Reference no: EM132219020

Harvey had a machining job at a new workstation. It was similar to his last job in that it involved picking up a casting from a pallet, performing milling operations, and putting it aside to a pallet for the finished product. In this job, the incoming pallet was stacked higher because the pieces were only about 25 pounds. This machine was somewhat more complicated than the one he worked on previously and so the job paid a little more.

Orville, the previous worker on the job, had developed a sore back doing the work and so Harvey was provided the opportunity. After a month Orville was still sore and his doctor didn’t want him to return to that job. Harvey was healthy and didn’t have any trouble—for about a week.

After two weeks on the new job Harvey found that lifting the pieces to and from the machine when the pallet was full (stacking the top layer) was difficult and strained his back. He also found that picking up pieces and putting them aside when the pallets were about empty made his lower backache. He asked the supervisor if the loads could be positioned better but the supervisor didn’t see how, and nothing was done. During a lunch break, Harvey learned that Orville had complained, too. Harvey asked his union steward if anything could be done. The union steward talked to the safety coordinator who replied that the supervisor didn’t think anything could be done. Besides the coordinator was confident that every OSHA regulation was satisfied and there was no standard for such a situation. Harvey’s back got worse.

One day an OSHA officer showed up and wanted to tour the plant but specifically to observe Harvey’s workstation. The safety coordinator was very confident of compliance but was shocked in the closing conference with the inspector when the inspector made reference to a citation for a violation!

1. What practical matters should have been considered by the company?

2. What OSHA standard(s) were overlooked?