OSHA Inspection: NEW ERA CAP CO. INC.

Issued

May 22, 1990

Abate by

Nov 26, 1990

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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Where possible, utilize the whole hand rather than individual
fingers.
2) Round and/or pad the table edge and/or reposition the sewing machine
closer to the table edge.
3) Provide and ergonomically designed scissors, and educate the operator
on the importance of maintaining a neutral wrist while performing
repetitive motions.
J) BLOCKING
1) a) Extreme extension of the left and right wrists when placing the
hat on the block and pushing it down with considerble force.
b) Extension of both wrists when removing the hat from the block and
folding the back section in.
2) Operator oriented low to the work station with elbows elevated and
extended out away from the body.
Exposure to these hazards could lead to Cumulative Trauma Disorder
injuries such as but limited to tendonitis.
Some feasible and acceptable abatement methods, among others, to correct
these hazards are;
1) a)-b) Re-orient the operator or the work piece to allow the operator
to maintain a neutral wrist.
Instruct the operator to perform this task with a neutral wrist
and redesign the wooden mold to allow this to occur. Example;
lay mold on its side. Educate the operator on the importance of
maintaining a neutral wrist while performing repetitive
motions. Design a tool to assist in pushing the hat onto the
mold, allow the operator to maintain a neutral wrist. Provide
finger and/or hand covers that increase the friction between
the fingers/hand and the material thus requiring less finger/
hand force.
2) Reposition the operator by providing an adjustable work station or
placing the operator on an adjustable chair in relation to platform,
allowing him to operator an an optimum position in relation to the
task.
K) AUTOMATIC EMBROIDERY
1) Wrist extension with high finger force when pressing down the plastic
retainer ring.
2) Wrist extension with high finger forces when pulling the material,
to smooth out wrinkles, after the ring retainer has been inserted.
3) Operator utilizing a non-ergonomically designed scissors to cut
thread.
4) Holding the scissors in the same hand while gripping material.
Exposure to these hazards could lead to Cumulative Trauma Disorder
injuries such as, but not limited to tenosynovitis.
Some feasible and acceptable abatement methods, among others, to correct
these hazards are:
1) Develop a tool or mold which allows the force to be evenly
distributed and keeps employees wrists in a neutral position, and
educate the operator on the importance of maintaining a neutral wrist
when exerting high finger force and/or performig repetitive motions.
2) Provide finger covers that increase the friction between the finger
and the material thus requiring less finger force or develop a tool
to assist in cloth pulling which reduces finger forces and allows the
operator to maintain a neutral wrist.
3) Provide an ergonomically designed scissors and instruct the operator
in its proper usage.
4) Remove the scissors from the hand while gripping material to decrease
grip forces.
ABATEMENT SCHEDULE
STEP #1:
EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE PROTECTION, SUCH AS EMPLOYEE TRAINING,PHYSICAL
ASSESSMENT, JOB ROTATION, ETC., SHALL BE PROVIDED AS AN INTERIM
PROTECTIVE MEASURE UNTIL FEASIBLE ENGINEERING OR PERMANENT
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED WHICH WILL REDUCE EMPLOYEE
EXPOSURE TO NOMINAL RISK.
STEP #2:
SUBMIT TO THE AREA DIRECTOR A WRITTEN, DETAILED PLAN OF ABATEMENT
OUTLINING A SCHEDULE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENGINEERING AND/OR
ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS
CONDITIONS AS REFERENCED IN THIS CITATION. THIS PLAN SHALL INCLUDE, AT
A MINIMUM, TARGET DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WHICH MUST BE
CONSISTENT WITH TEH ABATEMENT DATES REQUIRED BY THIS CITATION:
A) EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING/ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OPTIONS;
B) SELECTION OF OPTIMUM CONTROL METHODS AND COMPLETION OF DESIGN;
C) TESTING AND ACCEPTANCE OR MODIFICATION/REDESIGN OF CONTROLS.
ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH PARTICULAR
USE BY A COMPETENT INDUSTRIAL HYGIENTIST OR OTHER TECHNICALLY
QUALIFIED PERSON. THIRTY (30) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED
DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD.
STEP #3:
ABATEMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEASIBLE
ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS UPON VERFICATION OF THEIR
EFFECTIVENESS IN ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE.

Issued

May 22, 1990

Abate by

May 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $700

Issued

May 22, 1990

Abate by

May 30, 1990