OSHA Inspection: OWEN ILLINOIS NIPPON ELEC GLASS AKA OI-NEG TV PROD

Issued

Jul 27, 1989

Abate by

Jan 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $630 · Current $630

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:
a) As of February 22, 1989, workers performing grinding operations in
the Color Finishing Department were subjected to severe lifting-
related strains and contusions, and to cumulative trauma disorders
(CTD) of the upper extramities, when they lifted and handled glass TV
tubes parts (STTP), weighing up to 27 lbs., from heights above their
shoulders. The workers reportedly handled a STTP approximately every
8 - 13 seconds; the shorter time corresponds to smaller, lower-weight
STTPs. Injuries suffered by the workers included backstrain, neck
strain, shoulder strain, elbow strain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and
other forms of hand/wrist tendon injuries.
Feasible means of abatement may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
Engineering and Product Handling
1) Change the height of the delivery conveyors.
Lower the height of the delivery conveyors in the unloading zones to
42 inches.
2) Provide rubber forms (donut) shapes and instructions on use.
Provide rubber forms (donut) shapes than can be slipped over the neck
of the television tube before it is engaged by the grinding table
drive wheels.
Instruct the workers in a procedure of grasping the forms with the thumb
and fingers held in a neutral wrist position, and in using pull onthe
forms to cause disengagement of the tv tube from the grinder drive
wheels.
Instruct workers to use downward force on the forms to cause the tvtube
to stop spinning; then have them use both hands to lift the tube, remove
the forms for reuse, and set the tube onto the take-away conveyor
3) Provide workers with gloves.
Provide workers with gloves that closely fit the hands and allow
efficient transfer of gripping forces from the hands through the
gloves and allow efficient holding of the glass tv tube.
Worker-Wellness Program
Establish a Worker Wellness Program. The program can be established
with the assistance of expoerts and therapists knowledgeable in both
the treatment of back and lifting strain and hand and wrist CTD
disorders. It is suggested that the program include:
a) Worker training in the awareness of body positions and factors that
create work-related stresses.
b) Establish a paid Worker Exercise Program that has the goal of
increasing worker strength, flexibility, and endurance. By
participating in the exercises stressed in the program, the worker
will be allowed to warm and stretch his/her muscles.
c) Using worker questionnaires and medical examinations, establish which
workers are suffering pain and early symptoms of CTD-related disease.
With the help of the medical therapist, develop individual programs
for the decrease of pain and symptoms.
d) For those workers who require time away from the job, and who may be
under medical care, establish a therapy program that they can do to
improve and maintain strength, improve worker fitness, and prepare
them for a timely return to work and fully productive status.
e) Offer workers wrist supports, and make them readily available.

Issued

Jun 22, 1989

Abate by

Sep 1, 1989

Penalty

Initial $490