OSHA Inspection: CHEMETCO INC.

Issued

Jan 13, 1995

Abate by

Jan 19, 1995

Penalty

Initial $49,500 · Current $3,500 Reduced

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:
...the hazards of rapidly expanding steam vapor/molten metal explosion.
Employees working in the foundry especially in the vicinity of furnaces
#1,#2, and #4, were
exposed to the hazard of an explosion because pools of water were allowed
to accumulate
beneath these furnaces.  Molten metal accidentally spilling during the
charging or any accidental
spill of molten metal could entrap the water thereby causing an explosion.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS ...
1.  Repair of water leaks in pollution control system that may contribute
to water under the
furnaces.
2.  Curb or otherwise seal a perimeter around the furnaces so that when
water spills or otherwise
enters the building it cannot collect under the furnaces.
DISCLAIMER:
1.  You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2.  The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3.  The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.