OSHA Inspection: CROSSROADS PRESS, DIV. OF WORLD COLOR PRESS, INC.

Issued

Aug 26, 1987

Abate by

Aug 26, 1988

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $810

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:
...The hazard of undue repetitive motion trauma when working as
"feeders" in the Bindery Department. This trauma is due to repeated
hand and wrist exertions causing aggravating or precipitating Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis, Ganglion Cysts, Bursitis and sprains
and strains of the hands, arms and shoulders, while engaged in
feeding the binders.
Feasible and useful methods of abatement include but are not limited to:
1) Installation of automatic feed system.
2) Decrease production rate.
3) Increase the manning of bindery equipment.
4) Eliminate the drafting system for manditory overtime.
5) Introduce as part of the work schedule, manditory periods of group
stretching and strengthening of the hands, wrists, arms and
shoulders.
6) Education of employees as to what Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is, how to
reduce its effects and how to prevent its occurrance.
7) Maintain a constant height from which to remove signatures.
8) Modify the pocket extenders to reduce the need for feeders to stretch
in order to clear the extenders when filling the pockets.
9) Use adjustable platforms or worktables to decrease the necessity for
employees to remain in awkward positions.
10) Use finger tapes for improved grip.
11) Investigate the possibility of implementing a biological examination
and monitoring program for the selection of employees to work in the
bindery.
12) Investigate and evaluate European bindery operations.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.