What is OSHAs current enforcement policy on chocking trailers with spring loaded brakes at USPS facilities?
Reply: For the purposes of this response we will assume that the vehicles which are the concern of your letter are those owned by the USPS. Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has regulations dealing with parking brakes on commercial motor vehicles for private-sector carriers, these regulation do not apply to the Federal Government, which includes the USPS (49 USC ยง 31132 (2)(B) and (3)(B)). Therefore, the OSHA standards mentioned above apply to USPS vehicles. However, in light of the changes in technology since the promulgation of 29 CFR 1910.178(k)(1) and (m)(7), OSHA as a matter of policy will regard failure to use wheel chocks or blocks as a de minimis violation and no citation will be issued if alternative methods of preventing truck movement are used. These alternatives may include the use of dock lock mechanisms, dock monitoring systems, or other systems which will prevent the unintentional movement of trucks and trailers while being boarded with pow
