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 required to perform repetitive motions with hand and body postures which resulted in stressors likely to cause cumulative trauma disorders: a. As of 2/5/92, employees in the Zehntel Rework area were exposed to an increased risk of cumulative trauma injuries to the upper extremities including tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome, due to the presence of stressors including, but not limited to: 1. Repeated deviation of hand/wrist positions in handling soldering irons, hand tools, and the Pace desoldering tool. 2. Torque exerted against the tool hand by the weight of unsupported suction lines on the Pace tool. 3. Pressure on the tendons of the forearms from unpadded table edges used to support and stabilize the arms when doing fine operations. 4. Additional pressure on the arms and shoulders due to a hunched posture, especially of shorter employees caused by improper chair adjustment relative to the table height. Employees had to reach a foot pedal located on the floor to operate the Pace tool and so could not alter chair position resulting in abduction of the shoulders. This was further aggravated by the necessity of the employee to lean forward to look through the microscope which brought more weight against their arms. 5. Use of tools such as clippers and pliers with short handles that would cause pressure directly on the median nerve in the palm of the hand. The injury and illness records for this department from 1988-1991 documented a pattern of such injuries including three instances of surgery for carpal tunnel. Among others, some feasible and acceptable methods to correct this hazard include but are not limited to the following: 1. Table edges and corners should be padded. Sharp edges where employees rest their arms can restrict blood flow to the wrists and hands as well as exert direct pressure on the tendons of the forearm. Alternatively arm supports could be used. 2. Tool replacement. Removal of short handled pliers and cutters from the workplace. The current tools result in pressure on the median nerve in the palm of the hand during use. The tools should have handles that extend beyond the palm area. Tools with angled heads would reduce the amount of hand deviation. 3. Adjustable holders could be designed for the boards which would permit boards to be positioned to eliminate the requirement for employees to lean forward. This would have the additional benefit of reducing static pressure on the back and neck by allowing use of the chair back for support, and could reduce hand deviation from neutral posture. 4. Redesign the workstation so that employees can adjust their position to eliminate hunched postures and pressure on the forearms. This may include the use of adjustable footrests that provide support and on which the foot pedal of the Pace tool may be mounted and/or changes of table height. Structures such as drawers which limit position adjustment should be eliminated. Note: One static design will not fit all workers. Provisions must be made for some variation to suit the individuals. Involve the employees in the redesign process. 5. Suspend lines and cords to the Pace tool and soldering iron to eliminate torque on wrists. 6. Rotate workers to other jobs to limit extended continuous use of the Pace tool. Job rotation should involve jobs that are not themselves the cause of repetitive motion injuries. 7. Training and education on proper sitting postures, hand positions, and symptom awareness. 8. Set up an ergonomics team consisting of members from management, engineering, safety, and employees to determine job analysis priorities and evaluate intervention strategies. Use an ergonomist or engineer specifically trained in ergonomic design to review proposed changes. Step 1 Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed place of abatement outlining the proposed program and dates of implementation of each element. The plan shall include at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the dates required by this citation: 1. Evaluation of the conditions, locations, and activities that the affected employees perform. 2. Evaluation of applicable control measures. 3. Procurement, installation, and operation of selected control measures. 4. Monitoring to assure effective utilization of the control measures. Step 2 Implement chosen engineering and administrative controls. Submit a letter of abatement as the elements are completed.