OSHA Inspection: SWEET STREET DESSERTS, INCORPORATED

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jul 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $360 · Current $360

Hazardous substances 8302

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Saftey 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 required to
perform tasks involving repetitive motions resulting in stresses that
had caused, were causing, or were likely to cause cumulative trauma
disorders:
A) Finishing Department, Line #1 - One to three (1-3) employees spread
icing on a variety of cakes and pies over a workshift, on or about
November 6, 1990.
B) Finishing Department, Line #1 - Three to four (3-4) employees working
along a conveyor decorate various types of cakes using a pasty bag,
on or about November 6, 1990.
C) Finishing Departiment, Line #2 - Two to three (2-3) employees spread
icing on a variety of cakes over a workshift, on or about November
6, 1990.
D) Finishing Department, Line #2 - Three to four (3-4) employees working
along a conveyor decorate various types of cakes using a pastry bag,
on or about November 6, 1990.
E) Finishing Department, Line #2 - One (1) employee standing along
conveyor spread icing of filler over slices of various types of
cakes over a workshift, on or about November 6, 1990.
The evaluation of these tasks indicate that employees are exposed to a
hazard which is causing or likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders.
The employer did not implement an effective control strategy to reduce
or eliminate such disorders. The injury and illness records for 1989
and 1990, documented a pattern of repetitive motion injuries.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is the implementation of an ergonomics management
program consisting of the following four elements:
1) Worksite analysis to recognize and identify existing cumulative
trauma disorders in the workplace. This analysis should include
development and use of ergonomic checklist and employee
questionnaire. Periodic surveys of the worksite shall be conducted
at least annually to evaluate work practices and engineering
controls. Employee participation in the ergonomic program should be
encourged.
2) Medical management which includes accurate recordkeeping of CTDs.
the program should address early recognition, evaluation, and
referral of CTD cases, 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 of the training. Retraining should be
done annually, or as operations change. Training should address
hazards associated with the job, the risks of developing CTDs,
symptoms of exposure and how to prevent the occurrence of CTD. A
supervisors' training program should also be implemented to allow
recognition of the signs of CTDs and to reinforce the employer's
ergonomic program.
4) Hazard prevention and control which includes engineering, work
practices, and administrative controls, and personal protective
equipment were relevant.
A) Administrative controls are implemented which reduce the duration,
frequency, and severity of exposure to ergonomic stress. These
controls may include job rotation, reduction of repetitions, and
preventative maintenance of related equipment. Personal protective
equipment shall be evaluated to determine any contribution to
ergonomic stress.
B) Work pratice controls are implemented which included 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:
1) All icing or filler to be used should be allowed to reach room
temperature prior to use to make it easier to spread or squeeze
through the pastry bags.
2) Require workers to participate in a fitness and exercise program by
providing time for flexibility and warmup before beginning work, and
have stretch/exercise periods at mid-morning and mid-afternoon of the
workday.
C) Engineering controls are designed by a qualified ergonomist and may
include work station redesign, tool and handle redesign, and change
of work methods. The goal of this program should be to make the job
fit the person.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace include:
1) On both lines, employees icing or spreading filler should exchange
their metal spatulas for a modified rectangular masonry trowel, type
spatula. the larger handle and positioning of the handle over the
center of the spreading surface should reduce the amount of force
required to spread the icing or filler.
2) The company should work on developing a tool that would replace the
pastry bags used to decorate the cakes. The tool would be some sort
of pneumatic or electrical decorating guns. Our research indicates
that such a device does not exist in the marketplace at this time.
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. Ninety (90) day progress reports are
required during the abatement period.
STEP 3-
Implementation of administrative, work practices and engineering
controls, as described in Items 4(a) - 4(c), above.

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 16, 1991

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $240

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 24, 1991

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $240

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Feb 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $240

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 24, 1991

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $240

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 24, 1991

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $240

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Aug 31, 1991

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 24, 1991

Penalty

Initial $360 · Current $360

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 24, 1991

Penalty

Initial $120 · Current $120

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 16, 1991

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 24, 1991

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 16, 1991

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Jan 16, 1991

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Feb 9, 1991

Issued

Jan 9, 1991

Abate by

Feb 9, 1991