Federal Reports

The TLH Lake Jackson Station is in the Gulf Atlantic District of the Southern Area. OIG data analysis identified this unit had a 159 percent increase in account identifier code 594 Vehicle Fuel and Oil Expense Paid Locally between fiscal year (FY) 2019, Quarter (Q) 4, and FY 2020, Q1, from $1,470 to $3,811, respectively. In addition, $5,281 represented 39 percent of overall expenses paid in the Gulf Atlantic District for the same timeframe. Furthermore, there were no payments made in FY 2018, Q4, or FY 2019, Q1 (same period last year). Our objective was to determine whether local payments for fuel and oil issued at the TLH Lake Jackson Station were valid, processed timely, and properly supported.

This report presents the results of our self-initiated audit of facility conditions at the Belmar (owned), Normandy Beach (leased), and Spring Lake (leased) post offices in the South Jersey District. The Postal Service is required to maintain a safe and healthy environment for both employees and customers in accordance with its internal policies and procedures1 and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety laws. Our objective was to determine if Postal Service management is adhering to building maintenance, safety and security standards, and employee working condition requirements at post offices.

Working in industrial environments is inherently dangerous and steps must be taken to ensure the safety of personnel performing work on energized equipment. The Tennessee Valley Authority’s clearance procedures establish standardized clearance requirements to ensure equipment is isolated from its energy source and rendered nonoperative before performing work on machines or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up, or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury or property damage. Due to the importance of the clearance procedure in preventing injury and/or property damage while equipment is being serviced, we performed an evaluation of the nuclear clearance process. We determined the clearance procedure was being performed for work requiring clearances to safely control hazardous energy and training was completed as required. However, we determined (1) some clearances were not issued in accordance with all procedural requirements, and (2) audits performed were not in compliance with the clearance procedure. We also identified an opportunity for improvement related to the alignment of clearance procedures.

Working in industrial environments is inherently dangerous and steps must be taken to ensure the safety of personnel performing work on energized equipment. The Tennessee Valley Authority’s clearance procedures establish standardized clearance requirements to ensure equipment is isolated from its energy source and rendered nonoperative before performing work on machines or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up, or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury or property damage. Due to the importance of the clearance procedure in preventing injury and/or property damage while equipment is being serviced, we performed an evaluation of the nuclear clearance process. We determined the clearance procedure was being performed for work requiring clearances to safely control hazardous energy and training was completed as required. However, we determined (1) some clearances were not issued in accordance with all procedural requirements, and (2) audits performed were not in compliance with the clearance procedure. We also identified an opportunity for improvement related to the alignment of clearance procedures.