OSHA Inspection: THE SEMLING-MENKE COMPANY INC

Issued

Oct 19, 1993

Abate by

Oct 22, 1994

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 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 permanent crippling, loss of function and seirous injury
to employees in that the following employees were exposed to work
conditions which increased the possibility of back injuries:
(a)  In the SemTech Line, Glass Droppers were subject to
cumulative trauma disorders while transferring and
positioning glass panes within frame assemblies.
(b)  In the SemTech Line, Dap Appliers and Bead Installers
were subject to cumulative trauma disorders while working
with the bead and manually transferring window assemblies
downline to the Carlson Pinner Operator.
Feasible methods of control include, but are not limited to the
development of an effective ergonomics control program consisting
of worksite analysis, medical management, training, and education
and hazard prevention.
WORKSITE ANALYSIS
1.  Use the assistance of an expert qualified by education,
training and experience in the field of ergonomics to conduct a
comprehensive study of the workplace aimed at a more extensive
exposition of the workplace ergonomic hazards that affect workers
and that can result in static posture and cumulative trauma related
disease.
2.  Involve employees in the work station and work process
evaluations using a combination of employee questionnaires and
employee safety committees.
3.  Conduct an analysis of the work method(s), tool(s) and work
station(s) for each worker that suffers an OSHA recordable
cumulative trauma disorder (CTD).  This should include development
and use of ergonomic checklists, employee questionnaires and
videotape technology.  Solicit the comments and suggestions of
affected supervisors, employees and the engineering and maintenance
departments.
4.  Make indicated changes to reduce stresses on the employees.
If there are similar work tasks and stations, modify them.  After
90 days, review the results of the changes and determine whether
further changes are needed.
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
1.  Use the assistance of a physician qualified by education,
training and experience in the field of ergonomics to oversee a
medical management program.  Train first line managers in the early
recognition of and appropriate interventions for CTD affected
employees.
2.  Develop a system for monitoring new and CTD damaged employees.
CTD damaged employees should never be returned to jobs that caused
their disorders until engineering or work practice controls have
eliminated the stressors.
3.  Determine whether employees are performing tasks using the
company prescribed method(s), tool(s), and work station
configuration(s).  Periodically review worker performance with the
worker, supervisor, safety and health director and the medical
program manager.
4.  Keep accurate records of cumulative trauma disorder injuries,
such as restricted duty and transfers to other jobs.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
1.  Employees should be trained in the recognition of neutral
postures for the body to avoid cumulative trauma disorders.
Evaluate the tasks being performed and establish the minimum stress
methods for task performances.  Train employees to use the
prescribed task methods.  When employees are observed performing
outside the prescribed task method, reorient them.
2.  Training should address hazards associated with the various
operations causing CTD's and how to prevent CTD's.  A supervisors'
training program should also be implemented to allow recognition
of cumulative trauma disorder hazards and to reinforce the
employer's ergonomics program.
HAZARD PREVENTION
Hazard prevention and control includes administrative, work
practice and engineering controls.
-    Provide a lifting device, such as a suction attachment or
padded clamp suspended manipulator to assist the glass dropper
in moving glass panes into position.
-    Install a conveyor system (eg, one with close-set, soft
rollers that do not damage product) or other transfer device
to allow movement of window assembly from station to station
without extreme lateral force applied by employees.
-    Resurface the work table with material with a low coefficient
of friction to reduce the lateral force necessary to transfer
product.
-    Provide a small, clamp equipped hoist or dolly which can be
brought in to assist with barrel changes.
-    Change work table heights or provide adjustable employee
platforms to accommodate employees of varying heights.
-    Where stock must be manually removed from L-bucks, use swivel
and/or tilting scissors lifts underneath to allow more access
without stooping.
*    (Consider discussing possible modification of L-bucks to a
more accessible, ergonomically sound design with your window
glass supplier who may be having as much problem loading the
L-bucks as you have in unloading them.)
-    Limit bead stock holding racks to a day's supply to limit
size.  Position this rack over the work table or immediately
to one side of the beaders to reduce the necessity of a full
180 degree turn to reach stock.
-    Provide an in-table turntable to allow beaders to swivel
pieces for application instead of extending their reach across
the table.
-    Install a small tip-up rack to allow beaders to tip up window
assemblies at a 45 degree angle, reducing the reach length,
and requiring less pressure and angle to apply bead
components.
-    Install a power operated push bar to move assemblies to the
next position rather than relying upon manual pushing.
-    Provide ergonomically designed swivel stools or stand/lean
supports with tilting back support where the operator must
reach from the back or side to side for stock.  A foot bar can
also reduce postural stress by allowing changes in body
orientation with continued support.

Issued

Oct 19, 1993

Abate by

Nov 23, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Issued

Oct 19, 1993

Abate by

Nov 23, 1993