OSHA Inspection: WAMPLER FOODS, INC.

Issued

Jul 5, 1990

Abate by

Jan 5, 1991

Penalty

Initial $360 · Current $250 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8302

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
cumulative trauma disorders from repeated motion of the hands, wrists,
and arms. These exertions caused aggravated or precipitated cumulative
trauma disorders including carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitits of the
wrist and forearm among employees exposedin the following operation:
a) Roll Packer working at the conveyor packing rolls into boxes in the
in the roll packing department, 1/30/90.
The evaluation of this repetitive motion task indicates that employees
are exposed to an increased risk of cumulative trauma disorders based
upon studies of population exposed to similar conditions.  The injury
and illnes records for 1988 and 1989 documented a pattern of cumulative
trauma disorders at this operation.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is the implementation of a comprehensive cumulative
trauma disorder prevention program.  This program should include at a
minimum, the following elements:
1) Indentification of all current employees with symtoms generally
associated with cumulative trauma disorders.
2) An ergonomic assessment of operations to identify mechanical stressor
which may be produced by the environment, tools or work methods being
employed, combined with periodic follow-up of these operations.
3) Implementation of control methods for reducing job repetitiveness,
biomechanical forces, and awkward postures and for increasing
adjustibility of position into the job. The following specific
methods should be considered at the cited operations:
a) Providing idler arms or other devices which would assist in
moving product to the front of the conveyor.
b) Decreasing the depth of the box stand to enable employees to
stand closer to the conveyor.
c) Providing sit/stand stools or antifatigue mats to eliminate
static postures caused by continuous standing.
d) Using a "shoot" or other redesign so rolls can be more easily
slid into the box.
e) Keeping the front side of the box folded down or providing arm
guards and tilting the box.
4) Implementation of a training and awareness program aimed at
educating workers, supervisors, and managers in the following areas:
a) Recognition of biomechanical stressors which cause or contribute
to cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) as well as the different
types of CTD.
b) Means by which CTD can be reduced.
c) Familiarizing (present, new, and reassigned) workers and
supervisors with those design changes and work practices
specifically aimed at reducing CTD to include proper use of and
procedures for tools and equipment and use of appropriate controls
and other safety equipment.
d) Recognition of and procedures for reporting of symptoms of CTD in
order to fascilitate early diagnosis and treatment.
e) Procedures for evaluation of job tasks upon reports of symptoms
from employers.
f) Managers and supervisors should be trained in the aspects and
provisions of the company's ergonomic program, ergonomic issues
involved with each work station and their specific responsibility
in administrating the company's ergonomic program.
5) Scheduled rotation of employees to minimize repetition and the degree
of musculoskeletal stress caused by specific job tasks.
Additional rest periods should be considered to relieve fatiqued
muscle-tendon groups.  Excessive stress from overtime work should
also be minimized.
6) Implementation of a medical management program which includes the
following elements:
a) Written protocols for health surveillance and the evaluation
treatment and follow-up of workers with signs or symptoms of
CTD's.
b) Initial health examinations to establish a base against which
changes in health status can be evaluated, an followed by periodic
examinations to aid in detecting signs of CTD so appropriate
measures can be taken to prevent the development of more serious
conditions.
ABATEMENT NOTE:
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 or administrative measures to control employee
injury due to repetitive motion tasks.
ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH
PARTICULAR USE BY A PERSON TRAINED IN THE EVALUATION OF WORK
PLACE CONDITIONING WHICH CAUSE CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERS.
SIXTY DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED DURING THE ABATEMENT
PERIOD.
Step 3 - Abatement shall have completed by the implementation of
feasible engineering and/or administrative controls, upon
verification of their effectiveness in reducing the occurence
of cumulative trauma disorders.

Issued

Mar 13, 1990

Abate by

Apr 3, 1990

Penalty

Initial $180 · Current $180

Issued

Mar 13, 1990

Abate by

Apr 3, 1990

Issued

Mar 13, 1990

Abate by

Mar 27, 1990

Issued

Mar 13, 1990

Abate by

Apr 12, 1990

Issued

Mar 13, 1990

Abate by

Apr 12, 1990

Issued

Mar 13, 1990

Abate by

Mar 27, 1990