance supervisors for<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at least two of the three shifts</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>had not received formal training on the APPS, and they generally deferred to the knowledge and experience of the MPEs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">they supervised<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in implementing the LOTO procedures for the APPS. (T.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">330, 340, 347, 354-55). </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">44.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The Center’s maintenance manager (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Kevin<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Pfanders), who</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at one time had</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>been employed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as an MPE</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>recognized that it was not normal operating procedure for MPEs to work on an induction lane while other induction lanes<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wer</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e running except for “minor, typical repairs that we perform every day” such as adjusting a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">photo cell</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and “adjusting things like that.” (T. 562</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">63).</span></p>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; widows:2; orphans:2; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Belt I-3-2<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Breakdown and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Repair</span></p>
			</div>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">45.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">B</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">broke<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">about<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">4</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">00</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>p.m. on Saturday, October 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">5</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 2016</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e break</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>occurred<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during the work shift known as “Tour 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>w</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">h</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ose<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hours<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">are<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">from about<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">0</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">0 p.m. to 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">0</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">0<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">p.m.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">repair</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">required<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a substantial mechanical rebuild of the entire mechanism</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">which<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">entailed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rebuilding the rollers</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">bearings</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, drive</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">shaft,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">wheel</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and pulleys</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that powered the broken belt</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">93,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">9</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">6-98</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 118-19</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>144,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>147</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 227</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>290-91,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>350</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-16</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. R-31</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>at Bates 332</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Some tasks in performing the rebuild required<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">three MPEs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">be<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">working hands-on at the same time<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>floor space between<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">induction lanes 2 and 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T. 100). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs regarded the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rebuild to be a “big job</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T. 147</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 227</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">90-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">91</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 350</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Operating the APPS without<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in service</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>reduced the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">production<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">volume between 25</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">%</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">%</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 333-34). </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">46.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">From the time that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2 broke to the time<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">repair</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>was</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>completed, the APPS was powered down completely during the following</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>preventive maintenance periods,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">known as “PM windows”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">: from 2:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(8 hours)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on Sunday, October 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">6;</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>from 1:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(7.25 hours)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on Monday, October 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">7</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; from 3:45 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(3.75 hours)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on Tuesday, October 18; from 3:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(5.5 hours)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on Wednesday, October 19; and beginning at 3:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, which is the day the repair was completed. (Ex. R-10; T. 552-54). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(No<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">evidence<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was presented on</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the time of day<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on October 20<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">repair was completed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">or when<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">resumed operating</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>with all induction lanes operable</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">47.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Upon being informed on the evening of Saturday, October 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">5</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2 required repair, the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Center’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">acting<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">plant manager</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Jeffrey Hotchkiss,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">directed that the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">repair be completed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">when the APPS would be shut down<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">regularly scheduled<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">8-hour<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">PM window</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">from 2:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 16. (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">4</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">19</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-22</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 555</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">;<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ex. R-13 at<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Bates 332</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. C-16</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The repair was not completed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>PM window<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Sunday</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>morning</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">however</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>because of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">replacement</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>part</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>problems</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(T. 129, 202</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">550</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">parts<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">problem persisted<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">beyond Sunday,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and the repair remained incomplete through</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the 7</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.25</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-hour PM window on Monday</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>morning</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3.75-hour PM window on Tuesday</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>morning</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">549-50</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">48.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Soon after<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the conveyor broke</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on Saturday</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, October 15</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane 3 was de</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">energized and locked out at the IND-DCC-3,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">two or<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">three<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tour 3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">began<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">strip</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">down<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">other<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anes continu</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to operate and the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">continu</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to run and process mail</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">342</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-43</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">555, 561)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The supervisor of maintenance operations for Tour 3 did not perceive<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">this<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">approach</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">have<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">be</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">en</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>contrary to the APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">specific LOTO procedures, although she d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">oes</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>not<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">regard<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">herself as expert</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on those procedures</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 330-31, 338-40). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">None of th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tour 3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">doing the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>work</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">voiced any objection or concern<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">about</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">working on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane 3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">while the other induction lanes continued to process mail. (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">342-43</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 555</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">record<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">does not<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">indicate<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">who</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on Tour 3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">decided to lock out the IND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">DCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>or how that decision was made</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">49.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Around 10:00 p.m.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on October 15</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tour 1 MPEs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>began to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">arrive for their shift</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hours<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">about 10:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">0 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">131</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">564).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">O</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ne of the Tour 1<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPE</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Christopher Day</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">told<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">his supervisor (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr. Kevin Kibodeaux,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Supervisor of Maintenance Operations for Tour 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that he believed i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t was inappropriate to work on an induct</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>lane while the APPS was running.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">569).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">50.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">By an email sent at 10:39 p.m. on Saturday October 15,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Kibodeaux</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>informed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the Center’s maintenance manager</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Kevin<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Pfanders</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>that Mr. Day believed “that working on an induct station while the machine is running is an OSHA violation.” (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">560,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">567). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Pfanders<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">later<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">instructed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Kibodeaux<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o complete the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rebuild during the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">8-hour<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">PM window<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Sunday</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>morning</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, October 16</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 5</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">55-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">56</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 569-70</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">51.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">F</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rom</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2:30 a.m. on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Sunday</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">October 16</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hrough</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>7:30 a.m. on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tuesday,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">October 18,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(a total of 53 hours)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">no</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>repair</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>work</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>w</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as done</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>outside the PM windows</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>or<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">otherwise<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">when the APPS was<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">running</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (T. 578-79).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">52.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rebuild of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2 remained unfinished when<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">day shift</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tour 2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">started<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to work</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tuesday</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">October 18</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at around<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">7</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">0 a.m. The Center’s maintenance manager</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Pfanders</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>instructed the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Supervisor of Maintenance Operations for Tour 2, Joe Basso, to direct MPEs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on Tour 2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">perform the rebuild with only the IND-DCC-3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locked out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and with the APPS continuing to process mail. (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">292-93). </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">53.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr. Ron Jacobs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Jr.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">has worked as an MPE for USPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>over 20 years</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and is employed at the Center</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">day shift</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (T. 221-22).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Wayne Greenzweig has worked as an MPE for USPS for over 10 years and is also employed at the Center on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the day shift.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">284-85). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">A</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t the start of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Jacobs’ and Greenzweig’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">workday on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tue</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">day, October<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">18,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ir<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">superv</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">isor<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Joe Basso)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">directed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">them<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to work on the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rebuild</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>of the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>w</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ith</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>only<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">l</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ane 3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locked out<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(at the IND-DCC-3)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">continu</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to operate and process mail</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 22</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">8</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">291</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">92</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Both<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Ja</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cobs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and Greenz</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">weig</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">told<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Basso</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">y</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>believed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>re</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">pairing</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">after</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locking out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>only the IND-DCC-3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">contrary to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>procedures</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T. 229</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 291-9</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">5</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Basso</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">then</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">informed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">them<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">if<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">y</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>refused to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">work on the r</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">epair as directed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">en he would</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>have to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>“send them home”<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as he had been instructed to do by his supervisor,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Center’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">m</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">aintenance<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">m</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anager<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Pfanders</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T. 229</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">292</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">o<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">be “sent home” mean</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e employee</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>would not receive pay for that day and could be subject to disciplinary action.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(T. 229). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Jacobs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">complie</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>with</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the order and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">spent the day working<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">directly on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with only the IND-DCC-3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locked out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and while the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>APPS continued to operate and process mail. (T. 229</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 243</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Greenzweig</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">request</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">permission to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">work<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n alternative</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>location where he<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">believed a<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">hazard<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">did not</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>exist</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and his request was granted</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">293</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">54.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">After deciding to comply with<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">his<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">supervisor’s order</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPE<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Jac</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">obs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>spoke by telephone that same day with</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the MPE</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Christopher Day</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, who</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>also<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">serves as a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n officer<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Lehigh Valley Area Local of the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">APWU</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Jacobs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>told<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Day<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">about<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Basso’s o</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rder to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>repair<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2 with only the IND-DCC-3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locked out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">120</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-22</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">245)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">55.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">After<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">speaking with Jacobs</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Day</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>telephoned</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Center’s maintenance manager, Kevin Pfander</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and told Pfanders of Jacobs'</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>concerns<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and expressed the view that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">established procedures required that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the IND-MCC be<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locked out<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during the rebuild of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>177,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>208).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Day asked Pfanders “to stop the project immediately</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” but Pfanders told Day<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he would not</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>do so</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 126).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">56.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">At some point, the record does not indicate<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">when or<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">how</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">acting<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">plant manager,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Jeffrey Hotchkiss, became<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">aware that some<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">were concerned<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">repairing belt I-3-2 by<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locking out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>IND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">DCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">while</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">APPS continu</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed to r</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">un</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">violated the APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">specific LOTO procedure</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T. 423-25). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">On Tuesday, October 1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">8</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the same day that Day<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and Pfanders spoke by phone</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Hotchkiss<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ought</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>guidance on the issue</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">by<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">speaking on the telephone<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Mr.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Michael Thompson</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Mr. Thompson<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">is<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a M</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">aintenance<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">M</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">anagement<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">pecialist</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">based<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at USPS’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Maintenance Technical Support Center</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(MTSC)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in Norman, Oklahoma</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Hotchkiss contacted Thompson because he regarded<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thompson</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">be<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">USPS’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>foremost authority on the APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and Thompson had assisted him before</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. Hotchkiss<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">had</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>confidence in Thompson’s knowledge and expertise on the APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, testifying that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">when “it comes to an APPS problem or issue”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">there’s nothing that I do without talking to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thompson</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (T. 424</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-25</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">57.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">After Hotchkiss described the situation and his objective of having the APPS continue to process mail while<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2 was being repaired,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thompson<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">advised</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Hotchkiss that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">it was<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">safe</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">lock out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the IND-DCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3 during the rebuild of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the APPS<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>continue to process mail</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>while repairs were done</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">T. 425-26</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. R-30 at 18-19</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">58.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When Thompson advised Hotchkiss,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thompson</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>did not make any independent determination that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locking out the IND-DCC-3 for the repair<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">conformed to MMO-037-15. (T.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">505). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Rather,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thompson<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">voiced<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">technical<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">conclusion</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>that MPEs working on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2 with<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">only the IND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">DCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locked out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and the APPS continuing to process mail would not be exposed to any hazardous energy or any struck-by or caught-in hazards by virtue of the APPS continuing to process mail. (T. 505).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Thompson did not make any determination or inquiry into whether<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">doing so would conform<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with established procedures in MMO</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-037-15</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As Thompson stated in<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">formal<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">report<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that he<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">prepared<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">for the hearing</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in this<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Commission proceeding</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he “</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">did not find issue with local policy allowing for this repair using the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">method described.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Ex. R-30 at 19).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">59.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">In the course of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>his telephone conversation with Hotchkiss, Thompson made no determination that the regulatory exception to the requirement of 29 C.F.R. § 1910.147(c)(4)(i) that LOTO procedures<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">be in written form<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">applied to the procedure that Hotchkiss sought his views on</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">—</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locking out only the IND-DCC-3 for the repair of belt I-3-2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">60.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">After<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">his</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>telephone conversation</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>with Thompson</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, Hotchkiss</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>told<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">his staff that</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>it was permissible for the APPS to continue to process mail</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during the repair of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>he</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">directed that the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">repairs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">proceed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>in that manner</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (T. 427</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Hotchkiss’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>directive<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">s documented<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>an email that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>sent at</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>5:00 p.m.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on Tuesday, October 18,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">re</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>officials at the Center: the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Maintenance Manager (Pfanders)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Manager of Maintenance Operations (Lori Myers [T. 346</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">]</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Safety Specialist<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Denise Edmonds [T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">539]</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. The email<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">stat</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed in part</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Team, I've reached out to Mike Thompson of MTSC for the APPS induct question.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">We have followed the proper procedures to allow work on the induct line with the machine running.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
				</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The induct line is completely powered off which complies with EWP</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Ex. R.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3 at Bates 365).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“EWP”<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">stands for</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Electrical Work Plan</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">S</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">ee</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Ex. C-10 at 5].</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">)</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">61.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Hotchkiss</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ha</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">not been</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rain</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on the APPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, ha</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>never done maintenance work,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">id</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>not regard himself to be a “maintenance person</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(T. 43</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">0-31</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Hotchkiss<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">trusted<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thompson</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, who</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">m</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>he<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">believed was<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“the one person in the country that knows [the APPS] better than</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>anybody,”<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to give him accurate<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">guidance</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>on the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">question he posed to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thompson</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (T. 430). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Hotchkiss<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">relied on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thompson’s<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">guidance</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">in<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">instructing<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">his staff to rebuild<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2 while the APPS was running with only the IND-DCC-3<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locked out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 425-26). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Beyond his telephone consultation with Thompson,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Hotchkiss did not conduct<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(or direct his staff to conduct)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">any independent inquiry</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">whether the procedure<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">conformed to the requirements of the established APPS-specific LOTO procedures</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>(T. 425-26)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and he never personally reviewed MMO-037-15</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">434-35).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">62.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">When<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPE Day arrived to work at</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>around</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>10:30 p.m. on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Tuesday,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">October 18, his supervisor (</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Kevin<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Kibodeaux)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">directed him to<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">participate in the rebuild of Belt I-3-2 with only the IND</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">DCC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">3 locked out and the APPS continuing to process mail. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Day refused</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. He<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">old Kibodeaux that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he believed procedures required that th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e IND-MCC be<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">locked out</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>during the rebuild of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T. 132</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-35</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">216)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Kibodeaux informed Day<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that he</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">had been instructed to “send home” any MPEs who refused to do the rebuild as directed. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">133</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">-34</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">). Day then asked</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>and was permitted</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to confer with a shop stewar</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>before deciding whether to comply with the directive</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">63.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">While<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Day was conferring with the shop steward,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Kibodeaux<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">reported to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">acting<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">plant manager<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(Hotchkiss)<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Day<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">still had safety concerns performing the rebuild<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with the APPS operating</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Hotchkiss responded by an email sent at 12:04 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19, that he had “already checked at the highest levels through [MTSC],” but</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">instructed Kibodeaux</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>not to “force anyone to work in what they may think is an unsafe environment</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">although at the same time he directed Kibodeaux<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to “[m]ake sure<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">[the APPS]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>is up and running</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>by 07:30</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>a.m.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (Ex. R-22; T. 429-30).</span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">64.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">After</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Day<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">finished<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">me</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>with the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">shop steward</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the shop steward met with Kibodeaux, and then<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">MPE<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Day again met with Kibodea</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ux</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>to r</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">eaffirm<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that he did not feel safe<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">doing the rebuild</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>with the APPS continuing to operate</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. (T. 135). Kibodeaux then<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">informed<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Day<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he would<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">allow<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Day to opt out of working on the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rebuild<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">while the APPS continued to process mail</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, and Day opted<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">out as permitted</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> (T. 135</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, 17</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">8</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).<span>
					</span></span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">65.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">None of the MPEs<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">working on Tour 1 in the early morning of<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Wednesday,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">October 19, 2020, performed the rebuild while the APPS was processing mail. (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">137). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The repairs were not completed by 7:30 a.m.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">on October 19</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>as the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">acting<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">plant manager Hotchkiss<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">had<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">directed Thibodeaux<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to accomplish just hours<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">before</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span></p>
			<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-left:0cm; text-indent:.635cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; line-height:2; text-align:justify; ">
				<span style="font-style:normal; padding-right:20px;">66.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The re</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">build</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>w</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">as</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>completed on<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Thursday,<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">October<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">20</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, though the record does not disclose the<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">time of day the rebuild was complete</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. M</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">r.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
					</span>Day<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">was one of the MPEs involved in<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">replac</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ing<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the motor for<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during Tour 1 on October 20, but<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he did this work<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">during a PM window<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">when the APPS was not operating. (T.<span>
					</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">134</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">; Ex. R-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">10 at 3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">).</span></p>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">III.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">DISCUSSION</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Secretary<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">alleges a single<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">willful/serious violation of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the LOTO standard, specifically §</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">1910.147(d)(2)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, which requires that in executing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">LOTO</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>procedures the “</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">machine or equipment shall be</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">turned off or shut down using the procedures</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">established for the machine or</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">equipment.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">” </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Section 1910.147(d)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(1)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">–</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">2)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">is set forth below<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">in full<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(subparagraph (d)(1) provided for context):</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.33cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(d)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Application of control. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.318cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(1)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Preparation for shutdown.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> Before an authorized or affected employee turns off a machine or equipment, the authorized employee shall have knowledge of the type and magnitude of the energy, the hazards of the energy to be controlled, and the method or means to control the energy.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; text-indent:.318cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(2)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Machine or equipment shutdown. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The machine or equipment shall be turned off or shut down using the procedures established for the machine or equipment. An orderly shutdown must be utilized to avoid any additional or increased hazard(s) to employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">as a result of</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the equipment stoppage</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The citation allege</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">USPS</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>violated<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the cited subparagraph (d)(2)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">in the following manner:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Employees are rebuilding an Automated</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Package Processing</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">System, comprised of multiple machines with separate energy sources which have</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">not been controlled.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">This continuing violation m</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">o</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">st recently occu</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">rr</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed on or about October 18, 2016, when the previously developed hazardous energy control procedures were not applied to the complete</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">machine assembly.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The employer's ongoing responsibility is to ensure the adherence to the mach</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">in</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">specific procedures to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ffect<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">[sic]<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the necessary energy control for each system component.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">To establish a violation of a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">n OSHA</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>standard, the Secretary must show by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the cited standard applies; (2) there was noncompliance with its terms; (3) employees were exposed to or had access to the violative conditions; and (4) the employer had actual or constructive knowledge of those conditions. </span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Donahue Indus. Inc.,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>20 BNA OSHC 1346, 1348 (No. 99-0191, 2003);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Atl. Battery Co.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 16 BNA OSHC 2131, 2138 (No. 90-1747,</span><span style="letter-spacing:.072cm; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">1994).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">A.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">“Standard Applies” Element</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The LOTO standard’s “Scope” provision,<span>
					</span>§ 1910.147(a)(1)(i),<span><span></span>
					</span>provides that the<span>
					</span>“standard<span>
					</span>covers<span>
					</span>the servicing<span><span></span>
					</span>and maintenance of machines and<span><span></span>
					</span>equipment in which the unexpected<span><span></span>
					</span>energization or start up of the machines<span><span></span>
					</span>or equipment, or release of<span><span></span>
					</span>stored energy could cause injury to employees.”</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span><span></span>
					</span>LOTO<span>
					</span>standard’s<span>
					</span>“Application” provision, § 1910.147(a)(2),<span><span></span>
					</span>provides in relevant part as follows:</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:84.467px; text-indent:.483cm; margin-right:96px; ">(2)<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Application.</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(i) This standard applies to the control of energy during<span><span></span>
					</span>servicing and/or maintenance of machines and equipment.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:84px; text-indent:.476cm; margin-right:96px; ">(ii) Normal production operations are not covered by this standard (See subpart<span>
					</span>O<span><span></span>
					</span>of this part).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Servicing and/or maintenance which takes place during normal production operations is covered by this standard only if:</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:84px; text-indent:.476cm; margin-right:96px; ">(A) An employee is required to remove<span><span></span>
					</span>or bypass a guard or other safety<span><span></span>
					</span>device; or</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:84px; text-indent:.476cm; margin-right:96px; ">(B) An employee is required to place<span><span></span>
					</span>any part of his or her body into an area<span><span></span>
					</span>on a machine or piece of equipment<span><span></span>
					</span>where work is<span>
					</span>actually performed<span><span></span>
					</span>upon<span><span></span>
					</span>the material being processed (point of<span><span></span>
					</span>operation) or where an associated danger<span><span></span>
					</span>zone exists during a machine operating<span><span></span>
					</span>cycle.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:84px; text-indent:.476cm; margin-right:96px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Two defined terms within the quoted “Scope” and “Application” provisions are “normal production operations” and</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“servicing and/or maintenance</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>which are defined in § 1910.147(b) as follows</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">:<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:84.467px; text-indent:.483cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Normal production operations.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>u</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">tilization</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">of a machine or equipment to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">perform its intended production function.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:84px; text-indent:.483cm; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Servicing and/or maintenance</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">. Workplace activities such as constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, modifying, and maintaining and/or servicing machines or equipment. These activities include lubrication, cleaning or unjamming of machines or equipment and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">making adjustments</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or tool changes, where the employee may be exposed to the unexpected energization or startup of the equipment or release of hazardous energy.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">USPS<span>
					</span>acknowledges that the<span>
					</span>MPEs repairing belt I-3-2 would be risk of injury from<span>
					</span>hazardous energy<span>
					</span>relating to the operation of<span>
					</span>induction<span>
					</span>lane 3. USPS<span>
					</span>acknowledges further<span>
					</span>that the control of<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>hazardous energy was necessary to protect<span>
					</span>the MPEs<span>
					</span>from injury during the repair. (Resp’t Br. 11–13). USPS contends, however,<span><span></span>
					</span>that the<span>
					</span>MPEs<span><span></span>
					</span>repairing<span><span></span>
					</span>belt I-3-2<span>
					</span>with<span><span></span>
					</span>induction<span>
					</span>lane 3<span>
					</span>locked out<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref5" href="#ftn5">4</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>APPS<span>
					</span>continuing<span><span></span>
					</span>to process mail<span><span></span>
					</span>(i.e.,<span>
					</span>continuing<span><span></span>
					</span>“normal production operations”)<span><span></span>
					</span>were not<span>
					</span>working in an area “where an associated danger zone exists<span><span></span>
					</span>during a machine operating cycle” within the meaning of § 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(B) quoted above. USPS argues<span>
					</span>therefore<span>
					</span>that<span><span></span>
					</span>by operation of § 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(B)<span>
					</span>the LOTO standard did not apply<span><span></span>
					</span>“to all of the other machines that make up the APPS”<span><span></span>
					</span>(such as<span>
					</span>the other three<span>
					</span>induction<span>
					</span>lanes, the<span>
					</span>sorter<span>
					</span>train, and the<span>
					</span>shoe<span>
					</span>sorter),<span><span></span>
					</span>which the USPS argues are<span><span></span>
					</span>all<span><span></span>
					</span>“separate” machines<span>
					</span>from<span>
					</span>induction<span>
					</span>lane 3. (Resp’t Br. 11–13). This argument fails for at least the following reasons. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">First,<span>
					</span>the APPS is a single machine for purposes of the applicability of the LOTO standard; it is<span><span></span>
					</span>not a collection of independent machines as USPS<span>
					</span>contends. This is<span>
					</span>because the<span>
					</span>three<span><span></span>
					</span>subsystems and<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>components<span><span></span>
					</span>of those subsystems<span><span></span>
					</span>“serve no other purpose besides the one they accomplish together when operating simultaneously.” <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Sec’y of Labor v. Action Elec. Co.</span>,<span>
					</span>868 F.3d 1324, 1332 (11th Cir. 2017)<span>
					</span>(deferring to Secretary’s informal interpretative guidance that “two pieces of equipment are part of one<span>
					</span>‘machine’<span><span></span>
					</span>if they do<span><span></span>
					</span>not function independently of one another or if both are sub-systems of a larger<span><span></span>
					</span>machine” [<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">id.</span><span><span></span>
					</span>at 1330]<span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span>).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The APPS is undoubtedly “one system” that serves no other purpose than to process mail items. Indeed,<span>
					</span>the APPS<span>
					</span>includes the word<span>
					</span>“system” is<span>
					</span>its very<span><span></span>
					</span>name—Automated<span>
					</span>Package<span>
					</span>Processing<span>
					</span>System. The<span>
					</span>single-sided<span>
					</span>APPS<span><span></span>
					</span>at the Center<span><span></span>
					</span>cannot process mail unless at least one of the four<span>
					</span>induction<span>
					</span>lanes in the IND Subsystem<span>
					</span>is<span><span></span>
					</span>operating.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>The fact that<span>
					</span>the APPS can continue to process mail with up to three<span><span></span>
					</span>of the four<span><span></span>
					</span>induction<span>
					</span>lanes shut down<span>
					</span>does not render the<span>
					</span>IND Subsystem, or its four<span><span></span>
					</span>induction<span>
					</span>lanes,<span><span></span>
					</span>independent<span><span></span>
					</span>machines<span>
					</span>for purposes of<span>
					</span>determining the<span>
					</span>LOTO standard’s application.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Cf.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Action Elec</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">tric</span>, 868 F.3d at<span>
					</span>1334-35 (noting that<span><span></span>
					</span>two components of a “cooling bed” machine<span>
					</span>cannot<span>
					</span>“perform useful work in isolation” so that<span><span></span>
					</span>those<span><span></span>
					</span>components<span><span></span>
					</span>“are not independent<span>
					</span>‘machines’<span><span></span>
					</span>but are rather sub-systems of the same” cooling bed machine).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Second, the argument is flawed because it<span>
					</span>melds the<span>
					</span>third element of the Secretary’s burden of proof (employee access or exposure to<span>
					</span>a<span><span></span>
					</span>violative condition) into analysis for the first element (the<span>
					</span>“standard applies” element).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>It is true that<span>
					</span>establishing<span>
					</span>a risk of injury<span><span></span>
					</span>is an aspect of<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>“standard applies” element<span><span></span>
					</span>for<span><span></span>
					</span>an alleged LOTO violation. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">O</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">tis Elevator</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Co. v. Sec’y of Labor</span>, 762 F.3d<span><span></span>
					</span>116, 121<span><span></span>
					</span>(D.C.<span><span></span>
					</span>Cir. 2014) (quoting § 1910.147(a)(1)(i) in observing that<span>
					</span>application of the<span>
					</span>LOTO standard<span>
					</span>requires a<span>
					</span>showing that the hazardous energy “could cause injury to employees”);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">see also</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Control of Hazardous Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout)</span>, 54 Fed. Reg. 36644, 36666<span><span></span>
					</span>(Sept. 1, 1989)<span><span></span>
					</span>(final rule,<span>
					</span>to be codified at 29 C.F.R. pt. 1910) (“If an energy source does not have the capability of causing<span>
					</span>injury to employees, it is not ‘hazardous energy’<span><span></span>
					</span>within the scope of this standard”). But the uncontroverted evidence<span><span></span>
					</span>here established that the<span><span></span>
					</span>MPEs<span>
					</span>repairing<span>
					</span>belt I-3-2 could be injured by hazardous energy<span>
					</span>associated with the operation of induction lane 3, and this<span>
					</span>suffices to<span>
					</span>establish<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>“standard applies” element for<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>alleged LOTO violation.<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><a name="ftnref6" href="#ftn6">5</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Third,<span>
					</span>USPS’s<span><span></span>
					</span>argument fails<span>
					</span>by virtue of § 1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(A), quoted above, which provides that the LOTO standard applies<span><span></span>
					</span>to servicing activities conducted during normal production operations where an “employee is required to ... bypass a guard or other safety device.” The provision operates to make the LOTO standard applicable to the repair of<span>
					</span>belt I32 while the APPS continued<span>
					</span>to process mail<span>
					</span>because the MPEs were required to<span><span></span>
					</span>bypass the interlocks for two<span>
					</span>access<span>
					</span>gates to enable<span>
					</span>induction<span>
					</span>lanes 1 and 2 to continue to operate while they repaired<span>
					</span>belt I32. (See Findings of Fact ¶<span><span></span>
					</span>14). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">B</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">Non-c</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">ompl</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">iance Element.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">1.</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Proof of a Hazard Resulting from the Violative Condition Not Require</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">d.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The cited standard requires employers to control hazardous energy<span>
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">using the procedures established for the machine or equipment</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.” </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">§ 1910.147(d)(2). The Secretary alleges USPS did not comply with this standard during the repair of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2 in that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the previously developed hazardous energy control procedures were not applied to the complete</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">machine assembly.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">USPS’s defense<span><span></span>
					</span>focuses in<span>
					</span>large<span><span></span>
					</span>part<span>
					</span>on<span>
					</span>its<span><span></span>
					</span>contention<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>the Secretary failed to<span>
					</span>prove<span><span></span>
					</span>that the MPEs<span>
					</span>repairing<span><span></span>
					</span>belt I-3-2<span>
					</span>while<span>
					</span>the APPS continued<span><span></span>
					</span>to process mail were at risk of being injured by the<span>
					</span>running machine. USPS argues that the LOTO standard is a “performance” standard,<span>
					</span>so that the<span>
					</span>Secretary<span>
					</span>was obliged to “prove a hazard before an employer is found to have been in violation of such<span>
					</span>[a performance]<span>
					</span>standard,”<span><span></span>
					</span>which USPS argues the Secretary failed to do. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Resp’t Br.<span>
					</span>13–14,<span><span></span>
					</span>citing<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Thomas Indus. Coatings, Inc.</span>, 21 BNA OSHC 2283, 2287 (No. 97-1073, 2007).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span>
					</span>preamble to the LOTO standard aptly describes it<span>
					</span>as being<span>
					</span>“performance-oriented.”<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">E</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">.g.</span>,<span>
					</span>54 Fed. Reg. at 36,645<span><span></span>
					</span>& 36,656. The standard’s “Scope” provision states that the “standard establishes minimum<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">performance requirements</span><span><span></span>
					</span>for the control of such hazardous energy.” § 1910.147(a)(1)(i)<span><span></span>
					</span>(emphasis<span>
					</span>added).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>For example, t<span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">he provisions of the LOTO standard that prescribe<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the matters that an</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>energy control procedure must address are<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">certain</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ly<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">“performance-oriented</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>§ 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A)–(D);<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">54 Fed. Reg. at 36</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">656</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(“</span>The standard is written in performance-oriented language, providing<span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>considerable</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">flexibility for employers to tailor their</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">energy control programs and</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>p</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">rocedures</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to their particular ci</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">r</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cumstances and</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">working conditions</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">”);<span>
						</span></span>54 Fed. Reg. at 36,684<span><span></span>
					</span>(“The Final Rule is written in performance-based language that permits firms to develop lockout or tagout procedures that are most appropriate for their specific machines and equipment”).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">But not all provisions of the LOTO standard are<span>
					</span>performance-oriented. Rather, some provisions of the LOTO standard have<span><span></span>
					</span>attributes of<span><span></span>
					</span>a<span>
					</span>specification standard. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Otis Elevator Co.</span>,<span><span></span>
					</span>24<span><span></span>
					</span>BNA OSHC<span>
					</span>1081,<span>
					</span>1085<span><span></span>
					</span>(No.<span>
					</span>09-1278, 2013) (determining that subparagraph<span>
					</span>(f)(2)(i)<span><span></span>
					</span>of the LOTO standard is a specification standard),<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span><span><span></span>
					</span>762 F.3d<span><span></span>
					</span>116<span><span></span>
					</span>(D.C. Cir. 2014);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Am. Iron & Steel Inst. v. OSHA</span>, 577 F.2d 825, 837 (3d Cir. 1978)<span><span></span>
					</span>(holding that the<span><span></span>
					</span>Act permits the Secretary<span>
					</span>to promulgate standards that possess both performance standard and specification standard attributes).<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The cited<span>
					</span>standard<span><span></span>
					</span>here<span><span></span>
					</span>provides<span><span></span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>a<span><span></span>
					</span>“machine or equipment<span>
					</span>shall<span><span></span>
					</span>be turned off or shut down using the procedures established for the machine or equipment.” § 1910.147(d)(2). The word “shall”<span>
					</span>in this subparagraph connotes<span>
					</span>a<span><span></span>
					</span>requirement. <span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Maine Cmty. Health Options v. United States</span><span style="font-family:Arial; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-family:Arial; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">___ U.S. ___,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>140 S. Ct. 1308, 1320 (2020).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Section</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1910.147</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">(d)(2)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">does not<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">impose<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">ny</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">precondition</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">to</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">application of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">mandat</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e that</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employers utilize the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">energy control procedures<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">e<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">has<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">establishe</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">d</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>meet the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>LOTO<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">standard’s requirements</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">Th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">at</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">unconditional<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">manda</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">te<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">renders the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">cited standard here,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">§</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "> </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">1910.147(d)(2)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">, a specification standard.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">As with</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>any specification standard, the Secretary was not required to prove<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">an employer’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">failure to comply<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">with the standard<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">created a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">n actual</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hazard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>under the circumstances then present</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">. </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">E.g.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Otis Elevator Co.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">,<span>
						</span></span>24 BNA OSHC at<span>
					</span>1085;<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>see also</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Bunge Corp. v. Sec'y of Labor</span>, 638 F.2d 831, 834 (5th Cir. 1981) (“Unless the general standard incorporates a hazard as a violative element, the proscribed condition or practice is all that the Secretary must show; hazard is presumed and is relevant only to whether the violation constitutes a ‘serious’ one”).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">2.</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Established</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>LOTO</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Procedures</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Not Followed</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">USPS argues that MMO-037-15 does not expressly prohibit locking out the IND-DCC for the repair of an<span><span></span>
					</span>induction lane’s<span><span></span>
					</span>“inside” belts<span><span></span>
					</span>(belts 2, 3, or 4), and thus<span>
					</span>USPS’s order that<span>
					</span>MPEs<span>
					</span>do so<span><span></span>
					</span>did<span><span></span>
					</span>not contravene<span>
					</span>its written<span><span></span>
					</span>procedures. (Resp’t Br. 5-6;<span><span></span>
					</span>Resp’t Reply Br. 1, n.1). This argument is rejected. The great weight of the evidence showed that USPS’s established LOTO procedures contained provisions<span>
					</span>identifying<span><span></span>
					</span>the IND-MCC to be<span>
					</span>locked<span><span></span>
					</span>out for the rebuild of any of an<span><span></span>
					</span>induction lane’s<span>
					</span>“inside”<span><span></span>
					</span>belts. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The APPS-specific LOTO procedure (MMO-037-15) contains numerous references to the maintenance manual for the APPS (designated the<span>
					</span>MS-202), and MPEs rely on the MS-202 for<span>
					</span>instructions<span>
					</span>on what EID to lock out for performing certain repair and maintenance activities. (Findings of Fact ¶<span><span></span>
					</span>32). MPEs<span><span></span>
					</span>testified<span>
					</span>that provisions of the MS-202<span>
					</span>instructed<span><span></span>
					</span>locking out<span>
					</span>components<span>
					</span>other than the IND-DCC for certain activities that had to be done as part of the rebuild of an induction lane<span><span></span>
					</span>belt. That testimony<span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>not controverted and was<span>
					</span>corroborated by provisions in the MS202. (See Findings of Fact ¶<span>
					</span>35). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">MPEs<span>
					</span>also testified that they<span>
					</span>were trained to lock out the IND-DCC only for<span><span></span>
					</span>certain minor maintenance activities, such as adjustment of the photo-eye. That testimony<span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>similarly<span>
					</span>corroborated by<span>
					</span>portions<span><span></span>
					</span>of the literally voluminous MS202 and<span><span></span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>similarly uncontroverted and persuasive. (Findings of Fact ¶¶<span>
					</span>37,<span>
					</span>44). The Center’s maintenance manager (Pfanders)<span>
					</span>also corroborated the MPEs’<span><span></span>
					</span>testimony on this point,<span>
					</span>acknowledging<span><span></span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">it was not normal operating procedure for MPEs to work on an induction lane while other induction lanes<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">run</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>except for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">making certain<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“minor, typical repairs that we perform every day</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(T. 562-63).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">USPS<span>
					</span>focuses on the “recommended/not recommended” language used in<span>
					</span>Attachment<span>
					</span>4<span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>MMO-037-15—locking out the IND-MCC<span><span></span>
					</span>for<span>
					</span>“conveyor repairs”<span><span></span>
					</span>being “recommended,” and locking out the IND-DCCs being “not recommended.” (Findings of Fact ¶<span>
					</span>39). USPS argues that these stated “recommended/not recommended” LOTO practices<span>
					</span>were<span>
					</span>simply<span>
					</span>just that—mere<span>
					</span>recommendations—and did not proscribe<span><span></span>
					</span>locking out the IND-DCC-3 for the repair of<span>
					</span>belt I-3-2. (Resp’t Br. 5-6). This argument<span>
					</span>ignores<span><span></span>
					</span>the fact that the MS-202 augmented the<span>
					</span>MMO-037-15,<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>effectively transformed<span>
					</span>the MMO’s “recommendations”<span>
					</span>to<span>
					</span>an instruction to<span>
					</span>lock out the INDMCC for the rebuild of<span><span></span>
					</span>an “inside” induction lane belt like<span><span></span>
					</span>belt I-3-2. (See Findings of<span>
					</span>Fact<span><span></span>
					</span>¶¶<span><span></span>
					</span>35, 38,<span><span></span>
					</span>39). <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Angelica Textile<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Serv</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">s.</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">, Inc.</span>,<span><span></span>
					</span>2018 WL 3655794, *2,<span><span></span>
					</span>27<span><span></span>
					</span>BNA OSHC<span>
					</span>1246<span><span></span>
					</span>(No.<span>
					</span>08-1774, June 24, 2018)<span><span></span>
					</span>(involving written LOTO<span>
					</span>procedures<span>
					</span>that consisted of multiple documents),<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">vacated<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">as moot, and instructing Commission to dismiss</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on remand</span>,<span><span></span>
					</span>803 F.<span><span></span>
					</span>App’x<span>
					</span>542<span><span></span>
					</span>(2d Cir. 2020)<span><span></span>
					</span>(unpublished). This was confirmed by uncontroverted evidence that the<span>
					</span>Center’s<span>
					</span>MPEs had never locked out<span>
					</span>an<span><span></span>
					</span>IND-DCC<span>
					</span>in connection with a major<span>
					</span>repair<span>
					</span>activity on<span><span></span>
					</span>an induction lane,<span><span></span>
					</span>and that the<span><span></span>
					</span>MPEs<span><span></span>
					</span>understood MMO03715<span><span></span>
					</span>prohibited<span><span></span>
					</span>doing so. The practice of the MPEs, whose<span>
					</span>understanding and<span>
					</span>judgment on the application of energy control practices their supervisors generally deferred,<span><span></span>
					</span>is supported<span>
					</span>by the provisions of Attachment 4 that locking out the IND-MCC “will remove 480<span>
					</span>VAC<span><span></span>
					</span>from the conveyors of the Induction section of the machine, preventing motion of all conveyors in the Induction section<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">in order to facilitate belt, bearing, or roller replacement</span>.” (See Findings of<span>
					</span>Fact<span><span></span>
					</span>¶<span><span></span>
					</span>39<span><span></span>
					</span>[emphasis<span>
					</span>added]). In the rebuild of<span>
					</span>belt I-3-2, the belt,<span>
					</span>bearings,<span><span></span>
					</span>and rollers were rebuilt or replaced, as contemplated by the quoted provision in Attachment 4. (See Findings of<span>
					</span>Fact<span><span></span>
					</span>¶<span><span></span>
					</span>41). The historical practice of the MPEs not to lock out the IND-DCC for<span>
					</span>major<span>
					</span>work on an induction lane is further bolstered<span>
					</span>by the provisions of MS-202 that<span>
					</span>instruct<span>
					</span>MPEs<span>
					</span>not to bypass the<span>
					</span>interlock feature of the access gates, which they were required to do<span>
					</span>in order<span><span></span>
					</span>to<span><span></span>
					</span>enable<span><span></span>
					</span>induction lanes 1 and 2<span>
					</span>to<span><span></span>
					</span>process mail while<span>
					</span>they worked on induction lane 3. (<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Findings of Fact ¶<span>
					</span>14). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Moreover, the<span>
					</span>indecisive<span>
					</span>“recommended/not<span>
					</span>recommended”<span>
					</span>language<span>
					</span>used in<span>
					</span>Attachment 4 is<span>
					</span>laden<span><span></span>
					</span>with ambiguity<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span><span></span>
					</span>is poorly<span>
					</span>suited<span>
					</span>to<span><span></span>
					</span>meet<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>LOTO standard’s requirement<span>
					</span>that written procedures be<span><span></span>
					</span>set forth<span>
					</span>“clearly<span>
					</span>and specifically.”<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>§ 1910.147(c)(4)(ii).<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Instructing<span><span></span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>a certain<span>
					</span>energy control procedure<span><span></span>
					</span>is “not recommended,”<span><span></span>
					</span>without further explication,<span><span></span>
					</span>could<span><span></span>
					</span>reasonably be<span>
					</span>interpreted to convey<span>
					</span>to the MPEs<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>subtextual<span><span></span>
					</span>meaning<span>
					</span>that “this may be dangerous.” Similarly, instructing<span><span></span>
					</span>that a certain energy control procedure is “recommended,” without further explication, can reasonably be interpreted to<span>
					</span>mean<span><span></span>
					</span>that “this<span>
					</span>procedure<span>
					</span>is safer” and<span>
					</span>ought to be<span>
					</span>utilized instead of<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>procedure that is<span><span></span>
					</span>expressly<span><span></span>
					</span>“not recommended.”<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Lastly, as the Secretary argues, the only logical reading of Attachment 4 is that<span>
					</span>it mandates locking out the IND-MCC for<span>
					</span>“conveyor repairs” and<span>
					</span>“belt,<span>
					</span>bearing, and roller replacement”<span><span></span>
					</span>of an induction<span>
					</span>lane’s<span><span></span>
					</span>inside belts. This is<span>
					</span>because<span><span></span>
					</span>if such<span>
					</span>activities<span>
					</span>may be accomplished by locking out the IND-DCC instead of the IND-MCC, then the<span><span></span>
					</span>procedure<span>
					</span>described in Attachment 4<span><span></span>
					</span>for locking out the IND-MCC for<span>
					</span>those activities<span><span></span>
					</span>would never have occasion to be used. Such a construction<span>
					</span>would<span>
					</span>render<span><span></span>
					</span>those<span>
					</span>provisions of<span>
					</span>Attachment 4<span><span></span>
					</span>superfluous, having<span><span></span>
					</span>no operative effect. (Sec’y Reply Br. 11).<span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; line-height:normal; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">3.<span>
						</span></span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">No Evidence<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">USPS<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Had Unwritten<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Established</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">LOTO Procedure</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">s</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">USPS<span>
					</span>acknowledges that<span><span></span>
					</span>locking<span><span></span>
					</span>out<span>
					</span>an<span><span></span>
					</span>IND-DCC for the repair of<span><span></span>
					</span>any<span>
					</span>of an<span><span></span>
					</span>induction lane’s<span>
					</span>“inside belts”<span><span></span>
					</span>(like<span>
					</span>belt I-3-2)<span><span></span>
					</span>is not<span>
					</span>set forth<span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>any<span>
					</span>written LOTO procedure.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(Resp’t Br. 5).<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>USPS<span>
					</span>argues nonetheless<span>
					</span>that<span><span></span>
					</span>doing so<span><span></span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>an<span>
					</span>existing or<span>
					</span>established LOTO procedure that<span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>excepted from the requirement<span><span></span>
					</span>of § 1910.147(c)(4)(i)<span><span></span>
					</span>that LOTO procedures be<span>
					</span>“documented,”<span>
					</span>pursuant to a<span><span></span>
					</span>regulatory<span>
					</span>exception to that<span><span></span>
					</span>requirement. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>54 Fed. Reg.<span>
					</span>at<span>
					</span>36670 (stating that “OSHA believes that because of the<span><span></span>
					</span>need to follow the steps in the energy<span><span></span>
					</span>control procedure carefully and<span><span></span>
					</span>specifically, and the number of variables<span><span></span>
					</span>involved in controlling hazardous<span><span></span>
					</span>energy, a documented procedure is<span><span></span>
					</span>necessary for most energy control<span><span></span>
					</span>situations”). The exception<span><span></span>
					</span>to the requirement that procedures be in written form<span>
					</span>is set forth in a<span>
					</span>“Note” to § 1910.147(c)(4)(i)<span>
					</span>that<span><span></span>
					</span>provides as follows:<span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:90.267px; ">N<span style="font-size:11pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11pt; ">OTE</span>:<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Exception</span>: The employer need not<span><span></span>
					</span>document the required procedure for a particular<span><span></span>
					</span>machine or equipment, when all of<span><span></span>
					</span>the following elements exist: (1) The machine<span><span></span>
					</span>or equipment has no potential for<span><span></span>
					</span>stored or residual energy or reaccumulation<span><span></span>
					</span>of stored energy after shut down which could<span><span></span>
					</span>endanger employees; (2) the machine or<span><span></span>
					</span>equipment has a single energy source which<span><span></span>
					</span>can be readily identified and isolated; (3) the<span><span></span>
					</span>isolation and locking out of that energy<span><span></span>
					</span>source will completely deenergize and deactivate the machine or equipment; (4) the machine or equipment is isolated from that<span><span></span>
					</span>energy source and locked out during servicing<span><span></span>
					</span>or maintenance;<span>
					</span>(5) a single lockout device<span><span></span>
					</span>will achieve a locked-out condition; (6)<span><span></span>
					</span>the lockout device is under the exclusive<span><span></span>
					</span>control of the authorized employee performing<span><span></span>
					</span>the servicing or maintenance; (7)<span><span></span>
					</span>the servicing or maintenance does not create<span><span></span>
					</span>hazards for other employees; and (8) the employer,<span><span></span>
					</span>in utilizing this exception, has had<span><span></span>
					</span>no accidents involving the unexpected activation<span><span></span>
					</span>or reenergization of the machine or<span><span></span>
					</span>equipment during servicing or maintenance.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:90.267px; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">USPS bore the burden of<span>
					</span>proving that<span><span></span>
					</span>it is entitled to the benefit of this exception. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Westvaco Corp.</span>, 16 BNA OSHC 1374, 1377 (90–1341, 1993) (“The party claiming the benefit of an exception bears the burden of proving that it comes within that exception”). USPS failed to meet its burden for<span>
					</span>at least the following<span>
					</span>two<span>
					</span>reasons.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; margin-left:90.267px; text-indent:-.635cm; ">a<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span style="mso-tab-count:1">  </span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;">procedure<span>
						</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;">used<span>
						</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;">was not an “established” procedure</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>for</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>a</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;"><span><span></span>
						</span>belt rebuild</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The cited standard, § 1910.147(d)(2), requires that employers use the energy control procedures that the employer has “established for the machine or equipment”<span>
					</span>(regardless of<span><span></span>
					</span>whether such established procedures are<span>
					</span>in written form). There is no evidence that<span><span></span>
					</span>the unwritten<span><span></span>
					</span>lock out procedure that<span>
					</span>the<span>
					</span>MPEs were directed to utilize<span><span></span>
					</span>(to<span>
					</span>lock out the IND-DCC for the repair of an induction<span>
					</span>lane’s<span><span></span>
					</span>inside belt)<span>
					</span>had<span>
					</span>been<span><span></span>
					</span>“established,”<span><span></span>
					</span>or in other words was extant,<span><span></span>
					</span>before the<span>
					</span>MPEs were ordered to use<span><span></span>
					</span>it<span><span></span>
					</span>during the repair of<span>
					</span>belt I-3-2. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>54 Fed. Reg. at<span><span></span>
					</span>36,666<span><span></span>
					</span>(“The main thrust of the standard is to mandate the<span>
					</span>development, documentation and implementation<span><span></span>
					</span>of control procedures, and this is to be accomplished as outlined in paragraph (d) of the standard”<span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span>). Rather, the great weight of the<span>
					</span>evidence is that the procedure<span>
					</span>had not been previously developed but<span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>instead<span><span></span>
					</span>devised<span><span></span>
					</span>in the moment<span>
					</span>by the<span>
					</span>Center’s<span>
					</span>management, which was<span>
					</span>understandably<span><span></span>
					</span>concerned<span><span></span>
					</span>about<span>
					</span>the impact on productivity of shutting down the APPS during the repair. When MPEs<span>
					</span>challenged<span><span></span>
					</span>the procedure, the Center’s acting plant manager<span>
					</span>telephoned<span>
					</span>the author of the MMO03715 (Mr. Thompson)<span>
					</span>with a view<span><span></span>
					</span>to validating<span><span></span>
					</span>that procedure.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Mr. Thompson has vast technical expertise and experience with the APPS, but he does not regard himself to be an expert on compliance with OSHA standards. (T. 501). Mr. Thompson testified<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>when<span>
					</span>he advised<span>
					</span>Mr. Hotchkiss<span><span></span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>that<span><span></span>
					</span>telephone conversation, he determined that<span>
					</span>the procedure that<span>
					</span>Hotchkiss<span><span></span>
					</span>described to him (locking out the IND-DCC-3 during the repair of<span>
					</span>belt I-3-2 while the APPS continued to process mail)<span><span></span>
					</span>was permissible “from a technical point of view”<span><span></span>
					</span>in that<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>MPEs performing the repairs would not be at risk of injury.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(T. 505). But Thompson acknowledged that<span>
					</span>he did not then<span>
					</span>make any determination that<span>
					</span>the procedure complied with the<span>
					</span>provisions of<span>
					</span>MMO-037-15.<span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref7" href="#ftn7">6</a></span> (T. 505). Rather,<span>
					</span>in a written report that Thompson prepared for the hearing, he stated that<span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>assessing the procedure that<span>
					</span>Hotchkiss<span><span></span>
					</span>had described to him,<span>
					</span>he<span>
					</span>“did not find issue with<span>
					</span>local policy allowing for this repair<span><span></span>
					</span>using the<span><span></span>
					</span>method<span><span></span>
					</span>described.” (Ex. R-30 at 19). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">There is no credible evidence that during or before Thompson’s telephone conversation with<span>
					</span>Hotchkiss<span>
					</span>that<span><span></span>
					</span>he<span><span></span>
					</span>considered whether the procedure discussed was not required to be in writing because it qualified for the exception to the documentation requirement of § 1910.147(c)(4)(i). (<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>T. 492-98). Although Thompson’s written report sets forth his belief that the procedure for locking out the IND-DCC for the repair<span>
					</span>of belt I-3-2 qualified for the<span>
					</span>exception to the<span>
					</span>LOTO standard’s<span>
					</span>“documentation”<span>
					</span>requirement<span><span></span>
					</span>in<span><span></span>
					</span>§ 1910.147(c)(4)(i), there is nothing in Thompson’s<span>
					</span>written<span>
					</span>report or in his testimony<span>
					</span>declaring<span>
					</span>that Thompson had formulated that conclusion at any time before the OSHA investigation, or that he had even considered that<span>
					</span>issue in the course of his telephone conversation with<span>
					</span>Hotchkiss. (Ex. R-30 at 1819; T. 492-98). It is more likely than not that Thompson considered that issue and formulated his opinion on it long after the repair of<span>
					</span>belt I-3-2 was completed, as part of his support of USPS’s defense in the matter (in which he testified as both “fact” witness and an expert witness, having been qualified without objection as an “expert on the APPS” [T. 445] ). The absence of evidence as to when Thompson formulated his opinion regarding the regulatory exception to the requirement that procedures be written, coupled with his admitted lack of any special knowledge,<span>
					</span>expertise,<span><span></span>
					</span>or training in OSHA standards (T. 501), supports the conclusion that Thompson formulated this theory sometime after the belt repair was completed. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Thompson<span><span></span>
					</span>testified further<span>
					</span>that in his drafting of MMO-037-15<span>
					</span>(or in drafting<span>
					</span>a<span><span></span>
					</span>prior iteration)<span><span></span>
					</span>he<span>
					</span>made<span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>considered decision<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">not</span><span><span></span>
					</span>to include a procedure for locking out an IND-DCC for work done on the “inside” belts of an induction lane (belts 2, 3 and 4),<span><span></span>
					</span>because<span>
					</span>he believed that<span>
					</span>including that procedure in the document would have lengthened<span>
					</span>it<span><span></span>
					</span>and thereby<span>
					</span>made it<span>
					</span>“completely too burdensome for the field.”<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>(T. 492). This testimony makes little sense, seems<span><span></span>
					</span>highly unlikely, and is given no weight. Just as Attachment 4 to the MMO contains a one-paragraph instruction directing that the adjoining<span>
					</span>conveyors in the FSD Subsystem and the Sorter Subsystem be locked out when work is being done on an induction lane’s “outside” belts (belts<span><span></span>
					</span>1 and 5—<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">see</span><span><span></span>
					</span>the second “Warning” paragraph<span>
					</span>reflected<span>
					</span>in ¶<span>
					</span>39<span><span></span>
					</span>of the Findings of Fact), a similarly<span>
					</span>concise<span>
					</span>or even somewhat longer instruction could have been included allowing for locking out only the IND-DCC for the repair of an inside belt (numbers 2, 3 or 4)<span><span></span>
					</span>without substantially lengthening or making more complex<span>
					</span>an already<span><span></span>
					</span>lengthy, detailed,<span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>complex<span><span></span>
					</span>written procedure. Such length and complexity<span>
					</span>seem<span><span></span>
					</span>nearly unavoidable<span>
					</span>in<span>
					</span>adequately<span>
					</span>documenting the LOTO procedures for the APPS<span><span></span>
					</span>considering<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>standard’s requirement that LOTO procedures be<span>
					</span>set<span>
					</span>forth<span><span></span>
					</span>“clearly<span><span></span>
					</span>and specifically.” §<span>
					</span>1910.147(c)(4)(ii);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">see also</span><span><span></span>
					</span>54 Fed. Reg. at<span>
					</span>36,670 (commenting that<span><span></span>
					</span>the word “specific”<span>
					</span>in paragraph (c)(4)<span><span></span>
					</span>“emphasize[s]<span><span></span>
					</span>the need to have a detailed procedure, one which clearly and specifically outlines the steps to be followed,”<span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>observing that “[o]vergeneralization can result in a document which has little or no utility to the employee who must follow the procedure”).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Perhaps<span>
					</span>even<span><span></span>
					</span>more<span>
					</span>significantly, there is no evidence that any of the MPEs at the Center had ever been informed of,<span><span></span>
					</span>or trained on,<span><span></span>
					</span>this supposedly established but unwritten LOTO procedure prior to the repair of belt I-3-2. It would have been<span><span></span>
					</span>a logical impossibility for the MPEs to<span><span></span>
					</span>have<span>
					</span>used<span><span></span>
					</span>an unwritten procedure<span>
					</span>about<span><span></span>
					</span>which they had<span>
					</span>no prior knowledge or training. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Based on<span>
					</span>Thompson’s<span>
					</span>testimony and his written report, it is reasonably inferable<span>
					</span>that<span>
					</span>when<span>
					</span>Thompson<span>
					</span>advised<span>
					</span>Hotchkiss<span>
					</span>on the telephone, that<span>
					</span>Thompson<span><span></span>
					</span>had concluded<span>
					</span>only that<span>
					</span>the procedure<span>
					</span>Hotchkiss<span>
					</span>described to him<span>
					</span>could be a permissible LOTO procedure<span><span></span>
					</span>adopted under “local policy,”<span><span></span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>that Thompson<span>
					</span>did not analyze whether<span><span></span>
					</span>that procedure conformed to any<span><span></span>
					</span>established<span>
					</span>LOTO procedures<span><span></span>
					</span>that are<span>
					</span>applicable across the entire USPS (namely, the MMO03715 that<span>
					</span>Thompson had<span><span></span>
					</span>authored, or the MS202 maintenance manual). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The<span>
					</span>MMO-037-15<span>
					</span>expressly allows for local policy to supplement its procedures, and the MS-202<span>
					</span>repeatedly reminds MPEs<span>
					</span>to follow any such<span>
					</span>local procedures. The Center, however,<span>
					</span>has<span><span></span>
					</span>not developed<span><span></span>
					</span>or<span><span></span>
					</span>trained its MPEs on<span><span></span>
					</span>any local energy control procedures<span><span></span>
					</span>to augment either the MMO-037-15 or the MS-202. This is confirmed by uncontroverted testimony of MPEs that the procedure they were directed to use<span>
					</span>had not previously been used<span><span></span>
					</span>for a major repair involving the IND Subsystem such as the rebuild of<span>
					</span>belt I-3-2. (Findings of<span>
					</span>Fact<span><span></span>
					</span>¶<span>
					</span>42). This is<span><span></span>
					</span>corroborated<span><span></span>
					</span>further<span><span></span>
					</span>by the testimony of the Center’s maintenance manager<span>
					</span>(Pfanders)<span>
					</span>that “normal procedure”<span>
					</span>would have been for the APPS<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">not</span><span><span></span>
					</span>to process mail during the repair of belt I32.<span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref8" href="#ftn8">7</a></span> (T. 563; Findings of<span>
					</span>Fact<span><span></span>
					</span>¶<span>
					</span>44). Rather than<span>
					</span>endeavor to<span>
					</span>develop a local LOTO policy<span>
					</span>(and thereafter<span><span></span>
					</span>training employees on that local policy as would<span>
					</span>have<span>
					</span>been<span><span></span>
					</span>required by § 1910.147(c)(7)(iii)<span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span>), the acting plant manager<span>
					</span>simply<span>
					</span>decreed that the belt repair would be conducted by locking out INDDCC3 while the APPS continued to process mail.<span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref9" href="#ftn9">8</a></span><span><span></span>
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; ">b.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;">The APPS does not qualify for the exception<span>
						</span></span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;">to the documentation requirement</span><span style="text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; text-decoration:underline ;">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">In any event, even if locking out the IND-DCC for the repair of an induction<span>
					</span>lane’s<span><span></span>
					</span>inside belt had been an established<span><span></span>
					</span>unwritten<span><span></span>
					</span>procedure at the time of the repair, the<span>
					</span>procedure<span>
					</span>would not<span><span></span>
					</span>qualify for the exception to the documentation requirement<span><span></span>
					</span>of § 1910.147(c)(4)(i). USPS’s argument in support of the exception is grounded in its flawed argument, rejected<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">supra</span>, that<span>
					</span>induction<span>
					</span>lane 3 is a machine<span>
					</span>that is<span>
					</span>separate and independent of the APPS,<span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>for which compliance with the LOTO standard<span>
					</span>would be<span><span></span>
					</span>assessed<span>
					</span>independently of the<span>
					</span>APPS. (<span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Resp’t Br.<span>
					</span>4-5; Ex. R-30 at 18-19; T. 492-98). USPS has not met its burden to<span>
					</span>establish by a preponderance of the evidence<span><span></span>
					</span>that the APPS machine meets any of the eight elements of the exception to the documentation requirement<span><span></span>
					</span>of § 1910.147(c)(4)(i). </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">C</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">Employee<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">E</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">xposure</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">Element</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">At the direction of the Center’s acting plant manager, MPEs repaired<span>
					</span>belt I-3-2 without using the established energy control procedures for the APPS. This is the violative condition to which<span>
					</span>uncontroverted<span>
					</span>evidence established<span>
					</span>that<span><span></span>
					</span>MPEs<span>
					</span>conducting the repairs were<span><span></span>
					</span>exposed, and<span>
					</span>about<span><span></span>
					</span>which they were reasonably concerned for their safety.<span><span></span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span>54 Fed. Reg at 36675 (“Because their safety requires them to follow the steps of the procedure precisely, these employees must be properly trained, and that training must be reinforced to assure their continued proficiency”). USPS argues mightily that the MPEs were not exposed to risk of injury from hazardous energy while conducting the repairs with<span><span></span>
					</span>the INDDCC3 locked out and the APPS continuing to process mail. As<span>
					</span>is<span>
					</span>discussed<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">infra</span><span><span></span>
					</span>in addressing whether the violation was proven to be “serious” within the meaning of<span>
					</span>section 17(k) of the Act,<span><span></span>
					</span>the Secretary failed to carry his burden to establish that<span>
					</span>there<span>
					</span>was substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result<span><span></span>
					</span>from the violative condition<span><span></span>
					</span>proven here.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>But that failure of proof is not relevant to the matter of whether employees were exposed to or had access to that violative condition. Some<span><span></span>
					</span>MPEs at the Center<span>
					</span>were<span>
					</span>undoubtedly<span><span></span>
					</span>exposed. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">C</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">f.</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Bunge Corp. v. Sec'y of Labor</span>, 638 F.2d 831,<span>
					</span>834<span><span></span>
					</span>(5th Cir. 1981)<span><span></span>
					</span>(observing that violation of a specification standard presumes a hazard and that whether<span><span></span>
					</span>the<span><span></span>
					</span>condition<span>
					</span>resulting from the violation of a specification standard<span>
					</span>was<span>
					</span>hazardous<span><span></span>
					</span>“is relevant only to whether the violation constitutes a ‘serious’ one”).</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">D</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">Employer Knowledge<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">Element</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The acting plant manager had<span>
					</span>actual knowledge of the violative<span>
					</span>condition because<span><span></span>
					</span>he ordered<span><span></span>
					</span>that it happen<span><span></span>
					</span>in the face of<span><span></span>
					</span>continuing<span><span></span>
					</span>protestations of MPEs that doing so violated<span>
					</span>USPS’s<span><span></span>
					</span>established energy control procedures. <span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Phoenix Roofing, Inc</span>., 17 BNA OSHC 1076, 1079-1080 (No. 90-2148, 1995) (an employer’s knowledge is directed to the physical condition that constitutes a violation)<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff’d,</span><span><span></span>
					</span>79 F.3d 1146 (5th Cir. 1996);<span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Am. Eng’g & Dev. Corp</span>., 23 BNA<span>
					</span>OSHC 2093, 2095 (No. 10-0359, 2012) (knowledge may be imputed to the employer through its supervisory employee);<span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Sanderson Farms, Inc. v. O</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">SHRC</span>, 964 F.3d 418, 428 (5th Cir. 2020) (“The Secretary need not prove that [the employer] understood that it was violating [the cited standard], but rather only awareness of the physical conditions constituting the violation.”)</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">E</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">.</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">“</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">Willful</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">”</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Classification.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">For a violation that is done “willfully,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ection 17(a) of the Act<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">allows<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a penalty<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">of up to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ten times the maximum penalty for a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">serious</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or an “other-than-serious” violation. 29 U.S.C. §</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">666(a); 29 C.F.R. § 190</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">3</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.15(d) (2017). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">A</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">violation is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">willful</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">where the cited</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">either</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(1)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">acted in “</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">conscious disregard</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">” for the requirements of the Act</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(2)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">acted with<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“plain indifference</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to employee safety</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. v. Sec'y of Labor</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 295 F.3d 1341, 1351 (D.C. Cir. 2002)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">observing</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“conscious disregard”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">and “plain indifference” are alternative</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>means of proving willfulness).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Whether a violation is “willful” presents a question of fact. </span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Bianchi Trison Corp. v. Chao</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 409 F.3d 196, 208 (3d Cir. 2005)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Dayton Tire v. Sec’y of Labor</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 671 F.3d 1249</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 1254</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(D.C. Cir. 2012)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(determining that the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Commission’s finding of willfulness<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">lacked “</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">substantial supporting evidence</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">”). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">T</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">he</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Commission<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">has<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">described the contours of a “willful” violation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">as follows:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:90px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">A violation is willful if committed with intentional,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">knowing</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or voluntary disregard for the requirements of the Act or with plain indifference to employee safety.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">It is not enough for the Secretary to show that an employer was aware of conduct or conditions constituting a violation; such evidence is necessary to establish any violation, serious or nonserious.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">A willful violation is differentiated by a heightened awareness—of the illegality of the conduct or conditions—and by a state of mind—conscious disregard or plain indifference.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">There must be evidence that an employer knew of an applicable standard or provision prohibiting the conduct or condition and consciously disregarded the standard.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Without such evidence of familiarity with the standard's terms, there must be evidence of such reckless disregard for employee safety or the requirements of the law generally that one can infer that if the employer had known of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">standard or provision, the employer would not have cared that the conduct or conditions violated it.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">It is therefore not enough for the Secretary simply to show carelessness or lack of diligence in discovering or eliminating a violation; nor is a willful charge justified if an employer has made a good faith effort to comply with a standard or eliminate a hazard, even though the employer's efforts are not entirely effective or complete.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Williams Ent</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">er</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">s</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">.</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Inc.</span><span style="font-family:Arial; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Arial; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>13<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1249</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1256-57</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">No. 85-355</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 1987)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(internal citations</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>omitted</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="color:#000000; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref10" href="#ftn10">9</a></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">"The hallmark of a willful violation is the employer's state of mind at the time of the violation."<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Kaspar Wire Works, Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">18 BNA OSHC 2178, 2181 (No. 90-2775, 2000),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff'd</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 268 F.3d 1123 (D.C. Cir. 2001).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> The S</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ecretary bears “burden of proof to show the requisite state of mind for willfulness</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Stanley Roofing Co.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 21 BNA OSHC 1462, 1466 (No. 03-0997, 2006</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Where the requisite state of mind is manifested through the actions of supervisory employees, it<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">is imputed to the employer to the same extent as would be a supervisor's knowledge of violative conditions.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">”<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Cont'l Roof Sys., Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 18<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1070</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1071</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">No. 95-1716</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 1997)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, citing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Tampa Shipyards</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 15 BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1533</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1539</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(No.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">86-360</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 19</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">92</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(consolidated)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">see also</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Dayton Tire</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 23 BNA OSHC 1247,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1266</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(No. 94–1374, 2010)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(imputing<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">plant safety manager’s state of mind<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to the employer),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">rev’d</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on other grounds,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>671 F.3d 1249 (D.C. Cir. 2012)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Donovan v. Williams Enters</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">.</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">, Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 744 F.2d 170, 180 (D.C. Cir. 1984)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(upholding willful citation where company pres</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ident was aware of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">standard and decided to forego compliance).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“An employer’s motive for failing to</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">comply with the Act’s requirements</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>...</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>need not be evil or malicious in order to find a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">violation willful.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Kaspar Wire Works, Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 18 BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>2181</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">For the reasons described below, the Secretary has failed to meet his burden to establish that the violation was “willful”<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">on grounds of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">either<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“conscious disregard” or “plain indifference</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; ">1.</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11.5pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; ">Conscious<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; ">D</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; ">isregard</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:11.5pt; font-style:italic; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">To<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">establish willfulness<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">because of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">conscious disregard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">sometimes</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">called</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“intentional disregard”),</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“the Secretary must show that the employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(1) had a heightened awareness of the applicable standard or provision prohibiting the conduct or condition and (2) consciously disregarded the standard.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Jim Boyd Constr., Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 26<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">BNA OSHC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1109</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1111</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(No.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#212121; font-family:Times New Roman; ">11-2559</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 2016)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">quoting<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Fluor Daniel v. OSHRC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 295 F.3d 1232, 1239-40 (11th Cir. 2002)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Put</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">differently</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the Secretary was required to prove that a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">n official or employee</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">whose state of mind<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">is imputable<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to USPS<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">was actually aware, at the time of the violative act, that the act was unlawful.”<span>
						</span></span><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_Emphasis style_Emphasis " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Propellex Corp.,</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">18 BNA OSHC 1677, 1684 (1999)</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, quoted with approval<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">in</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">AJP Constr., Inc. v. Sec’y of Labor</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 357 F.3d 70, 74 (D.C.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Cir.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">2004)</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The requisite state of mind must exist<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">with regard to the specific circumstances of the violation in issue.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Eric K. Ho</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 20<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">BNA OSHC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1361</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1378</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">No. 98-1645</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 2003)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(consolidated),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>401 F.3d 355 (5</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Cir. 2005),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">partially<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">overruled on other grounds by</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">E. Smalis Painting Co., Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 22<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">BNA OSHC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1553</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1580-81</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">No. 94-1979</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 2009)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">two<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">USPS<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">officials<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">whose states of mind bear on the issue of willfulness<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">are (1)<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Hotchkiss,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the acting plant manager, and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(2)<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Mr. Thompson, the author of MMO-037-15 who is based in Oklahoma<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">who</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">se expertise</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Mr. Hotchkiss<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">sought out</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Both<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss and Thompson<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">had actual knowledge<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">USPS had<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">established<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">energy control procedures</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for the APPS<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">USPS required<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">MPEs<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">u</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">se</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">those established procedures<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">in</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>repair</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">elt I-3-2.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">USPS’s requirement that MPEs<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">u</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">those<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">established procedures<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">conform</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to the requirement of the cited<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">standard, §</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1910.147(d)(2).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">While<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">both Hotchkiss and Thompson thus</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">possessed a heightened awareness<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">of the applicable standard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he evidence is insufficient to establish that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">either of them</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">whether<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">considered<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">individually<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">or<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">in a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">collective</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sense</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, consciously disregarded the cited standard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in connection with the repair</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">elt I-3-2</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">As for Thompson,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>even though he was based in Oklahoma and had no operational or supervisory responsibilities for the repair of Belt I-3-2, if the evidence<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">showed that</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">intended<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">assist<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">in<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">directing M</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">PEs to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">u</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">se</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>LOTO<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">procedure that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson knew w</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">as contrary to</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>USPS’s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>established procedures (i.e., in violation of §</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1910.147(d)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(2)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or that he intended to induce Hotchkiss to do so,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">such a state of mind would<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">evince<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">conscious disregard that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">could be imputed to USPS</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Cf.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Donovan v. Williams Enters</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">.</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">, Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 744 F.2d<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>180</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(upholding willful citation where company president was aware of the standard and decided to forego compliance).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">But t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he evidence fails to establish that Thompson</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>possessed such<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">knowledge or<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">intent.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson became<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">directly<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">involved in the repair of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">elt I-3-2 by<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">dint</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of Hotchkiss’s decision to seek him out<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">and</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>mine his knowledge and expertise about the APPS. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ompson’s only direct involvement in Hotchkiss’s decision<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to direct<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the repair be done by<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">locking out<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">IND</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">DCC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">3<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">while the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">APPS continue</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">d</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">run</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ir</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">single<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">telephone conversation</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">October<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">18</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 2016</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">K</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ey to assessing whether<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson acted in conscious disregard of the cited standard<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">involves determining (1) the question that Hotchkiss posed to Thompson, and (2) Thompson’s response to that question. For the reasons described below, the most reasonable inference from the evidence is that Hotchkiss asked Thompson whether locking out the IND-DCC-3 for the repair would be safe</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The weight of the evidence is insufficient to establish that Hotchkiss asked<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">whether doing so conformed to established LOTO procedures. Similarly, the most reasonable inference from the evidence is that Thompson told Hotchkiss that he believed it would be safe to lock out the IND-DCC-3 for the repair</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. More importantly, the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">weight of the evidence does not support a finding that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson consider</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>whether<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">locking out<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>IND</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">DCC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">3 for the repair</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>conformed to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">established LOTO procedures</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, or that Thompson had opined on that question in<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">speaking</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>with Hotchkiss</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> T</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he evidence relating to the precise content of th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>telephone conversation<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">is<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">detailed below</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">re is no</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of evidence of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">duration of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>telephone conversation</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">And t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he only<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">detailed<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">evidence of the content of that conversation<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">is provided by</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Thompson. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Although<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the email that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>sent to his staff</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>after the telephone conversation</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>strongly suggests<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">had told<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">him</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that locking out the IND-DCC-3 was consistent with<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">existing LOTO</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>procedures</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">see</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Findings of Fact ¶<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">60</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, neither Hotchkiss nor Thompson testified that Thompson<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">had<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">said</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>this in the telephone conversation. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss did not describe in his testimony precisely what<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">question he had posed to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, nor did he testify to</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>precisely what Thompson<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">said to h</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">im. Rather,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">testified simply that he contacted Thompson “for the purpose of making sure” that he “was doing the right<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">thing” (T. 426), and that based on Thompson’s response he believed he was “doing everything in accordance with regulations and safety and procedure that [he] needed to do.” (T. 425). In response to questions on cross-examination regarding whether Hotchkiss had described to Thompson the energy control procedures that managers were instructing MPEs to follow, Hotchkiss testified</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(in a tone<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that seemed to manifest some</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">misplaced<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">umbrage</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at having been asked</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">: “No. I<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">don't</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>have to describe anything to Mike Thompson. He already knows it all.” When asked essentially the same question a second time, he reiterated: “I don't need to describe anything to Mike. He already knows it all.” (T. 435).<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">essentially deferred completely to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson with respect to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">any matter relating to the A</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">PPS</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. Hotchkiss<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">believed<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(with<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ample<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">justification</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson “basically wrote every book there is to write on the APPS machine,” and so Hotchkiss</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>testified his approach to the APPS is that he</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>does not “do anything technical ... unless I get the advice of [Thompson].” (T. 424-25). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">In contrast to Hotchkiss’s testimony,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson provided some detail regarding the content of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">their<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">telephone conversation. Thompson testified that Hotchkiss simply asked him “if it was possible, if it was safe to lockout at the induct” (T. 446), and that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">before<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">answering he</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>asked Hotchkiss a series of questions about the way the repair would be conducted. (T. 446-48). Thompson’s written report indicates that Thompson<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">concluded t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">hat locking out at the IND</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">DCC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">3 would be permissible as a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">local</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>LOTO procedure. (</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Thompson Report, Ex. R-30 at 19, stating “I did not find issue with local policy allowing for this repair using the method described.”). There is nothing in Thompson’s written report that states that in the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ir</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>telephone conversation that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>told Hotchkiss that locking out the IND-DCC-3 conformed with the requirements of MMO</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">037</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">15 or other USPS</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">wide LOTO<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">procedure</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(Ex. R-30).<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Rather, in deposition testimony</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">with</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>which<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was effectively impeached at the hearing<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">and which is<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">more credible than his somewhat<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">contrary hearing testimony<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">[</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">see</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>footnote<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">6</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>supra</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">;</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">T</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. 504-05</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">] </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Thompson admitted that he advised Hotchkiss “from a technical point of view” and that he “did not make [the] determination” that locking out the IND-DCC-3 “would comply with the requirements in MMO</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">037</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">15.” (T. 505). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">T</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he whole of the evidence establishes that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson’s response to Hotchkiss’s inquiry was grounded in Thompson’s belief</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>tha</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>MMO</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">037</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">15 permitted<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the Center to</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>develop and</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">implement</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a local LOTO p</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">rocedure<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that would<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">allow</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for the lock out of the IND-DCC for the repair of an<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">i</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">nduction<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">l</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ane’s “inside” belts</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(belts 2, 3 or 4)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(See Findings of Fact ¶<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">58</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Attachment 4<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">provides<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">locking out the IND-</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">M</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">CC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for “conveyor repairs” and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“to facilitate belt, bearing or roller replacement” (all of which<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">was</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>done in connection with the repair of belt I-3-2)<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">i</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“recommended”</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and that locking out the IND-</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">D</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">CC<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">is<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">not<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">recommended.”</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="color:#000000; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref11" href="#ftn11">10</a></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> Thompson could have reasonably concluded that under the circumstances that Hotchkiss described to him, locking out at the IND-DCC-3 would not<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">violate the letter of MMO</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">037</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">15 because</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the MMO</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>did not prohibit<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">employing<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that means of energy control, but rather<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">stated only that doing so was “not<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">recommended</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.”</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="color:#000000; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref12" href="#ftn12">11</a></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>There is no evidence that Thompson was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">nearly as<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">familiar with<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the provisions of the voluminous maintenance manual, the MS</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">202,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>as he was with MMO</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">037</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">15, which he wrote. The MS-202</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">contain</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>step-by-step actions for certain<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">maintenance activities that had to have been performed as part of completing the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">repair of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">elt I-3-2</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. For some of those maintenance activities, the MS-202 instructed locking out the IND-MCC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">as well as<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">instruct</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ing</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">MPEs to</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>follow any<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">local LOTO procedures. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Assuming</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">was recalling the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“recommended/not recommended” language that he used in MMO-037-15</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>when he spoke to Hotchkiss</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, there is no evidence to support the finding that he<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">also<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">had a present awareness<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that provisions in<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">MS-202</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>instructed MPEs to lock out the IND-MCC for<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at least s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ome aspect</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">belt<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">repair. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The Center</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>could conceivably have developed a local LOTO policy</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">consistent with MMO-037-15 and MS-202<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that would have allowed for locking out the IND-DCC for this type of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">conveyor repair</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="color:#000000; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><a name="ftnref13" href="#ftn13">12</a></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">It is apparent from T</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">hompson</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s written report that he contemplat</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the Center<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">repairing belt I-3-2 under a such local procedure</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, which he believed would be a safe procedure</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">For these reasons, t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he evidence</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is insufficient<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">establish</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>manifested conscious<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">or intentional<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">disregard<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">of</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">requirements of §</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "> </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1910.147(d)(2)<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">when he<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">opined to Hotchkiss that the repair of Belt I-3-2 could be done safely by locking out the IND-DCC-3.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">As for Hotchkiss,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">either<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">accurately<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">understood what Thompson said</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to him</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that the repair could be done safe</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">l</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">y by locking out the IND-DCC-3</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">then<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">deliberately<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">mischaracterized<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to have said that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">USPS’s e</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">stablished LOTO procedures allowed for locking out<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the IND-DCC for the belt repair</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(2)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">recklessly misconstrued what Thompson said</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, or (3)<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">carelessly</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>misconstrued what Thompson</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">said</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The evidence is insufficient to establish that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">deliberately mischaracterized what<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson told him</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The evidence is also insufficient to establish that Hotchkiss<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">actually aware</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>at the time that he</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>ordered the repair be done by locking out the IND-DCC-3</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that USPS’s established<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">LOTO procedures<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">prescribed otherwise</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span class="style_DefaultParagraphFont style_DefaultParagraphFont style_Emphasis style_Emphasis " style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Propellex Corp.,</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">18 BNA OSHC<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1684 (</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">proving conscious disregard requires establishing</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">was actually aware, at the time of the violative act, that the act was unlawful”</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Times New Roman; ">).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">In view of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">indecisive</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>language used in Attachment 4 about locking out the IND</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">MCC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“recommended”</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">versus locking out the IND</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">DCC (</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“not recommended”</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">) for</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“conveyor repairs” and</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“belt, bearing, or roller replacement</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">” in the IND Subsystem</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, and considering<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">further that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">there is no evidence that Hotchkiss was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">actually<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">aware that some provisions of the voluminous MS-202<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">maintenance manual<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">identified<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the IND-MCC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to be locked out<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">for<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">certain</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">maintenance actions that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">were integral to the belt repair</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">whole of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">evidence fails to establish that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">in directing<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the IND</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">DCC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">3 be locked out</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for the repair of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">elt I-3-2</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">actually aware that established LOTO procedures did not permit<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">doing so</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. The evidence is thus insufficient to establish that Hotchkiss<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">consciously disregard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the requirements of the cited standard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">2. </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Plain<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">I</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">ndifference</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">A cited employer that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">is aware of the cited standard<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">but<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">has not been</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>shown to have<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">conscious</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ly</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>disregard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">it,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">may<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">nevertheless<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">be found to have<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">willfully violated<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>standard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">upon a showing that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the employer acted with plain indifference</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to employee safety or<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the requirements of the Act</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Dayton Tire</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 671 F.3d<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">12</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">56-57</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">assessing whether an<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">employer with a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">heightened awareness of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">cited LOTO standard</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was plainly indifferent to the requirements of the Act</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">). The D.C. Circuit has<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">remarked<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“it takes a lot to be plainly indifferent</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Id.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1256.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">As regards Thompson, the evidence is insufficient to establish<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">in his communications with Hotchkiss he was<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">plainly<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">indifferen</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the requirements of the Act</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or employee safety</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson’s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>role was that of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">consultant to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, and he<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">had no operational responsibility for the Center’s</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>maintenance operations<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">or</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">its<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">u</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">se</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of established LOTO procedures. The evidence establishes that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">in advising Hotchkiss</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, Thompson</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>believed<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">locking out the IND-DCC-3</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for the repair of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">b</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">elt I</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">3</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">2<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">would not expose MPEs to the risk of injury from hazardous energy and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">doing so</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>would<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">be a permissible local LOTO procedure</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(T.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">445-48;</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Ex. R-30 at 19</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, stating “</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">I did not find issue with local policy allowing for this repair using the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">method described</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">”)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">As discussed above, t</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">he evidence does not establish that he advised Hotchkiss<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that doing so was permitted under the established<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">USPS-wide</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">LOTO procedures</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(i.e., MMO-037-15 and MS-202)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the acting plant manager,<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">had operational responsibility<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">for<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the belt repair</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">assuring that MPEs<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">u</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">sed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">established LOTO procedures</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>for that repair</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">When MPEs raised safety concerns, Hotchkiss took the initiative to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">consult with the author of the APPS-specific LOTO procedure, who<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">expressed the view that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">locking out the IND-DCC-3 during the repair of Belt I</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">3</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">2 would not expose employees to the risk of injury from hazardous energy. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">seems to have heard what he wanted to hear from<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">H</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e did not<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">endeavor to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">make an independent judgment that locking out the IND-DCC-3 for the repair was permitted by established LOTO<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">procedures. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Rather, he seemed to assume simply that it was, since the author of the procedure had told him th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">at doing so was</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>safe. </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(See T. 434-35). </span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Had Hotchkiss exercised reasonable diligence, he ought to have comprehended that his directive to lock out the IND</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">DCC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">3 was contrary to the APPS-specific LOTO procedures, notwithstanding Thompson’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">conclusion<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that doing so<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">would be safe</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Cf. Dayton Tire</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 671 F.3d at<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1255-56<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(reversing Commission’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">finding<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">safety manager who had relied on<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">a</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>LOTO assessment<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">conducted by her p</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">redecessor</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>who</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">had not<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">conduct</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ed</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>her own</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>independent assessment</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>was “plainly indifferent” to the requirements of the Act).<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">While Hotchkiss<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">seems to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">have</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">erroneously<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">understood<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Thompson to have said</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">locking out the IND-DCC-3<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">for the repair of Belt I-3-2<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">would not contra</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">vene</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the established<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">APPS</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">specif</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ic<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">LOTO procedures, th</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">e circumstantial evidence is<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">insufficient to establish</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss was reckless in</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>arriving at that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">erroneous<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">understanding</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">. The evidence is thus</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>insufficient to<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">establish<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Hotchkiss</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">acted with</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>plain indifferen</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">ce</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>to the requirements of the Act</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or employee safety</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Williams Ent</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">ers.</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Inc.</span><span style="font-family:Arial; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-family:Arial; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>13<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">BNA OSHC at1256-57</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">(expressing the “plain indifference” ground in terms of “reckless disregard for employee safety”);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">see also</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Dukane Precast, Inc. v. Perez</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 785 F.3d 252, 256 (7th Cir. 2015)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(stating that a showing of “plain indifference”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">requires proof<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that the employer “</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">was reckless in the most commonly understood sense of the word</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">c</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">f.</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Dayton Tire</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 671 F.3d at 12</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">56</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">-57</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(noting that while<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">safety manager “could have done more” in response to employee concerns regarding LOTO, “</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">she did not do nothing</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and that while<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>safety manager’s review of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">her</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employer’s LOTO program done at the urging of a senior corporate safety official “</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">may not have been as thorough as the Commission would have liked, it did not display plain indifference</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">”).</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">F</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">“Serious”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">Classification</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The Secretary</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s complaint<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">alleged<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that in addition to the violation having been “willful,” it was also<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">serious.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> (Complaint ¶<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">6</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Section 17(k) of t</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">he Act provides that a violation is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">serious</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">if<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">there<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">s a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>from the violative condition</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">practice</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">29 U.S.C. § 666(k);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Consol. Freightways Corp</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">., 15 BNA OSHC 1317, 1324 (No. 86-351, 1991).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“This does not mean that the occurrence of an accident must be a substantially probable result of the violative condition but, rather, that a serious injury is the likely result if an accident does occur.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Oberdorfer Indus. Inc.,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>20 BNA OSHC 1321, 1330-31 (No. 97-0469, 2003) (consolidated) (citation omitted)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">see also<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Sec</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">’</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">y of Labor v. Trinity Ind</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">u</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">s.</span>, 504 F.3d 397, 401 (3d Cir. 2007).<span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">
					</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">In contesting the citation, USPS<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">put<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">considerable effort<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">into backing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">its<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">assertion that the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>MPEs who repaired<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">elt I-3-2 with the IND-DCC-3 locked out and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the APPS continuing to process mail were not a risk of being injured. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The undersigned agrees that the Secretary failed to carry his burden to establish<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a substantial probability that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">precise<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">LOTO violation</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">established here was likely to result in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">an</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>employee sustaining<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">serious physical harm</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in the event of an accident</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. While there is<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">reliable</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>evidence that MPEs<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">working on the belt repair while the APPS continued to operate would have been<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">exposed to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">struck</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">hazard from<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">mail items<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">that might<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">tumbl</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">o</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ver the guards of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">adjacent conveyors</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(about 66 inches above floor level)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, th</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">at</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>evidence</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">fails to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>establish</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that such a struck</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">by hazard was likely to result in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">death or<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">serious physical harm</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>such as a severe laceration</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(T. 475-76).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Lisbon Contractors, Inc.,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">5 BNA OSHC 174</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">1</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 1742 (No.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">11097</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>1977) (stating that bruises and contusions do not support a classification of “serious”)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Kaspar Electroplating Corp.</span>, 16 BNA OSHC 1517,<span>
					</span>1522<span><span></span>
					</span>(No. 90-2866, 1993)<span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(severe laceration constitutes serious physical harm)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">;</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">S. Hens, Inc. v. O</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">SHRC</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 930 F.3d 667, 682 (5th Cir. 2019)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“W</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">e</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>have construed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">‘</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">serious</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>injury to include broken bones, crushed toes, and chemical burns</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">”).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> Similarly, the evidence of exposure to adjacent moving conveyors and<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">exposure to<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">flying<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">machine<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">parts in the event of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">certain machine<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">failures was insufficiently weighty to establish the violation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">as serious, particularly in view of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">reasonably plausible<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">countervailing evidence presented by USPS. (E.g.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>T.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">470-80).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Since the violation has not been established to have been “serious” as defined in section 17(k) of the Act, it is deemed “</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">not to be of a serious nature</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">” (in the language of § 17(c) of the Act),<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">also<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">more<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">often described as</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>“other</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">than</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">serious”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">in the terminology</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>of the Secretary</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">A</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>violation is considered other</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">than</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">serious when “there is a direct and immediate relationship between the violative condition and occupational safety and health, but not of such relationship that a resultant injury or illness is death or serious physical harm.”<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Crescent Wharf and Warehouse Co.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 1 BNA OSHC 1219, 1222 (No. 1, 1973)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">G.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">Penalty</span><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Section 17(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">c</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">) of the Act provides that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">a “penalty may be assessed</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">” for an other-than-serious violation (in contrast to section 17(b), which provides that a penalty for a serious violation “shall be assessed”).<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>29 U.S.C. § 666(</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">b</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">–(c)</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">maximum<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">penalt</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">y for the other</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">than</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">-</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">serious violation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">established<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">here is $12,675. 29</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">C.F.R. § 1903.15(d)(4) (2017).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> The Commission and its judges conduct<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">de novo</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>penalty determinations and have full discretion to assess penalties based on the facts of each case and the applicable statutory criteria. </span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Valdak Corp</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">., 17 BNA OSHC 1135, 1138 (No. 93-0239, 1995)<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">aff’d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 73 F.3d 1466 (8th Cir. 1996);<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Allied Structural Steel</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 2 BNA OSHC 1457, 1458 (No. 1681, 1975). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Section 17(j) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 666(j), requires that in assessing penalties, the Commission give “due consideration” to four criteria: the size of the employer’s business, the gravity of the violation, the employer’s good faith, and its prior history of violations. </span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Specialists of the S.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Inc.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 14 BNA OSHC 1910 (No. 89-2241, 1990). Gravity is the primary consideration among these four statutory<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">criteria and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>is determined by “such matters as the number of employees<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">exposed, the duration of the exposure, the precautions taken against injury, and the likelihood that any injury would result.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">J.A. Jones Constr. Co.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">15 BNA OSHC 2201, 2214 (No. 87-2059, 1993). </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Even though this violation was not proven to have been “serious” within the meaning of section 17(k) of the Act,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">“other-than-serious” violation<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">established here<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">was</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>grave. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">There can be little doubt that</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>the Center’s management would have deferred to the MPEs judgment on what to lock out<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">if that judgment had<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">allowed for the APPS to continue to process mail<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">during the repair</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The assistant area director<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>OSHA’s Allentown, Pennsylvania, area office provided a lucid description of the safety<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">dangers inherent in an employer<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">overrid</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ing</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">its</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">established<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">LOTO<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">procedures</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">. (T. 387-90). His<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">stated<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">concerns echo comment</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">ary in the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">LOTO standard’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">preamble</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>wherein OSHA<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">describe</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">d</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>management</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">vital role</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">maintaining the integrity of a LOTO program by<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">promoting<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">adherence<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">to established procedures</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">:</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">OSHA believes that employee</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">understanding</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and utilization of a</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">standardized procedure are critical to</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the success of a lockout or tagout</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">program.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Without these elements and</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">commitment from management, the</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">effectiveness of the program can be</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">seriously compromised.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">Proper training</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">in the procedure, and explanation of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">how it works and why, are crucial to its</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">implementation by the employees.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; line-height:normal; text-align:center; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">* * * *</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:96px; margin-right:96px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">The development and documentation of energy control procedures is of little use unless the employer requires all authorized employees to utilize the procedures that have been provided whenever they are servicing or maintaining machines or equipment.</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">54</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Fed. Reg. at 36</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">653</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>and 36</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">667</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "> And in the context of describing successful tagout programs, the preamble noted the importance of both supervisor and employee discipline in maintaining the integrity of such a program: “[D]</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">iscipline</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>...</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>appears to be</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">the most critical to the success of these</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">programs; the companies with effective</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">tagout programs apply various types of</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">disciplinary action to both supervisors</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">and employees who violate the tagout</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">procedures.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">” 54 Fed. Reg. at<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">36</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; ">655. </span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The Center’s MPEs had been well<span>
					</span>trained<span><span></span>
					</span>to follow established LOTO procedures<span><span></span>
					</span>or<span>
					</span>risk<span><span></span>
					</span>discipline for failing to do so. Management’s<span><span></span>
					</span>override of those established procedures for the repair of<span>
					</span>belt I-3-2<span><span></span>
					</span>gave rise to<span>
					</span>legitimate<span>
					</span>concerns by MPEs that<span>
					</span>the procedure they were being required to use<span>
					</span>was unsafe.<span>
					</span><span><span></span>
					</span>Such violative<span>
					</span>conduct<span>
					</span>undermines<span><span></span>
					</span>employee reverence<span>
					</span>for<span>
					</span>and confidence<span>
					</span>in a LOTO program, to the serious detriment of<span>
					</span>the efficacy<span>
					</span>and<span>
					</span>integrity of<span><span></span>
					</span>this important<span><span></span>
					</span>program.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">In view of the size of<span>
					</span>USPS<span>
					</span>and the many complex machines that it operates and maintains throughout the country, the maximum penalty available for this<span><span></span>
					</span>grave<span><span></span>
					</span>other-than-serious violation is<span>
					</span>appropriate. Accordingly, a penalty of $12,675 is assessed.</p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:center; "><span style="font-weight:bold; font-family:Times New Roman; font-weight:bold; ">ORDER</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">The foregoing decision constitutes findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with<span>
					</span>Commission Rule 90(a)(1). 29 C.F.R. § 2200.90(a)(1). If any finding of fact is<span>
					</span>in actuality a<span><span></span>
					</span>conclusion<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>of<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>law<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>or<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>any<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>legal<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>conclusion<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>stated<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>is<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>in<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>actuality<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>a<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>finding<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>of<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>fact,<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>it<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>shall<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>be<span style="letter-spacing:-.009cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>deemed so, any label to the contrary notwithstanding. </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is ORDERED<span style="letter-spacing:-.005cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>that Citation 1,<span>
						</span></span>Item<span style="letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>1,<span style="letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>alleging<span style="letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>a<span style="letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>violation<span style="letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>of<span style="letter-spacing:-.014cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>29<span style="letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>C.F.R.<span style="letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>§<span style="letter-spacing:-.004cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>1910.147(d)(2) is AFFIRMED,<span><span></span>
					</span>is classified as an “other-than-serious” violation, and<span>
					</span>that a<span>
					</span>penalty of $12,675 is<span>
					</span>ASSESSED.</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:.2px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:258px; "><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">_</span><span style="font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">/s/<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline ;">________________</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:3.867px; margin-bottom:0px; text-align:center; margin-left:210.867px; margin-right:147.4px; ">WILLIAM S.<span style="letter-spacing:-.016cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>COLEMAN</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="text-align:center; margin-left:210.867px; margin-right:146px; ">Administrative Law<span style="letter-spacing:-.011cm; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span>Judge</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0cm; ">Dated:<span><span></span>
					</span>February 16, 2021</p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0cm; "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0cm; "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0cm; "> </p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_BodyText style_BodyText " style="margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0cm; "> </p>
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			<hr/>"
      <div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn-1" href="#ftnref-1"></a> </p>
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			<div>
				<p>
					<a name="ftn0" href="#ftnref0"></a> </p>
			</div>
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				<p>
					<a name="ftn1" href="#ftnref1"></a> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:8px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn2" href="#ftnref2"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">1 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">The following glossary of certain acronyms used in this decision is provided for reference:</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; margin-left:60px; text-indent:.159cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">•</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">IND-MCC: Main Control Cabinet<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">for<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Induct</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">ion Subsystem<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; margin-left:60px; text-indent:.159cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">• IND-DCC</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">-3</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">: Distributed Control Cabine</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">t for</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">nduct</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">ion</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">lane no. 3<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; margin-left:60px; text-indent:.159cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">•</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Belt I-3-2: Belt no. 2 of induction lane no. 3</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; margin-left:60px; text-indent:.159cm; "><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">•</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>MPE: Mail Processing Equipment mechanic<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn3" href="#ftnref3"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">2 </span></a><span><span></span>
					</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">The diagram below (Ex. R-30 at 8) reflects a bird’s</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">eye view of the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">i</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; ">nduction area and its spatial relation to the shoe sorter (which is part of the FSD Subsystem) and the sorter train (which is part of the Sorter Subsystem). The large arrows superimposed on the shoe sorter and the sorter train indicate the direction that mail items flow. </span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:1.27cm; "> </p>
			</div>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_ListParagraph style_ListParagraph " style="line-height:2; text-align:justify; margin-left:0cm; "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText "> </p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn4" href="#ftnref4"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">3 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The “sic” connotes the final sentence being a sentence fragment. It may be that the final two sentences of this paragraph were intended to be written as a single sentence, with a colon instead of a period at the end of the first sentence, in the following manner: “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">It is recommended that the Main Control Cabinet (MCC) enclosures be used as isolation points for conveyor repairs</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">: the</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Induct Main Control Cabinet (IND-MCC-X) for Induction repairs and the Feed, Singulation & Distribution Main Control Cabinet (FSD-MCC-X) for FSD repairs for each side of the APPS.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">
					</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Thompson testimony at T. 513-14).</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn5" href="#ftnref5"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">4 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">References in this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Discussion section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">to a component being “locked out” presupposes<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">that<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">the component had been de-energized and isolated from the energy source before being locked out. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">§ 1910.147(d)(2)–(4).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn6" href="#ftnref6"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">5 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">USPS’s argument<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">that no MPEs were endangered<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">raises the issues of (1) whether any of the MPEs repairing<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">b</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">elt I-3-2 had access or were exposed to the alleged violative condition, and (2) whether any MPEs were exposed to the risk of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">serious</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>injury because of their access or exposure to the alleged violative condition. These matters are<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">addressed<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">infra</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in connection with discussion of the third element of the Secretary’s burden of proof and in connection with whether the violation was “serious”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">as defined in</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>section<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">17</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">k</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">) of the Act</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">. 29 U.S.C. § 666(k).</span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn7" href="#ftnref7"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">6 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Thompson provided this testimony in a discovery deposition, with which he was effectively impeached at the hearing. (T. 505). That deposition testimony bears greater indicia of reliability and is accorded greater weight than that portion of his hearing testimony that was somewhat contrary (e.g., T. 504) to his deposition testimony on this point. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Cf.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Fed. R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(A) (providing that a declarant’s prior inconsistent statement given under penalty of perjury in a deposition is not hearsay), and Fed. R. Evid. 801(d)(2) (providing that opposing party’s statement offered against that party is not hearsay).</span></p>
			</div>
			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn8" href="#ftnref8"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">7 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Mr. Pfanders gave that testimony in a discovery deposition, with which he was effectively impeached at the hearing. Like the deposition testimony of Mr. Thompson addressed in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">the preceding<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">footnote, this deposition testimony bears greater indicia of reliability and is accorded greater weight than other of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">his</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>hearing testimony that was somewhat contrary (e.g., T. 562) to the deposition testimony presented. </span></p>
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			<div>
				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn9" href="#ftnref9"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">8 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>The acting plant manager ultimately allowed MPEs who believed the procedure was unsafe to opt out of participating in the repair. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">C</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">f.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Armstrong Steel Erectors, Inc.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">, 18 BNA OSHC 1630, 1633, n.4 (No. 97-0250, 1999) (stating that “[r]esponsibility under the Act for ensuring that employees do not put themselves into any unsafe position rests ultimately upon each employer, not the employees, and employers may not shift their responsibility onto their employees”</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">).</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span></p>
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					<a name="ftn10" href="#ftnref10"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; ">9 </span></a><span style="position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">The Third Circuit and the D.C. Circuit are the two courts of appeals to which review of a final order of the Commission may be sought in this matter pursuant to section 11 of the Act. 29 U.S.C. § 660. Both of those courts have described a “willful” violation using articulations that are slightly different from the Commission’s, but neither court has indicated that its respective articulation differs substantively from the Commission’s. For example, in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Williams Enter</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">prises</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>quoted above, the Commission expresses the “plain indifference” ground in terms of “indifference to employee safety” and also as “reckless disregard for employee safety</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>or the requirements of the law generally</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.” 13 BNA OSHC at 1256-57. In contrast, the D.C. Circuit has expressed the “plain indifference” ground in terms of “indifference to the Act’s requirements.” </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Dayton Tire v. Sec’y of Labor</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 671 F.3d 1249</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 1254</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(D.C. Cir. 2012)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(describing a willful violation to be<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">“an act done voluntarily with either an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the Act’s requirements</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">”). Even so, the D.C. Circuit in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Dayton Tire</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>did not express any disagreement with the Commission’s “plain indifference to employee safety” formulation, which the Commission had recited in its underlying decision in that matter. </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Dayton Tire</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 23 BNA OSHC 1247, 1266</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>(No. 94–1374, 2010)</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">rev’d</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>on other grounds,</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>671 F.3d 1249 (D.C. Cir. 2012). Similarly, the Third Circuit has stated that its formulation of the standard for a “willful” violation does not differ substantively from that of the D.C. Circuit or other federal courts of appeals. </span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">See</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Babcock & Wilcox Co. v. OSHRC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 622 F.2d 1160, 1167 (3d Cir. 1980) (agreeing with D</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">C</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Circuit</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">’s decision in<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">Cedar Constr</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; ">.</span><span style="font-style:italic; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-style:italic; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Co. v. OSHRC</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 587 F.2d 1303</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">, 1305</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">[</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">D.C.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Cir.</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">1978</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">]<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">that there is “little if any difference” between<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">the Third Circuit’s approach to willfulness and the approaches of<span>
						</span></span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">other courts</span><span style="color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; ">). </span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn11" href="#ftnref11"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">10 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">In his testimony,<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Thompson<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">described his reasons for using<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">this<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">“recommended/not recommended”<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">language<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">in Attachment 4. (T. 507-13). The reasons he gave are</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>not at all self-evident<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">from the text of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">MMO</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">037</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">15</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">. Rather, his testimony indicates his implicit recognition that the objective meaning of this language in Attachment 4 did not reflect his subjective intent when he wrote it. In other words, Thompson did not mean for Attachment 4 to say what it actually says. Thompson testified that he originally utilized that “recommended/not recommended” language in drafting Attachment 2, which relates to the FSD Subsystem, and that for the sake of consistent language he reprised that same language in Attachment 4. He testified that he did not intend that language to apply to the repair of the “inside” induction lane conveyor belts (belts 2, 3 and 4), but that intent simply is not<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">apparent</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in the actual language he used in Attachment 4. (</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">T.<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">511-12;</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>Ex. R-</span><span style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">30 at 34-36).</span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn12" href="#ftnref12"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">11 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">Section 1910.147(c)(4)(ii) of the LOTO standard requires that LOTO procedures “</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">clearly and specifically</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>outline the scope, purpose,</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">authorization, rules, and techniques to</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">be utilized for the control of hazardous</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">energy</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">.” (emphasis added). The indecisive “recommended/not recommended” language employed in Attachment 4 of MMO-037-15 seems neither particularly “clear” nor “specific,” and that language seems to have been a substantial factor in the chain of events leading to the violation here. However, the Secretary did not cite USPS for violating § 1910.147(c)(4)(ii), and USPS’s conformance to the requirements of that provision of the LOTO standard (which certainly is a performance-oriented provision) is not adjudicated herein.<span>
						</span></span></p>
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				<p class="style_Normal style_Normal style_FootnoteText style_FootnoteText " style="margin-top:4px; margin-bottom:0px; line-height:normal; text-align:justify; text-indent:1.27cm; ">
					<a name="ftn13" href="#ftnref13"><span class="style_FootnoteReference style_FootnoteReference " style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">12 </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; position:relative;font-size:0.58em; bottom: 1ex;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">If the Center’s management had endeavored to develop and implement a local LOTO procedure that permitted locking out an IND-DCC for the repair of an induction lane’s “inside” belt, it should be noted that this decision does not find that any such local p</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">rocedure</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>would necessarily have conformed to the requirements of the LOTO standard. This decision simply recognizes that it was at least plausible on this record that such a local LOTO procedure might have been appropriately developed and implemented, and that if this had been done before the repair of belt I-3-2, the violation here of USPS not u</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">sing</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>its established LOTO procedures in the repair would not have been proven. </span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; font-style:italic; ">Cf.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>387-90<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">(</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">testimony of the OSHA assistant area director<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">that was critical of<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">USPS</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">’s failure<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">to formally develop, implement, and train employees on the LOTO procedure<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">the<span>
						</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">MPEs were directed to use</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; "><span><span></span>
						</span>in the belt repair</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">)</span><span style="font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; font-size:10pt; font-size:12pt; ">.</span></p>
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