Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA 2000-0316-2811, Material Sciences Corporation, Pinole Point Steel, Richmond, California.

摘要

On June 7, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) from the Director of Environmental Safety and Health at Material Sciences Corporation, Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The request stated that workers at the company's Pinole Point Steel facility, located in Richmond, California, were experiencing strain to the lower back and arms while performing a zinc pot skimming operation. The request also stated that over the years there had been two confirmed cases of carpal tunnel syndrome among workers performing the job. A NOISH ergonomist evaluated one worker performing the pot skimming operation on June 27 and 28, 2000. A biomechanical and lifting analysis indicated that the forces and moments at the joints on the left side of the body, particularly at the shoulder, and at the low back from lifting a long-handled spoon of dross weighing 40 pounds, were high and beyond the capabilities of all but the strongest of workers. One worker had recently injured his left wrist while performing the pot skimming task, and historically there have been many complaints by workers of strain to the arms and lower back.