OSHA Inspection: NEW COLUMBIA JOIST COMPANY

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jan 1, 1994

Penalty

Initial $2,450 · Current $910 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 required to
perform lifting tasks likely to cause musculoskeletal injuries:
a)  Line No. 1 Finish Weld - Top Chord, Production
Line Welding/Lift of steel joists:  the evaluation
of this manual lifting task indicates that employees
are exposed to a hazard which is causing or likely
to cause musculoskeletal injuries.  The employer did
not implement an effective control strategy to reduce
or eliminate such injuries.  The injury and illness
records for 1991 and 1992 documented a pattern of
musculoskeletal injuries, March 25, 1993.
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
which reduce 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:
1.  Procedures for safe and proper work are
understood by managers, supervisors and
workers.
2.  Employees are provided demonstrations of
proper work techniques.
3.  Conditioning or break-in periods are provided
for new, reassigned or returning employees.
4.  Effectiveness of work practice techniques
are periodically monitored.
5.  Work practices are periodically modified
or adjusted to coincide with the dynamics
of the operation or process.
(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:
1.  Work stations designed to accomodate the
vast majority of people.
2.  Work stations easily adjustable and designed
to fit the task.
3.  Work space large enough to allow full range of
required movements.
4.  Work methods designed to reduce static
extreme and awkward postures.
5.  Work methods designed to reduce repetitive
motion.
6.  Work methods designed to reduce excessive
force.
7.  Mechanical lifting equipment designed to
eliminate any manual lifting.
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

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,450 · Current $910 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 1, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $620 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 1, 1994

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 20, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $410 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 20, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $410 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $515 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $410 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 20, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $620 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $620 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $515 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 20, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $515 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 20, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jul 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $620 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jul 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $620 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jul 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $620 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $620 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Aug 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $620 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $620 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $515 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jul 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $515 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $515 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $515 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $515 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $515 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 20, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $620 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 20, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Aug 1, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,400 · Current $515 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Aug 1, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 20, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 20, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 5, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

May 26, 1993

Issued

May 18, 1993

Abate by

Jun 20, 1993