OSHA Inspection: KNOLL, INC.

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $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
burn injuries:
a) Employees in the Flat Panel Finishing Area walk and work in close
proximity to the TFS Steam Tunnel. Steam pipes at 150 degrees F are
uninsulated thus exposing employees injury from burns, 2/9/90.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard.
1) Insulate pipes with material to asborb heat.

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Mar 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $280 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
serious injury from lifting tasks without effective administrative or
engineering controls:
a) Woodshop employees stack 48 pound wood panel veneers on a conveyor
prior to the panels being placed in a hot press. The evaluation of
this manual lifting task indicates that employees are exposed to an
increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries in population exposed to
similar lifting conditions. The injury and illness records for 1989
and employee interviews documented that there was a pattern of
musculoskeletal/overexertion injuries, 2/28/90.
STEP 1 - EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE PROTECTION, SUCH AS EMPLOYEE TRAINING,
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT, JOB ROTATION, ETC. SHALL BE PROVIDED AS AN
INTERIM PROTECTIVE MEASURE UNTIL FEASIBLE ENGINEERING OR
PERMANENT ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED WHICH WILL
REDUCE EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE TO NOMINAL RISK.
STEP 2 - SUBMIT TO THE AREA DIRECTOR A WRITTEN, DETAILED PLAN OF
ABATEMENT OUTLINING A SCHEDULE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
ENGINEERING OR ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL EMPLOYEE
INJURY DUE TO MANUAL LIFTING TASKS. ENGINEERING CONTROLS TO
REDUCE MUSCULOSKELETAL STRESSES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
JOB REDESIGN, REDUCTION OF THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL LOAD
DISTANCE FROM THE BODY, REDUCTION OF THE LIFTING AIDS. THIS
PLAN SHALL INCLUDE AT A MINIMUM, TARGET DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING
ACTIONS WHICH MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE DATES REQUIRED BY
THIS CITATION.
1) EVALUATION OF THE CONDITIONS, LOCATIONS AND MANUAL LIFTING ACTIVITIES
THAT THE EMPLOYEES ARE PERFORMING AT THE ONSET OF MUSCULOSKELETAL
INJURIES.
2) EVALUATION OF INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SELECTED CONTROL
MEASURES.
3) PROCUREMENT, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SELECTED CONTROL MEASURES.
ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH PARTICULAR USE
BY A PERSON TRAINED IN THE EVALUATIONOF WORKPLACE CONDITIONS WHICH CAUSE
MUSULOSKETETAL DISORDERS, THIRTY (30) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED
DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD.
STEP 3 - DEVELOP A REHABILATION PROGRAM FOR INJURED WORKERS. THE PROGRAM
IS EXPECTED TO INCLUDE EXERCISE, BUILDING STAMINA.  TRAINING
IN SAFE LIFTING TECHNIQUES, WORK CONDITIONING AND DEMONSTRATION
THAT THE WORKER IS ABLE TO RESUME WORK.
ABATEMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEASIBLE
ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS. WHERE THE LIFTING TASK
ANALYSES IN NIOSH'S WORK PRACTICES GUIDE FOR MANUAL LIFTING HAS BEEN
UTILIZED. COMPLIANCE WILL BE ACHIEVED WHEN THE CALCULATED ACTION LEVEL
IS MET.
b) Assembly employees had various sized boxes of finished furniture case
goods and lift the boxes from the 32 inch high bander to 4 inch high
pallets on the floor. The boxes are stacked two high on the pallets
and weigh 61 to 64 pounds. The evaluation of this manual lifting task
indicates that employees are exposed to an increased risk of
musculoskeletal injuries in populations exposed to similar lifting
conditions. The injury and illness records for 1989 documented that
there was a pattern of musculoskeletal/overexertion injuries, 3/6/90.
STEP 1- EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE PROTECTION, SUCH AS EMPLOYEE TRAINING,
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT, JOB ROTATION, ETC. SHALL BE PROVIDED AS AN
INTERIM PROTECTIVE MEASURE UNTIL FEASIBLE ENGINEERING OR
PERMANENT ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED WHICH WILL
REDUCE EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE TO NOMAL RISK.
STEP 2- SUBMIT TO THE AREA DIRECTOR A WRITTEN, DETAILED PLAN OF
ABATEMENT OUTLINING A SCHEDULE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
ENGINEERING OR ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL EMPLOYEE
INJURY DUE TO MANUAL LIFTING TASKS. ENGINEERING CONTROLS TO
REDUCE MUSCULOSKELETAL STRESSES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,
JOB REDESIGN, REDUCTION OF THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL LOAD
DISTANCE FROM THE BODY, REDUCTION OF THE LIFTING FREQUENCY OR
WEIGHT, AND USE OF MECHANICAL LIFTING AIDS. THIS PLAN SHALL
INCLUDE AT A MINIMUM, TARGET DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS
WHICH MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE DATES REQUIRED BY THIS
CITATION.
1) EVALUATION OF THE CONDITIONS, LOCATIONS AND MANUAL LIFTING
ACTIVITIES THAT THE EMPLOYEES ARE PERFORMING AT THE ONSET OF
MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES.
2) EVALUATION OF APPLICABLE CONTROL MEASURES.
3) PROCUREMENT, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SELECTED CONTROL
MEASURES.
ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH
PARTICULAR USE BY A PERSON TRAINED IN THE EVALUATION OF
WORKPLACE CONDITIONS WHICH CAUSE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS.
THIRTY (30) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED DURING THE
ABATEMENT PERIOD.
STEP 3- DEVELOP A REHABILATION PROGRAM FOR INJURED WORKERS. THE PROGRAM
IS EXPECTED TO INCLUDE EXERCISE, BUILDING STAMINA, TRAINING IN
SAFE LIFTING TECHNIQUES, WORK CONDITIONING AND DEMONSTRATION
THAT THE WORKER IS ABLE TO RESUME WORK.
ABATEMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEASIBLE
ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS. WHERE THE LIFTING TASK
ANALYSES IN NIOSH'S WORK PRACTICES GUIDE FOR MANUAL LIFTING HAS BEEN
UTILIZED. COMPLIANCE WILL BE ACHIEVED WHEN THE CALCULATED ACTION LEVEL
IS MET.

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Mar 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $280 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
increased risk of developing cumulative trauma disorders from the tasks
that they were performing and effective administrative or engineering
controls were not provided:
a) Upholstery workers in the Lubin Buildings manually stretch and tuck
upholstery fabric over metal/foam chair seats and backs. The
evaluation of this repetitive motion task indicates that employees
are exposed to an increased risk of repetitive motion hand/wrist/arm
disclosed a case of cumulative trauma disease and interviews with
employees disclosed numerous symptoms of early stage disease, 3/6/90.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is the fomulation, and implementation of a
comprehensive repetitive strain injury prevention program.  This program
should include, at a minimum, the following elements:
1) Periodic identification of all employees with symptoms generally
associated with repetitive motion disorders. This permits appropriate
and timely evaluation and treatment before the symtoms disable the
employee. Periodic identification should detect any significant
change in the prevalence incidence, and/or location of the reported
symptoms. It will also help to determine the effectiveness of the
medical management and ergonomic programs.
2) Ergonomic assessment of each existing, planned, new and modified
operation to identify ergonomic stressors which may be produced by
the environment, tools or work methods.  Ergonomic job hazard,
analysis should then be routinely performed by qualified persons for
operations which have been identified as putting workers at risk of
developing cumulative trauma disorders of the analysis will serve to
establish effective, safe job procedures, to verify low risk factors
for light duty work, and to determine if risk factors (stressors) for
a position have been reduced or eliminated to the extent feasible.
3) Implementation of control measures for reducing job repetiveness.
The following specific methods should be consisdered at the cited
operations.
a) Increase frequency/diviation of rest pauses and/or job rotation.
b) Increase the number of employees assigned to the task.
c) Give new workers time to condition their muscle/tendon/nerve
groups.
4) Implementation of control measures for reducing biomechanical forces.
The following specific methods should be considered at the cited
operation.
a) Mechanical device (press) to force material into slot.
b) Jig to position and hold work piece while fabric is applied.
c) Reduce wrist flexion and palmer pressure of ice pick usage by
redesigning their handles (thicker, softer, no sharp groove edges,
shaped to fit palm).
d) Learn chairs to reduce prolonged standing.
e) Use tool to stretch fabric instead of fingers.
5) Implementation of control measures for reducing awkward postures. The
following specific methods should be considered at the cited
operations.
a) Adjustable work table height to reduce bending at the waist.
b) Angle work table to reduce the need for flexed wrist force
motions.
6) Training sessions to familiarize managers, supervisors and employees
with the various cumulative trauma disorders and with their causes,
symptoms, prevention and treatment.  Employees should be given job
specific training in the types of movement and postures which can
reduce the chance of cumulative trauma strains. After training
proper work procedures should be monitored, feedback from employees
received, adjustments made and proper proceduresenforced.
7) Medical management program for the prevention and treatment of
cumulative trauma disorders should be established. The program should
contain the following elements:
a) A trained and available health care provider should conduct
periodic systematic workplace walk through to become knowledgeable
about operations and work practices, to identify potential light
duty jobs and potential cumulative trauma disorders stressors. The
periodic symptom survey indicated in element number one can be
conducted by the health care provider.
b) All new and reassigned employees who are to be assigned to jobs
involving exposure to cumulative trauma should be given initial
and annual health examinations. The purpose is to establish a
base against which changes in health status can be evaluated not
to preclude people from the job. The annual examination can detect
early signs of cumulative trauma disorders so appropriate measures
can be instituted so a more serious conditon can be prevented.
c) New employees and employees who have returned to work after a
cumulative trauma disorder should be given the opportunity to
condition their muscle/tendon-nerve groups to working at capacity.
This should be accomplished through slower paced lines or light
duty jobs.
STEP 1 - EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE PROTECTION, SUCH AS EMPLOYEE TRAINING,
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT, JOB ROTATION, ETC. SHALL BE PROVIDED AS AN
INTERIM PROTECTIVE MEASURE UNTIL FEASIBLE ENGINEERING OR
PERMANENT ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED WHICH WILL
REDUCE EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE TO NOMINAL RISK.
STEP 2 - SUBMIT TO THE AREA DIRECTOR A WRITTEN, DETAILED PLAN OF
ABATEMENT OUTLINING A SCHEDULE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL EMPLOYEE
INJURY DUE TO REPETITIVE MOTION TASKS. THIS PLAN SHALL INCLUDE
AT A MINIMUM, TARGET DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WHICH MUST
BE CONSISTENT WITH THE DATES REQUIRED BY THIS CITATION.
1) ERGONOMIC EVALUATION OF THE REPETATIVE MOTION TASKS THAT
EMPLOYEES ARE PERFORMING AT THE CITED OPERATIONS.
2) EVALUATION OF APPLICABLE CONTROL MEASURES.
3) PROCUREMENT, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SELECTED CONTROL
MEASURES.
ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH
PARTICULAR USE BY A PERSON TRAINED IN THE EVALUATION OF WORK
PLACE CONDITIONS WHICH CAUSE REPETITIVE MOTION DISORDERS. (30)
DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED.
STEP 3 - DEVELOP A REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR INJURED WORKERS.  THE
PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO INCLUDE EXERCISE, BUILDING STAMINA.
TRAINING IN SAFE LIFTING TECHNIQUES, WORK CONDITIONING AND
DEMONSTRATION THAT THE WORKER IS ABLE TO RESUME WORK.
ABATEMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEASIBLE
ENGINEERING AND/OR AMDINISTRATIVE CONTROLS.  WHERE THE LIFTING TASK
ANALYSIS IN NIOSH'S WORK PRACTICES GUIDE FOR MANUAL LIFTING HAS BEEN
UTILIZED, COMPLIANCE WILL BE ACHIEVED WHEN THE CALCULATED ACTION LEVEL
IS MET.

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 4, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $280 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $280 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 4, 1990

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $280 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 4, 1990

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 11, 1990

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Mar 1, 1991

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $270 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 19, 1990

Penalty

Initial $320 · Current $160 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 25, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 25, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 25, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 19, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 19, 1990

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 19, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $320 · Current $160 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 25, 1990

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 11, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $320 · Current $160 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 19, 1990

Penalty

Initial $480 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $280 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 19, 1990

Penalty

Initial $400 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 11, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $280 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $80 · Current $40 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $80 · Current $40 Reduced

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 19, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Mar 1, 1991

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Mar 1, 1991

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 11, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 19, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 11, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 14, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 19, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 4, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 11, 1990

Issued

May 30, 1990

Abate by

Jun 29, 1990