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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Saftey 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 having parts of their body caught between the moving elevatorand the shaftway: a) The car gate on the "small" elevator was inoperable in that it was detached from its tracks so it could not be closed and, also, the interlock was not operable. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to repair the gate and reconnect the interlocks as required by Rule 204.4a and 204.4b for ANSI A17.1. Additional evidence of manual material handling hazards was obtained from a review of the OSHA 200 log records. In 1989 (up to July 5th) there were 5 instances where the injuries were described as being lower back strains or sprains and 15 instances of other strains or sprains that occured in a work force of 117 employees. This amounts to17% of the employees in only 1/2 year. In 1988 there were 29 instances of strains or sprains and in 1987 there were 19 instances. Contributory factors for some of these instances are: 1) Reaching across the pallet to load the far side. 2) Water on the floor or pallet making them slippery. 3) Smooth soles on shoes worn by selectors. 4) Wood or other foreign material on the floor. 5) Walking on pallets. 6) Lifting heavy boxes without assistance. 7) Twisting or turning the body. 8) Lack of training on manual material handling. These hazards are typical of all selector operations. Among other methods, one feasible ansd acceptable method to correct these hazards is to implement engineering and/or administrative controls which may include, but are not limited to the following items: 1) Identification of all current employees who experience symptoms generally associated with back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. 2) Perform a professional ergonomic assessment to identify mechanical stressors which may be produced by the environment, equipmentor work methods. 3) Implementation of control measures to reduce awkward postures. (Example: Adjust the horizontal and vertical load distance from the body and decrease travel distance.) 4) Design workplace parameters such as load location, start/end relationship, floor condition, store heavy objects at waist height and minimizing the horizontal distance from the body, lift heavy and bulky objects using two persons. 5) Provide mechanical lifting and handling aids such as atomatic leveling devices, scissor lifts, lift tables, manipulators and pullers. This will minimize lifting and allow sliding of boxes and containers. 6) Conduct training sessions to familiarize workers with an appreciation of the types of movements and postures which precipitate injuries and with good lifting strategies to minimize these hazards. 7) Implement an education and awareness program, to complement the training, and which will encourage employees to report their injuries or symptoms, 8) Implement a medical surveillance and treatment program for employees exposed to high risk lifting hazards. This program should contain the following elements: a) Pre-employment examinations with special attention to strength and aerobic capacity so that workers can be matched to jobs as a function of the specific job demands and worker capacities. (Note: It is necessary to identify the high risk jobs and quantify the required job demands.) b) Provide medical examination and counseling of employees as soon as symptoms generally associated with back injuries are reported. c) Employees should be prohibited from returning to their jobs following back injury until the work environment has been modified to the extent that the risk of recurrent injury has been minimized. d) Follow-up of cases should be made to ensure that medical treatment and/or job changes have been effective. 9) Contact suppliers and request a reduction in weight of heavy packages. Abatement: STEP 1- Install interim protective measures such as conducting employee manual material handling training and education. Use two man lift for heavy products. Perform a professional ergonomics assessment of manual material handling, throughout the facility. Note: 90 day progress reports are required during the abatement period. STEP 2- Submit a written detailed plan of abatement to the Area Director. STEP 3- Complete installation of abatement plan. Reassess manual material handling and implement any changes necessary to further refine both engineering and administrative controls. Verify effectiveness in achieving compliance.