OSHA Inspection: AJAY LEISURE PRODUCTS INC.

Issued

Apr 10, 1992

Abate by

Feb 1, 1993

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $1,875 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
permanent disability, loss of function and serious injury to employees,
in that employees were required to perform tasks resulting in stressors
that had caused, were causing, or were likely to cause repetitive
motion trauma disorders:
Employees in the Bag Make-up, Sewing, Rivetting and
Scoop and Rake departments were exposed to repetitive
hand and wrist exertions and tool transmitted forces
causing carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cysts, numb-
ness of the hands, and pains and strains of the hands
and wrists.
The workplace ergonomic hazards can be controlled and ergonomic
stressors reduced by a program including, but not limited to the
following four elements.
1-WORKSITE ANALYSIS
Conduct an analysis of the work method(s), tool(s), and work station(s)
for each worker that suffers an OSHA reportable cumulative trauma
disorder (CTD) illness. This analysis should include development and
use of an ergonomic checklist and employee questionaire.  Solicit the
comments and suggestions of affected supervisors, workers and the
engineering and maintenance departments.
Make indicated changes to reduce stresses on the worker.  If there are
similar work tasks and stations, modify them.  After 90 days, review
the results of the changes and determine whether further changes are
needed.
2-MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Establish a medical surveillance program to address early recognition,
evaluation and referral of CTD cases. Monitor new and CTD damage
employees.  CTD damaged employees should never be returned to jobs that
caused their illnesses until engineering or work practice controls have
eliminated the stressors.
Determine whether employees are performing tasks using the company
prescribed method(s), tool(s), and work station configuration(s).
Periodically review worker performance with the worker, supervisor,
safety and health director, and the medical department manager.
Keep accurate records of cumulative trauma disorder injuries.
3-TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Employees should be trained in the recognition of neutral postures for
the body, arm and hand to avoid repetitive motion or cumulative trauma
disorders and illnesses.  Evaluate the tasks being performed and
establish the minimum stress methods for task performances. Train
employees to use the prescribed task method. When workers are observed
performing outside the prescribed task method, re-orient them.
4-HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Implement engineering and administrative controls.  Establish the
minimum stress method for performing each task.  Use video recording
and train workers in the procedures that will be used.  After 60 days,
use worker questionnaires to establish whether further improvements
are needed in engineering and administrative controls.
Engineering controls include:
Establish the rule that workers shall lift and handle only one golf
bag at a time.  Utilize carts or transfer units to convey golf bags
to different operations, eliminating stressors to upper extremities
when grasping and carrying groups of bags.
Eliminate the need for employees to bend, lift and carry golf bags
by raising product carts and bins to waist level.
Eliminate the force needed to insert golf bags parts.  Make alterations
in measurements of bag design so that parts fit together easily.
Establish parts specifications and go/no go guages to assure that
vendor supplied and manufactured parts and subassemblies will fit
properly and with minimum force and rework effort.
Reduce the hand/wrist forces associated with sewing and rivetting bags
by eliminating employees need to hold grasp firmly to the golf bags
during these operations.
-Devise jigs that stablilize the golf bag during rivetting
and sewing.
-Baste stitch or staple bags prior to sewing.
-Redesign the presser foot of the sewing machine and a low
friction support for the bag so that the machine advances
the fabric by itself and employees do not have to use their
hands to secure the bag during sewing.
Ensure that employees maintain neutral wrist posture and pressure to
the palm of the hand when using hand tools.  Eliminate or redesign hand
tools such as, scissors, staple removers, finger knives, etc.
Maintain sewing machines according to manufacturers specifications to
reduce vibration.  Apply damping, such as anti-vibration mats, pads,
etc., between machine base and floor creating a vibration absorbing
cushion.
Use a fixture to spread rake/scoop and to assemble handle in the Scoop
and Rake Department.
Administrative Controls include:
Implement a program of employee rotation or rest periods to reduce
overstressing susceptible body areas.

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Apr 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $2,100 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 6, 1992

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Apr 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,400 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Apr 6, 1992

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $2,100 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Jan 9, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 6, 1992

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 6, 1992

Issued

Jan 6, 1992

Abate by

Feb 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $400 Reduced