OSHA Inspection: CHURCH OF THE BRETHERN

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Oct 1, 1993

Penalty

Initial $825 · Current $330 Reduced

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 the hazards of lifting and other strenuous operations.
This exposure caused, aggravated or percipitated employee injuries
to the trunk and upper extremities:
(a)  Nursing Stations;  Nursing personnel including Nursing
Assistants (NA), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Registered
Nurses (RN) while performing routine patient transfer
activities.  The injury records for 1990, 1991 and 1992
document a pattern of such injuries.
The following conditions contributed to the existence of this
hazard:
1.  An injury prevention program had not been developed and
implemented that would allow for expert review of workplace
conditions, work practices and work routines that contribute
to employee injuries.
2.  Training did not include an adequate opportunity for
employees to practice transfer methods or discuss the
information presented during training sessions.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard would be implementation of an affective program
for dealing with resident transfer.  At a minimum include the
following elements in the program:
IV Training
1.  Supervisory nurses will be trained to properly evaluate the
resident transfer techniques practiced by the nursing staff.
2.  Training on resident transfer techniques will be presented by
instructors who have been certified in the "Lift with Care
Program" or equivalent.
3.  Orientation training for new employees will include practice and
discussion of proper resident transfer techniques as indicated
in the "Lift with Care Program".  On the job orientation will
include the opportunity for the training officer to observe the
trainee during resident transfer procedures.
4.  Refresher training will be provided that includes practice and
discussion of proper resident transfer techniques.  Employees
who miss training sessions will be provided with equivalent
training sessions.  Employees returning to work after time off
from a work related injury will be reevaluated in resident
transfer techniques and retrained as necessary.
5.  All employees expected to use lift assist devices will be trained
in the proper use and limitations of the equipment.
ABATEMENT SCHEDULE
Step 1 - Submit to the Area Director a detailed plan of abatement
outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering
and/or administrative measures to control employee injury
due to resident transfer tasks.  All proposed control
measures shall be approved by a person knowlegable in the
evaluation of workplace conditions which cause lifting
disorders and injuries.  Fourty-five day progress reports
are required during the abatement period.
Step 2 - Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation
of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls.

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Jan 29, 1993

Penalty

Initial $825 · Current $330 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Jan 29, 1993

Penalty

Initial $825 · Current $330 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Dec 30, 1993

Penalty

Initial $550 · Current $220 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Oct 26, 1992

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Nov 19, 1992