OSHA Inspection: ISRATEX, INC.

Issued

Apr 21, 1993

Abate by

May 24, 1993

Penalty

Initial $35,000 · Current $7,000 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 Cumulative Trauma Disorder:
a.   The employer did not furnish employment and a place of
employment which were free from recongnized hazards that were
causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees
on or about December 15, 1992, in that:
Isratex, Inc. Rainelle, WV, Manufacturing Military
UniformsPlant
employees engaged in repetitive motion operations,
(sewing machine operations), were subjected to excessive
muscular stress to the back, shoulders, arms, wrist, hands
and leg, which resulted in an Occupational disease,
repetitive
motion trauma.  A program addressing bio engineering and
ergonomic aspects of each operation imposing  undue muscular
stress on employees had not been implemented in order to
limit employee exposure to this hazard and the resultant
deliberating effects of carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis,
numbness and tingling of the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders
and back disorders.  Factors contributing to this situation
included but were not limited to: work method, design layout
and machine specifications which did not incorporate
ergonomic considerations. Among other methods, one feasible
and acceptable abatement method and correct hazards is:
1.   Submit to the OSHA Area Director a written detailed plan
of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation
of engineering and/or administrative measures to control
employee exposure to hazardous conditions as referred in
this Citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum
target dates for the following actions which should be
consistent with the dates required by this Citation.
a.   Evaluation of the extent and location of the
hazard source.
b.   Evaluation of control measure options.
c.   Selection of optimism control measures.
d.   Determination of control measure design.
e.   Ordering and delivery of equipment and materials.
f.   Installation of control measure.
g.   Training of employees in the proper operation
and maintenance of the newly implemented control
measures.
h.   Assurance of effective performance of control
measures.
All purposed control measures shall be approved for each
particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or
engineer or other technically qualified person.  Ninety
(90) day progess reports are required during the
abatement
period.
Correction shall be completed by the implementation of
feasible engineering and/or administrative controls and
their effectiveness at achieving compliance verified.
b.   Old Building or Building #1 - lst Floor, South -
Employee
repeatedly performs task sittting in unadjustable or
poorly adjustable chairs which requires awkward back,
neck, wrist and arm postures: was exposed to ergonomic
stresses likely to result in cumulative trauma
disorders,
on or about December 15, 1992.
c.   Old Building or Building #1, lst Floor, South Center
Employee repeatedly performs tasks sitting in
unadjustable
or poorly adjustable chairs which requires awkward
back, neck, wrist and arm postures: was exposed to
ergonomic stresses likely to result in cumulative trauma
disorders, on or about December 15, 1992.
d.   Old Building or Building #1 - Front Center lst Floor
Employee repeatedly performs tasks sitting in
unadjustable
or poorly adjustable chairs which requires awkward
back, neck, wrist and arm postures: was exposed to
ergonomic stresses likely to result in cumulative trauma
disorders, on or about December 15, 1992.
e.   Old Building or Building #1 - Front Center - 1st Floor
Employee repeatedly performs tasks sitting in
unadjustable
or poorly adjustable chairs which requires awkward
back, neck, wrist and arm postures: was exposed to
ergonomic stresses likely to result in cumulative trauma
disorders, on or about December 16, 1992.
f.   New Building or Building #1 - Southwest of Building
Second Floor Charcoal -Employee repeatedly performs
tasks sitting in unadjustable or poorly adjustable
chairs which requires awkward back, neck, wrist and arm
postures: was exposed to ergonomic stresses likely to
result in cumulative trauma disorders, on or about
December 16, 1992.
g.   Building #1 or Old Building - Southwest of Building
Employee repeatedly performs tasks sitting in
unadjustable
or poorly adjustable chairs which requires awkward
back, neck, wrist and arm postures: was exposed to
ergonomic stresses likely to result in cumulative trauma
disorders, on or about December 16, 1992.
h.   New Building or Building #2 - Westend of Building
Employee repeatedly performs tasks sitting in
unadjustable
or poorly adjustable chairs which requires awkward
back, neck, wrist and arm postures: was exposed to
ergonomic stresses likely to result in cumulative trauma
disorders, on or about December 17, 1992.
i.   New Building or Building #2 - East of Front Entrance
Employee repeatedly performs tasks of manual clipping
of thread from uniforms which require various arm and
wrist postures (wrist flexion, extension and rotation)
while standing on concrete floor:  were exposed to
ergonomics stresses which are likely to result in
cumulative trauma disorders, on or about December 17,
1992.
j.   New Building or Building #2 - East of Front Entrance
Employee repeatedly performs tasks of manual clipping
of thread drom uniforms which require various arm and
wrist postures (wrist flexion, extension and rotation)
while standing on concrete floor:  were exposed totrauma
ergonomic stresses which are likely to result in
cumulative trauma disorders, on or about December 17,
1992.

Issued

Apr 21, 1993

Abate by

May 4, 1993

Penalty

Initial $35,000 · Current $2,100 Reduced

Issued

Mar 26, 1993

Abate by

Apr 8, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $900 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:
a.   Amputation as a result of inadvertent tripping and
cycling of machine - 1st floor, NW corner of building
- Fastener snap press mfg. by Scoville Mfg. Company
Clarksville, GA model 7057 Rd. Ser # 27847 was not
provide guard for foot treadle.  A feasible and
useful means of correction would be to place a
guard over the foot treadle, on or about
December 16, 1992.

Issued

Mar 26, 1993

Abate by

Apr 8, 1993

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 Reduced

Issued

Mar 26, 1993

Abate by

Apr 8, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,400 Reduced

Issued

Mar 26, 1993

Abate by

Apr 8, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

Issued

Mar 26, 1993

Abate by

Apr 8, 1993

Issued

Mar 26, 1993

Abate by

Apr 8, 1993

Issued

Mar 26, 1993

Abate by

Apr 3, 1993

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $500 Reduced