OSHA Inspection: SKIL CORPORATION

Issued

Feb 7, 1989

Abate by

May 14, 1989

Penalty

Initial $720 · Current $720

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:
Employees performing tasks at SKIL CORPORATION, Walnut Ridge,
Arkansas a manufacturer of hand-power tools were exposed to undue
biomechanical/ergonomic stress factors resulting in musculoskeletal
and/or cumulative trauma disorders affecting the hand(s), wrist(s),
arm(s), neck(s), shoulder(s), back(s) and torso:
a) Dremel Departments:  Assemblers and operators/set-ups.
b) Skil Department:  Assemblers and operators/set-ups.
Feasible engineering and/or administrative controls to reduce the
injury/illness rates might include the following:
1) A methods analysis to determine high risk tasks, feasibility of tools
and/or operations redesign and steps needed to reduce employee
exposure, e.g. administrative controls and employee awareness
programs.
2) A problem solving approach with emphasis on redesign of processes
and/or tools and a complete evaluation of the employee work stations.
Particular attention should be paid to tool grips (length, diameter),
tool weight and shut off (reactive) torgue, as well as an evaluation
of torgue effects to employees using vertical hanging air drivers.
3) Implementation of an employee training program including, but not
limited to awareness of ergonomic disorders, maintenance of
musculoskeletal health, proper use of tools and conduct of tasks and
the importance of reducting biomechanical stress to the body.
4) Following implementation of changes/control, a periodic, e.g., annual
audit of the effects of changes and the overall program should be
performed by a trained professional, e.g., ergonomist or human
factors engineer.

Issued

Feb 7, 1989

Abate by

Mar 6, 1989