OSHA Inspection: BROAD MOUNTAIN NURSING CENTER

Issued

Feb 27, 1991

Abate by

Jul 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $200 Reduced

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 in that employees were exposed to
cumulative trauma disorders:
A) Broad Mountain Nursing Center, entire facility, employees performing
patient transfers; the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to a hazard which is causing or likely to
cause musculoskeletal disorders. This employer did not implement
an effective control strategy to reduce or eliminate such disorders.
the injury and illness records for 1988 and 1989 documented a
pattern of repetitive motion injuries.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is the implementation of an ergonomics managment
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 questionaire.
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 record keeping 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 to ensure
that restricted duty workers are not additionally exposed to
stressors which may complicate, hamper, or delay recovery.

Issued

Feb 27, 1991

Abate by

Mar 14, 1991