OSHA Inspection: COLONIAL METALS COMPANY, INCORPORATED

Issued

Mar 19, 1999

Abate by

Apr 6, 1999

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,250 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 severe burns from flame explosions while
charging the furnace through the side door:
(a)SEAF Furnace Area - The scrap metal used for charging the
submerged electric arc furnace was not preheated or
sufficiently dried to eliminate trapped water, moisture
and/or oil.  As occurred on September 24, 1998, a fire
ball occurred when sweepings and other secondaries were
charged into the furnace through the side door, resulting
in a flame explosion.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD
TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO CHARGE ANY MOIST/OILY MATERIAL THROUGH
THE TOP OF THE FURNACE AT A CONTROLLED RATE OF FLOW OR BLEND WITH
OTHER MATERIAL TO REDUCE THE MOISTURE CONTENT.  THE SIDE DOOR
CHARGING TO BE LIMITED TO SOLID OVERSIZE MATERIAL, MOLTEN SLAG AND
OTHER FOUNDRY SKIMMINGS/SLAGS.
VERIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Mar 19, 1999

Abate by

Apr 6, 1999

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,250 Reduced