OSHA Inspection: GNB TECHNOLOGIES

Issued

Jan 10, 1996

Abate by

Jan 16, 1996

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,000 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:
Employees working in and near the blast furnace tapping kettles area were
exposed to the
recognized potential hazard of being "struck by" or "crushed by" the
twenty-six hundred (2600)
pound mixer.  The employer did not take adequate measures to control
employee(s) exposure,
in that:
(a)The load (mixer) was moved between kettles A and B and other locations
within
the work area with material handling equipment (Yale overhead hoist) that
did not
have a safety latch on the hook
(b)When moving the load (mixer) between kettles A and B and other
locations
within
the work area with the material handling equipment (Yale overhead hoist)
the
operator and all personnel were not clear of the load.
The potential for being "struck by" or "crush by" was demonstrated by the
following instances:
(a)On or about September 16, 1995 a refining employee was moving the
mixer, by
the Yale overhead hoist, from kettle B to kettle A.  As the mixer was being
lowered into kettle A it came off the hook striking the employee knocking
him
from his work platform.  The employee required medical treatment.
(b)On November 1, 1995 a refining employee moved the mixer from kettle A
to B.
The employee climbed onto the hood of kettle A and then moved with the
mixer,
walking on the hood of kettle A, the platform between the two kettles over
to
kettle B then climbing onto its hood, as it was lowered into the kettle.
Recognized and feasible means of abatement to correct this hazard include:
(1)Installation of a latch type hook as required by the American National
Standards
Institute (ANSI) standard B30.16 (Overhead Hoists, Underhung), 1987 Edition
with particular attention to chapter 16-1 (Marking, Construction, and
Installation)
section 16-1.2 (Construction) paragraph 16-1.2.9 (Hooks).
(2)Training and enforcement of work practices whereby all personnel,
including the
operator, remain clear of the load when moving the load between tapping
kettles
A and B and other locations within the area as required by the American
National
Standards Institute (ANSI) standard B30.16 (Overhead Hoists, Underhung),
1987
Edition, with particular attention to chapter 16-3 (Operation) section
16-3.1.3
(Moving the Load) paragraph "c".graph

Issued

Jan 10, 1996

Abate by

Jan 16, 1996

Penalty

Initial $2,125 · Current $1,000 Reduced