Dallas, Texas – The United States Postal Service (USPS) is confronting a significant penalty following the heat-related death of a mail carrier in Dallas during the summer. A fine of $15,625 has been imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in response to this tragic incident.
The OSHA citation specifically points to USPS’s failure to safeguard its workers on June 20, the day when 66-year-old Eugene Gates Junior tragically lost his life. On that day, the National Weather Service had issued an excessive heat warning, with the heat index soaring between 96 and 113 degrees. This extreme weather condition posed severe risks to individuals working outdoors.
According to OSHA, the USPS did not take adequate measures to prevent the dangers associated with such intense heat. The citation highlights the potential development of serious heat-related illnesses under such conditions, including heat cramps, heat stress, heat exhaustion, and even death.
An autopsy later confirmed that Eugene Gates Junior’s death was due to heat and heart disease. This revelation underscores the serious risks that extreme temperatures can pose, particularly to individuals with underlying health conditions.
