OSHA Inspection: C.J. VITNER COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Nov 15, 1993

Abate by

Mar 1, 1994

Penalty

Initial $3,150 · Current $1,575 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 required to perform repetitive packaging tasks resulting in
stressors that had caused, were
causing, or were likely to cause, musculoskeletal disorders:
Potato chip packaging - The evaluation of this manual packaging task
indicates that
employees are exposed to a hazard which is causing, or is likely to
cause,
musculoskeletal disorders.  The employer had not implemented an
effective control
strategy to deduce or eliminate such disorders.  The injury and
illness records for 1992
and 1993 and information obtained through employee interviews
documented a pattern
of musculoskeletal disorders.
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 elements:
1. Worksite analysis to recognize and identify existing hazards in
the workplace which
are causing musculoskeletal disorders.  This analysis should include
development and
use of an ergonomics checklist and employee questionnaire.  Periodic
surveys of the
workplace shall be conducted at least annually to evaluate work
practice and engineering
controls.
2. 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 and
how to best avoid
repetitive trauma to the musculoskeletal system.
3. Hazard prevention and control which includes engineering, work
practice and
administrative controls.
a. Administrative controls are implemented which reduce the
duration, frequency and
severity of exposure to packaging.
These controls may include job rotation.
b. Work practice controls are implemented which include reduction
of repetitive
movements and proper work techniques.
Examples of work practice controls applicable in this workplace
include:
1. Have workers minimize the amount of finger and wrist
movement.
2. Have employees work in an erect posture to avoid static
loading of the neck,
shoulder and back muscles.
3. Avoid having employees reach overhead when stacking boxes.
4. Reduce the intensity of the packaging job and/or provide
greater
rest
allowances to reduce fatigue and stress on the musculoskeletal
system.
c. Engineering controls are designed by a qualified ergonomist
and may include
workstation
redesign.  The goal of this program should be to make the
job fit the worker.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Use a conveyor system to deliver bags to the packaging
station and redesign
of the station to minimize the distance and extent of arm,
wrist and finger
flexion.
2. Have the height of the workstation adjustable so that the
worker can adjust the
work to reduce static muscle strain.
STEP 1: Implementation of an ergonomics program for worksite analysis and
training and  education as detailed in items 1-2 above.
STEP 2: Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement
including a schedule
for the implementation of the administrative, work practice and
engineering controls as
detailed in items 3(a) - 3(c).
ALL PROPOSED MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH PARTICULAR
USE BY A PERSON TRAINED IN THE EVALUATION OF WORKPLACE
CONDITIONS WHICH CAUSE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS.  THIRTY DAY
PROGRESS REPORTS ARE DUE DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD.
STEP 3: Implementation of administrative, work practice and engineering
controls.

Issued

Nov 15, 1993

Abate by

Dec 20, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Nov 15, 1993

Abate by

Dec 20, 1993