OSHA Inspection: CORNING ASAHI VIDEO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Issued

Apr 10, 1992

Abate by

Nov 30, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $1,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
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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
required to perform lifting tasks resulting in stresses that had
caused, were causing, or were likely to cause musculoskeletal injuries:
(a)  Rough Grind Area - Ware  handlers were  lifting and
carrying neck  and  neckless funnels to Rough Grind
Area.  The  evaluation  of this manuel lifting task
indicates that  employees  are exposed  to a hazard
which is causing or likely to cause musculoskeletal
injuries.   The   employer  did  not  implement  an
effective  control  strategy to reduce or eliminate
such injuries.  The  injury and illness records for
1990 and 1991 document a pattern of musculoskeletal
injuries, on or about December 31, 1991.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is the implementation of an ergonomics management
program consisting of the following four elements:
(1)  Worksite_analysis to recognize and identify existing cumulative
trauma disorders in the workplace.  This analysis should include
development and use of ergonomic checklist and employee questi-
onnaire.  Periodic surveys of the worksite shall be conducted at
least annually to evaluate work practices and engineering
controls.  Employee participation in the ergonomic program
should be encouraged.
(2)  Medical_management which includes accurate recordkeeping of
CTDs.  The program should address early recognition, evaluation,
and referral of CTD cases, should include conservative treatment
and conservative return to work.  Systematic worksite review by
the medical team should also be included in the program.
(3)  Training_and_education for exposed employees, including methods
to evaluate the effectiveness of the training.  Retraining
should be done annually, or as operations change.  Training
should address hazards associated with the job, the risks of
developing CTDs, symptoms of exposure and how to prevent the
occurrence of CTD.  A supervisors' training program should also
be implemented to allow recognition of the signs of CTDs and to
reinforce the employer's ergonomic program.
(4)  Hazard_prevention_and_control which includes engineering, work
practices, and administrative controls, and personal protective
equipment were relevant.
(a)  Administrative controls are implemented which reduce the
duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to ergonomic
stress.  These controls may include job rotation, reduction
of repetitions, and preventative maintenance of related
equipment.  Personal protective equipment shall be evalua-
ted to determine any contribution to ergonomic stress.
(b)  Work practice controls are implemented which included
proper work techniques, new employee conditioning, and
monitoring and modifications as necessary to minimize
ergonomic stressors.
Examples of work practice controls applicable to this
workplace include:
1)  Rotation of employees.
(c)  Engineering controls are designed by a qualified ergonom-
ist and may include work station redesign, tool and handle
redesign, and change of work methods.  The goal of this
program should be to make the job fit the person.
Examples of work practice controls applicable to this
workplace include:
1)  Installation of lifting device.
Step 1 - Implementation of an ergonomics program for worksite analy-
sis, medical management, and training and education, as
detailed in items 1-3 above.
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 4(a) - 4(c).
ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH
PARTICULAR USE BY A PERSON TRAININED IN THE EVALUATION OF
WORKPLACE CONDITIONS WHICH CAUSE CUMULATIVE TRAUMA
DISORDERS.  NINETY (90) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED
DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD.
Step 3 - Implementation of administrative, work practices and
engineering controls, as described in items 4(a) - 4(c),
above.