OSHA Inspection: EX-CELL LINDE OF BENTONVILLE, INC.

Issued

Jul 6, 1994

Abate by

Aug 22, 1996

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $3,750

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 required to perform tasks involving ergonomic risk factors (including
but not limited to,
repetitive motions, force, and postures) resulting in stressors that had
caused, were causing, or
likely to cause cumulative trauma disorder(s):
At the facility, employees in Department 27, swag shower curtains, doing
tasks such as
sewing swag shower curtains and cutting with scissors were exposed to
identified
ergonomic risk factors, which have caused or are likely to cause
cumulative trauma
disorders of the upper extremities, including carpal tunnel syndrome and
tendinitis of the
wrist, arms and shoulders.  The employer did not implement an effective
control strategy
to reduce or eliminate such disorders.  The injury and illness records for
1991 to the
present documented a pattern of cumulative trauma disorders.
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 four
elements:
(1)Worksite analysis to recognize and identify existing ergonomic risk
factors in the
workplace.  This analysis should include development and use of an
ergonomic
checklist and employee questionnaire.  Periodic surveys of the workplace
shall
be conducted at appropriate intervals to evaluate work practices and
engineering
controls.  Employee participation  in the ergonomic program should be
encouraged through a mechanism such as a safety committee.
(2)Medical management which includes accurate recordkeeping of cumulative
trauma
disorders.  The program should address early recognition, evaluation, and
referral
of cumulative trauma disorder cases, and should include conservative
treatment
and conservative return to work.  Systemic worksite review by the medical
team
should also be included in the program.
(3)Training and education for exposed employees, including methods to
evaluate the
effectiveness of the training.  Re-training should be done annually, or as
operations change.  Training should address hazards associated with the
job, the
risks of developing cumulative trauma disorders, symptoms of exposure, and
how
to prevent the occurrence of cumulative trauma disorders.  A supervisor's
training
program should also be implemented to allow recognition of the signs of
cumulative trauma disorders and to reinforce the employer's ergonomics
program.
The training program should include the establishment's health care
providers
to
ensure that they are able to recognize and  prescribe appropriate
treatment for
cumulative trauma disorders.
(4)Hazard prevention and control which includes engineering, work
practice, and
administrative controls, and personal protective equipment where relevant.
(a)Engineering controls are designed by a qualified ergonomist and may
include workstation redesign, tool and handle redesign, and change in
work methods.  The goal of this program should be to make the job fit the
person.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace include:
(i)Move the carriage of the sewing machine so that it will not
be in the way of the employees knees and will provide
room to push their chairs close to the machine to help in
eliminating awkward body and wrist postures.
(ii)Use bins that have a spring lift in the bottom or are on a
cart that is elevated with one side of the bin cut out to hold
the parts so that the employees sewing do not have to twist
and reach down into the bins to get parts.
(iii)Use scissors with a spring assisted opening to reduce the
force and the number of repetitions opening and closing the
scissors.
(iv)Relocate the ruffle attachment so that it will not be in the
way of the employee while sewing the panels to the
valence.  The employees  elevated their left shoulders and
hands and dropped their right shoulders and hands putting
them in an awkward body posture to include deviations of
the wrist.
(v)Use some type of air snip or automated scissor to trim the
excess strings and lint off of the rolls of ruffle to be
hemmed instead of manually with traditional scissors.
(b)Administrative controls are implemented which reduce the duration,
frequency, and severity of exposure to ergonomic stress.  These controls
may include job rotation, reduction of repetitions, and preventative
maintenance of related equipment.  Personal protective equipment shall be
evaluated to determine any contribution of ergonomic stress.
(c)Work Practice controls are implemented which include proper work
techniques, new employee conditioning, and monitoring and modifications
as necessary to minimize ergonomic stressors.
Examples of work practice controls applicable to this workplace include:
(i)Have the employees sitting in adjustable chairs adjust their
chairs to the appropriate work height to put the wrist and
body in a neutral position.
(ii)Have the employees that are sewing the panels to the
valence put their scissors in a location so that they don't
have to reach over the ruffle attachment to place their
scissors on the work table.
Step 1Implementation of an ergonomics program for worksite analysis,
medical management,
and training and education, as detailed in items 1-3 above.
Step 2Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of abatement
outlining
a schedule
for the implementation of the engineering, administrative, and work
practice controls as
detailed in items 4(a)-4(c).
ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR
EACH PARTICULAR USE BY A PERSON TRAINED IN THE EVALUATION
OF WORKPLACE CONDITIONS WHICH CAUSE  CUMULATIVE TRAUMA
DISORDERS.  SIXTY (60) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED
DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD
Step 3Implementation of engineering, administrative, and work practice
controls, as described
in items 4(a)-4(c).

Issued

Jul 6, 1994

Abate by

Jul 25, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

Issued

Jul 6, 1994

Abate by

Jul 18, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

Issued

Jul 6, 1994

Abate by

Jul 18, 1994

Issued

Jul 6, 1994

Abate by

Jul 25, 1994

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $750