OSHA Inspection: SCOTT'S LIQUID GOLD, INC.

Issued

Mar 19, 1991

Abate by

May 19, 1992

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $100 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 tasks involving identified ergonomic risk factors indluding,
but not limited to, repetitive motions, high force and awkward postures
resulting in stressors that had caused, were causing, or were likely to
cause cumulative trauma disorders:
(a) Scotts liquid gold chemical: Machine operators doing
hard opening of display cartons, insertion of scent can-
isters and holders and closing of cartons.
(b) Scotts liquid gold chemical: Machine operators doing
bulking on the TOS line.
(c) Scotts liquid gold plastics: Machine operators and
lead men doing repetitive lifting of buckets of pigments,
boxes of plastic products such as and not limited to AQF
filters, Dispenser II, Dispenser III and Saturn caps while
loading pallets, Gatlords and pigment dispensers.
Among other methods, one feasible and accpetable abatement
method to correct this hazard is the implementation of an
ergonomics management program consisting of the following
four elements:
1. Worksite Aanalysis to recognize and identify existing
ergonomic risk factors in the workplace. This analysis
should include development and use of an ergonomic checklist
and employee questionaire. Periodic surveys of the work-
place shall be conducted at least annually to evaluate work
practices and engineering controls. Employees participation
in the ergonomic program should be encouraged through a
mechanism such as a safety committee.
2. Medical Management which includes accurate recordkeeping
of cumulative trauma disorders. The program should address
early recognition, evaluation, and referral of cumulative
trauma disorder cases and should include conservative
treatment and conservative return to work. Systematic
worksite review by the medical team should also be included
in the program.
3. Training and Education for exposed employees, including
methods to evaluate the effectiveness for the training. Re
training should be done annually or as operations change.
Training should address hazards associated with the job,
the risks of developing cumulative trauma disorders, symp-
toms of exposure, and how to prevent the occurrence of
cumulative trauma disorders. A supervisors training program
should also be implemented to allow recognition of the signs
of cumulative trauma disorders and the reinforce the emplo-
yer's ergonomics program.
4. Hazard Prevention and Control which includes engineering,
work practice, and administrative controls, and personal
protective equipment where relevant.
(a) Administrative controls are implemented which reduce
the duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to erg-
onomic stress. These controls may include job rotation,
reduction of repetitions, and preventive maintenance of
related equipment. Personal protective equipment shall be
evaluated to determine relief of ergonomic stress.
(b) Work practice controls are implemented which include
proper work techniques, new employee conditioning, and
monitoring and modifications as necessary to minimize
ergonomic stressors.
Examples of work practice controls applicable to this
workplace include:
(i) Continued use of job rotation with research into
other possible variations that might be more effective
such as individual variations in the rotation for
injury susceptible individuals.
(ii) Adjust the line speed during the one hour rota-
tion periods to allow recovery periods. For example,
a slower speed every 12 minutes, with a three minute
recovery period.
(c) Engineering controls are designed by a qualified
ergonomist and may include workstation redesign, tool and
handle redesign, and use of mechanical lifts. The goal
of this program should be to make the job fit the person.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this work-
place include:
(i) Glove to relieve the pressure concentrated on
the median nerve near the heel of the hand.
(ii) Adjustable stands to allow individual adjustment
to the height of workstations along the conveyor
system.
(iii) A confining device to limit the number of cans
moved in the bulking operation.
(iv) Installation of a mechanical sbs box opener.
(v) Install a mechanical means for filling the pigment
hopper.
(vi) Fill plastic containing boxes on a lift cart which can
be raised to the level of the pallet being loaded so lifting
involved with be limited to the minimum amount.
STEP 1: Implementation of an ergonomics program for worksite analysis,
medical management, and training and education, as detailed in
items 1-3 above.
STEP 2: Submit to the area director a written, detailed plan of
abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of the
administrative, work practice, and engineering controls as
detailed in items 4(a) - 4(c).
All proposed control measures shall be approved for each
particular use by a person trained in the evaluation of
workplace conditions which cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Sixty (60) day progress reports are required during the
abatement period consistent with the dates required by this
citation.
STEP 3: Abatement shall have been completed by implementation of
feasible engineering or administrative controls, as described
in items 4(a) - 4(c).

Issued

Mar 19, 1991

Abate by

Apr 30, 1991

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Mar 19, 1991

Abate by

Apr 30, 1991

Issued

Mar 19, 1991

Abate by

Mar 22, 1991

Issued

Mar 19, 1991

Abate by

Apr 2, 1991

Issued

Mar 19, 1991

Abate by

Apr 2, 1991