OSHA Inspection: COMPAQ COMPUTER COMPANY

Issued

Jun 11, 1993

Abate by

Mar 30, 1994

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500

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 performing tasks involving potential ergonomic risk
factors including, but not limited to, bending of wrists and
forceful
exertion resulting in stressors that had caused or were likely
to cause  cumulative  trauma disorders such as, but not limited to,
carpal tunnel syndrome:
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.
(a)  Employees assembling computers and computer components,
i.e., sub drives, were potentially exposed to
musculoskeletal
injuries from improper and/or unsuitable
workstation
designs or devices.  The employer failed to
develop and implement an effective ergonomic plan to
minimize and/or eliminate the potential for
musculoskeletal
disorders which can and may result in
cumulative
trauma disorders.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct the hazard is the development and implementation of an
ergonomic management program consisting of the following
elements:
%%
1.   Conduct a worksite analysis to recognize and identify
existing
ergonomic risk factors such as the use of in-line
torque drivers where it may be necessary to rotate the
parts to make the use of such a tool more appropriate,
or switching to a pistol-grip type tool to prevent
employees from working with an awkwardly bent arm and
wrist.
2.   Train and inform temporary employees on cumulative trauma
disorders and how to reduce its effects.
3.   Installation of fully adjustable work stations including
platforms to allow employees of differing heights to work
and use tools at an appropriate angle.
4.   Medical management which includes maintaining accurate
records of cumulative trauma disorders.
5.   Hazard prevention and control.