OSHA Inspection: WARD PRODUCTS CORPORATION

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Nov 18, 1998

Penalty

Initial $732 · Current $732

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSHA 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.  Employees assembling
car antennas
were exposed to the hazards associated with repetitive hand, wrist, and
finger operations
which could result in injuries including, but not limited to tendinitis,
carpal tunnel syndrome
and repetitive strain injuries of the shoulders, elbows and wrist:
(a)3/13/95,Employees building wires as the first step in the
manufacture of car antennas on line 35 were exposed to the
known hazards of: (1) highly repetitive finger exertions for
prolonged periods of time; (2) highly repetitive, forceful pinch
grips with the wrist in a deviated posture.
Some feasible means to control these hazards are: (1) Develop and enforce
work/rest schedules.  Generally, a minimum of a 15 minute rest break at
least
every two hours is required.(2) Encourage employees to switch hands.  (3)
Provide a fixture or jig to hold the wire in place while putting the
rubber plug
and eyelet into place.
(b)Employees rolling wires on line 35 were exposed to the known
hazards of: (1) highly repetitive, forceful pinch grips with the
wrist in a deviated posture; (2) long periods of standing.
Some feasible means to control these hazards are: (1) Encourage employees
to
switch hands; (2) Tilt the back of the machine toward the employee 25 to 30
degrees allowing the task to be performed in a neutral posture;  (3)
Provide
anti-fatigue mats and/or shoes; (4) Supply sit/stand stools; (5) Provide
foot
rests 4 to 6 inches above the floor.
(c)Employees performing a task called press & pin plug on line 35
were exposed to the known hazard of: (1) Prolonged periods of
standing.
Some feasible means to control this hazard is: (1) Provide anti-fatigue
mats
and/or shoes;(2) Supply sit/stand stools; (3) Provide foot rests 4 to 6
inches above the floor.
(d)Employees insulating the wires on line 35 were exposed to the
known hazards of: (1) highly repetitive finger exertions for
prolonged periods of time; (2) performing repeated forceful
pinch grips with the wrist in a deviated posture.
Some feasible means to control this hazard is: (1) Work-rest schedules
should
be developed and enforced.  Generally, a minimum of a 15 minute rest break
at least every 2 hours; (2) Encourage employees to switch hands; (3) Tilt
and
realign the block used for pressing wires. It should be tilted by moving
the top
of the block towards the employee about 45 degrees and realigned by moving
the right side towards the employee about 20 degrees; (4) Investigate the
use
of another method of applying insulation.  Perhaps, a solution that the
wires
could be dipped in or a heat shrink insulator that slips over the end of
the
wire.
(e)Employees performing an electrical test at the end of line 35 were
exposed to
the known hazards of: (1) performing highly repetitive finger exertions
with
both hands while the wrists are in a deviated position; (2) prolonged
periods of
standing.
Some feasible means to control these hazards are: (1) Move the supply of
wires closer to the employee by providing an extension to the main work
table.
Reaches should be limited to no more than 16 to 17 inches; (2) Place the
machine on a fully adjustable stand, such that it can be adjusted about 40
to 90
degrees clockwise and adjusted vertically between waist height and mid
chest
height; (3) Supply anti-fatigue mats and/or shoes; (4) Supply sit/stand
stools;(5) Provide foot rests 4 to 6 inches above the floor.
ABATEMENT NOTES:
The following are among other feasible and acceptable abatement methods to
correct these
hazards:
(1)Proper engineering design of the job, work stations and
equipment so that the work can be performed independent of
specific worker characteristics and techniques, evaluating and
modifying as necessary.  A qualified ergonomic consultant
should conduct this evaluation, seeking employee input.  Jobs
should be classified as to the nature and extent of exertion.
(2) Instituting administrative controls, including the following:
a) Training employees in safe work techniques;
b) Job rotation and job enhancement, allowing for as much
variation as possible in the distribution and frequency of
musculoskeletal activity;
c) Adequate mandatory rest breaks;
d) Implementation of an exercise program;(3)Hiring of a properly trained
ergonomic consultant to assist in an
analysis of all jobs, training employees and implementing the
recommendations made.
(4)Implementing a medical management program to monitor
employees and prevent early symptoms from progressing to
injuries.

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Sep 30, 1995

Penalty

Initial $732 · Current $732

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Jul 21, 1995

Penalty

Initial $732 · Current $732

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Sep 10, 1995

Penalty

Initial $732 · Current $732

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Sep 19, 1995

Penalty

Initial $732 · Current $732

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Jul 28, 1995

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Sep 10, 1995

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Sep 10, 1995

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Sep 10, 1995

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Aug 17, 1995

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Sep 10, 1995

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Jul 28, 1995

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Sep 30, 1995

Issued

Jul 18, 1995

Abate by

Sep 30, 1995