OSHA Inspection: SECURITY METAL PRODUCTS

Issued

Feb 26, 2003

Abate by

Jan 1, 2004

Penalty

Initial $5,600 · Current $2,800 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 serious physical harm to employees, in
that employees were
required to perform tasks resulting in stressors that had caused, were
causing, or were likely to
cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs):
On or about October 16, 2002, at Security Metal Products in Clinton,
Oklahoma:
Evaluation of observed work tasks performed by grinders and sanders
indicated
that employees were exposed to the following risk factors, which are
consistent
with the development of back pain or injury:
Among other tasks, grinders and sanders lift frames to, lower frames from,
and
flip frames on work benches; push and pull frames around the work space on
concrete surfaces; and, repeatedly bend the torso to grind or sand near
the floor.
Employees are required to handle frames weighing in excess of 60 pounds,
exposing them to low back pain.
Abatement
While some ergonomic related risk factors can be reduced or eliminated by
implementing a
single means of abatement, in most cases a process using components, such
as but not limited
to the following, will provide an effective method of addressing the
factors.
(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
workplace should be conducted at appropriate intervals to evaluate work
practices
and engineering controls.  Employee participation in this process should be
encouraged.
(2)  Medical management which includes accurate recordkeeping of manual
lifting
injuries.  The protocol should address early recognition, evaluation, and
referral
of lifting injury cases.  Systematic worksite review by medical personnel
should
also be included.
(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 be done in a manner understandable by
all
employees and address hazards associated with the job, early recognition of
ergonomic injuries and illnesses, the risks of manual material handling,
and how
to prevent the lifting injuries.  Training should also be provided to
management.
A supervisor training program should also be implemented to allow
recognition
of manual lifting hazards.  The training program should include the
establishment's health care providers to ensure that they are able to
recognize and
prescribe appropriate treatment for MSDs.  Educational material or
training on
ergonomics should be provided to people responsible for designing jobs and
buying equipment, tools, work stations and parts.
(4)  Hazard prevention and control which includes the development and use
of
engineering, work practice and administrative control measures.
(a)  Engineering controls are designed by a qualified professional trained
in
ergonomics and may include work station redesign, use of mechanical
lifting aids
and use of positioning devices.  The goal should be to make the task fit
the
person, not visa versa.  Examples of control measures applicable to this
work
place may include but are not limited to the following:
(i)  Provide a height adjustable work surface for grinders and
sanders.  The use of a scissors lift or other suitable method will
allow the height of the work surface to be adjusted depending on
the height of the worker and the depth of the product to be worked
on.
(ii)  Provide a tilt feature to the work station so the frame may be
mechanically moved to provide access to work surfaces, and may
be raised from and lowered to ground level with minimal handling
by the employee.  This will also reduce the force exerted by the
shoulder since the tilt feature will allow the work surface to
mechanically tilt to meet the frame rather than the employee
lowering the frame in a controlled fall, as is currently the
technique.
(iii)  Develop carts, castors or other suitable means of transporting
frames around the work space to minimize the amount of push and
pull forces exerted by employees.
(iv)  Investigate changes to the entire work process to minimize
repeated handling of commonly produced product throughout the
process.
(b)  Investigate administrative controls to 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 preventive
maintenance
of related equipment.
(c)  Investigate work practices, including work techniques, new employee
conditioning, proper placement of loads and reduction of weight lifted.
(d)  Establish a policy of safe lifting practices and train employees on
these.

Issued

Feb 26, 2003

Abate by

Aug 1, 2003

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 2003

Abate by

Sep 1, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 2003

Abate by

Jul 1, 2003

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 2003

Abate by

Mar 16, 2003

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 2003

Abate by

Feb 2, 2004

Penalty

Initial $63,000 · Current $31,500 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 2003

Abate by

Mar 2, 2003

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $100 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 2003

Abate by

Mar 31, 2003

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $100 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 2003

Abate by

Oct 1, 2003

Penalty

Initial $11,200 · Current $5,600 Reduced

Issued

Feb 26, 2003

Abate by

Mar 8, 2003

Penalty

Initial $11,200 · Current $5,600 Reduced