OSHA Inspection: WEBORAFT DIRECT MAILING SYSTEMS

Issued

1991-01-30 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-10-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $490.00 · Current $300.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
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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 lifting tasks resulting in stresses that had caused, were
causing, or were likely to cause musculoskeletal injuries:
A) Employees working in the Mailing Department (Websert Area) as
sackers/palleters lift 33 pound boxes. The evaluation of this
manual lifting task indicates that employees are exposed to a
hazard which is causing or is likely to cause musculoskeletal
injuries. The employer did not implement an effective control
strategy to reduce or eliminate such injuries. The injury and
illness records for 1990 and 1989 documented a pattern of
musculoskeletal injuries, on or about December 17, 1990.
B) Employees working in the Mailing Department (Websert Area) as
a pocket feeder lift 33 pound boxes. The evaluation of this
manual lifting task indicates that employees are exposed to a
hazard which is causing or is likely to cause musculoskeletal
injuries. The employer did not implement an effective control
strategy to reduce or eliminate such injuries. The injury and
illness records for 1990 documented a pattern of musculoskeletal
injuries.
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:
-Worksite analysis to recognize and identify existing manual lifting
hazards in 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 through a mechanism such as a
safety committe.
-Medical management which includes accurate recordkeeping of manual
lifting injuries. The program should address recognition, evaluation,
treatment, and referral of lifting cases. Systematic worksite review of
the medical team should also be included in the program.
-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, the risks of manual material handling, and how
to prevent lifting injuries. A supervisors' training program should also
be implemented to allow recognition of manual lifting hazards, and to
reinforce the employer's ergonomic program. Supervisor's should
recognize and discourage poor lifting practices such as not rotating
boxes into close proximity to the employees body before lifting.
-Hazard prevention and control which includes engineering, work
practices and administrative controls.
A) Work practice controls are implemented which include proper work
techniques, new employee conditioning, proper placement ofloads
and reduction of weight lifted.
Examples of work practice controls applicable to this workplace include:
I) Rotating boxes on their sides before lifting.
II) Utilizing multiple employee lifts.
III) Reducing the weight of objects being lifted.
B) Engineering controls are designed by a qualified ergonomist and may
include work station redesign, tool and handle redesign, and use of
mechanical lifting aids. the goal of this program should be to make
the job fit the person.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace include:
I) Utilization of pallet jack.
II) Providing toe space underneath objects being lifted.
III) Utilization of vacuum assisted lifting devices.
STEP 1-
Implementation of an ergonomics program for worksite analysis, medical
management, and training and education as detailed in Items 1-3, 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(b).
All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use
by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified
person. Ninety (90) day progress reports are required during the
abatement period.
STEP 3-
Implementation of work practice and engineering controls as described
in Items 4(a) - 4(b), above.

Issued

1991-01-30 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-05-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $420.00 · Current $250.00 Reduced

Issued

1991-01-30 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-05-02 00:00:00

Issued

1991-01-30 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-02-04 00:00:00