OSHA Inspection: FARR COMPANY INC.

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Aug 7, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,575 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act:  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 repetitive motions
resulting in stresses that had caused, were causing, or were likely
to cause cumulative trauma disorders:
Assemblers and Mid-assemblers - The evaluation of this tasks
indicates that employees were exposed to a hazard which is
causing or likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders.  The
employer did not implement an effective control strategy to
reduce or eliminate such disorders.  The injury and illness
records for 1991, 1992 and 1993 documented a pattern of
repetitive motion injuries.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable
abatement method to correct this hazard is the
implementation of an ergonomics management program
consisting of the following four elements.
(1)  Worksite analysis to recognize and identify
existing manual lifting hazards in the workplace.  This
analysis should include development and use of an
ergonomic checklist and employee questionnaire.
Periodic surveys of the worksite shall be conducted at
least annually to evaluate work practices and
engineering controls.  Employee participation in the
ergonomic program should be encouraged through a
mechanism such as a safety committee.
(2)  Medical management which includes accurate
recordkeeping of manual lifting injuries.  The program
should address recognition, evaluation, treatment and
referral of lifting cases.  Systematic worksite review
by the medical team should also be included in the
program.
(3)  Training and education for exposed employees,
including methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the
training. Re-training should be done annually, or as
operations change. Training should address hazards
associated with the job, the risks of manual material
handling, and how to prevent lifting injuries.  A
supervisor's training program should also be
implemented to allow recognition of manual lifting
hazards, and to reinforce the employer's ergonomic
program.
(4)  Hazard prevention and control which includes
engineering, work practices and administrative
controls:
(a)  Administrative controls are implemented whichreduce the duration,
frequency, and severity of
exposure to manual lifting    hazards.  These
controls may include job rotation, reduction of
repetitions, multiple person lifts, and
preventative maintenance   of related equipment.
(b)  Work practice controls are implemented which
include proper work techniques, new employee
conditioning, proper placement of loads, and
reduction of weight lifted.
Examples of work practice controls applicable
to this workplace include:
(i)Utilize proper work techniques
(ii)Employee rotation
(iii)Employee training and
conditioning
(c)  Engineering controls are designed by a qualified
ergonomist and may include work station redesign, tool
and handle redesign,  and use of mechanical lifting
aids.  The goal of this program should be to make the
job fit the person.
Examples of engineering controls applicable
in this workplace include:
(i)Utilize adjustable height and tilt
work stations.
(ii)Cut product to the smallest size
possible to provide for easier assembly.
(iii)Utilize light weight plastic
assembly pans.
(iv)Purchase and use a glue gun which has a
smaller hand grasp.
(v)Utilize an automatic frame folding
machine.
ABATEMENT SCHEDULE
Step 1 - Implementation of an ergonomics program for worksite
analysis, medical management, and training and education, as
detailed in items 1-3, above.
Step 2 - Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of
abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of the
administrative, work practice and engineering controls as
detailed in items 4(a) - 4(c).
ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH
PARTICULAR USE BY A PERSON TRAINED IN THE EVALUATION OF WORKPLACE
CONDITIONS WHICH CAUSE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS.  SIXTY (60) DAY
PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD.
Step 3 - Implementation of administrative, work practice and
engineering controls as described in items 4(a) - 4(c), above.

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Nov 27, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $675 Reduced

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Nov 27, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Oct 28, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Nov 27, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $675 Reduced

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Nov 27, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Nov 12, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $675 Reduced

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Nov 12, 1993

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Nov 27, 1993

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $450 Reduced

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Nov 27, 1993

Issued

Oct 25, 1993

Abate by

Nov 12, 1993