OSHA Inspection: SISTEMA ANA G MENDEZ DBA UNIVERSIDAD DEL ESTE

Issued

Jul 14, 2011

Abate by

Aug 2, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,838 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 6(a) of the Puerto Rico Occupational Safety and Health Act:  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 physical harm to employees
in that employees
were exposed to:
Seccion 6(a) de la Ley de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo de Puerto Rico:
El
patrono no
proveyo empleo y un sitio de empleo libre de riesgos reconocidos que esten
causando o que
puedan causar muerte o dano fisico a los empleados, por cuanto empleados
estaban expuestos
a:
Food Storage employee of the School of Tourism in the Ana G. Mendez
Universitary System
dba Eastern University, were exposed to back injuries due to improper
lifting techniques
while loading merchandises to the storage and freezers.  The employer
failed to provide
training in proper lifting techniques to the employees.  It was documented
that the weights of
boxes and ice blocks were between 25 and 150 pounds and some employees
received back
and knees injuries and are treated by Puerto Rico State Insurance Fund
Corporation.
Hazard: Employees exposed to back injuries by improper lifting techniques.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard
is: 1) Raise
the height of the bottom level boxes to allow employees to keep the load
close to the body.
This will minimize bending of the torso. 2) Provide height-adjustable
picking equipment so
loads can be maintained at a height that minimizes bending at the waist.
3) Educate
employees about the hazards of bending while moving heavy loads. 4) Ensure
the use of
proper lifting techniques.
Empleados del Almacen de Alimentos de la Escuela de Turismo en el Sistema
Universitario
Ana G. Mendez dba Universidad del Este, estuvieron expuestos a lesiones de
la espalda
debido a tecnicas incorrectas de levantamiento mientras cargaban mercancia
para los
refrigeradores y almacen.  El patrono fallo en proveer adiestramiento
sobre tecnicas correctas
de levantamiento a los empleados.  Se documento que el peso de las cajas y
bloques de hielo
era entre 25 a 150 libras y algunos empleados recibieron lesiones de
espaldas y rodillas, y
son tratados por la Corporacion del Fondo del Seguro del Estado de Puerto
Rico.
Riesgo: Empleados estaban expuestos a lesiones de espalda por tecnicas
incorrectas de
levantamiento.
Entre otros metodos, un metodo factible para corregir esta situacion es:
1) Elevar la altura de
las cajas del fondo para permitir a los empleados mantener la carga cerca
del cuerpo. Esto
reducira al minimo la flexion del torso. 2) Proporcionar equipos de altura
regulable para
recoger las cargas logrando mantenerlas a una altura que reduzca al minimo
la flexion en la
cintura. 3) Adiestrar a los empleados sobre los peligros de la flexion,
mientras mueven
cargas pesadas. 4) Asegurar el uso de tecnicas adecuadas de levantamiento.

Issued

Jul 14, 2011

Abate by

Aug 2, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $788 Reduced

Issued

Jul 14, 2011

Abate by

Jul 19, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $788 Reduced

Issued

Jul 14, 2011

Abate by

Aug 2, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,838 Reduced

Issued

Jul 14, 2011

Abate by

Aug 2, 2011

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $525 Reduced