OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN CANVAS CO., INC.

Issued

1992-06-19 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-09-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1000.00 · Current $500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were
exposed to radiofrequency (RF) radiation in excess of the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) limits (reference ANSI Standard
C95.1-1982):
Employees engaged in heatsealing of vinyl awnings were
exposed to RF Radiation in excess of the ANSI limits of 4938
volts squared per meter squared (V2/M2), electric field
strength, and/or 0.031 amperes squared per meter squared
(A2/M2), magnetic field strength, for frequencies of approx-
imately 2 > megaberty (MH2).
Fourteen electric field measurements and fourteen magnetic
field measurements were taken at various operator body
locations for the Thermatron heatsealer (model F10-55,
serial No. 3645-86).  Overexposures wee determined by
comparing the average of the fourteen electric field and/or
magnetic field measurements to the ANSI limits.
(a)  On 5/1/92, the right side operator was exposed to a
free electric field strength of 14185 (V2/M2) and free
magnetic field strength of 0.038 (A2/M2) which is 2.9 and
1.2 times the ANSI limit.
Overexposure to RF radiation can result in adverse thermal
effects such as heat stress, cataracts, and functional
disturbances in the pituitary - gonadal system.  Adverse
non-thermal effects include changes in the electrical
activity of the brain, altered conditioned reflex behavior,
changes in the chemical composition of the blood, and
changes in the endocrine and immunologic systems.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct this hazard is to develop and implement
a comprehensive RF radiation management program which will
reduce employee exposure to RF radiation below ANSI C95.1-
1992 limits.  The program should include the following
elements:
1.  Ensure that grounded shielding is installed on all
radiating elements of the heatsealer including the work
application fixtures (power transmission electrodes) and
the RF power generating console.
2.  Maintain the maximum, practical distance between the
employees and the source of the RF emission.
3.  Institute a periodic inspection and maintenance program
to keep the heatsealer operating within the manufacturer's
specifications and maintain the integrity of the shielding
devices to minimize stray RF emissions.
4.  Have heatsealer operators stand on non-conductive
platforms or mats to eliminate their contact with the ground
plan to reduce their absorption of RF energy.
5.  Periodically monitor and map the RF emissions so that
shielding may be optimized and "hot spots" may be ident-
ified.
6.  Train the employees regarding the characteristics and
hazards associated with RF radiation and the steps that they
may take to minimize their exposures.
ABATEMENT NORMALLY WILL BE MULTISTEP AS FOLLOWS:
STEP 1 - Within 30 days institute abatement methods #2 (maximum pract-
ical distance), #3 (inspection/maintenance), #4 (non conduc-
tive platforms/mats), and #6 (employee training).  Also,
within 30 days, submit to the Area Director a detailed,
written plan which covers all abatement elements.
STEP 2 - Within 60 days, institute abatement methods #1 (grounded
shielding), and #5 (monitoring/mapping).
STEP 3 - Abatement shall have been completed by the Implementation of
Feasible Engineering and/or Administrative Controls Upon
Verification of Their Effectiveness in Achieving Compliance.