OSHA Inspection: MASTERCORP, INC.

Issued

Jul 9, 2015

Abate by

Aug 4, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 ergonomic risk factors including, but not limited to excessive force or exertion, repetitive motions, improper lifting, awkward postures, improper tools and inadequate recovery time, resulting in working conditions that had caused, were causing, or were likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as but not limited to  back disorders  and shoulder injuries .        a)  On or about April 8, 2015 and at times prior; the employer exposed employees to the hazard of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) while performing repetitive, forceful tasks in awkward postures with inadequate recovery time while providing housekeeping services to hotel rooms and associated tasks.  Job tasks include, but are not limited to, carrying heavy bundles of clean and soiled linens between floors, prolonged bending while making beds, awkward postures and long reaches while cleaning bathrooms.       Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable methods of abatement includes but not limited to: Engage in a process that includes analysis of the worksite and work activities, medical management, training and education of employees in both recognition of injury and avoidance of injury, and hazard prevention and control to determine the most effective methods of addressing the ergonomic risk factors.  Some examples of methods that may apply to this workplace include:     1.  Provide an ergonomic assessment, by a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE), Industrial Engineer (IE), or other qualified professional, of the housekeeping and associated tasks and jobs.  The Ergonomist, or other qualified professional, shall provide a job hazard analysis and recommendations for reducing or eliminating ergonomic risk factors from the work of the employees performing housekeeping activities which include moving linens, making beds, turning mattresses, cleaning tubs and showers.  The ergonomics assessment should be repeated whenever conditions change (i.e., new layout, new product affecting manual work tasks, new equipment or hand tools, or reported MSD injury or illness).   Design or redesign lifting tasks so that they are at a lift index of I.0 (or less) based on the Revised Lifting Equation developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)     2.  Develop a participatory, multi-disciplinary, competent ergonomics team to implement and sustain an effective ergonomics program.  The composition of the team should include: hourly-employees, onsite-management, and risk management.  The team should receive base training by a CPE or other qualified person to achieve a basic competence in ergonomic hazard identification, principles, and risk reduction approaches with ongoing training and education.  The team will facilitate problem identification and abatement through employee suggestions, audits, reported injuries and complaints with follow-up to resolution. The CPE or other qualified individual should be available to assist the ergonomic team to review concerns, perform independent or joint audits and evaluations and provide the ergonomic training applicable to the work conducted for management and hourly employees.    3.  Enhance medical management screening, and medical assessment onsite to improve early intervention of musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries.    4.  Provide appropriate carts to reduce lifting and carrying heavy linens, additional staffing to assist with turning or lifting mattresses. Maintain carts so that the push/pull force for a loaded cart is less than 50 pounds. Provide work stands to reduce shoulder strain while making bunk beds.    5. Provide long handled tools to assist with cleaning tubs and showers to reduce awkward postures.