OSHA Inspection: ATLANTIC STEEL COMPANY

Issued

Mar 9, 1989

Abate by

Mar 12, 1989

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

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:
a) Hazard of being struck by molten steel or slag: Electric melt shop -
raw dolomite (grandol) material used to patch the bottom of the 85
ton electric arc furnace was not suitable for the use.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to use bottom patch material designed for the
purpose.
b) Hazard of being struck by molten steel or slag: The electric melt
shop had not implemented an adequate safety program which includes
provisions for the identification, evaluation, and control of general
workplace hazard, specific job hazards and potential hazards arising
from foreseeable conditions:
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method is to implement
a viable safety program which would include the following essential
elements:
1) The assignment and communication of responsibility, authority and
acountability for the conduct of all aspects of these programs so
that employees and supervisors at all organizational levels know what
actions are expected of them.
2) The examination and assessment of workplace conditions and activities
so that, at the minimum, existing and foreseeable hazards, which are
recognized within the industry or within the trade, are identified.
3) The regular inspection by competent persons of facilities, equipment,
tools, materials and supplies, including the conditions and
activities related to their use, so that hazardous defects and
hazardous activities are promptly detected (such as, but not limited
to, inspection criteria for furnace repair).
4) The timely correction and control of hazards, however detected, so
that safe and healthful working conditions are provided and
maintained.
5) The notification and training of employees about workplace hazards
to which they may be exposed, so that all employees are aware of all
significant hazards and of the appropriate precautions and conduct
required to reduce the risk of injury (such as, but not limited to,
closing the rear door except when necessary for operations, and
instructing non-essential employees to remain out of the furnace area
while the furnace is in operation).
6) The regular review of these programs to ensure their adequacy in
practice and to make improvements as needed so that these program
activities for providing safe and healthful working conditions are
maintained.

Issued

Mar 9, 1989

Abate by

Apr 10, 1989

Penalty

Initial $450 · Current $450