OSHA Inspection: FURSTENBERG CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Issued

Sep 11, 1992

Abate by

Nov 7, 1995

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $3,750

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:
a.   The employer did not provide a safe and healthful workplace
free from the recognized hazard of cumulative trauma disorders from
repetitive motion tasks in that data entry operations performed using
computer keyboard by reservation personnel have produced bio-mechanical
stresses resulting in injuries to the musculo-skeletal systems (tendon
disorders, nerve disorders and neurovascular disorders).  These opera-
tions have resulted in injuries such as tendinitis, carpal tunnel
syndrome (CTS), and epicondylitis.  The recordable incidents show that
approximately 152 employees suffered cumulative trauma disorder in-
juries for the years 1989, 1990, 1991.  Employees have been required to
undergo surgical intervention to mitigate or correct the injuries
sustained from these repetitive motion work activities.  The hazards
could be corrected through methods such as feasible engineering and
administrative controls that include:
1.   Analysis of job tasks to determine feasibility of work
station and/or operation redesign with appropriate modifications to
the work stations to reduce exposure to cumulative trauma disorders.
2.   Selection of methods to further reduce exposure by utilizing
a problem solving approach to the processes and/or work stations
through an established safety and health committee.
3.   Develop an effective instruction and training program for
management and employees to emphasize the importance of reducing bio-
mechanical stresses by such methods including but not limited to:
a.   Ergonomics with emphasis on the various types of cumulative
trauma disorders.
b.   A medical surveillance/intervention program with direction
from the contracted medical provider.
c.   Proper adjutments to work station components (lighting,
height, foot rests, non-glare screens, work placement, chair
adjustment, etc).
4.   A review of current policies, and work practices regarding
medical restrictions to ensure that policies and work practices will
reduce cumulative trauma disorder injuries.
STEP 1 - 60 DAYS
SUBMIT A DETAILED WRITTEN PLAN WHICH OUTLINE A SCHEDULE OF
IMPLEMENTATION FOR CONTROLLING EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE TO BIO-MECHANICAL
STRESSES OF THE MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEMS.  THE PLAN SHALL INCLUDE AT A
MINIMUM CORRECTIVE ACTIONS WITH TARGET DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING:
a.   Evaluation of the extent of the contributing sources for the
resultant cumulative trauma disorder injuries which have required
surgical intervention.
b.   Re-evaluation of the control measures currently implemented
and assessment of other options/alternatives.
c.   Selection of additional control measures.
d.   Follow-up training with detailed instruction for all empoyees
in the proper user/maintenance of newly installed key boards and
equipment.
e.   An administrative plan to address "Log-Off" time when
medically justified for diagnosed cases of cumulative trauma disorders.
f.   Implement means for assessing the effectivenesss of engineer-
ing and administrative controls as they are installed and implemented.
STEP 2 - 180 DAYS
CORRECTIVE ACTION SHALL BE COMPLETED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEASIBLE
ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT
EFFECTIVENESS AT ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE VERIFIED.