OSHA Inspection: MENARDI-CRISWELL, INC.

Issued

Dec 4, 1992

Abate by

Jul 1, 1994

Penalty

Initial $35,000 · Current $27,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA;
the methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases;
and the employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
effective
abatement method.
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:
a)  Employees in the Glass Cuffs Department were engaged in
sewing operations which exposed them to repetitive motion
trauma.  This trauma was due to repeated hand, wrist and arm
manipulations which were causing or likely to cause Carpel
Tunnel Syndrome, tendinitis and tenosynovitis.
b)  Employees in the Ring Set Department were engaged in
sewing operations which exposed them to repetitive motion
trauma.  This trauma was due to repeated hand, wrist and arm
manipulations which were causing or likely to cause Carpel
Tunnel Syndrome, tendinitis and tenosynovitis.
Feasible and acceptable methods of abatement include, but are
not limited to the following:
1)  Fully adjustable work stations
2)  Implementation of employee exercise program to strengthen
affected portions of the torso
3)  Education of employees as to the causes, nature of and
the reduction and treatment of Repetitive Trauma
Disorders, such as, but not limited to, Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome
4)  Reduction in the number of items produced by each
employee per unit time or hours worked per day (e.g.
8 hrs/day)
5)  Automation of processes where feasible.
Multi-Step Abatement:
Step 1: Iniate effective administrative protection which
may include, but not be limited to, reduction in hours
worked, reduction in the number of items produced per
employee, and employee training.
Step 2: Evaluate all departments to determine exposure to
cumulative trauma disorders.
Step 3: Submit to the Area written, detailed reports on the
abatement measures outlining permanent engineering or
administrative control once a month for six months.

Issued

Dec 4, 1992

Abate by

Dec 9, 1992

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced