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Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
Directives
CPL 02-00-088 - CPL 2.88 - Information Dissemination System for Ergonomic Inspections and Consultative Visits Resulting in Significant Benefits. |
Directives - Table of Contents |
Record Type: | Instruction |
Directive Number: | CPL 02-00-088 |
Old Directive Number: | CPL 2.88 |
Title: | Information Dissemination System for Ergonomic Inspections and Consultative Visits Resulting in Significant Benefits. |
Information Date: | 07/02/1990 |
OSHA Instruction CPL 2.88 JULY 2, 1990 Directorate Of Technical Support Subject: Information Dissemination System for Ergonomic Inspections and Consultative Visits Resulting in Significant Benefits A. Purpose. This instruction establishes procedures for collecting and disseminating information relative to ergonomic inspections and ergonomic consultative visits which have resulted in significant benefits to employers and their employees. B. Scope. This instruction applies OSHA-wide. C. Action. Regional Administrators shall ensure that the policy and procedures established in this instruction are adhered to for all ergonomic inspections and visits. D. Federal Program Change. This instruction describes a Federal program change which affects State Programs. Each Regional Administrator shall:
OSHA Instruction CPL 2.88 JULY 2, 1990 Directorate of Technical Support
E. Background. OSHA has initiated a program for certain ergonomic hazards. Valuable data relative to hazard identification and control are collected and placed in the case files including ergonomic solutions for specific operations. This potentially valuable information is rarely shared with employers, employees, and other interested groups. This instruction is intended to provide the mechanism for the collection and dissemination of ergonomic solutions within OSHA and to interested parties and organizations outside of OSHA. F. Procedures. Each Regional Administrator shall be responsible for the development of brief, written summaries for selected ergonomic cases and ergonomic consultative visits and for their transmission to the Directorate of Technical Support at the National Office. All information WHICH IS A TRADE SECRET OR OTHERWISE CONFIDENTIAL must be removed from the summary report. Specific guidelines to be followed are set forth below:
OSHA Instruction CPL 2.88 JULY 2, 1990 Directorate of Technical Support
OSHA Instruction CPL 2.88 JULY 2, 1990 Directorate of Technical Support
OSHA Instruction CPL 2.88 JULY 2, 1990 Directorate of Technical Support
Gerard F. Scannell Assistant Secretary Distribution: National and Regional Offices State Designees 7(c)(1) Project Managers All Compliance Officers
OSHA Instruction CPL 2.88 JULY 2, 1990 Directorate of Technical Support
PROJECT RECORD
ERGOFACTS U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Meatpackers "Pulling the Paddle Bone" Create Undue Ergonomic Stress The Problem Several recognized ergonomic risk factors (stressors) -- repetitive motions, awkward postures, and forceful exertions -- were present in one operation present in beef packing houses. This operation involves pulling the paddle bone (part of the scapula) away from the shoulder or chuck of the animal. Several workers complained of substantial pain; thus, a video tape analysis was performed on this job. As the meat is conveyed past the workers, they hook the meat and pull it to themselves, and do minor fat trimming. They then scribe or cut around the paddle bone to separate it as much as possible from the meat. These cuts require both pushing and pulling the knife with the blade extending from the little finger side of the hand. The workers then literally rip the meat from the bone by hooking it first with the left and then the right hand. They use their forearm to brace against the meat and continue to tear at the meat with the other hand. They then grasp the neck of the bone with one hand and pull with great force while pounding the hook into the gap between the meat and bone. After more cuts are made to separate the bone completely the bone is discarded to a conveyor. The entire operation requires about thirty seconds to complete. The workers at these positions experienced low back pain, pain in both shoulders, and severe pain in both hands. The tasks exposed workers to ergonomic stressors that caused cumulative trauma disorders. These included repeated deviations of the wrists, shoulders, and back. High pushing and pulling forces at the hand and elbow and repeated pounding of the palm area of the hook hand were also significant stress contributors. The Solution The task was modified by changing it into two jobs. As the meat is conveyed by the work stations the first worker scribes the bone as before but does not attempt to separate the bone from the meat. A second worker places a circular hook over the neck of the bone and this hook is chained to the floor. As the conveyor and attached meat continues to move, the slack in the chain is taken up and the bone is pulled away from the meat mechanically. The bone is then removed from the hook and placed on another conveyor. The Benefits The workers on these jobs are no longer exposed to the excessive ergonomic stress previously present. The manning for the job remains essentially the same as several workers were performing the task; however, they are now free to rotate between the jobs to provide some variety and reduce their exposure to any remaining force and repetition stressors. The costs were less than $300 per work station for materials and installation. The workers all felt that the changes made their job much less demanding and at no loss of output. ErgoFacts provides a brief summary of the results of an employer's recognition of the need for workplace safety and health assistance. In some instances these situations were recognized by enforcement officials during an inspection. Such assistance can identify and help the employer correct workplace hazards, develop or improve on effective safety and health management system, or both. Contact the OSHA office in your area for additional information on the consultation program. |
Directives - Table of Contents |
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