OSHA Inspection: LAKESIDE MANUFACTURING, INC.

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Apr 3, 2001

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 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 tasks involving hazards resulting in risk factors
that had caused, were
causing, or were likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's),
including trigger finger,
carpal tunnel syndrome, back and shoulder injuries.  Examples of the
observed risk factors and
physical work conditions are summarized below:
(a)Excell Department: Evaluation of cart welding, assembly and packaging
indicates
that employees performing these tasks were exposed to the risk factors of:
(1)Repetitive force is applied by the fingers to press triggers on the
c-gun
during welding to assemble carts.
(2)Repetitive torso flexion and awkward shoulder postures are used while
welding carts and lifting parts.
(3)The static use of awkward shoulder postures to place dollies on carts
using
pistol grip screw and rivet guns.  Awkward shoulder postures are also
used when rotating and packing larger carts into boxes.
(4)Repetitive lifting of carts, especially the two drawer carts from
fixtures
onto the floor and from the floor to an assembly platform.
(5)Forceful awkward postures of the shoulder and torso are used to pull and
position (hold) the c-gun when the air balance is not working correctly.
Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement methods to
correct these hazards
include the implementation of the following controls:
Engineering controls should be implemented where applicable.  These may
include, but are not
limited to work station design, tool and handle redesign, and the change
of work processes.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace include:
(i)Provide a mechanical lifting device, such as a hoist, to move carts
from the
fixture to the floor for handle welding and to the caster assembly area.
(ii)Use smaller c-guns that are easier to manipulate.  Use a flipper
trigger that allows
the welder to activate the trigger with the entire hand (pressing lightly
with a fist
grip) versus just a finger.  In the interim, rotation to jobs where
triggers are not
used will allow workers to rest their fingers when not using the welding
gun.
(iii) Place the fixtures on a jig or adjustable turn table.
(iv)Develop a maintenance plan for the c-gun,  rivet gun and screw gun
balances to
assure that the tension on the balances are working properly.  (v)Use
battery operated in-line screw and rivet guns to eliminate the awkward
shoulder and wrist postures currently used by workers.  In the interim, the
current pistol grip tools should all be balanced due to their heavy weight.
(vi)Provide a lower platform for the cart or raise the employee to reduce
awkward
postures during assembly of dollies on carts and packaging (especially
larger
carts).   Adjustable tables may be needed to accommodate the variety of
cart and
employee heights.
MULTI-STEP ABATEMENT SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:
STEP 1
05-01-00
SUBMIT TO THE AREA DIRECTOR A WRITTEN, DETAILED PLAN OF ABATEMENT
OUTLINING A SCHEDULE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTROLS FOR RISK
FACTORS.
SIXTY (60) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED DURING THE ABATEMENT
PERIOD.
STEP 2
07-03-00
IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTROLS.
Certification, and documentation/evidence of abatement is required.
Certification of abatement is required by 29 CFR Part 1903 and is to be
submitted within ten (10)
calendar days after the abatement date.ment

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,100

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 10, 2000

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 10, 2000

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,100 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Sep 1, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,925 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,925

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 10, 2000

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Sep 8, 1999

Penalty

Initial $701

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 7, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,375 · Current $250 Reduced

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,100

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Penalty

Initial $825

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Penalty

Current $750

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 20, 2000

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 10, 2000

Issued

Mar 2, 2000

Abate by

Mar 10, 2000