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 excessive ergonomic stressors to the arm, wrists and shoulders due to repetitive and forceful tasks while engaged in the manufacturing of polycarbonate lenses. The trauma associated with these tasks has caused a high rate of cumulative trauma disorders such Tendon and Nerve disorders (Tendinitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome). Exposed employees were at risk of increased severity and/or reoccurance of the illness in that an ergonomic program had not been implemented: a) For the employees in the lens manufacturing departments and elsewhere in the facility where repetitive and forceful motions may be connected by the employees; while ultimate responsibility for correcting the hazards rests with the employer. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is the development and implementation of a written ergonomic/hazard prevention and control program that states the company policy and position as it pertains to the reduction and management of ergonomic hazards in the work place. Some of the elements may include: 1) Use of engineering controls to reduce the stress factors associated with the insertion and removal of the retaining clips in the lens manufacturing. 2) Work station re-design. 3) Automation. 4) Employee rotation between high and low stressor tasks. 5) Job hazard analysis. 6) Visible involvement of top management/front line supervisors. 7) Development and establishment of a training and educational program for employees as well as for management. 8) Management of a comprehensive health surveillance protocol with direct involvement of competent physicians in the pre-employment screening and in light duties determinations.