OSHA Inspection: AKZO WILSON-FIBERFIL

Issued

Nov 6, 1989

Abate by

May 7, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $640

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: On or
about 9/13/89, 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 the employees in that
employees were exposed to severe and recurrent back injury from bag
lifting tasks. Drum moving operations and the use of a heavy metal rod
to move melted plastic may contribute to injury.
a) Gelomat Mixing Area, Second Floor of Production Building - Employees
were observed manually lifting 50 lb. bags of pigments from pallets
and carrying them to the mixing pot 9 feet away.
Evaluation of this lifting task indicated that these employees are
exposed to increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries among populations
exposed to similar lifting conditions. Condition observedon or about
9/13/89.
Accident and injury records from 1987, 1988 and up to september 30, 1989
indicated a 30 percent musculoskeletal injury rate, among employees in
these operations.
Two additional operations may contribute to musculoskeletal injury. On
the first floor, added stress may be caused by moving full fiberboard
drums with one hand while replacing them with empty drums by the other
hand. Also, employees use a heavy metal rod to force melted plastic into
extrusion rolls.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to
correct this hazard are as follows:
a) Use of a hydraulic or spring-loaded table to raise bags to the
appropriate lifting height as the pallet is emptied.
b) Design the lift table so it may rotate. This would greatly reduce
reaching distance to pick up pigment bags.
In addition, consideration should be given to installing a roller
conveyor for drums at the pelletizer to reduce push-pull stressors, body
twisting and exertion. The heavy metal rod used to dislodge plasticmay
also be replaced by a wood or hollow, metal rod to reduce lifting
stressor and exertion.
Abatement Programs:
A multifaceted abatement program is necessary to properly control
hazards leading to back and associated trauma disorders and to properly
protect employees. The elements of an ergonomic program are summarized
below:
a) Engineering Controls - Back injury and associated trauma disorders
can be properly controlled through proper design of the task work
station and equipment so that the work can be performed independent
of specific worker characteristics and techniques. This requires that
the job be made to fit the worker and not make the worker fit the
job. Engineering controls modify the job or equipment to reduce the
extreme postures and excessive forces. These have been discussed in
detail of each operation. At the same time, employee input is
necessary since improperly designed work stations and controls will
not be used if employees believe they interfere with their work. The
effectiveness of the controls must be evaluated and modified, if
necessary, to insure their effectiveness.
b) Administrative Controls, including Training - A continuing program
of training employees in safe work techniques including lifting and
working with minimum strain on the body, and if found necessary, the
implementation of an exercise program. Management and labor must be
involved in training.
c) Ergonomic Assessments - The company should carry out a complete
ergonomic assessment of plant operations so as to locate area of
greatest musculoskeletal stress, train employees, recommended
engineering and administrative controls to reduce or eliminate
ergonomic stressors and evaluate the effectiveness of those controls
implemented, as well as make new recommendations if necessary.
Abatement Schedule:
1/8/90 STEP I-
Effective administrative protection such as employee training, etc.,
shall be provided as an interim protective measure untilfeasible
permanent engineering and/or administrative controls can be implemented,
which will reduce employee exposure to a nominal risk.
2/6/90 STEP II-
Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement
outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering for
administrative measures to control employee exposures as referenced in
this citation.
5/7/90 STEP III-
Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible
engineering and/or administrative controls uponverification of their
effectiveness in achieving compliance.

Issued

Nov 6, 1989

Abate by

Oct 6, 1991

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $490

Hazardous substances 1591

Issued

Nov 6, 1989

Abate by

Dec 6, 1989

Hazardous substances 1591

Issued

Nov 6, 1989

Abate by

Dec 6, 1989

Hazardous substances 1591

Issued

Nov 6, 1989

Abate by

Dec 6, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

Hazardous substances 1591

Issued

Nov 6, 1989

Abate by

Dec 6, 1989

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

Hazardous substances 1591

Issued

Nov 6, 1989

Abate by

Dec 6, 1989

Hazardous substances 1591

Issued

Nov 6, 1989

Abate by

Dec 6, 1989

Penalty

Initial $490 · Current $490

Hazardous substances 1591

Issued

Nov 6, 1989

Abate by

Nov 21, 1989

Hazardous substances 1591

Issued

Nov 3, 1989

Abate by

Nov 6, 1991

Hazardous substances 1591