OSHA Inspection: R.E. DIETZ

Issued

Dec 16, 1988

Abate by

Dec 15, 1989

Penalty

Initial $560 · Current $560

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 exposed to:
a) Employees were exposed to the hazard of repetitive hand operations in
Department 41/43 Plastics during the turntable operation and in
Department 31 Assembly during final assembly and packaging of
product. These operations can result in repetitive motion trauma
disorders such as but not limited to carpal tunnel symdrome, ganglion
cysts, and tenosynovitis causing employee lost work time or
permanent disability.
One feasible and acceptable method, among others, to correct the hazard
is:
STEP 1- Institute a training program to inform emloyees of hazard of
repetitive motion and work practices to reduce the hazards.
Increase rotation of employees with known medical problems
to operations not associated with repetitive motion trauma.
STEP 2- Provide an ergonomics evaluation by a qualified person of all
operations covered by this citation.  The evaluation shall
include at least.
a) Redesign of work srtation, such as the angle at which parts are
grabbed.
b) Changes in work operations, such as automation of turntable
operation.
STEP 3- Modify work method to reduce worker stress.
STEP 4- Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of any
or all of the measures outlined above and by verification of the
effectiveness of the measures taken through an evaluation of the
ergonomic health of the employees.