OSHA Inspection: PETER PAUL DIVISION OF HERSHEY CHOCOLATE USA

Issued

Feb 3, 1992

Abate by

Jul 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of 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
repetive hand, wrist,  arm and shoulder motions, constant truck flexion
and standing for prolonged periods of time resulting in stresses which
were likely to cause Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDS):
A.  Line 2:  FMC/Machine operators performing tasks of traying,
straightening and packaging were exposed to flexion, shoulder abduction,
wrist flexion, wrist extention, wrist radial deviation, wrist Ulnar
deviation, forearm pronation, lack of lumber support static posture,
twisting and slight flexion resulting in tedonitis, Bursitis, Carpel
Tunnel Syndrome, rotatus cuff,  thoracic outlet syndrome, Epicondilytis
and backstrain.  Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable
abatement methods to correct these hazards are:
1.  PACKAGING
A.  Reduce overhead reaching of boxes by, providing a spring device to
allow boxes to be stacked in such a manner that they do not exceed mid
torso height or reposition the conveyor of boxes so that they are within
easy reach of the operator.
B.  In order to reduce motions with the arm, head and wrist,  provide an
automatic counting device, provide a stop or incline the box rest so
that the employee does not have to stop the candy bars as they forward
and/or provide a device to push the desired number of candy bars from
the conveyor to the box.
C.  Reduce back strain caused by prolonged standing or sitting by
providing a sit/stand work station which would allow the operator to
alternate positions.  Chairs should be well suited for the location and
work placed with respect to the employee to avoid twisting or bending.
2.  TRAYING AND STRAIGHTENING
A.  In order to reduce arm hand and wrist motion, employees might be
encouraged to work at a more even rate.
B.  Reduce back strain caused by constant truck flexion by positioning
the product closer to the employee.
C.  Reduce epicondilytis and/or tendonitis to the elbows by positioning
the product closer to the employee.
D.  Reduce back strain caused by prolonged standing or sitting by
providing a sit/stand station or by providing foot stools to allow the
employee to shift their weight.
B.  Kine 5:  Doboy operators performing the tasks of traying and
packaging
were exposed to excessive repetitive motions and static posture
resulting in wrist pain, shoulder pain, Tendinitis and Carpel Tunnell
Syndrome.
1.  Traying
A.  Reduce back strain caused by prolonged standing or sitting by
providing a sit/stand station or by providing foot stools to allow the
employee to shift their weight.
B.  Reduce back strain caused by trunk flexion by positioning the
product close to the employee.
2.  PACKAGING
A.  Reduce reaching for boxes by moving the conveyor to "waist reach" of
employee.
B.  Reduce static posture by providing a sit/stand station allowing the
employees to change their position.  Chair should be well suited for the
location to avoid twisting, bending or compression of the legs.
C.  Reduce repetitive motion of the hand and wrist by positioning the
product with respect to the employee to avoid radial nd Ulnar deviation.
ABATEMENT SCHEDULE
Step 1
Submit to the 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 the culmative
trauma disorders referenced in this citation.  The plan shall include:
At a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be
consistent with the abatement dates required by this citation.
a.  Evaluation of the extent and location of the hazard source.
b.  Evaluation of control measures options
c.  Selection of optimum control measures(s)
d.  Determination of control measure design
e.  Ordering and delivery of any equipment and materials
f.  Installation of control measures
g.  Training of employees
1.  Job(s) were the potential for repetitive motion injuries exist.
2.  Ergonomic method(s) of holding and handling materials and
performing required work
3.  Proper operation and maintenance of newly implemented control
measures
h.  Assurance of effective performance of control measures
All proposed control measures shall be evaluated by a technically
qualified person.  Progress report(s) are required during the abatement
period.  The abatement time is March 8, 1991.
c.  HOt glue gun area:  Conveyor belt

Issued

Feb 3, 1992

Abate by

Apr 1, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Feb 3, 1992

Abate by

Mar 15, 1992

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Feb 3, 1992

Abate by

Mar 18, 1992

Issued

Feb 3, 1992

Abate by

Feb 10, 1992