OSHA Cites Postal Service in Missouri Carrier’s Death

Federal regulators have proposed a $70,000 fine against the U.S. Postal Service in the death of a mail carrier who had complained about feeling ill from the heat.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the fine Monday in the July 24 death of 57-year-old John Watzlawick of Blue Springs. He collapsed on his route in Independence a day after he had asked to be relieved because of the heat.

The high temperature July 24 was 104 degrees.

The Kansas City Star reports the Jackson County medical examiner found that Watzlawick had a body temperature of 108 degrees when he was taken to the emergency room. A heart attack was ruled a secondary cause of death.

A regional spokesman for The Postal Service said it will contest the citation.