OSHA Inspection: FRUIT OF THE LOOM, INC.

Issued

Dec 8, 1993

Abate by

Jan 10, 1994

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $3,150 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:
On site, for various job operations in the sewing and finishing
departments at FRUIT OF THE LOOM ARKANSAS, INC., Osceola, Arkansas,
where employees were performing job task such as but not limited
to machine sewing/joining, trimming, examining and bundling, which
produced biomechanical stress to the hands, wrist, arms, and
shoulders resulting in musculoskeletal disorders.  These disorders
included but were not limited to: carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS),
tendinitis, muscular sprains and ganglion cyst.
Other methods to reduce injury/illness rates might include the
following:
(a)  Implementation of a comprehensive ergonomic program
including all of the elements as outlined in OSHA
publication 3123. Ergonomics Program Management
Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants.
(b)  Do additional job and stress factor analysis to isolate
and quantify the types and numbers of repetitive trauma
disorders, and the root causes of these disorders.
Periodic video taping of jobs may be useful.
(c)  Provide continuing education for all affected employees
in regard to cumulative stress disorders, and ensure
employees are following workpractice guidelines.
Training should include signs and symptoms of repetitive
trauma disorders, and should include a basic discussion
of anatomy, causation, and prevention.  Topics such as
correct hand/wrist position should be stressed.  Basic
definitions of carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and
other common CTD's should be provided.  Anatomical
models/charts of the wrist may be useful in describing
the above items.  Prevention, diagnosis, and the full
range of available medical treatments should be done to
assure that appropriate work practices are being
utilized.  The purpose and benefits of exercising at home
or work should be discussed.
Comprehensive ergonomic training should also be provided
for first line supervisors and the on-site medical staff.
Training of the nursing staff may be best accomplished
through continuing education courses offered by an
accredited institution.
(d)  Expand the use of the adjustable turntable assemblies as
appropriate.
(e)  Expand the use of the Eck-Adams chairs throughout the
production lines.
(f)  Consider the use of employer/employee pairs who could
routinely walk the production line (daily) and observe
employees at their workstations.  The pair could identify
problems with specific workstations and aid employees who
are not following recommended sewing techniques.
(g)  Provide a logical and systematic system for job rotation,
(for job operations where rotation would reduce
exposure).  Supervisors should not have discretion over
rotational schemes unless a systematic and proven
rotational plan has been tried and proven effective.

Issued

Dec 8, 1993

Abate by

Dec 20, 1993