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 an unacceptable risk of musculoskeletal injuries and cumulative trauma disorders, while performing various material handling tasks and repetitive motions and an effective ergonomics program had not been implemented: a) Twisting Department b) Spinning Department c) Suessen Department d) Blending Department While ultimate responsibility for correcting the hazard rests with the employer, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard include, but are not limited to, the development and implementation of an ergonomics program which would include at least the following elements: 1) Worksite Analysis-Identify existing ergonomic hazard and work positions that put employees at risk of developing cumulative trauma disorders (CTD's) and musculoskeletal injuries. 2) Hazard Prevention and Control-Use appropriate engineering control, work practice controls, personal protective equipment and administrative controls to correct or control the ergonomic hazards identified. 3) Medical Management-Ensure the early identification, evaluation, and treatment of signs and symptons, and to aid in the prevention of CTD's musculoskeletal injuries. 4) Training and Education-Ensure that all employees, supervisors, engineers, managers and health care providers are sufficiently informed about ergonomic hazards to which employees may be exposed, and the means to reduce or eliminate the exposures. ABATEMENT SCHEDULE: Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of the ergonomics program to control employee exposure to the hazardous conditions referenced in this citation. This plan shall be submitted within the first forty-five (45) days of the abatement period. Thereafter, sixty day (60) progress reports shall be submitted to the Area Director.