OSHA Inspection: NETWORK SERVICES STAFF

Issued

1993-01-11 00:00:00

Abate by

1993-07-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2275.00 · Current $2275.00

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 resulting in stresses that
had caused, were causing, or were likely to cause cumulative trauma
disorders:
a)  Network Services Staff, Operator Stations - 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.
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 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.
(2)  Medical management which includes accurate
recordkeeping of CTDs. The program should
address early recognition, evaluation, and
referral of CTD cases, and should include
conservative treatment and conservative return
to work.  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.  Re-training should be done
annually, or as operations change.  Training
should address hazards associated with the job,
the risks of developing CTDs, symptoms of
exposure, and how to prevent the occurrence
of CTD.  A supervisor's training program should
also be implemented to allow recognition of the
signs of CTDs and and to reinforce the employer's
ergonomic program.
(4)  Hazard prevention and control which includes
engineering, work practices 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.
(b)  Work practice controls are implemented which
include proper work techniques, new employee
conditioning, and monitoring and modifications
as necessary to minimize ergonomic stressors.
Examples of work practice controls applicable
to this workplace include:
(1)  Keyboards should be located at, or
slightly below elbow height, and feet
should be flat on the floor with the
person's knees slightly higher than
their thighs.
(2)  Hands and arms should be maintained
in a straight horizontal line with the
forearm to upper arm angle at between
80 to 120 degrees, and the angle of the
wrist be no greater than 10 degrees
flexion or extension.
(c)  Engineering controls are designed by a
qualified ergonomist and may include work
station redesign, tool and handle redesign,
and change or work methods. The goal of this
program should be to make the job fit the
person.
Examples of engineering controls applicable
in this workplace include:
(1)  Replace the existing keyboard with
a new one which has a flatter style
(i.e.: depth of front edge at 3/4
of an inch instead of 1 3/4 inches).
(2)  Replace the existing keyboard with
a new one which requires less finger
pressure to activate the keys.
(3)  Provide wrist rests to employees who
request them.
ABATEMENT SCHEDULE
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(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

1993-01-11 00:00:00

Abate by

1993-01-29 00:00:00

Issued

1993-01-11 00:00:00

Abate by

1993-01-29 00:00:00