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

%% Where possible, utilize the whole hand rather than individual fingers. 2) Round and/or pad the table edge and/or reposition the sewing machine closer to the table edge. 3) Provide and ergonomically designed scissors, and educate the operator on the importance of maintaining a neutral wrist while performing repetitive motions. J) BLOCKING 1) a) Extreme extension of the left and right wrists when placing the hat on the block and pushing it down with considerble force. b) Extension of both wrists when removing the hat from the block and folding the back section in. 2) Operator oriented low to the work station with elbows elevated and extended out away from the body. Exposure to these hazards could lead to Cumulative Trauma Disorder injuries such as but limited to tendonitis. Some feasible and acceptable abatement methods, among others, to correct these hazards are; 1) a)-b) Re-orient the operator or the work piece to allow the operator to maintain a neutral wrist. Instruct the operator to perform this task with a neutral wrist and redesign the wooden mold to allow this to occur. Example; lay mold on its side. Educate the operator on the importance of maintaining a neutral wrist while performing repetitive motions. Design a tool to assist in pushing the hat onto the mold, allow the operator to maintain a neutral wrist. Provide finger and/or hand covers that increase the friction between the fingers/hand and the material thus requiring less finger/ hand force. 2) Reposition the operator by providing an adjustable work station or placing the operator on an adjustable chair in relation to platform, allowing him to operator an an optimum position in relation to the task. K) AUTOMATIC EMBROIDERY 1) Wrist extension with high finger force when pressing down the plastic retainer ring. 2) Wrist extension with high finger forces when pulling the material, to smooth out wrinkles, after the ring retainer has been inserted. 3) Operator utilizing a non-ergonomically designed scissors to cut thread. 4) Holding the scissors in the same hand while gripping material. Exposure to these hazards could lead to Cumulative Trauma Disorder injuries such as, but not limited to tenosynovitis. Some feasible and acceptable abatement methods, among others, to correct these hazards are: 1) Develop a tool or mold which allows the force to be evenly distributed and keeps employees wrists in a neutral position, and educate the operator on the importance of maintaining a neutral wrist when exerting high finger force and/or performig repetitive motions. 2) Provide finger covers that increase the friction between the finger and the material thus requiring less finger force or develop a tool to assist in cloth pulling which reduces finger forces and allows the operator to maintain a neutral wrist. 3) Provide an ergonomically designed scissors and instruct the operator in its proper usage. 4) Remove the scissors from the hand while gripping material to decrease grip forces. ABATEMENT SCHEDULE STEP #1: EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE PROTECTION, SUCH AS EMPLOYEE TRAINING,PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT, JOB ROTATION, ETC., SHALL BE PROVIDED AS AN INTERIM PROTECTIVE MEASURE UNTIL FEASIBLE ENGINEERING OR PERMANENT ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED WHICH WILL REDUCE EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE TO NOMINAL RISK. STEP #2: SUBMIT TO THE AREA DIRECTOR A WRITTEN, DETAILED PLAN OF ABATEMENT OUTLINING A SCHEDULE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS AS REFERENCED IN THIS CITATION. THIS PLAN SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, TARGET DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WHICH MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH TEH ABATEMENT DATES REQUIRED BY THIS CITATION: A) EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING/ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OPTIONS; B) SELECTION OF OPTIMUM CONTROL METHODS AND COMPLETION OF DESIGN; C) TESTING AND ACCEPTANCE OR MODIFICATION/REDESIGN OF CONTROLS. ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH PARTICULAR USE BY A COMPETENT INDUSTRIAL HYGIENTIST OR OTHER TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED PERSON. THIRTY (30) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD. STEP #3: ABATEMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEASIBLE ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS UPON VERFICATION OF THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE.