OSHA Inspection: WELDSHIP CORPORATION

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Oct 6, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8302

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 repetitive
motions and high forces sustained for extended periods of time
resulting in stresses that had caused, were causing or were likely
to cause cumulative trauma disorders:
a)  Assembly Department  Employees (laborers) disassembling
and reassembling gas tube trailers were using a Makita 3/4"
Impact Wrench, model #6909 which runs at 1600 impacts/second.
The evaluation of this task indicates that employees are
exposed to a hazard which is causing or likely to cause
musculoskeletal disorders.  The employer did not implement an
effective control strategy to reduce or eliminate such
disorders, on or about November 18, 1993.
b)  Assembly Department  Employees (laborers) disassembling
and reassembling gas tube trailers were using short pry bars
to maneuver large heavy pieces into alignment for assembly.
The evaluation of this task indicates that employees are
exposed to a hazard which is causing or likely to cause
musculoskeletal disorders.  The employer did not implement an
effective control strategy to reduce or eliminate such
disorders.  on or about November 18, 1993.
c)  Assembly Department  Employees (laborers) disassembling
and reassembling gas tube trailers were using a Graco Airless
spray system to paint the gas tubes.  Evaluation of this task
indicates that the employees are exposed to a hazard which is
causing or likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders.  The
employer did not implement an effective control strategy to
reduce or eliminate such disorders, on or about November 18,
1993.
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 FOUR ELEMENTS.
1)  Worksite analysis to recognize and identify existing cumulative
trauma disorders is the workplace.  This analysis should include
development and use of an ergonomic checklist and employee
questionnaire.  Periodic surveys of the worksite shall be conducted
at least annually to evaluate work practices and engineering
controls.  Employee participation in the ergonomic program should
be encouraged.
2)  Medical management which includes accurate recordkeeping of
CTD.  The program should address early recognition, evaluation, and
referral of CTD cases, and should include conservative treatment
and conservative return to work.  Systemic worksite review by the
medical team should also be included in the program.
3)  Training and education for exposed employees, including methods
to evaluate the effectiveness of the training.  Retraining should
be done annually, or as operations change.  Training should address
hazards associated with the job, the risk of developing CTD'S
symptoms of exposure, and how to prevent the occurrence of CTD.  A
supervisors' training program should also be implemented to allow
recognition of the signs of CTDs and to reinforce the employer's
ergonomic program.
4)  Hazard prevention and control which includes engineering, work
practice, and administrative controls, and personal protective
equipment where relevant.
a)  Administrative controls are implemented which reduce the
duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to ergonomic stress.
These controls may include job rotation, reduction of repetitions,
and preventative maintenance of related equipment.  Personal
protective equipment shall be evaluated to determine any
contribution to ergonomic stress.
i)  The temperature of the work area and the metal on the
trailers to be worked on should be maintained above 20 degrees
centigrade(68 degrees fahrenheit).
b)  Work practice controls are implemented which include proper
work techniques, new employee conditioning, and monitoring and
modification as necessary to minimize ergonomic stressors.
i)  Development of a program to analyze and monitor the
location and adjustment of power tools to ensure that
employees are not being exposed to excessive reach, vibration
or air from these tools.
ii)  Employ a system of worker rotation to prevent the
constant use of just a single muscletendon group which leads
to fatigue and injury.
c)  Engineering controls are designed by a qualified ergonomist and
may include work station redesign, tool and handle redesign, and
change of work methods.  The goal of this program should be to make
the job fit the person.
Example of engineering controls applicable to this work place
include:
i)  Automatic system to spray gas bottles.
ii)  Crane control panel which is lighter, slimmer and easier
to handle.
iii)  Use of longer pry bars or some other system to help
align the trailer parts for reassembly.
iv)  Consider tools with a blade or wandtype trigger whereall four
fingers together operate the trigger.
ABATEMENT STEPS ARE AS FOLLOW:
STEP 1 Implementation of an ergonomics program for worksite
analysis, medical management, and training and education,
as detailed in items 13, above.
STEP 2 Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of
abatement, outlining a schedule for the implementation of
the administrative, work practice and engineering
controls as detailed in items 4(a)4(c).
ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH
PARTICULAR USE BY A PERSON TRAINED IN THE EVALUATION OF
WORKPLACE CONDITIONS WHICH CAUSE CUMULATIVE TRAUMA
DISORDERS.  SIXTY (60) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED
DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD.
STEP 3 Implementation of administrative, work practice and
engineering controls, as described in items 4(a)4(c),
above.

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Feb 3, 1994

Penalty

Initial $675 · Current $355 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Feb 14, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $625 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Feb 14, 1994

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Feb 14, 1994

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Feb 19, 1994

Penalty

Current $895

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Feb 19, 1994

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Jan 19, 1994

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Jan 19, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,575 · Current $895 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Jan 19, 1994

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Feb 19, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,575 · Current $895 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Jan 19, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,575 · Current $895 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Jan 19, 1994

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Jan 19, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,575 · Current $895 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Jan 14, 1994

Penalty

Initial $450 · Current $220 Reduced

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Jan 19, 1994

Issued

Jan 6, 1994

Abate by

Jan 19, 1994