OSHA Inspection: TCC DATA SERVICES, INC.

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Nov 26, 1991

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $490

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 requiredto
perform tasks involving repetitive motions resulting in stresses that
had caused, were causing, or were likely to cause cumulative trauma
disorders:
A) Data Entry Area - One hundred and one (101) employees working at
57 VDTs on two different shifts, input a variety of form information
into the computer over a workshift, on or about October 17, 1990.
The evaluation of this task indicates that employees are exposed to
a hazard which is causing or likely to cause musculoskeltal disorders.
The employer did not implement an effective control strategy to reduce
or elminate 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 constisting 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
questionnarie. 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
encouraged.
2) Medical management which includes accurate recordkeeping or 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) The 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 where 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 practice controls are implemented which include proper work
techniques, new employee conditioning, and monitoring and
modifications as necessary to minimize ergomic stressors.
Examples of work practice controls applicable to this workplace include:
1) Instruct employees in the adjustment of the chair, their features,
and advantages. Encourage workers to become proficient in making
rapid adjustment of the chairs to fit their body at the start of the
workshift. Encourge the workers to make adjustments of the chairs
during the workday to reduce muscle fatigue.
2) Workers should be trained in the use of minimum finger force, and the
need to keep the wrist in a flat neutral position while keyingin
data.
3) Require workers to particpate in a fitness and exercise program
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
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) Lower the section of the workstation table holding the keyboard. The
keyboard shold be ajustable to the height in which employees elbows
are at approximately 90 degrees.
2) Obtain an ergonomically designed keyboard which basically has two
keyboard halves with a 25 degree opening in the center to offset the
ulnar deviation of the workers wrist.
3) Provided rounded padded wrist/palm supports in front of the keyboard
to minimize local compression pressure on worker's wrist.
STEP 1-
Implementation of an ergonomics program for workite 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

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Dec 6, 1990

Issued

Nov 26, 1990

Abate by

Dec 6, 1990