OSHA Inspection: COMPETITIVE MEDIA REPORTING J.V.

Issued

Aug 2, 1994

Abate by

Jan 2, 1995

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $1,575 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 repetitive motion trauma resulting in musculoskeletal
injuries of the hands,
wrists, and shoulders:
a)News Monitoring Department: News Monitors working at video display
terminals.  On or about 2/3/94.
ABATEMENT:
I.Feasible and useful abatement methods include, but are not limited to,
the following:
1. Work-rest schedules should be developed and enforced.  Generally, a
minimum of a
15 minute rest break at least every two hours is required.  Where
employees
work in
excess of 8 hours, additional rest periods should be included to account
for the additional
hours worked.
2. Generally, repetitions should be kept below 1500 per hour, especially,
for employees
who show symptoms of repetitive motion injuries.  Employees who show
symptoms may
have to be slowed down by providing periods of rest or by rotating
employees to
operations which can be performed at a slower pace.
3. VDT screen and TV monitors should be placed as close as possible to
each other in
order to minimize the amount of head turning.  The VDT screen and TV
monitor should
be positioned in such a manner that employees can view them while
maintaining the body
in an ergonomically neutral position.
4. Rearrange work stations so that the overhead lights do not create
indirect or direct
glare for the employee.  Where work stations cannot be altered, anti-glare
screens should
be installed on the VDT screens.
5. Round off or pad the edges of the work surface where the employees'
forearms or
wrists might come in contact with sharp edges of the work surface.
6. Provide fully articulated slide out keyboard with padded wrist rests so
that employees
can maintain neutral wrist and arm postures and have padded areas on which
to rest their
wrists and forearms.
7. Educate and train employees on the following ergonomic principles.
a) Basics of body mechanics and the importance of maintaining the wrist in
an
ergonomically neutral position.
b) Adjustment of various work station features for proper alignment.
c) Hazards of repetitive motion trauma disorders.d) Rest breaks.
e) Proper work practices.
II.  The following are among other feasible and acceptable abatement
methods to correct
these hazards:
1. Proper engineering design of the job, work station, and equipment so
that the work
can be performed independent of specific worker characteristics and
techniques,
evaluating and modifying as necessary.  A qualified ergonomic consultant
should conduct
this evaluation, seeking employee input.  Jobs should be classified as to
the nature and
extent of exertion.
2. Instituting administrative controls, including the following:
a) Training new employees in safe work techniques.
b) Working with minimum strain on the body and minimizing the application
of forces
with the fingers.
c) Job rotation and job enhancement, allowing for as much variation as
possible in the
distribution and frequency of musculoskeletal activity.
d) Adequate mandatory rest breaks.
e) Implementation of an exercise program.
3. Hiring of a properly trained ergonomic consultant to assist in an
analysis of all jobs,
training employees and implementing the recommendations made.
4. Implementing a medical management program to monitor employees and
prevent early
symptoms from progressing to injuries.
ABATEMENT NOTE:
STEP 1: Implementation of an ergonomics program for worksite analysis,
medical
management, and training and education. - 9/2/94
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 I and II. - 10/3/94
STEP 3: Implementation of administrative, work practice, and engineering
controls,
as
described in items I and II. - 11/1/94ed

Issued

Mar 31, 1994

Abate by

Apr 18, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $1,260 Reduced