OSHA Inspection: LIBBEY GLASS, INC.

Issued

May 1, 1995

Abate by

Feb 1, 1996

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $1,125 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8302

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 required to perform tasks involving ergonomic risk factors, including
but not limited to,
repetitive motions, awkward postures, elevated and extended reaches, torso
flexions, ulnar
deviations, forceful pinch grips, and extended periods of sitting or
standing.  The employer
failed to implement a comprehensive ergonomics program to reduce or
eliminate the recognized
hazards.  Conditions exposed employees to stressors that had caused or
were likely to cause
cumulative trauma disorder(s):
a) Libbey Glass, Shreveport, LA (Machine Shop, Deco Department, Repack, and
Select & Pack):  On or about 11-16-94 at the establishment the employer
failed to
implement all aspects of a comprehensive ergonomics program. Condition
exposes
employees such as but not limited to selectors, carton assemblers, box
makers, bench
workers and others to exposure to ergonomic stressors such as those listed
above.
GENERAL ABATEMENT STRATEGIES
A multifaceted abatement program is necessary to properly control hazards
leading to cumulative
trauma disorders and to properly protect employees.  Some elements of an
ergonomic abatement
program are summarized below.
Engineering and Administrative Controls
Cumulative trauma disorder hazards can be controlled through proper
engineering design of the
job, work station, and equipment so the work can be performed independent
of specific worker
characteristics and techniques.  This requires the job be made to fit the
worker and not make the
worker fit the job.
Engineering controls attempt to reduce extreme postures, excessive forces
and repetitive
motions.  To be effective, employee input is necessary since improperly
designed work stations
and controls will not be used if employees believe they interfere with
their work.  Also, after
installation, the effectiveness of the controls must be evaluated and
modified if necessary to
insure their effectiveness.
Administrative controls can include but are not limited to:  training of
new employees in safe
work techniques including lifting, working with minimum strain on the
body, and minimizing
the application of forces with the fingers;  job rotation and job
enhancement;  adequate
mandatory rest breaks;  implementation of an exercise program.
Consultant Assistance
A properly trained ergonomic consultant should be used to assist in
training employees and
implementing the recommendations made.  The consultant should review OSHA
recommendations, perform a systematic evaluation with regard to existing
and new workpractices and work station design for all plant operations to
determine cumulative trauma
hazards, recommend engineering and administrative controls to reduce or
eliminate ergonomic
stressors, assist in implementing the recommendation, evaluate the
effectiveness of the controls
implemented, and make new recommendations if necessary.
Medical Management Program
A medical management program is necessary to monitor employees and prevent
early symptoms
from progressing to injuries.  This program should  include:  determining
the extent of injuries
and illnesses; determining if injuries and illnesses are caused or
aggravated by work; educating
all employees and supervisors on early signs of injuries and disorders and
encourage early
reporting; instituting a formal documented tracking and surveillance
program to monitor injury
trends in the plant; providing adequate treatment of ergonomic related
cases
(including not
reassigning employees to a job until it has been modified to minimize the
hazards that resulted
in the injury); and allowing adequate time off for recovery after surgery
or other aggressive
intervention.
Preventive measures that should be instituted include early physical
evaluation of employees with
musculoskeletal symptoms; allowing adequate time off after a cumulative
trauma disorder is
diagnosed; and  providing access to trained medical personnel for
development and
implementation of conservative treatment measures upon detection of
cumulative trauma disorder
symptoms.
Training Programs
A training program is necessary to alert employees on the hazards of
cumulative trauma
disorders and controls and work practices that can be used to minimize the
hazards. This
includes designing and implementing a written training program for
managers, supervisors,
engineers, union representatives, health professionals  and employees on
the nature, range, and
causes and means of prevention of ergonomic related disorders.  The
training program for new
and reassigned workers should allow demonstrations of safe and effective
methods of performing
their job; familiarize employees with applicable safety procedures and
equipment;  allow the new
or reassigned employee to work with a skilled employee and/or provide on
the job training for
specific jobs; and allow new or reassigned employees to condition their
muscle/tendon groups
prior to working at full capacity rate which has been determined to be
safe and will not cause
adverse effects.
Workers should be instructed in the basics of body biomechanics, and work
practices to
minimize the ergonomic hazards associated with their jobs.  This should
include, but not be
limited to, the items noted below:
Avoid postures where:
-the elbow is above mid-torso
-the hand is above the shoulder
-the arms must reach behind the torsoAvoid wrist postures where there is:
-inward or outward rotation with bent wrist
-excessive palmer flexion or extension
-ulnar or radial deviation
-pinching or high finger forces with above postures
Avoid mechanical stress concentrations on elbows, base of palm and backs
of fingers.
General lifting guidelines include:
-keep the load close to the body
-use the most comfortable posture
-lift slowly and evenly (don't jerk)
-do not twist the back
-securely grip the load
-use a lifting aid or get help
ABATEMENT OF THE CITATION SHALL BE ACCOMPLISHED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:
STEP 1a)  Development of an effective ergonomic program for worksite
analysis,
engineering controls, and training and education.  Submit to the Area
Director a
written plan of abatement which identifies and details a schedule for the
implementation of the ergonomic program.  All proposed control measures
shall
be approved for each particular use by an ergonomist who is qualified in
the
evaluation of workplace conditions which cause ergonomic stressors.
b)  Development of an effective medical management program which contains
the
elements detailed above.  Submit to the Area Director a written plan of
abatement
which identifies and details a schedule for the implementation of the
medical
management program.  The medical management program shall be approved by
a medical provider who is qualified in the recognition, evaluation, and
treatment
of ergonomic related injuries and illnesses, such as CTDs.
Step 1 abatement programs are due by July 1, 1995.
STEP 2a)  Implementation of the ergonomic program for worksite analysis,
engineering
controls, and training and education developed in Step 1a.  One-hundred
twenty
(120) day progress reports are required during the abatement period.
b)  Implementation of the medical management program developed in Step 1b.
One-hundred twenty (120) day progress reports are required during the
abatement
period.
The first progress reports due for Step 2 are due by September 1,
1995.STEP 3a)  Implementation of training and education and of
administrative, work practice,
and engineering controls shall be completed by the violation abatement date
shown below.
b)  Implementation of an effective medical management program shall be
completed by the violation abatement date shown below.

Issued

May 1, 1995

Abate by

Jun 5, 1995

Issued

May 1, 1995

Abate by

Jun 5, 1995

Issued

May 1, 1995

Abate by

Jun 5, 1995

Issued

May 1, 1995

Abate by

Jun 5, 1995