OSHA Inspection: EARTH GRAINS, DIV. OF MERICO, INC.

Issued

Jul 23, 1991

Abate by

Jan 28, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,875 · Current $1,875

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
an unacceptable risk of musculoskeletal injuries and cumulative trauma
disorders due to the performance of repetitive motions while handling
products such as honey buns, cakes, and croissants.  Employees were
exposed to the risk of increased severity and/or recurrence of the
illness in that an effective ergonomics program had not been
implemented:
a) While ultimate responsibility for correcting the hazard rests with
the employer, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
this hazard include, but are not limited to the following,
development and implementation of an ergonomics program which
include the following elements:
1) Training and education program to ensure that all employees,
supervisor's, engineers, managers, and health care providers are
sufficiently informed about ergonomic hazards to which employees may
be exposed and the mean to recognize, reduce or eliminate the
exposure;
2) Worksite analysis to identify existing ergonomics hazards and work
positions that put employees at risk of developing CTDs and
musculoskeletal injuries;
3) Hazard prevention and control to involve use of appropriate
engineering controls, work practice controls, personal protective
equipment and administrative controls to correct or control the
ergonomic hazards indentified;
4) Medical management to ensure the early identification, evaluation,
and treatment of signs and symptoms, and to aid in the prevention
of CTDs and musculoskeletal injuries;
5) A written program outlining procedures and policies to be used.
Abatement Schedule:
Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of abatement
outlining a schedule for the implementation of the Ergonomics Program
to control employee exposure to the hazardous conditions referenced
in the citation.  This plan shall be submitted within the first ninety
(90) days of the abatement period.  Thereafter ninety (90) day progress
reports shall be submitted to the Area Director.