OSHA Inspection: SAM KANE BEEF PROCESSORS INC.

Issued

Oct 18, 1994

Abate by

Dec 14, 1995

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $10,000 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 cumulative trauma disorders:
a. Kill Floor: Employees performing various duties using knives or air
knives
are exposed to various ergonomic stressors such as but not limited to
frequent
torso flexion with the arms extended, repeated exertion of finger force
with the
wrist in a deviated posture,and extended and elevated reaches.
b. Foot Room: Employees cleaning the feet are exposed to various ergonomic
stressors such as but not limited to torso flexion or extended reaches with
deviated wrists.
c. Fabrication Department: Employees performing various cutting tasks using
knives, hooks and wizard knives are exposed to various ergonomic stressors
such as but not limited to frequent wrist deviations while exerting finger
force,
extended reaches, prolonged grasping of hooks, forceful exertions and
prolonged standing.
Feasible and acceptable methods of abatement include, but are not limited
to
the following:
1. Job rotation which allows for variations in musculoskeletal activity.
2. Educate employees on the basics of body biomechanics and the importance
of maintaining the body in an ergonomically neutral position.
3. Provide ergonomically designed knives to help maintain the wrist in a
neutral position.
4. Adjust work station heights and locations to eliminate excessive
bending or
reaching.
5. Maintain repetitions below 1500 per hour.
6. Limit work day to 8 hours.
7. Provide foot rests, sit/stand stools, or anti-fatigue mats.
ABATEMENT
Step 1: Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement
outlining all actions
to be taken and an approximate schedule.  STEP 1 DUE DATE:12/06/94
Step 2: Submit to the Area Director at specified intervals reports
detailing the progress of the
actions taken.
STEP 2 DUE DATE:01/05/95, 02/05/95, 03/05/95
Step 3: Implement a medical management program to monitor employees and
prevent early
symptoms from progressing to injuries.
STEP 3 DUE DATE:11/14/94
Step 4: Evaluate all departments utilizing a trained ergonomic consultant.
STEP 4 DUE DATE:12/28/94
Step 5: Develop a training program to alert employees on the hazards of
cumulative trauma
disorders and instruct employees in the basics of body mechanics and work
practices to
minimize the ergonomic hazards associated with their jobs.
STEP 5 DUE DATE:11/14/94

Issued

Oct 18, 1994

Abate by

Oct 31, 1994

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $7,500 Reduced