OSHA Inspection: SEAWAY FOOD TOWN INC.

Issued

May 19, 1995

Abate by

Jun 21, 1995

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 exposed to serious injury from manual lifting tasks:
a) Dry Grocery Warehouse:  Employees working as selectors and high-lift
operators were exposed to situations in which they suffered back,
shoulder, or
groin injuries while lifting boxes, cases and bags of material.
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 elements:
Worksite Analysis
1.  Use the assistance of an expert qualified by education, training and
experience
in the field of ergonomics to conduct a comprehensive study of the
workplace
ergonomics hazards that affect workers and that can result in
musculoskeletal
injury.  Use ergonomic principles in the design of racks, physical layout,
size of
the order, and arrangement of grocery items.
2.  Involve employees in the work station and work process evaluations
using a
combination of employee questionnaires and employee safety committees.
3.  Conduct an analysis of the work method(s) tool(s), and work station(s)
for
each worker that suffers an OSHA recordable cumulative trauma disorder
(CTD)
illness.  This should include development and use of ergonomic checklists,
employee questionnaires, and videotape technology.  Solicit the comment and
suggestions of affected employees, supervisors, and the engineering and
maintenance departments.
4. Make indicated changes to reduce stresses on the employees.  If there
are
similar work tasks and stations, modify them.  After 90 days, review the
results
of the changes and determine whether further changes are needed.
Medical Management
1. Use the assistance of a physician qualified by education, training and
experience in the field of ergonomics to oversee a medical management
program.
Train first line managers in the early recognition of and appropriate
interventions
for CTD affected employees.
2.  Develop a system for monitoring new and CTD damaged employees.  CTD
damaged employees should never be returned to jobs that caused their
illnesses
until engineering or work practice controls have eliminated the stressors.
Light duty jobs should be made available for injured workers in order to
encourage and facilitate their return to work.
3.  Determine whether employees are performing tasks using the company
prescribed method(s), tool(s), and work station configuration(s).
Periodically
review worker performance with the worker, supervisor, safety and health
director, and the medical manager.
4.  Keep accurate records of cumulative trauma disorder injuries, such as
restricted duty and transfers to other jobs.
Training and Education
1.  Employees should be trained in the recognition of neutral postures for
the
body, arm and hand to avoid musculoskeletal disorders and illnesses.
Evaluate
the tasks being performed and establish the minimum stress methods for task
performances.  Train employees to use the prescribed task methods.  When
employees are observed performing outside the prescribed task method,
reorient
them.
2.  Training should address hazards associated with the various operations
causing
back and shoulder injuries and how to prevent them.  A supervisors'
training
program should also be implemented to allow recognition of musculoskeletal
hazards and to reinforce the employer's ergonomics program.
Hazard Prevention
1.  Hazard prevention and control includes administrative, work practice
and
engineering controls.
a.  Administrative controls are implemented which reduce the
duration, frequency and severity or exposure to repetitive motion
hazards.  These controls may include job rotation and reduction of
repetitions.
An effective administrative control is to classify orders as to load
difficulty, taking into consideration factors such as weight, number
of items, location, and type of items to be selected, to ensure that
order selections for each worker are balanced.  For instance, a
heavy or difficult load should be followed by a less difficult load
to allow the worker the opportunity for some recovery.
b.  Work practice controls are implemented which include proper
work techniques and new employee conditioning.  Proper manual
lifting work technique is focused on a neutral body position duringthe
lift.
Risk factors that indicate improper work techniques include:
*lifting heavy items
* constant handling of moderate to heavy items throughout
the workshift.
* handling difficult to grasp items
* awkward lifts or carries that are near the floor, above the
shoulders, or far in front of the body.
* exertion of force in awkward positions, such as, to the
side, overhead, and at extended reaches.
*constant standing
*climbing
* sudden movements during manual handling
*static muscle loading
*lack of handling aids
*unavailability of help for heavy lifting or exerting forces
New employee conditioning includes assigning new workers to jobs
classified as
low stress for a period of two to four weeks until they become conditioned
to the
work.
c.  Engineering controls are designed by a qualified ergonomist
and may include work station redesign. The goal of this program
should be to make the job fit the person and to reduce the
frequency of repetitive movements.
*Engineering controls are designed by a qualified ergonomist
and may include work station redesign.  The goal of this
program should be to make the job fit the person and to
reduce the frequency of repetitive movements.
*Provide mechanical lifting aids which may include
automatic leveling devices, articulated arm manipulations,
scissor lifts or lift tables.
*Reduce worker lifting strain by providing walk space along
the side of pallets containing heavy objects.  Alternately,
cause heavy items to be cut on rollers so that order
assemblers can pull them forward to reach items at the
back of the pallet.
*Reduce worker hand and arm stressors by stopping
the use of self-sticking plastic wrap on grocery
items.