OSHA Inspection: DENNY'S SUPER VALU

Issued

1990-02-22 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-08-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $450.00 · Current $180.00 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 harm to employees in that:
a) Employees performing scan and bag and scan and throw operations at
eight check-out stands at the front of the store, using both plastic
and paper bags, were exposed to the hazard of upper extremity
cumulative trauma disorders (UECTD).  These injuries may be caused
by high finger or grip forces, frequent repetitions, and awkward body
postures, such as flexed and extended wrists, frequent reaches at
excessive distances, and frequent lifting, pushing and shoving of
weighted objects.
Feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard, among
other methods are:
1) Establish a comprehensive training and supervision program for all
exposed employees on the basis of body biomechanics to minimize UECTD
associated with their jobs. This training should be conducted when
the employees in initially hired and biannually for all current
employees. The training as a minimum should include proper lifting,
gripping, bagging, and scanning techniques. In addition to other
relevant issues.
2) Redesign or modify existing check-out stands to reduce reach distance
and the pushing, shoving, and lifting of weighted items during
weighing, scanning and bagging operations. Provide portable scanner
for heavy items, adjust the weighing scale to reduce reaching
distance, use bag wells to reduce lifting requirements in bagging,
and design adjustable height stand or standing surface to accomodate
workers of varying heights.
3) Provide a variety of anit-fatique mats, and train employees in the
advantages of their use.
4) Replace or modify the delivery system where or bagged items are
supplied to the customer to avoid excessive reach and twisting with
heavy items.
STEP 1: Submit to the area director a written plan of abatement
outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or
administrative measures to control employee exposure to musculoskeletal
injuries when performing manual material handling tasks.  This plan
shall include as minimum target dates for the following actions:
1) Development and implementation of a comprehensive training program.
2) Evaluation of the location of the hazard source.
3) Evaluation of control measure options.
4) Selection of optimum control measures.
5) Initiation of control measures.
6) Methods to be used to evaluate  the effectiveness of the control
measures and if necessary, the alteration and/or substitution of
other control measures.
7) Methods to be used to assure abatement program will be followed by
employees.
This written plan with the implementation dates must be completed within
60 days.
NOTE:  Professional services of personnel familiar with ergonomic
problems and their solutions may be helpful to accomplish the above
steps.
STEP 2:  Correction shall be completed by the implementation of feasible
engineering and/or administrative controls and their effectiveness at
achieving compliance verified.
Engineering controls and their evaluation must be completed within 120
days.
Sixty day progress reports are required to be submitted to the Area
Director during the abatement period. (Two reports one at 60 days and
the other at 120 days).

Issued

1990-02-22 00:00:00

Abate by

1990-02-27 00:00:00