Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: ERGONOMIC

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 cumulative musculoskeletal disorders: a) Credit management and clerical workers throughout the U.S. West Bismarck Management Center receiving calls and entering data were exposed to cumulative trauma disorders from performing repetitive, prolonged, extended, static arm, hand and flexed wrist motions using inadeqate, non-fully adjustable work station components(work surface, chair, keyboard and terminal) without arm or wrist support, under inadequate lighting conditions. this has caused and precipitated carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and musculoskeletal trauma (upper/lower back, shoulder, arm, elbow, and neck pain), eye strain, and headaches. The violation was observed on January 4, 1990, and January 8, 1990. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard are as follows: 1) Engineering out cumulative musculoskeletal injuries and other associated trauma disorders can be properly controlled by replacing, redesigning or modifying the task work station to achieve fully adjustable, ergonomically designed chairs, work surface, keyboard, terminal and document holder with surfaces and lighting that reduce reflection and glare. Combined with proper work practices, it should reduce or eliminate static positions, unsupported, extended, flexed arms and wrists, dangling legs, and provide lumbar supported backs. Prioritizing of engineering controls if necessary could respond to the sick first, those with the highest number of symptoms, and those with the highest data entry tasks. Other environmental parameters should be addressed and corrected such as humidity , room temperature consistency, and control of unpleasant odors. 2) Personal Protective Equipment Interim: Take all feasible steps to provide maximum protection for employees until full program implementation is completed by making widely availbe arm, wrist and foot rests. To avoid prolonged or worsened systems, provide accomodations to comply with physician applied restrictions. 3) Administrative: The implementation of an exercising program or training workers to perform personal stretching exercises as needed. Train workers about how good and bad equipment, work practices, postures and habits contribute to health. Job redesigning could include decreasing quotas, increased short, discretionary rest periods, diversify tasks, and rotate employees (every two weeks or weekly) to different tasks that require different body movements. maintain the present policy of initial and annual eye exams. Employees recovering from musuloskeletal disorders need increased attention. Abatement Schedule: STEP1 - Task Force/Compliance Program: Assemble a task force to conduct a job task analsis and risk assessment identifying worker postures and movements, station design and use, repetitiveness, and weight and force of movements. the extent and location of employees involved shall be evaluated by providing a cts checkup that includes patient history and an electrodiagnostic test for nerves and muscle strengths. Establisha written compliance grogram to reduce and eliminate exposures by engineering, work practices, and administrative controls. Submit to the Area Director a detailed abatement plan outline to include the following 1) A description of the work task involved, employee job responsibilities and operating practices, and equipment used. 2) A description of the specific means, including the technology, that will be employed to achieve compliance. 3) A detailed schedule for program implementation including specific target dates. 4) A work practice program, including training programs, etc. 5) If applicable, schedule administrative controls. This program shall be available at the worksite for any affected employee or employee representatives. Thirty day progress reports shall be submitted to the Area Director. STEP 2 a) This shall include the completion of installation of new or modified work station components. b) The completion of training and implementation of work practice control shall include: 1) Training of employees in cumulative trauma disorders, funadamentals of body biomechanics, and proper use of engineering control measures. 2) It is imperative employees are taught the correct way to perform tasks to minimalize CTD risks utilizing proper hand, arm and upper body postures, reducing stress and strain on wrists. Home and social habits should also be addressed as possible injury contributors. 3) All affected supervisors and employees shall be involved in solutions and demonstrations. Follow-up safety meetings on the issues are recommended. 4) Training of employees shall be conducted when initially hired and at least bianually. 5) If administrative controls are used as a means of reducing employee exposure, established a schedule if applicable for job rotation that includes name, duration of each job or work station of affected employee and any other useful information in assessing administrative control reliability. e) Evaluation/Monitoring: Ensure effectiveness by evaluating and documenting program. Monitor and log employee complaints after remedial action is taken. Ask each employee if they have been able to reduce symptoms by making changes at home and work. Consider additional engineering and administrative controls if some problems persist. Correction shall be completed by the effective implementation of engineering and/or administrative controls.