OSHA Inspection: SPAULDING SPORTS

Issued

Oct 1, 1991

Abate by

Jan 29, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,835 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: Employees at Spaulding Inc. who worked in the Milling
Department were exposed to the hazard of repetitive hand and wrist
operations which could result in injuries including, but not limited
to, repetitive strain injuries, tenosynovitis, ganglionic cysts,
carpel tunnel syndrome, numbness of the hands and fingers and
disorders of the neck, shoulder, back, arms and wrist which may be
precursors to the more severe forms of cumulative trauma disorder
in that:
(a)  Employees were exposed to the known hazards of:
1)  Holding the right hand in a 180 degree supinated position
while holding several balls in a static position for
extended periods.
Known Control:
Training of employees such that only one ball at a time
is picked up and to hold them with the hand in a neutral
position or develop a delivery machine which will deliver
the balls one at a time to the machine.
2)  Sitting in static postures for long periods of time.
Known Control:
More frequent rest breaks. Any ergonomic program developed
should includ a determination of what work/rest ratio is
appropriate for the task.
3)  Highly repetitive flexion/extension of the left wrist to
seat the ball in the mill.
Known Control:
Increase the vacuum of the receiving cup so that it is not
necessary to rotate the ball to achieve the seat.
4)  Highly repetitive left hand pinch grips used to seat the
ball in the mill.
Known Control:
Use of a vacuum gripper to place the ball in the mill.
5)  Highly repetitive right hand pinch grips to hold the balls.
Known Control:
Training of employee such that only one ball at a time is
picked up.
6)  Highly repetitive impacting of the back of the left hand
to operate the mill switch.
Known Control:
Replace the actuator with a light beam actuator or other
appropriate "zero force" switch which is located closer
the front of the body of the operator so that it can be
actuated without reaching behind the operator or out of
the front work zone.
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, seeking employee input.
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.
d) Adequate mandatory rest breaks.
e) Implementation of an exercise program
3)  Hiring of properly trained ergonomic consultant to assist in
training employees and implementing the recommendations made.
4)  Implementing a medical management program to monitor employees
and prevent early symptoms from progressing to injuries.
5)  Instituting a training program necessary to alert employees on
the hazards of cumulative trauma disorders, and controls and work
practices that can be used to minimize the hazards.  Instructing
workers in the basics of body biomechanics including avoidance
of various body postures including prolonged sitting and avoidance
of wrist postures.
6)  Re-evaluate existing work production standards. Instituting job
rotation, job enlargement, and job enlargement, and adequate
mandatory rest breaks.

Issued

Jul 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 3, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,875 · Current $1,310 Reduced

Issued

Jul 1, 1991

Abate by

Jul 11, 1991

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $525 Reduced