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

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: (a) Employees involved in lifting 75 pound upright support stands exceeded the maximum permissible limit that an individual is allowed to lift measured on 20 June 1991. The stands are lifted from the floor or a pallet to the worktable then back to the floor or a pallet. There is a potential for biomechanical stress resulting in back injuries, muscle strains or hernias. (b) Employees invloved in lifting approximately 55 pound, 16 inches x 58 inches conveyor frames exceeded the maximum permissible limit that an individual is allowed to lift measured on 20 June 1991. The frames are lifted from either the floor or a pallet to a work table then back to either the floor or a pallet. There is a potential for biomechanical stress resulting in back injuries, muscle strains or hernias. The employer is not limited to abatement methods suggested by OSHA; i.e., methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. Other methods of abatement may be equally or more appropriate. Ultimate responsibility for determining the most appropriate abatement method rests with the employer, given its superior knowledge of the specific conditions on its worksite.