OSHA Inspection: RIVETMASTER MFG.

Issued

Apr 8, 1994

Abate by

Oct 7, 1994

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $360 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8301

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 lifting tasks resulting in stresses that were
likely to cause
musculoskeletal injuries:
a)  Employees in the Shipping/Sorting Department lift boxes weighing
fiftysix
(56)pounds from the floor to a pallet then to the weighing table .  The
evaluation of this
manual lifting task indicates that employees are exposed to a hazard
which is likely to
cause musculoskeletal injuries.  The employer did not implement an
effective control
strategy to reduce or eliminate such injuries.
b)  An employee in the rivet washer/dryer area lifts rivet pans weighing
anywhere
between sixtyone (61) and one hundred twentysix (126) pounds.  The
evaluation
of this
manual lifting task indicates that employees are exposed to a hazard
which is likely to
cause musculoskeletal injuries.  The employer did not implement an
effective control
strategy to reduce or eliminate such 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:
1.  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 committee.
2.  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 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 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.
4.  Hazard prevention and control which includes engineering, work
practices and administrative
controls.
(a)  Administrative controls are implemented which reduce the duration,
frequency, and
severity of exposure to manual lifting hazards.  These controls may
include job rotation,
reduction of repetitions, multiple person lifts, and preventative
maintenance of related
equipment.
(b)  Work practice controls are implemented which include proper work
techniques, new
employee conditioning, proper placement of loads, and reduction of weight
lifted.
Examples of work practice controls applicable to this workplace include:
1.Multiple employee lifts.
2.Reduce the amount of rivets placed in a pan.
(c)  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:
1.Use of pallet lifts.
2.Redesign pans. (Size and weight reduction)
3.Redesign sorting and weighing stations.
Step 1  Implementation of an ergonomics program for worksite analysis,
medical management,
and training and education, as detailed in items 13, above.  May 28, 1994
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).  July 8, 1994
All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use
by a person trained in
the evaluation of workplace conditions which cause musculoskeletal
disorders.
Thirty (30) 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),

Issued

Apr 8, 1994

Abate by

Apr 26, 1994

Penalty

Initial $450 · Current $270 Reduced

Issued

Apr 8, 1994

Abate by

Apr 26, 1994

Issued

Apr 8, 1994

Abate by

May 11, 1994

Hazardous substances 8111

Issued

Apr 8, 1994

Abate by

Apr 15, 1994

Hazardous substances 8110