OSHA Inspection: AUTOMATED CONVEYOR SYSTEMS, INC.

Issued

Aug 8, 1991

Abate by

Oct 8, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,450 · Current $1,200 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) Employees involved in lifting 75 pound upright support stands
exceeded the maximum permissible limit that an individual is
allowed to lift measured on 20 June 1991.  The stands are
lifted from the floor or a pallet to the worktable then
back to the floor or a pallet.  There is a potential for
biomechanical stress resulting in back injuries, muscle
strains or hernias.
(b) Employees invloved in lifting approximately 55 pound,
16 inches x 58 inches conveyor frames exceeded the
maximum permissible limit that an individual is
allowed to lift measured on 20 June 1991.  The frames
are lifted from either the floor or a pallet to a
work table then back to either the floor or a pallet.
There is a potential for biomechanical stress resulting
in back injuries, muscle strains or hernias.
The employer is not limited to abatement methods suggested by OSHA;
i.e., methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.  Other methods of abatement may be equally or more appropriate.
Ultimate responsibility for determining the most appropriate abatement
method rests with the employer, given its superior knowledge of the
specific conditions on its worksite.