OSHA Inspection: BIC CORPORATION

Issued

1992-02-14 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-06-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4500.00 · Current $4500.00

General-duty citation text

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 repetitive hand and wrist motions resulting in
stresses likely to cause cumulative trauma disorders:
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A.  Ink systems department: Cartridge Assembly Operators/Utility
operators for french cartridge assembly:  Employees were subject
to excessive repetitive motions resulting in tendonitis,
epicondylitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.  The tasks, exposure and
possible abatement methods include, but are not limited to, the
following measures within each of the tasks identified in both the
old and new assembly operations.
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TASK ELEMENTS
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Operation of cartridge assembly machines and workstation involves
the following (not in any order):
1. Loading and emptying of centrifuge
2. Carrying of cartridge trays
3. Inspection of cartridges in trays
4. Maintenance and repair of the machines at the workstation
5. Loading and emptying of oven
6. Placement of ink blotters in trays
7. Removal of ink blotters from trays at centrifuge
8. Pushing the cart (600 #'s) (pulling)
%%
EXPOSURES AND ABATEMENT METHODS FOR EACH TASK
1.  Forceful pinching combined with static (prolonged) awkward
postures of the wrist.  Gloves are worn (loose fitting) static
awkward posture of the elbow (pronation of the forearm,
elevated elbow and abducted shoulders).
- Provide a footstool so that the operator can reach into
centrifuge at waist level.
Redesign boxes to allow for a "power grip" (fingers wrap
around a handle)
- Automate the process (as is planned)
- use gloves that provide a better grip and "fit"
.  Forceful pinching combined with static awkward postures
of the wrist and forearm overshoulder reaching.
- Provide handles on the trays so that a power grip may be used
- Locate trays within the waist height of the operator
3.  Forceful awkward postures are used to hold the tray in the
light (to avoid a glare). Extension (backward reaching) of the
shoulder is used to dispose of defective cartridges.
- Provide inspection stand where cartridges may be inspected
without have to hold the tray.
- Provide lighting such that glare is eliminated (reduced) and
inspection can be achieved.
- Place disposable bag in an area that allows for neutral posture
- Automate the process (as in planned-recall the computerize
inspection set-up that is planned for the French cam).
4.  Tools are used in a menner such that mechanical depression
of the palm of the hand may lead to CTD's.  Innervation to the
Ulnar n. is compromised.
Lengthen plier handles so that they don't apply pressure (force)
to the palm.
- Cushion the handle of the wire tool (foam, rubber, cloth, etc.)
5. This involves overhead reaching to stack trays in the tray
feeding (loading) system and to pick up empty trays from the
tray cart.  Forceful pinching is used to lift trays.
- Maintain trays at waist height
- Redesign trays with handles
- Redesign tray loading to be horizontal instead of verticle
(to keep tray loading at waist height).
6 & 7.  Forceful pinch with awkward wrist postures to flex the blot
overhead reaching to get clean ink blots.  Awkward wrist posture
with pinch grip is used to put blots in trays and remove them.
- Relocate clean blots at waist level
- Eliminate flexing of blot (why is this done?)
- Encourage workers to use neutral posture to remove and load the
blot into the tray
8.  PUSHING/PULLING (600 #'S)
- Put brake on the cart
- Use two operators to perform this function
- Automate (as planned) They indicated that if they purchase the
robot they showed us, it will take six months
- Provide mirror on cart or lower it so that operator can see where
she/he is going
9.  Depressing controls requires awkward posture twisting and
abduction (lateral flexion) of the torso, as well as reaching
beyond the "reach envelope" of the operator.
- Move controls to the area of application so that the operator
may depress buttons at the waist without straining the
back/shoulder
10.  Awkward shoulder and forearm postures are used to load barrels
into the french cam hopper.  Slight flexion of the torso is used
to scoop up barrels with hands.  Forceful pinching is used to open
open the box.  This task involves static shoulder postures
above shoulder height.
- Automate the process (as is planned)
- Provide "exacto knife" or opener to ease the opening of boxes
- Provide boxes at waise level
- Lowr the topper to waist level
%%
B.  Ball Pen department:  Stick pens M & O: Employees were subject
to excessive repetitive motions resulting in Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome, epicondylitis and tendonitis.  Task elements, exposures
and possible abatement measures are listed.
%%
Some feasible and acceptable methods of abatement include but
are not limited to, the following within each of the
tasks identified:
%%
TASK ELEMENTS (MAJOR)
1.  Load "hex" ( or coverings of pens)
2.  Lift boxes of hex's (5,970) to shoulder height and invert
3.  Load cartridge carousel
4.  Load  cart with empty trays and unload full trays
5.  Unjam machine, clear debris
6.  Test pens to make sure that they write
7.  Visually inspect pens
8.  Load cardboard boxes into machines
9.  Load display papers (packaging) into machine
0.  Leaning on workstation
1.  Activating of controls
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EXPOSURES/ABATEMENT FOR EACH TASK
1.  Shoulder height lift.  Forceful pinching with awkward posture
(gloves)  *automation of this is planned
%%
2.  Automation planned as above.  For now, a crane type (hoist)
device may be possible or a (stool or platform, etc.) could
be used (interim only) to lower the height of the lift.
%%
3.  Ulnar deviation with gloves and wrist extension with blunt
trauma is used here.
- 1.  Use a tool to push pens into the carousel
- 2.  Reorientate the carousel from vertical to horizontal
- 3.  Automate (as is planned)
- 4.  work practice - training on posture/outcomes
%%
4.  Redesign cart, etc.... (see number 2 on cartridge assembly)
%%
5.  Awkward reaching into machine and use of wire tool with
forceful pinch.
- 1.  Better tool design affords better control of tool, less
stress to soft tissues and improved job performance
- 2.  Can a tool to used to decrease the read distance into
the machine?
- 3.  This process will be automated in the future, but operator
will probably have to continue to fix jams.
%%
6.  Awkward forceful postures.  Elevate writing surfaces so that
neutral postures can be assumed while testing the pens.
%%
7.  Awkward forceful wrist postures.  Provide an inspection
area where tha box can be placed to be inspected.  Provide
appropriate lighting for this task.
%%
8.  O.K.
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9.  Over the shoulder reaching.  Instruct operator to load
only at waist level to avoid shoulder strain.  Automate
the feed.
%%
0.  Mechanical compression at base of hand with forceful
awkward posture (wrist extension), pad workstation edge
or provide a leaning bar (sit/stand)
%%
1.  Over the shoulder, static and forceful reaching
Lower controls to front of machine at waist levels (as
seen in french cam operation).  Also investigate the use
of better fitting gloves and gloves that provide a grip
surface.
%%
ABATEMENT SCHEDULE
STEP ONE
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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 the cumulative trauma disorders
referenced in this citation.  The plan shall include:
%%
At a minimum, target dates for the following actions
which must be consistent with the abatement dates
required by this citation.
%%
a.  Evaluation of the extent and location of the hazard source.
b.  Evaluation of control measure options
c.  Selection of optimum control measures
d.  Determination of control measure design
e.  Ordering and delivery of any equipment and materials
f.  Installation of control measures
g.  Training of employees:
1.  Job(s) where the potential for repetitive motion
injuries exist.
2.  Ergonomic method(s) of holding and handling
materials and performing required work.
3.  Proper operation and maintenance of newly implemented
control measures.
h.  Assurance of effective performance of control measures
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All proposed control measures shall be evaluated by a
technically qualified person.  Progress report(s) are required
during the abatement period.  Abatement time is March 8, 1992
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STEP TWO
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Correction shall be completed by the implementation of feasible
engineering and/or administrative controls and their
effectiveness at achieving compliance verfied.  Abatement time
is June 10, 1992.
%%

Issued

1992-02-14 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-03-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2250.00 · Current $2250.00