OSHA Inspection: HICKORY SPRINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Mar 23, 1989

Abate by

Apr 29, 1989

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $320 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:
Undue biomechanical and/or ergonomic stress factors resulting in
musculoskeletal and/or cumulative trauma disorders affecting the
the hand(s), wrist(s), arm(s), neck(s), shoulder(s), back(s) and
and torsos while performing assigned tasks as HICKORY SPRINGS
MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. Fort Smith, Arkansas.
e.g., a) Subassembly (Hico):  Operators and setup.
b) Rocker Swivel Department:  Operators, Assemblers, and Repair
Personnel.
c) Recliner Line:  Assemblers and Operators.
Feasible engineering and/or administrative controls to reduce the
injury/illness rates might include, but are not limited to the following
1) A methods analysis to determine feasibility of tools and/or
operations redesign in high risk tasks and steps to reduce exposure,
e.g., employee awareness programs.
2) A problem solving approach with emphasis on redesign of processes
and/or tools including a thorough evaluation of the work stations.
Particular attention shoulder be given to tool grips and weights
(hammers) and control positions on presses.
3) Implementation of an employee training program including, but not
limited to awareness of ergonomic disorders, maintenance of
musculoskeletal health, proper use of tools and conduct of tasks to
reduce biomechanical stress to the body.
4) Following the implementation of changes a periodic, e.g., annual
audit of the effects of changes made and the overall program, should
be performed by a trained professional such as an ergonomist or a
human factors engineer.

Issued

Mar 23, 1989

Abate by

Apr 18, 1989