OSHA Inspection: CENTER FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (SOUTHWICK PROJECT)

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Aug 12, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 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:
a) A HAZARD OF BEING STRUCK BY A GRADER WHILE BACKING UP. THIS
2/28/89 TO 2/6/91, AN ABNORMALLY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF RESIDENCE
AGAWAM, MA, WHEN A CATERPILLAR 120 G GRADER DELLA #8116 WAS BACKING
UP WITHOUT OUTSIDE MIRRORS.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE METHOD TO CORRECT THE HAZARD WOULD BE
TO ADD OUTSIDE MIRRORS OR A SIGNAL PERSON.
TWO YEAR PERIOD REVEALED THAT 25% OF THE RESIDENCE COUNSELLORS
SUSTAINED LOST TIME INJURIES DUE TO LIFTING ALONG, AND A TOTAL OF
58% OF ALL RESIDENCE COUNSELLORS DURING THAT PERIOD SUSTAINED A
RECORDABLE LIFTING RELATED INJURY. THE EVALUATION OF THE TWO-PERSON
MANUAL LIFTING TECHNIQUE FOR TRANSFERRING A CLIENT FROM WHEELCHAIR
TO AN AVERAGE RECLINING CHAIR INDICATE THAT EMPLOYEES ARE EXPOSED
TO SIMILAR LIFTING CONDITIONS. DURING THE LIFT, IT HAS BEEN
DETERMINED THROUGH MATHEMATICAL CALCULATION THAT THE TASK REQUIRES
LIFTING WEIGHTS IN EXCESS OF THE ACTION LIMIT.

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jul 8, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,825 · Current $900 Reduced