OSHA Inspection: CINPAC, INC.

Issued

Sep 12, 1991

Abate by

Oct 12, 1991

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,200 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
death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were
exposed to:
(a)  There are high risk factors for the development of cumulative
trauma disorders at job stations such as bagging, sealing and feeding
in departments such as Menus and Accessories, without an effective
ergonomics program having been implemented.
The stressors affecting the workers can be significantly reduced by
a program that includes, but is not limited to the following:
1.   A written ergonomics program must be established, endorsed
and advocated by the highest levels of management and it must outline
the employer's written ergonomics program must be communicated to all
personnel.
2.   A comprehensive worksite analysis must be conducted to
identify all operations which present significant ergonomic risk
factors. A written plan to reduce ergonomic hazards through the imple-
mentation of appropriate engineering, work practice and administrative
controls must be developed and executed.
3.   A "break-in" or "conditioning" period of at least one week in
length must be provided to employees who are entering a job which
presents significant ergonomic risk factors. During this orientation,
training and conditioning period, new or reassigned employees must be
allowed to gradually build up to full speed and full shift work.
4.   Employees must be informed about the ergonomic hazards to
which they may be exposed so that they can actively and effectively
participate in their own protection. The training program must discuss
the potential risk of ergonomic illness and injuries, their means of
prevention, and the steps which should be followed to receive proper
medical evaluation and treatment. The training must also convey proper
job-specific work practices and procedures. This training in the use
of safe and efficient techniques must be performed by an experienced
supervisory person who has received extensive training in ergonomics.
5.   The medical management system must be supervised by a phy-
sician or occupational health nurse with training in the prevention and
treatment of cumulative trauma disorders (CTD's). Employees on each
work-shift must have access to first level health care providers who
are knowledgeable in the prevention, early recognition, treatment and
rehabilitation of CTD's, and in the principles of ergonomics, physical
asessment of employees, and OSHA recordkeeping requirements.  Employees
must be encouraged to report early signs and symptoms of CTD's to the
in-plant health facility. There must be no disincentives which make
employees reluctant to seek medical evaluation and treatment.
6.   A medical condition must be recorded on the employer's log of
occupational injuries and illnesses (the OSHA Form No. 200) when the
occurrence of a disorder associated with repeated trauma is indicated
by at least one physical finding such as swelling, redness or loss of
motion is noted, ot when there is at least one subjective symptom (such
as pain, numbness, tingling, aching, stiffness or burning) in combina-
tion with: a) medical treatment, b) lost workdays, c) restricted
activity and d) transfer to another job.
7.   There must be a formal, documented tracking and surveillance
program to monitor CTD trends.
8.   Medical examinations must be provided initially, after one
month and annually to employees who perform jobs involving repetitive
motions.
Methods of Abatement through engineering controls may include but are not
limited to:
1.   Provision of larger bags for packaging the menus.
2.   Alternative configurations for each menu that would create a more
stable and less bulky item for employees to handle in the bagging positions .
3.   Redesign of the work stations so that they can be adjusted to meet
the physical variables of each employee (i.e. height, arm reach).
4.   Provision of stools for each employee so as to allow a combination of
sitting and standing positions to relieve pressure in the upper body.

Issued

Jun 4, 1991

Abate by

Oct 31, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

Issued

Jun 4, 1991

Abate by

Jun 7, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

Issued

Jun 4, 1991

Abate by

Jun 19, 1991

Issued

Jun 4, 1991

Abate by

Jun 9, 1991