OSHA Inspection: PHELPS DODGE CORPORATION

Issued

Dec 30, 1998

Abate by

Feb 18, 1999

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

General-duty citation text

Section 50-9-5(A), NMSA 1978 (New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety
Act):  Every
employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of
employment which
are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause
death or serious physical
harm to his employees.
An employee was exposed to slag hazards when attempting to remove a ladle
while
uncontrolled slag (referred to as a "runaway") was still flowing down the
launder chute.
Abatement measures shall include written standard operating procedures
detailing the
steps employees shall take to handle a "runaway" and the training of
applicable
employees on these procedures.  One feasible and acceptable abatement
method includes
but is not limited to written procedures which include the immediate
evacuation from the
slag tunnel.