OSHA Inspection: THE LONGABERGER COMPANY

Issued

Aug 8, 1995

Abate by

Aug 10, 1996

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

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
resulting in stressors that had caused, were causing, or were
likely to cause repetitive motion trauma.
a.In the Longaberger Company, 5565 Raider Road, Frazeysburg,
Ohio, weavers performed tasks which involved frequent
repetitive motions, multiple awkward postures of the wrists
and body, forceful pinch grips, and mechanical pressure with
the hands.  These tasks  exposed workers to ergonomic
stressors that have the potential to cause serious physical
injury.
One feasible abatement method to correct this hazard is the
implementation of an ergonomics management program
consisting of the following elements:
Worksite Analysis
1.  Use the assistance of an expert qualified by education,
training and experience in the field of ergonomics to
conduct a  comprehensive study of the workplace aimed
at a more extensive exposition of the workplace
ergonomic hazards that affect workers and that can
result in static posture and repetitive motion related
disease.
2.Involve employees in the work station process
evaluations using a combination of employee
questionnaires and employee safety committees.
3.Conduct an analysis of the work method(s), tool(s), and
work station(s) for each worker that suffers an OSHA
recordable cumulative trauma disorder(CTD) illness.
This should include development and use of ergonomic
checklists, employee questionnaires, and videotape
technology.  Solicit the comments and suggestions of
affected supervisors, employees, and the engineering,
research/development, and maintenance departments.
4.Make indicated changes to reduce stresses on the
employees.  If there are similar work tasks and
stations, modify them.  After 90 days, review the
results of the changes and determine whether further
changes are needed.
Medical Management
1.Use the assistance of a physician qualified by
education, training and experience in the field of
ergonomics to oversee a medical management program.
Train first line managers in the early recognition of
and appropriate interventions for CTD affected
employees.
2.Develop a system for monitoring new and CTD damaged
employees.  CTD damaged employees should never be
returned to jobs that caused their illnesses until
engineering or work practice controls have eliminated
the stressors.
3.Determine whether employees are performing tasks using
the company prescribed method(s), tool(s), and work
station configuration(s).  Periodically review worker
performance with the worker, supervisor, safety and
health director, and the medical manager.
4.Keep accurate records of cumulative trauma disorder
injuries, such as restricted duty and transfers to
other jobs.  These records may include use of the OSHA
-101 or a company developed form specifically for
tracking CTDs.
Training and Education
1.Employees should be trained in the recognition of
neutral postures for the body, arm and hand to avoid
repetitive motion or cumulative trauma disorders and
illnesses.  Evaluate the tasks being performed and
establish the minimum stress methods for task
performances.  Train employees to use the prescribed
task methods.  When employees are observed performing
outside the prescribed task method, reorient them.
2.Training should address hazards associated with the
various operations causing CTDs and how to prevent
CTDs.  The training program should also include
supervisors and weaver trainers.  When implemented, the
training should allow recognition of repetitive motion
hazards and reinforce the employer's ergonomics
program.
3.Ergonomic training should be integrated into
(concurrent with) weaver training.  All weaving
techniques should incorporate elements of ergonomics to
habitulize the use of neutral postures and safe work
techniques during weaving.
Hazard Prevention
1.Hazard prevention and control includes administrative,
work practice and engineering controls.
a.Implement administrative controls which reduce the
duration, frequency and severity or exposure to
repetitive motion hazards.  These controls may
include job rotation and reduction of repetitions.
1.Implement a rotation of jobs to ensure that
an individual does not weave five days a
week, but has the opportunity to do other
non-repetitive work within the work week.
2.Institute mandatory lunch/breaks for all
weavers.
b.Implement work practice controls which include
proper work techniques and new employee
conditioning.  Examples of work practice controls
applicable in this work place include:
Investigate eliminating or improving the following
weaver practices:
1.Make available anti-fatigue mats for use at
all work stations on all shifts for all
employees.
2.Restrict the practice of piece work
compensation for employees to reduce
ergonomic stressors.
3.Eliminate all use of supportive wrist bands,
straps, and any other device that inhibits
blood circulation into the limbs of the body
except as prescribed by an employee's
treating physician.
c.Implement engineering controls designed by a
qualified ergonomist which may include work
station redesign.  The goal of this program should
be to make the job fit the person and to reduce
the frequency of repetitive movements.
Investigate a series of work station and work
process changes that include but are not limited
to:
1.Making "horse" adjustments in smaller
increments so that it accommodates the
varying heights of all employees.
2.Redesign the forms used on the "horse" so
that excessive weight can be eliminated.
3.Evaluate the design of the "horse" for
ergonomic effectiveness.
4.Implement ergonomically designed hand tools
for use by the weavers and ensure that all
weavers have these tools available.
5.Provide pneumatic tack guns to be used
instead of manual hammers.
6.Evaluate all hand tools used for replacement
with pneumatic tools.
7.Provide a tool belt for each weaver to hold
frequently used tools.
8.Evaluate rubber finger grips, industrial
protective tape and other alternative finger
protection for use by the weavers.
Program is to be implemented immediately.  The Company will
provide quarterly reports for a two year period.

Issued

Aug 8, 1995

Abate by

Oct 10, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000