OSHA Inspection: FARMLAND FOODS, INC.

Issued

Dec 15, 1998

Abate by

Feb 3, 1999

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $2,625

General-duty citation text

Section 88.4 - Code of Iowa (1997)
88.4: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment
which were free
from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause permanent
disability or serious
physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to stressors
such as, but not
limited to, repetitive motion, high forces, and awkward postures:
(a)At Farmland Foods, Inc. - Employees were required to perform tasks
involving identified ergonomic risk factors including, but not limited to,
repetitive motions, high force and/or awkward postures, resulting in
stressors that had caused, were causing, or were likely to cause
cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs).  CTDs such as carpal tunnel,
bilateral carpal tunnel, trigger finger, tendinitis, tenosynovitis,
DeQuervains disease were noted.  In many cases surgeries resulted
from these disorders. Areas where CTDs occurred include, but are not
limited to, pork boning (boners, trimmers, sectioners, skinners,
whizzard knife operators) and kill floor leaf lard pullers. The 200 logs
for 1997 and 1998 show that 57of lost and restricted work days were
due to CTDs.
b)At Farmland Foods, Inc. - Employees with medical restrictions were
working outside of their restrictions.  The company did not ensure
compliance with the restrictions.  This results in increased risk of
aggravation to existing injuries and illnesses.  This could also result in
increased risk of developing further injuries and illnesses.  Employees
with restrictions were returned to their normal job, employees who
were restricted to one hand were assigned jobs requiring two hands,
employees were not provided with rest periods as required by their
restriction, and employees with recent surgery were assigned jobs
where vibrating equipment was used.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these hazards is to implement an effective program following
the Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines For Meatpacking
Plants.
Current efforts are not effective or not implemented in these areas:
A.Worksite analysis
1.Have a professional perform a comprehensive work site
analysis.
2.Identify high risk jobs and specific risk factors in all
departments.
3.Identify light duty jobs and specific risk factors and
restrictions for each job.
B.Hazard prevention and control
1.Ensure that knives are sharpened appropriately for each
task.
2.Ensure that new hire and return to work conditioning
procedures are adequate and within any medical
restrictions.
3.Encourage job rotation.
4.Implement a rest/exercise program to provide relief for
fatigued muscle tendon groups.
5.Conduct periodic symptoms surveys and employee
interviews.
6.Provide a variety of grips and designs for knives and
other equipment.
C.Medical Management
1.Encourage early reporting of symptoms and evaluation of
symptoms.
2.Provide case management including identifying the
person in charge, monitoring, and follow up.
3.Provide effective conservative treatment including earlier
intervention and prevention to reduce the number of
surgeries.
4.Provide conservative return to work program and follow
up.
5.Provide specific job hardening instructions for return to
work.
6.Ensure that adequate relief personnel are available to
provide employees, with restrictions, access to timely
medical treatment.
7.Provide specific written return to work protocols to all
personnel.
8.Implement an effective communication system, at all
levels, to ensure employees returning to work are
following restrictions.
9.Ensure staffing is scheduled for all positions on process
lines.
D.Training and Education
1.Physicians should show evidence of having attended a
course or seminar dealing with CTD's.  Physicians
should also be aware of specific hazards and conditions
related to the plant.
2.Employees need training to be able to identify ergonomic
hazards, the basics of body mechanics, and work
practices to minimize the ergonomic hazards of their
jobs.3.Supervisors and lead people need additional training in
identifying early signs and symptoms of CTD's and
responding, through appropriate intervention, to prevent
these injuries.
4.Management need to be able to identify light duty work
assignments and limitations involved in employees' work
restrictions.  They also need to be aware of plant
resources which will prevent CTD's and make these
resources available to employees and supervisors.
5.Health care providers need training in specific guidelines
for preventing and eliminating CTD's.
6.All personnel need thorough training in the purpose and
function of the program.