OSHA Inspection: U.S.S. KOBE STEEL CO.

Issued

Aug 15, 1991

Abate by

Aug 18, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,125 · Current $1,500 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 possibility of crushing broken bones and death resulting
from the hazards of working with and around railroad locomotives,
cars, switches, and other equipment in poorly lit or totally
dark areas at night.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this hazard is to repair all existing lights in these
areas, add lighting if necessary and develop a procedure to
periodically inspect these areas to maintain all lighting devices
in an operable condition.  Strict adherence to this policy shall
be strictly enforced.

Issued

Aug 15, 1991

Abate by

Aug 21, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,125 · Current $1,500 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 remote controlled locomotive operators working in the
transportation department to push or pull railcars without
continuous point protection or equivalent (i.e. the remote
controlled locomotive operators did not have a clear 180o view
of the train, track, and area ahead of the lead vehichle in the
direction of travel) thus exposing the employees to the hazards
of being struck by moving railroad cars and/or engines:
1) On 7/11/91 in the mold yard an operator was moving the narrow
gauge train containing 8 pricker cars.  The operator was riding
on the front riding car behind the 8 pricker cars and did not
have a clear unobstructed view of travel.  After placing the
load in the mold yard the operator rode on the riding car
following the locomotive and again his view was blocked by the
locomotivve.
2) On 7/11/91 an operator was observed operating a narrow gauge
locomotive from the riding car in back of the locomotive instead
of the lead riding car.  The employee was operating with view
obstructed by the locomotive.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this hazard is to provide continuous point protection
or the equivalent when railcars or engines are being moved.

Issued

Aug 15, 1991

Abate by

Aug 21, 1991

Penalty

Initial $2,125 · Current $1,500 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 two employees unloading coke cars in the blast furnace area
one on each side of the train cars, have no means of
communications between them thus exposing the employees to the
hazards of being struck by moving railroad cars or engines.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this hazard is to provide 2-way radios to both
employees and require their use.