OSHA Inspection: VESUVIUS USA

Issued

Jun 4, 1992

Abate by

Nov 1, 1993

Penalty

Initial $825 · Current $825

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:
a)  Mixing Area:  Loading 100 lb bags of material to a feed
conveyor hopper leading to the #2 Erich mixer.  The
evaluation of this manual lifting task indicates that
employees are exposed to a hazard which is likely to cause
musculoskeletal injuries.  The employer did not implement
an effective control strategy to reduce or eliminate the
potential for such injuries.  (5/19/92)
b)  Mixing Area:  Loading buckets of binder weighing from 75
to 100 lbs to the #2 Erich mixer.  The evaluation of this
manual lifting task indicate that employees are exposed to
a hazard which is likely to cause musculoskeletal injuries.
The employer did not implement an effective control
strategy to reduce or eliminate the potential for such
injuries.  (5/19/92)
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 manual
lifting hazards in the workplace.  This analysis should
include development and use of an ergonomic checklist and
employee questionnaire.  Periodic surveys of the worksite
shall be conducted at least annually 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 record keeping
of manual lifting injuries.  The program should address
recognition, evaluation, treatment, and referral of lifting
cases.  Systematic 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 manual material handling, and how to prevent
lifting injuries.  A supervisors' training program should
also be implemented to allow recognition of manual lifting
hazards, and to reinforce the employer's ergonomic program.
4)  Hazard prevention and control which includes engineering,
work practices and administrative controls.
a)  Administrative controls are implemented which
reduce the duration, frequency, and severity of
exposure to manual lifting hazards.  These controls
may include job rotation, reduction of repetitions,
multiple person lifts, and preventative maintenance
of related equipment.
b)  Work practice controls are implemented which
include proper work techniques, new employee
conditioning, proper placement of loads, and
reduction of weight lifted.
c)  Engineering controls are designed by a qualified
ergonomist and may include work station redesign,
tool and handle redesign, and use of mechanical
lifting aids.  The goal of this program should
be to make the job fit the person.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace include:
i)  Installation of bag handling devices
ii)  Install a bulk material handling system
Step 1 - Implementation of an ergonomics program for worksite
analysis, medical management, and training and education,
as detailed in items 1-3, above.
Step 2 - Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of
abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of
the administrative, work practice and engineering 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 MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS.
SIXTY (60) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED DURING THE
ABATEMENT PERIOD.
Step 3 - Implementation of administrative, work practice and
engineering controls as described in items 4(a) - 4(c),
above.

Issued

Jun 4, 1992

Abate by

Jun 22, 1992

Penalty

Initial $825 · Current $825

Issued

Jun 4, 1992

Abate by

Jun 22, 1992

Issued

Jun 4, 1992

Abate by

Jun 22, 1992

Issued

Jun 4, 1992

Abate by

Oct 15, 1992